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The younger circle enchantresses were nervous as the mana in the air turned violent, and they were confused at matron Evelyn's confrontational attitude toward the woman in white. They had come in case there was danger, but they knew they were ultimately here to retrieve the spirit. That the white gowned Ashley was wearing the face of their dead circle sister was unexpected, but given the matron's cold response at the outset, they assumed it wasn't unexpected. As matron Evelyn started spewing threats of beating and maiming the spirit's host...they were lost. What should have been a simple matter of performing an escort was turning potentially deadly, and Ashley was...frankly terrifying.

The mana in the air turned toxic as the group was forced backward from the garden. Their initial attack and defense spells remained primed, but they weren't here to try and kill the host...though it appeared matron Evelyn was.

Ashley's sword burned with green flames as she leapt forward. The ground dented and cracked as nature essence bolstered her, her movements blurring from the speed. “GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!” Ashley screamed like a mad woman, sword slamming down upon Evelyn with wrathful brutality.

A shield enveloped Evelyn in dim light, sparks cascading to the ground with every strike. Evelyn just looked through the translucent shield with scorn, and rage of her own, as the form of her dead daughter was attacking her. “Vile wretch! You DARE?” Evelyn screamed, energy pooling violently around her as she summoned a greater sorcerous working. She would destroy this evil thing, and free the spirit for another host.

Ashley's blade grew heavier as power built inside of it. The blackening thorn edge fell explosively, and faster with every strike. As Evelyn's spell readied to release the edge cracked through her shield, fracturing it into motes of light. “IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!” Ashley screamed, as Evelyn's spell released. Power erupted in an explosion, knocking back the dozen circle enchantresses violently, and drowning the area in a hail of dust.

The mother and daughter tempest tossed across the gardens. Evelyn felt like she had been stabbed through the heart at those words, and screamed as she leapt from the ground.

Ashley crashed teary eyed into an ash tree which cracked with the force. She didn't have the same protective spells her mother did, but her body was healing rapidly even as the magic in her ki channels was forcing torn flesh to obey. As Ashley realized that her mother had tried to kill her, she snapped. The two slammed into each other, their bodies tumbling forcefully across the ground as barbarism took over. Ashley tried to tear out her mother's eyes with her fingers, while Evelyn tried to rip her daughter's offending face off.

“I HATE YOU!” Ashley screamed over and over again, while Evelyn just became more enraged at the provocations from the mouth of her 'dead daughter'.

“DEMON WRETCH! WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE?” Evelyn screamed as she tried to tear the 'imposter' apart with her bare hands.

The two rolled through dirt and debris, their mana flowing off of them in waves. “MONSTROUS HAG!” Ashley screamed, her fingernails drawing blood as she clawed across her mother's face. “YOU STOLE MY SISTER AND ABAONDONED ME! I HATE YOU!” Ashley screamed, even as Evelyn tried to tare of face off.

The two separated as Evelyn slapped her fist across Ashley's temple with a burst of light. The two women had ragged breath, and trembling bodies as the stood opposite each other. Evelyn just looked at Ashley in confusion as she tried to processes what she was hearing.

Ashley glared at the woman that had utterly destroyed her life and maimed her psyche. Tears poured down Ashley's face, her body trembling with rage. “You're not my mother.” she said, aching from the depths of her heart.

“And you're not my daughter.” Evelyn spat out angrily.

“No...and I was never your son either.” Ashley said, glaring at her. “Perhaps you should have just killed me after giving birth to me, you sadistic bitch.” she spat out.

Evelyn was trying to processes the nonsense spewing from this girl's mouth...when something clicked. “...Ashley?” she asked horrified.

Ashley screamed, angry at her. “GET AWAY FROM ME!” she yelled, as power erupted from her, blasting her mother from the gardens, knocking her into the circle enchantresses. She then stumbled from the wreckage of that brief sanctuary which her ex-mother destroyed, much like everything else that horrible woman touched, and passed through the door to her kitchen. She paused for a moment to stare at the circle enchantresses who were climbing to their feet. “Get off my property, and never come back.” Ashley said.

