The city blazed amber but it wasn’t the brightness that made me look away. It was the thought that my brother had done it.
I delved into the night as my horse guided me away from the screaming and the smell of rotting flesh that overcame the scent of the sea breeze.
I had to kill him. I had to kill my brother because nobody was going to do it.
I lay on the sand and looked up at the starry sky. Where would I find him? He’d burned it all, spared none, called in his debt.
I’d warned them. I’d warned so many villages to never ask or take anything from him. Why don’t they ever listen?
The men, the women, the children…they were all dead now.
I would kill him. But first, I had to find him. My best chance would be to ask the crimson witch about his whereabouts. The problem is that I have to find her as well.
I stood up and stripped off my clothes, the cool night air sharp against my bare skin. I hissed as the sea water hit me and swam away until I could no longer make out my horse on the shore.
I floated on my back, my golden hair a halo of light around me. The moon and the stars were awfully bright tonight.
I knew they would come. And they did. One by one, the mermaids surrounded me. Those lucky creatures with their eternal flowing hair, colorful eyes and every woman’s dream body. Well, upper body at least. I don’t think the average female would like to carry a fishtail around for all of eternity.
“What brings you here, Meredith of Mehaldra?” They chorused, their voice melodious and soothing.
“I’m looking for my brother. I’m going to kill him.”
Their faces became sour and grave. I knew they’d heard about what happened. “We can see their souls floating around. We can hear their last breath.”
I closed my eyes and the salty droplets inside them escaped to join their sisters in the sea. “Where can I find the crimson witch?”
“The crimson witch can help you but the children of Hecate can never be trusted.”
“I’ve helped Hecate once. There is no bad blood between us.”
“You know more than anyone that the children of the Gods can never be trusted no matter what. Your father wouldn’t want you to be in danger.”
“I’m going to die anyway.” I whispered.
The sea water got warmer and caressed my skin in farewell.
“Maybe our king can try and convince the Goddess to remove your brother’s curse.” One of them offered.
“You and I both know Hera won’t change her mind.”
“What is her curse anyway?” That same mermaid asked. She must be young.
“If my brother dies of anything but old age, well… nevermind. She cursed him, well, us, thinking that if I were in the middle of things, he would behave and stop offending the Gods who could kill for all he’s done. Little did she know that my brother stopped caring about me long ago… where will I find the crimson witch?”
“She dwells in the forest of Esther. Good luck, my lady.”
I swam back to the shore and put my clothes on after drying myself with a cloth.
“Let’s find this witch.” I muttered and gripped my horse’s mane tighter as we took off.
The forest of Esther was a sinister place, a lair for the witches, the wolves and Gods knew what other monsters.
It was long before I found her, the crimson witch, wearing a crimson blood dress from where she got her name. Her ebony hair was tight in a braid and her silver eyes glowed. Her smile was feline as she took me in.
“And who might you be?”
“I am Meredith of Mehaldra. Daughter of Poseidon. Huntress of Artemis.”
She clicked her tongue. “The Gods seem to be in your favor.”
“I just want to find my twin. I know you can help me.”
“My mother reached out to me and told me to guide you through your quest. She hadn’t shown herself in years…” She trailed. “The ones who seek my guidance usually have to pay for it but if helping you will get me back in Hecate’s good graces, then so be it. Come closer, Meredith of Mehaldra.”
I sat on a rock beside her, my hands ready to grab my bow and an arrow the second she tried to betray me.
Books and stones, potions and crystal balls appeared on a table with a wave of her hand. She grabbed a small crystal ball with swirling blue smoke inside.
“Take a look.”
“I don’t believe in crystal balls.”
“Are you questioning Hecate’s magic?”
I clamped my mouth shut and looked inside the damned crystal. “I don’t see-
She shushed me and started chanting what I assumed to be a spell in a tongue I couldn’t recognize. And slowly, the smoke cleared and I could see my brother sitting around a fire. And where he was… I knew this place. It was Mehaldra. It was our home.
“It appears that your brother was feeling nostalgic.” She stated as the image disappeared. She stood up and her witchcraft material faded as if it had been nothing but an illusion.
“Thank you for your help.”
“If you ever find me again, I won’t let you go so easily. You will die.” She promised and vanished.
“There will be no again.” I muttered to no one.
Just then, a familiar light glowed from behind me. For a moment, I couldn’t believe it. But when I turned around, a thirteen year old girl stood behind me.
I fell to my knees. “My lady.”
“We’ve missed you, Meredith.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s been a while. I had to go around and fix my brother’s messes.”
“I know. Your sisters wanted to come with me. They wanted to say goodbye.” She tried to hide it but I knew it saddened her. “We will miss you and we will never forget you.”
I shrugged. “I guess it’s time to meet uncle Hades. Dad says he’s cranky but I don’t think he’s that bad.”
“You never thought any of us were bad. This is why the Gods like you. As for me, I give you my blessing, my child. Ever so loyal, I will remember you.”
I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I was alone again.
But apparently, Artemis’ blessing had been more than just words. I could only gape at my horse as he grew wings. He was no longer a horse. He was now a Pegasus. And it was time.
The gates of Mehaldra welcomed me back home. And I would never leave Mehaldra again.
I ventured in the village trying to avoid those who wandered in the streets. The people of Mehaldra never sleep.
The forest was just as I remembered it, calm, welcoming, safe. I went to our hiding place where we used to play as kids. The brightness of his fire guided me.
At last, I found him, still in the same position as I’d seen him in the crystal ball.
“It’s good to see you again, little sister.”
“I’m here to kill you, Dimitrius.” I said in a voice that wasn’t my own.
“You still look sixteen.” He remarked. “You like being a huntress, don’t you?”
I drew my arrow but my hands were shaking. I could do it.
“Would you really kill your twin brother? We grew in our dead mother’s womb together. Remember this place?” He said and stood up. “I used to climb up this very tree and bring you little red apples. They were your favorites. Do you remember?”
Okay maybe I couldn’t do it.
And it was that moment of hesitation, this second where my hand quivered that made him take his chance.
He lunged at me, a dagger I hadn’t seen in his hand. I held him back and tried to fight him. My bow had been knocked out of my hands. My quiver was painful as it dug against my back.
He was strong. He was too strong. It took everything I had in me to keep him from stabbing me.
Just then, I thought I could make out a black silhouette standing in the river a few feet away from us. Could it be?
“Is that…” I trailed.
Dimitrius cocked his head to where I was looking and I took it as my clue to take over. I pushed him off of me and knocked his dagger out of his hands. It clattered on a nearby rock and I made a grab for my bow.
I pulled an arrow out of my quiver and faced him. This time, I wouldn’t hesitate. It was time to say goodbye.
“Don’t do that. You know what will happen to you if you shoot me. If I die you will-
“The world has seen enough of your wickedness.” I said and let the arrow fly.
I quickly turned around to look at the river. Yes, it was him.
“Goodbye.” I whispered to the black bearded man holding a trident as I felt my body drift into dust in the night.
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