Chapter 7: Miles before peace is found
The witch smiles at Raknesh's confusion. I suppose we do have a complicated little family. You see, I bore two sons. They have no father, I didn't need one. Always been proud of that she laughs. I'm probably just about the only creature out there that doesn't need a mate, even Shae needed one! Anyway, one son became the ruler of death, as you well know. The other lived here for a while but tired of his brother's rule and left to the world of mortals. Mortal or not, he lived a lot longer than you puny folk, and eventually his devotion to the goddess Shae caught her eye. He did quite a few nasty things for her you know. She revealed herself to him eventually and they paired, creating my grandson, Halek. What a disappointment he was! All that potential, wasted! He's just like Raina! she shakes her head. I lost track of Halek after he killed himself centuries ago. Rumor has it he was reborn in mortal flesh, but I've not sensed him. Probably knows I'd squish him if I did. Hmph. And of course you know Raina, daughter of death as we like to say. She's also a disappointment, but I can't help but love her anyway, the fool girl. She's probably the only one I ever did love come to think of it. Which is why you'd better hope she's alive! she finishes with sudden harshness.
Prizzard looks around with little success but Raknesh spots something unusual not far from where you parted with Raina. As you near you discover a scorched circle of black, as though the ground was burned up in a perfect circle. The witch sees this and laughs. Ha! You lot are lucky aren't you? You're safe from the cookfire tonight! Her father's got her!
Tanzy: pm