As Rizla flew through the air, shrouded in indigo and thunder, she once again relished the gift of flight. The Curse-Blessed had granted her many powers, but flight was a gift. The others she’d earned. 

The child was within reach; she’s sensed it with the distorted maternal instinct she’d had ever since the birth of her son, and the Gibbor’s message had only confirmed what she knew. 

She was also certain that the child was somewhere in the castle.  She’d flown every night, searching for a little hut, a second story with a light inside that would indicate feeding. That she hadn’t found him was disturbing. That Elymas hadn’t found him was more so. That was the main reason they’d withheld the news of the child’s birth: Elymas should have exterminated him by now. The Red Robes were nothing if not efficient. 

What fools they were! The babe was probably under their noses, birthed by a serving wench and tended to by a bevy of maids. She’d find him and send word to the Tu’el; then maybe she’d sleep the night through without seeing the girl at the Hungry Rocks in her dreams. 

                                     ************

The girl was used to abuse, that much was evidenced by the purple bruise beneath her eye. She had other bruises, yet she swung her mallet defiantly as she attacked the Hungry Rock before her. Her rebelliousness caught the attention of the Tu’el, Commander of the Cursed-Blessed Forces and a man greatly to be feared. Some whispered that he was the Dark incarnate. 

Had those whispers reached his ears, he’d have killed the gossip on the spot, in slow and humiliating degrees. However, in the city of Nevers, no one talked much.