#scrpcntina

“I keep thinking of Halamshiral – did you hear of what occurred there?” Her voice is hushed; behind her mask, her eyes do not meet those of the other woman. Halamshiral – her greatest failure, the reason she could not sleep at night. “I think of how easily it could happen again. Thousands of my people died that day.”

“Forgive me, I don’t usually...drink. At all. But there are exceptions to every rule, are there not?”

“Oh -- and did Archon Radonis open a formal complaints department in which to hear my grievances? Or does he continue -- in our country’s fine tradition -- to listen only to the voices of those deemed worthy?”

“I have nothing to compare it to, madame.”

Theodora was beautiful, and she was talented, she was intelligent, she was so perfect that Janna sometimes thought she hated her. As if having the entire Imperium ahead to conquer, she also had to take away her father, out of all people, her father. Did he maybe love Theodora more than he loved his own soporata daughter? Would Theodora steal her family, in the end? And this wild jealousy made Janna feel like she really hated her. 

mythal as mythal \ o 

“Theodora.” How the tables have turned now! Although both of high birth and of about the same age, they never truly got along. Whenever they crossed in the halls, often not a single glance has been exchanged. Often Janna would find herself wildly jealous - could she have been replaced, the golden daughter pushed aside for an eager, ambitious apprentice? Now, Janna was a powerful woman: they called her a Herald, albeit to a false prophet. Chosen by the Maker.. could she be?          “I assume my Lord Father has sent you.” Of course, as soon as she found a moment of quiet, she’d requested assistance from her parents. Now, more than ever, she needed their guidance. Not one of their frigid apprentices, though Janna still maintained a smile, ever the false saint people wanted to see. It was not Theodora’s fault, she told herself. The fact that mother did not come.... Father was always busy with his business, money and power and making sure no one else rose high enough to threaten him. But Mother? “Are there any particular instructions or messages you came with?”