Summary;
A noble, Sierra, finds herself as an escaped slave and mixing with the lower class of Arrenai after her hometown Otorro is downed in a brief feud with neighbouring land Shadur. As she struggles to find sense of the madness ensuing, another threat looms on the horizon as Arrenai and Shadur battle it out for supremacy and power - something which makes the lands petty troubles of war and peace pale in significance. Can the world work together to meet this threat, or will they turn on each other like they have for years?
The summary is a bit loose at the moment as I haven't exactly mapped out all the possible turning points of this story. I also know I need to edit this a lot, but I'm just releasing the rough drafts first in case any one wants a read xD Constructive criticism is appreciated.
Sierra woke up the next morning with sunlight streaming through the window. Sun at last! She walked sleepily over to the frosted window and looked out. The morning sun glinted on the snow, making the outside shine prettily, even if most of the horizon was blocked out by thick smog from chimneys burning away logs of wood. Sierra wrapped her arms around herself in an effort to keep warm. Outside the confines of the warm blankets, it was still very cold. Sierra paused by the doorway and opened it slowly, in case anyone else was still asleep. She guessed it was quite early, seeing the sun was not that high in the east.
Sierra padded down the stairs, and into the alehouse, taking the room key with her. Rachael was already up, and preparing for the day to come by stacking glasses and washing dishes from the night before. Sierra felt apprehensive as Rachael watched her look around and sit on an empty chair nearby. Rachael went back to washing the dishes and an awkward silence hung in the air. Sierra broke it by saying “So how have you been Rachael?” Although her dislike of Sierra was apparent, Sierra tried her best to get along with her. Rachael shrugged and made a face. “Busy. As always. How about you?” “Oh yeah, fine. It’s been quite cold recently,” Sierra stated, half smiling. Rachael nodded. “Yeah, well it is winter. Gotta live with it I suppose. Here, you want something to eat?” She ladled some soup from a pot into a bowl and handed it to Sierra. Sierra felt gratified by the kindness. Could Edward have said something to her that changed her mind about Sierra? “Thanks,” Sierra said with surprise, and began to eat.
She looked back up at Rachael again, who seemed to have moved on to arranging the chairs around the alehouse. It was apparent Rachael was about to say something to Sierra but just at that moment, Edward came in through the front doors, carrying a crate of fruit. “Morning Sierra,” he said, nodding to her. Sierra started up and smothered a grin as he set the crate down with a grunt. “It pays to wake up early in the morning – you get the best fruit at the market!” he chuckled and went to the bar to get a mug of ale. Sierra shook her head. “I don’t know how you could wake up so early in this weather,” she stated. Edward looked back at her and laughed. “Well I’ve gotten used to it,” he said with amusement in his voice. Rachael rolled her eyes and shooed Edward away so she could go back to clearing up the bar. Edward took a swag of ale then strolled out of the alehouse, saying he had to take care of ‘business’ with a certain someone. Sierra didn’t bother asking. Edward was always mixing himself with underground merchants in the city – and usually got into trouble for it too. Secret passages underground enabled people to smuggle goods into Arrenai from outside without passing the gates; though it was dangerous and you could easily get lost. Sierra had only been in the passages a few times with Brian, but never ventured to go in there alone. It scared her to think of who might be down there, or where she might end up if she took a wrong turn.
Rachael interrupted her thoughts as the splash of water and clang of metal brought her back to earth. Sierra started forward. “Would you like any help with that? I feel kind of useless just doing nothing while you’re busy everywhere!” she exclaimed, and smiled. Rachael looked back at her, eyebrows raised. “Well I guess you could help me dry these dishes. And the mugs.” She motioned to the wet dishes beside her at the sink. “Oh, sure thing,” Sierra nodded and grabbed a towel from a cupboard as she began drying them.
