This piece needs little introduction. It is a description of a meeting between
Kelan and his traitor sister Danila. They met in an inn in Delport and made no
secret of it. Danila had sent a letter to Kelan requesting a meeting with him
to discuss handing over guardianship of her son. Most of the other patrons that
night were Paladin Knights or Ur'guard and their presence caused the innkeep no
small amount of concern. It was from the accounts of these patrons and the
innkeep himself that I was able to put together this conversation.

Without further ado.
* * *
She entered as dusk was falling, her tall frame cast in silhouette by the dying
rays of the sun. Her boots rang purposefully on the aged wooden floor as she
strode towards the young man sitting in the corner of the large common room.
Her target studied her approach with hooded eyes, his face set in dispassionate
lines.

So similar were their countenances that ten years given to him or ten less to
her would see them as twins. The thought was not comforting.

She came to a halt before him, slowly removing her supple leather gloves and
flexing her hands in preparation for the task ahead. Her voice was low and
rich, pleasing to the ear even if her words were not. "Brother," she stated
simply.

The young merian did not acknowledge the relationship, simply nodding at the
chair across from him. She took the invitation and settled herself. They gazed
at one another indifferently for some time, both comfortable in the silence.
She broke it first.

"I always knew you would be a handsome man."

He responded dispassionately. "The blood runs true." His eyes flicked
dismissively over her own attractive features, "In unimportant matters at
least."

"And wit as well. Father must be beside himself with joy at having such a son."
Her brow creased in a contrived frown. "But wait, didn't I hear a nasty rumor
that you'd been disowned?"

He stared at her in stony silence.

A smug smile played about her lips as she snapped imperiously, gaining the
barkeep's attention. A pointed finger indicated she wished the same drink as
her brother. Turning back she continued, "In any event, don't feel too badly. I
hear he burned everything that had anything to do with me."

Locking his gaze upon hers his lips curled upwards in a vicious smile. "Mother
helped."

She flinched, her breathe hissing at her quick intake. "Careful, little
brother," she snarled, all traces of her earlier warmth gone.

His only response was a contemptuous smirk, pleased to have shaken her
assurance in their mother's unconditional affection.

Recovering her composure she scanned his face briefly before moving her gaze to
the other occupants of the common room. "I am surprised that you haven't asked."

His eyebrow arched in silent inquiry.

"Why I turned traitor. Usually, it's the first thing people ask."

His tones were awash with indifference as he responded, "I do not care why you
turned. It is probable it is the same reason others turn. They are irresolute
and egocentric and thus easily succumb to the blandishments of the Tainted."

She snorted at his cultivated speech. "Such big words. Don't hurt yourself
brother. You think the Tainted are merely weak and selfish?" she asked, her
tone amused at the concept.

"Not at all dear sister. I think those who turn traitor to join them are weak
and selfish. The Tainted themselves are just poor souls that have taken a
mortal wound and yet refuse to have the grace to die." Was his flippant reply.

Her eyes flashed as an old anger was rekindled. "You sound the perfect student
to the brainwashing known as the ‘Light'," she spat, "What do you know of the
Taint little mage? Tucked safely behind your walls doing your little science
experiments while your Paladins do the dirty work. Have you ever even met a
Tainted? Spoken with them? Studied them? Or do you merely wish to destroy any
trace of the proof that Celest failed so badly?"

A slight flush arose on his blue skin at her words but his voice was calm as he
spoke. "Nothing of the kind, Danila. I have met Tainted and I have studied them.
They have a crippling illness. Nothing more. One it is our responsibility to
cure. And if they get out of hand while we're seeking that cure then we must
unfortunately deal with them much as we have to deal with a rabid dog - put
them down."

She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes as she opened her mouth to reply but was
interrupted by the barkeep and his flagon. Once her glass was full he backed
away from the table. His obeisance to both patrons was low and respectful, a
point which clearly restored Danila's good humor.

"Such respect for the enemy in a village of the Light," she commented once he
was away, taking an appreciative sip of the wine before her.

"Such respect for coin and the power to kill with little effort." He replied
curtly.

"True, true. Still, amusing. All I can say to your stance is I hope there is no
rape in Celest for the sake of the victims. Kill the fools that had the bad
taste to be violated!" she exclaimed, raising her glass in a mock salute.

"It is not remotely the same thing. If you wish to twist my words so you can
avoid the truth of them that is your choice. I will not argue." He turned his
face from her and scanned the rest of the room with cold eyes. She did not
respond.

Silence reigned at the table once more, clearing the way for the ambient sounds
of the common room. The low murmur of other patrons' conversations mingled with
the clinks of cutlery and glassware to provide a soothing background for the
agitated siblings. They soon regained control of their emotions.

"Tell me about the boy." He stated simply.

"What is there to say that was not in my letter? He is six. He can read, write,
and shows some small talent for elemental magics. Healthy but slight -"

He interrupted impatiently, "With all his teeth and a sound gait I'm sure. Tell
me why you would see him in New Celest."

"I would see him live, Kelan. I did not carry him for nine months or suffer
through labor to simply watch him snuffed out to make room for his sister. His
father agrees to the placement, feeling he might make a useful spy at some
point but mostly to get him out of the way without raising my ire." She replied
coldly.

"What precisely is wrong with the boy?" He asked, more discomfited by the bored
tones in which she spoke of the matter than he would care to admit.

Her mouth twisted in a wry smile. "The boy does not wish to be a warrior. Add
this to an unfortunate resemblance to his father prior to the wars and you will
arrive at the sum of why Davik is less than pleased with his heir."

"Explain."

Her humourless chuckle filled the air between them. "Would you welcome a
constant reminder of what you once were?"

"It is not the boy's fault." He insisted.

She gave him a curious look. "What difference does that make?"

He had no reply.

Exhaling in frustration she spoke rapidly, "Let us skip the outraged protests
shall we? We both know you will take the boy. Family means too much to you to
simply cast it aside and your superiors are already salivating at the chance to
have a young Tainted to experiment on. All you need to say is ‘I will make the
arrangements Danila' and we can both get out of this lovely establishment and
move on with our lives."

He was silent for a moment and then nodded slowly. "I will make the
arrangements Danila."

Nodding brusquely, she stood and drew her gloves over her slightly webbed
fingers. "Honestly, I knew this day would come from the moment of his naming. I
knew one day I would have to walk away from him." She gazed at him with
something akin to affection for a long moment before turning and moving quickly
to the door. His voice halted her steps.

"Danila."

She half turned, her face hidden in the shadows.

"What is his name?"

A grim smile flashed before she turned towards the door once more, raising the
hood of her traveling cloak. Her rich voice was disembodied by its depths but
rang clear, "Kelan."

And then the night claimed her once more.