Evelyn was on the ground groaning while one of the enchantresses came to her feet. “But...You have to help us. The great seal is breaking. If we don't fix it, the world will burn!” the young enchantress, a waif of a girl called Nella, said desperately.

Ashley just stared at the girl with dead eyes. “Then let it.” she said, slamming the door behind her.

Nella just stared desperate and confused between matron Evelyn and the retreating Kalie twin. Meanwhile Ashley stumbled into the darkest hole she could find, curling up into a ball and crying, without even he garden to comfort her.

*******

Matron Abigail listened to the report given by a young enchantress from the circle that accompanied Matron Evelyn, named Nella. Abigail practically fell into her chair when Nella related Ashley's final words. Evelyn had wrecked everything, and Abigail should have known better than to allow her circle sister to go out on this; Evelyn was emotional compromised. Even now Evelyn was holed up in the altar room with the body of her daughter, grieving. Everything could have been explained, and smoothed over, if a lighter touch had been used...but that stupid woman had to go personally. “Goddess...” Abigail muttered, a headache coming on.

“She...she won't really let everything burn, will she?” Nella asked fearfully. The young enchantresses of the circle were taught from the start of their initiation that they served to protect the world from destruction: the duty for which they sacrificed everything. The magic in their lineages was both a gift, and a curse in that way.

“...Calm yourself. What you heard were the angry words of a hurt child.” Matron Abigail said with a sigh. “Have faith.” she said weakly, before motioning to dismiss Nella.

Several hours later Jena, the sister who acted more or less as spymaster and information gatherer for the circle, stood in front of Matron Abigail. Abigail gazed into the evening sky, and felt exhausted.

“I have looked into Ashley.” Jena said, a frown on her face.

“And?” Abigail asked wearily.

Jena cleared her throat. “At seventeen he is the fourth, and youngest, son of Matron Evelyn and her husband Abram, the Duke of Alurn. He was also twin brother to sister Kalie. According to their childhood nanny, the two siblings apparently shared a very strong bond. He was entered into his term service at the age of thirteen, serving for four years under the corp of engineers.” Jena said, noting Matron Abigail's frown.

“I take it he was to join the college of engineers then?” Matron Abigail asked.

“It seems he applied, and was refused.” Jena said.

“Strange. The colleges rarely refuse entry by nobility, regardless of whether they stand to inherit titles.” Matron Abigail said, glancing at Jena from the dark horizon.

“I thought so too. Apparently it was at the request of the Duke, who wanted him to serve as a personal clerk and liaison under one of his older brothers... Jason, who's currently a captain on diplomatic appointment from the queen to the kingdom of Kaern.” Jena said, reading off of a piece of paper.

“A strange appointment as Kaern is a treacherous assignment. I assume he was prepping young Ashley for an eventual diplomatic position.” Abigail said thoughtfully.

“Apparently Ashley turned the appointment down, causing him and his father to have a falling out. My information also shows he has an openly hostile relationship with his brothers...violent at times. That was likely the reason for Ashley's refusal.” Jena said, glancing up from her paper.

“Openly hostile, and Violent?” Matron Abigail asked curiously.

“Yes...as best I can tell at least one of the incidence could be considered attempted murder. I have no information on the initial causes of the hostility, but at ten he was hospitalized for several months.” Jena said.

“...Several months? Wasn't the circle called? I'm sure some form of healing could have been provided. His mother at least...” Abigail said aghast.

“Was never informed. The entire thing was swept under the rug by their father... and honestly as best I can tell, Ashley's father has a sadistic streak a mile wide. I take it Matron Evelyn has little to do with him outside of official obligations.” Jena said with a shrug.

