9-03: Old Memories

The treatment the girls were given was... well, much worse than even the Elves. Servant's housing, beggar food, and less than admirable words. At least the younger brother, Sharan, attempted to better the girls' stay in the desert. Even though the older brother seems to have more control, Sharan was able to at least give the girls a servant to help with their stay.

"I see they haven't changed my old room." Aviris softly reminisced, dragging her hand across the wall. "Haven't cleaned it either."

"This was your old room?" Veronica asked.

"Old house. The palace is new, and it was really only my father. I guess, after he died, my brothers moved into the palace and changed this place for a servants' quarters. But looking at the state of this room..."

"There haven't been any servants here at all." Eleanora said, inspecting the the cracks and crevices.

"Did your brothers say why they wanted you here?" Cassidy asked, trying to find a clean place to sit. "We were led here rather quickly."

"Yeah. Our Sultan is dying. He named an heir, however, he wasn't specific. In fact, from what I was told, he said 'the next Sultan shall be the heir of the Kanhawsa'. The issue is, my father never named any of my brothers as an heir." Aviris started to explain.

"Which means that..."

"It's our job to chose. And to do, they want to send us somewhere. They haven't said where yet though."

"How bad is this?" Veronica wondered.

"Well, factions have split. One faction vies for Rajasthan, who wants to keeps us strong, a force of nature, peace through strength and all that. Full freedom. Sharan, on the other hand, would rather use diplomacy, bring civilization to the desert. Enough for our people to advance without damaging our culture."

"Who would you choose?" Eleanora questioned.

"It's a hard choice, honestly. I've been spoiled with civilization, and Sharan is much nicer. However, he's not a fighter. He will make our people weaker. Rajasthan hates change, but he'd keep our people strong. If I were to choose on my feelings only, Sharan. He was the only kind one to me. He's the one who bathed me, washed the blood and viscera off of me when I came home from assassinations when I first started. Comforted me when I had nightmares. He... made me weak. I... It really is difficult to choose."

Aviris is empty, but, by the sound of it, she used to be full of life until she started her assassinations. Veronica sat down beside Aviris.

"You know you'll have to choose in the end, don't you...?"

"Yeah. I want the best for my people. To make up for all the suffering I caused. But... I don't know how to do that."

"You'll figure it out. We'll help you as well." Cassidy added, sitting behind Aviris, hugging her.

"I know how hard these choices can be. Allow us to assist you. Let us shoulder your burden." Eleanora said, taking Aviris' other side.

And for once, Aviris was the target of attention from multiple beautiful girls instead of Veronica.