Chapter 3

Astria was very aware of how alone she was she walked back along the cluster of huts, knowing that should war be declared, she would lose someone more dear to her than her own life. She dragged her exhausted body forward with her eyes lowered towards the ground as she allowed her mind to wander, fearing that once she returned home her life would change forever, and in a way that she would be unable to control. Her senses were keen and alert as her eyes shifted between the darkness of the huts, the feeling that someone was watching her plaguing her every step. Was someone in the darkness, following her? Would they attack? She shook her head, pushing the feeling aside as she believed it to be nothing more than paranoia, brought on by her many worries. Sighing, she turned her thoughts back towards the problems she now faced, allowing them to fill her.

What would happen should war begin, would she ever see her friend again? What did John want with her mother? Tears slid down her cheeks, what would she do as the world twisted and changed before her very eyes, barely giving her a chance to come to grips with what she now knew. For if war did begin, would she be able to fight? And could she kill to protect those that she cared for? The questions looped and repeated as she rounded a corner, terrified that she would watch everyone that she ever knew die.

“I can’t believe that they would do something like this, and for no reason.” Astria sobbed, unable to grasp the reasons for the Deus' attack.

They slaughtered hundreds of Fera, barely anyone survived.

Not even the children.

She approached the hut with a heavy heart, wishing that she could have prevented it somehow, done something to stop the death and destruction that she new had occurred to a people that had taken her in and showed her nothing but kindness. That they had been treated in such a heinous way. Why did no one question The Deus' actions, challenge them? We’re the other races as afraid as she was now? Cowardly and unsure. Yes, The Deus had great power, one passed down from the gods, but did that mean they could slaughter whomever they wished? A small sob escaped her lips as her mind returned to the defenceless children and how petrified they must have been, how they must have screamed. They had barely got to know the world before it was torn away from them, giving them no hope of a future.

“Tuviel you know that we have no choice. It would put us all in grave danger.” Jonathan snapped as he took a step towards the girls mother, growling as his instincts as a sabre cat began to surface.

Astria watched from a distance, the anger in Jonathan’s voice causing her to freeze in fear, her heart racing.

“It’s unacceptable. What do you expect me to do, you know what will happen if they find me!” Tuviel pleaded, her tone pleading.

“Mother?” Astria managed to whisper after a moment of silence, forcing her body to move as she approached them; weary of Jonathan’s explosive temper. “if who finds you?”

“Astria.” She gasped. “How long have you been stood there?”

“Only a moment, what is going on?”

When no answer came the girl turned towards the Fera, her emotions flaring.

“Who is searching for her?”.

“Maybe it is time that you told her Tuviel.” Johnathan commented, glancing between the women.

Astria grunted in confusion, “Tell me what?”

“That is enough.” Tuviel growled, her eyes blazing with anger. “Jonathan. I will do what you have asked now please, leave me alone with my daughter.”

“Very well, but know that this wasn’t what I wanted.” He replied, leaving Astria alone with her mother.

“Mother what is going on?” Astria repeated, eager to know the answer.

“I suppose that I have some explaining to do.” Tuviel admitted slowly, “Let’s go inside.”

“Alright.” The girl nodded, following her mother into the hut.

Tuviel watched the ground as she strolled through the small leather entryway, avoiding her daughter’s eyes. She sat on one of the two makeshift beds that they have grown accustomed to for the past decade, waiting in silence as Astria stoked the fire before taking a seat, eager to learn to answers to all of her questions.

After taking a long breath, Tuviel sighed. “I don’t know where to begin. What is it that you wish to know?”

“Why were you arguing with Jonathan?”

“I was arguing in our defence, the leaders of this village have asked us to leave immediately.” She answered sharply, unsure whether she should have spoke at all.

“What?” Astria gasped, “Why?”

“War has been declared and we are no longer welcome here, our loyalty has been questioned because of who I am and who your father is. They believe we are a danger to them.” Tuviel explained frowning at the severity of the situation.

“This is our home.”

“Not anymore.”

Astria watched her mother, realising her sadness but knowing she must continue. “Who are you? What race?”

“I am Deus, I was a priestess and on my way to great things.”

“What happened?”

Tuviel smiled at the question, “I met your father.”

“Who is my father?”

“That I am not ready to divulge, but I will tell you that he is an elf.” Mumbled her mother.

Astria frowned. “Is he the reason you had to live with the Fera?”

“No.” Tuviel shook her head. “You are.”

The girl gasped, “Why me?”

“Because half-breed children are forbidden and killed at birth, I ran to protect you.”

“That is who's looking for you isn’t it? You ran with me and hid here all this time to keep me safe.” Astria stated, already knowing the answer.

“Yes, I had no choice, if they ever find us they will kill you.”

“What will happen to you?”

“I don’t know.”