“I did find it strange that Kalie had entered into the circle so young, but then again she was gifted enough...I suppose Evelyn wanted to get her away.” Abigail said as she considered. “So what you're saying is that Ashley has no obligations, no family to speak of, and nothing to lose...You don't paint a lovely picture.” she said, once more regretting sending Evelyn.

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“No Matron Abigail.” Jena said simply, “though...” she said, her voice trailing off.

“Yes?” Abigail asked

“There's always sister Shia...” Jena said meaningfully.

“Have the two even met?” Abigail asked thinking on Kalie's older sister, and by proxy, Ashley's as well.

“I can't find any information on that, but I doubt it. However, Shia doted on her sister Kalie. The two had a close relationship.” Jena said.

Abigail considered for a moment, “Why would Ashley want to be involved with her then?” she asked, feeling Jena was going somewhere with this.

“Well...while it's true Ashley currently holds title over her estate, that was left to her while she was male. In Bristol, men gain the right to freehold property at sixteen...” Jena said with a smile.

“And women twenty-one...” Abigail said with a grin.

“She isn't an initiate of the circle, so we have no claim on her currently, but she doesn't have legal standing until twenty-one. Shia could act as 'guardian', and hopefully repair enough of the damage ...” Jena said.

“I see...Dispatch a messenger to Shia. I'm sure she'll want to come to observe Kalie's funeral at least.” Abigail said, a note of sadness in her voice.

“Yes, Matron Abigail.” Jena says, turning to walk out.

*******

Ashley spent the next two days curled up in a ball in one of the bedrooms waiting to die. She didn't have the energy or motivation to crawl out of bed. Most of the time she just had to keep telling herself to breath through the heartache. She cried longer and harder than she had ever in her entire life. Even as a little boy, she had never cried so much...she had never been hurt so badly either. She barely noticed someone entering the room, and at that point she didn't care anymore. If someone had intended to kill her, she didn't feel like putting up a fight. So when someone pulled her into an embrace she didn't fight it.

A golden haired woman in her early twenties found a sobbing Ashley hidden away in a dust covered bedroom. The sense of essence in the house was thick, and after passing through an unlocked door at the address she was given, she had little doubt where Ashley was. Shia had arrived that morning in Nal'Lucan, to find her baby sister dead and the circle in disarray. Her mother didn't say a word to her, but Shia hadn't returned to speak with her mother anyway. When Matron Abigail had explained the situation, she had agreed to check on Ashley, but when she found Ashley, her heart broke for her.

Taking her crying sister in her arms, Shia hugged Ashley tightly and rocked her back and forth. A few hours passed before the sobbing finally subsided, and kissing Ashley's forehead, Shia pulled away. Ashley didn't fight as the stranger pulled her slowly from the bed, leading her to a warm open bath on the first floor that hadn't been used in years. It hadn't taken much magic to ready it, and there seemed to be spells worked into the tiling. She quietly undressed her sister, before removing her own robes, and scrubbing the dust and dried sweat from her sister's body.

When they entered the warm waters, stress bled from Ashley's weary body. The woman beside her leaned close, pushing strands of wet hair out of Ashley's eyes, and pulled her into another embrace. “It's all right Ashley. You're not alone anymore.” Shia whispered to her sister, causing tears to stream down Ashley's face again, but this time she cried because she hurt less, not more.

Ashley didn't fight as Shia dressed the two for bed, or when she curled up against her beneath the covers, she was just so very tired. She past into sleep with the first real sense of comfort she'd had in days, and the only sense of being loved she'd felt in years.

Ashley stirred the next morning, her senses touching on the essence lines that now suffused the house. When she'd woken to find the stranger missing, she felt sad, until Shia arrived in the room with a smile on her face. “Wake up sleepy head. I made us breakfast.” she said, looking resplendent in a set of blue robes. Ashley mumbled, but got dressed in a white and yellow dress that Shia laid out for her. She wanted to go find her own clothes, but knew they wouldn't fit, and she didn't have the energy to bother. She felt it was enough that she put anything on at all.

