Chapter 1
Razors of Death
Rhen smiled at her best friend while folding a shirt. “I’m going to miss you Lila.”
Lila hugged Rhen. “Just promise to write at least once a week. And don’t get a new best friend!”
Rhen chortled. “How can anyone be a better friend than you?”
“Rhen?”
Rhen and Lila broke apart and looked at Lila’s cousin, Lars.
“Yes, Lars?” asked Rhen.
“Bad news about your village.”
The warm smile on Rhen’s face faltered. “What happened?”
“An army attacked your village.”
Rhen’s heart stopped. “Y-You’re joking…. right?”
He shook his head. “There weren’t any survivors…I’m so sorry, Rhen.”
Rhen’s uncertain smile faded. She froze with lips parted. A lump formed in her throat, and her eyes stung with tears.
She shook her head ever so slightly, hoping Lars would burst into a full grin and laugh.
His expression remained dead serious.
“No,” Rhen said in a barely audible voice.
Lars eyes changed to reflect concern. Rhen saw the hint of a tear in one of them, which Lars quickly rubbed.
“NO!” screamed Rhen.
Lily grabbed Rhen’s arm. “Rhen…Rhen.”
Rhen swung her arm out of Lila’s grip and marched up to Lars.
“Not a go
Lars sighed and walked out of the room.
A tear trickled down Rhen’s cheek.
An anguished cry arose from her throat, and she collapsed to the ground. She shook her head, oblivious to Lila’s arms around her shoulder. As the tears dripped onto her skirt, she felt her heart leave with them.
“How did this happen, Lila?”
Lila responded by hugging Rhen tighter.
“How could my whole life be destroyed…just like that?”
Her head dropped onto Lila’s shoulder while her arms hung near her knees.
“Thanks, Lila,” said Rhen. “But I want to be alone now.”
Lila stood up. Taking, slow, sad steps, she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.
Rhen stood up and sat on one of the two beds in the room. She lay down there and covered herself with the cozy blanket, and cried her disbelief into nonexistence.
Succumbing to the grief, hurt and sadness, she closed her eyes.
ZAP!
Rhen’s eyes flew open.
A tall, fair lady dressed in a pale blue dress was standing near the bed. Her eyes were big and a deep green. Long, chestnut brown hair cascaded down to a little below her slim waist.
“Rhen, I am Sarayen, the Serene One.”
“What do you mean the ‘Serene One’?”
“I am here to tell you something.”
“Now’s not a good time. My family…”
She bit her lip and did not continue, clutching her stomach as her heart sank.
“I know the Brakers were extremely close to you, Rhen. But they are not your family.”
Rhen stared at Sarayen, gaping. “What are you talking about?”
Sarayen waved her hand and an envelope appeared, hovering eye-level with Rhen.
Rhen grabbed it and read the words written in neat, long writing:
To my precious daughter Rhen.
Rhen’s hand trembled a little as she opened the envelope.