It seemed like ages before Rachael began again. “Sierra…I’m sorry if I ever…well…made you feel uncomfortable. Especially with Edward around and all,” she said suddenly, as if to an invisible person in front of her. Sierra bit back a look of surprise. “It’s…it’s alright Rachael. I just always wondered…why you hated me so?” she ventured, absently rubbing the side of a plate excessively in thought. Rachael paused, then blurted out “I didn’t mean for you to see it like that. I mean…I don’t hate you. I just wanted you to know, well, you can’t have Edward. Not until I know you better. I mean he’s my brother and…I don’t think he’s considered what he might be getting himself into. Not meaning any offence or anything.” Rachael looked at Sierra now, with a questioning look on her face. Sierra frowned, then burst out laughing. “Me?! And Edward? Is that what this is all about?” she shook her head, still laughing. “Rachael…I can honestly say that is the first time I have ever thought about Edward that way, when you said it. And, well…I don’t think we’d work out anyway – we’d probably just ruin our friendship. I know what you mean…when you said he didn’t know what he was getting into. I can’t help living in the slums,” she said evenly. “But don’t worry, I’m not after Edward. He’s just a friend! Besides, I haven’t seen him in ages.” She reasoned. Rachael smiled a bit and looked down. “Sorry Sierra…I didn’t mean for…well…I’m sorry.” She blushed and began scrubbing at a pot furiously. “Apology accepted,” Sierra smiled and began drying another plate. The two girls suddenly burst out laughing, and after that they couldn’t stop. As Edward entered through the door later on, Rachael and Sierra looked at each other and burst into giggles. “Good to see you too are now on talking terms,” he remarked, rolling his eyes. “Women!” they heard him mutter as he stomped upstairs.
Small giggles escaped Sierra’s throat. Rachael shook her head. “This is going to get interesting whenever we see him again,” she laughed back. Suddenly there was a slight thump as the side door opened, and a dark clad figure strode out. Sierra and Rachael stopped what they were doing momentarily and stared. It was the mysterious man from the night before, though it was hard to see his face from underneath his large cloak. He was tall and lean, completely clothed in dark blue trousers, black cloak, gloves and shirt, and a red sash. He also seemed to be carrying an assortment of knives and daggers, as well as a sheathed sword at his side. As he walked out the door without even noticing the two girls, they looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Rachael smirked. “He’s been staying here about a week now. Everyone asks about him, but no one knows who he is. He’s very mysterious,” she said dreamily. Sierra stared at her in horror. “He looks like a full bodied assassin!” she cried out. “And I bet he’s enjoying the attention.” She said shaking her head. “There’s something bad about him, I know it.”
Rachael laughed. “Well Edward tried talking to him before, didn’t work. He likes keeping to himself. And besides, if he was an assassin, or whatever, he’d be done with it by now. Apparently he wants to stay a few months here.” She stated, looking smug. Sierra looked at Rachael, still skeptical. “Still, maybe he’s waiting for the right moment. The king is quite weak at the moment, with the sickness and all…” Rachael shook her accusations off. “I think you’re just getting ahead of yourself. We get men in here all the time, all with different agendas. I’d say he’s just an over-cautious tourist from some land like Shadur or Tamalin. They love their weapons,” she giggled again. “He seems harmless enough. Or maybe he’s doing business with the smugglers, they always employ shady men like him,” she suggested. She suddenly laughed. “There’s been so many assumptions about him, I don’t know what to think anymore.”
Edward walked into the room now, carrying a new crate of ale and wine. He motioned to the door. “Did ya’ see mister mysterious walk past?” he asked jokily. Rachael nodded. “He didn’t even see us,” she said sulkily. Sierra snorted. “Probably too worried if a dagger’s gunna fall off or somethin’,” she laughed then, imagining it. Edward snorted and shook his head. Sierra wrung the towel over the side of the sink as she finished putting the last plate away in the cupboard. “I’m going to the market to see if I can find Brian or anyone. I’ll be back later maybe,” she said, making her way to the door. Edward followed her. “Yeah you better Sierra. And don’t get yourself in too much trouble,” he warned, and waved her goodbye. Rachael smiled at her as she met the cold snow outside. Looking up at the sky, she grinned. It’s going to be a great day, she thought.