When Ashley reached the kitchens, Shia had set a plate with eggs, toast, and juice out. Ashley was mildly surprised, since she knew that there shouldn't have really been any food in the cupboards. Ashley hadn't stocked provisions in days, which meant this woman either arrived with her own food, or had gone out to buy some early in the morning.

Taking a seat, Ashley looked down at her plate and frowned. “Sorry...I'll pay you back for the food.” Ashley said, feeling the statement was awkward but not really knowing what else to say.

Shia looked at her concerned, and then smiled as Ashley began eating. “Oh?” she asked curiously. “Did you have an income?” Shia asked, already knowing the answer.

Ashley stopped eating, putting down her fork. “Sorry.” she said, moving to get up from the table.

Groaning in exasperation, Shia got from the table and gently 'guided' Ashley back into her seat. “You are just about the most pitiful creature I've ever met.” Shia said, a note of levity in her tone. “Now eat. You don't owe me anything but your company.” she said as her sister quietly started to eat again. “Just let me take care of you.” she said, retaking her seat.

“I can take care of myself.” Ashley responded between bites.

“Not for four more years you can't.” Shia said with a smile, causing Ashley to freeze, the implications clear.

Ashley looked up at the woman across from her confused, “Who are you?” she asked a bit defensively.

“Well, I'm your sister Shia, and as of yesterday morning, your legal guardian.” Shia said, pulling some papers out and handing them to her. Ashley took the papers nervously, seeing a court order. It was obvious that the Circle had arranged this, and Ashley would have been angry if she had the energy.

“Goddess damn them.” Ashley whispered, her grip on the papers clenching for a second before she dropped them on the kitchen table. “Couldn't they just leave me alone?” she asked. She had been gifted this estate on, and being over the age of sixteen, was considered an adult...as a man. Women were a different story, likely due to the influence of the Circle, and didn't reach adulthood until twenty-one. It kept them under the authority of the Circle longer, and also meant they could be married off before they reached a majority and could legally refuse.

Shia looked across the table at her sister and took a bite of egg. “I'm sorry, would you have preferred to be remanded to our father?” she asked curiously. The papers had never actually gone in front of the duke, as it was deemed to not be any of his concern. They could have remanded Ashley to Evelyn's custody, and thus the Circle's authority, but after what happened at their last meeting that was seen as counter productive.

Ashley's eyes twitched as she imagined being under the control of that sadistic bastard again. “I should pack my things.” she said. It would be easier if she fled Nal'Lucan... and probably Bristol entirely. Anything to get away from those horrible women.

Shia just stopped and looked Ashley in the eyes, hurt. “You'd rather abandon your only sister, than spend a few years living together?” she asked, looking at Ashley closely. “What did I ever do to you, that you would deny me knowing the only sister I have left?” she asked.

“... but Kalie...” Ashley said confused, but 'feeling' the truth on an instinctual level.

“Oh Ashley.” Shia said, frowning deeply. “I'm so sorry...She died three days ago.” she said, watching quietly as the news sank in.

“But...what...” Ashley asked, trying to wrestle with words, like they were foreign somehow.

“There was a ritual, to try and protect the world, but it went wrong. Kalie was supposed to be host to the spirit of a goddess. The ritual came under attack, and at a guess the spirit jumped between Kalie and you...you two must have been very close, spiritually.” Shia said, feeling bad for her sister, and foolish at the same time. The 'honor' she had been past over for, had wrecked Ashley's life.

“Those circle bitches.” Ashley spat out painfully.

Shia just sighed, since she knew that Ashley didn't understand, and that wasn't going to change now. Ashley blamed the circle for letting Kalie die, and Shia understood that. She blamed herself for not being there. “You won't leave me...will you?” she asked, looking at Ashley, who fidgeted under the gaze.

Ashley took a deep breath, and swallowed. “No.” she said.