Chapter 12: New Life, After Life "Elaides, Judge Him Harshly"

Starshadow

Sonja stood at the window of her room, sipping tea in the early morning. She was up early because she didn't sleep much the night before. When she told her daughters about their father, they broke down and were in tears. She stayed with them in their room until they finally fell asleep.

She told them, and Roark, her plans to wait until after Chrystianna introduced her children before announcing Ludvig's death to the public and having his funeral. It wasn't fair to them for his death to overshadow their happy moment. He didn't deserve it. They understood. 

They, like their mother, were levelheaded. They understood that their father was a traitor, but he was still their father. They were allowed to grieve for him. She would never not allow them that.

It was best that she was awake. She had a busy day today. A Spirit Seer was coming soon. New spirits, if they remained earth-bound, were strongest after the moons went down, but before the sun came up. She also planned to hire Dahlia for a job. She sent a message to Dahlia via a call stone. 

But for the moment, she was watching the twinkling stars fading. "Elaides, judge him harshly," she said grimly. Elaides was the name of the Onyx Dragon patron goddess. She was known as the Lady of Night, Mother of the Stars, and Goddess of Death and Judgement. She was in charge of what happens to people after death. Souls deemed worthy were said to be reborn in the world when it was time and until then, resided in the realm of Utraeus, Father of All and Lord of Time. Souls deemed unworthy were cast into the Abyss and ceased to exist.

Elaides, having dominion over death, was also believed to be the reason some Onyx Dragon had the ability of Spirit Sight. They can see spirits from a young age, eventually gain the ability to hear them, and the strongest can actually guide them to Elaides. There were other abilities Spirit Seers developed in between. Most of them joined the Order of Seers within the Temple of Elaides.

Dahlia was actually a Spirit Seer, but she never formally trained her ability, not being altruistic enough in nature to dedicate her life to helping dead people. She wouldn't be strong enough to see a new or weak spirit, much less communicate with it.

After finishing her tea, Sonja went to wash-up and dress. She checked the time and left her room. She was surprised to see that Roark was in the family room eating a hand pie and drinking coffee. "You are up already? You could have rested longer," she said.

Roark shook his head. "I couldn't sleep much. I'm worried about the girls," he said. "I'll stay here in case they wake up alone," he answered. He wanted to go with his mother, but he also wanted to be there for his sisters. It wasn't that they weren't strong, but they were only fifteen years old and their father who spoiled them just became a traitor and died.

Sonja smiled. She leaned over him and kissed his head. "Thank you," she said. He wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Sonja broke away. Her son was a good man. She took a few steps, stopped to look back at him before stepping into the shadows.

--

Zane and Dahlia were waiting for her in the square in front of the dungeon. She wasn't surprised to see Zane. She wasn't sure if he ever slept. "You didn't need to get up so early," she said to Dahlia.

Dahlia was taller and more masculine than usual today. She shook her head. "You know me, I don't like to be idle. You said you had a simple job for me. I'll putter around until you guys need me again," she drawled in a voice that was even deeper than usual.

Sonja nodded. "I met a girl outside of the Academy yesterday. She's from the Darkbane Clan in Ebondale. Her name is Melaina. I want to know everything about her and her family," she instructed. 

"The Darkbane Clan who last had the Shadow Blade?" Zane asked.

Sonja shrugged. "I assume. My great-grandmother was friends with their matriarch before the Plague, but I don't remember any descendants under the Changing Age," she answered.

"What's so special about the girl?" Zane asked sharply.

Sonja gathered her thoughts. "It's hard to put into words. She seems to be mistreated by her family. She seems meek and worn down, but sometimes, I see draconite in her backbone. I just feel something for her," she explained.

Dahlia frowned, her form changing to her usual feminine look. "They're mistreating a Dragon girl? If it's really bad, can I educate them properly?" she asked.

"I'll leave that to your discretion," Sonja said. If that child was any indication, the rest of the family tree was probably even more crooked.

Dahlia nodded. "I'll start now. Keep me updated if you need my help with this," she said and took a few running steps, transforming into an Onyx Dragon and taking flight, disappearing into the purple night.

Zan clenched his jaw for a moment. "You're not going to do the same to Roark that your mother did to you, are you?" he asked. "After living how it turned out," he added.

Sonja stiffened. "No. Never. I'd never demand him marry if he didn't wish to," she answered.

"But you do plan to ask? How is that any different? Do you think he'll say no to you?" Zane almost growled, glowering at her. 

Sonja flared her nose and turned to glare at him. "I don't have to explain what happens to me and my son to you. You are the High Guard of Myrkir. You protect my family, you don't interfere in it," she stated.

Zane clenched his jaw so hard he almost broke his jaw. "Right," he scoffed and turned his head away. His glare at the outer castle walls was fierce enough to bore a hole, but he didn't continue the conversation. It may not technically be his place, but he'd still make a point to speak to Roark. --