I've gotten some positive feedback, and some negative feedback, and all I can say is I'm happy for any honest feedback. I'm especially happy that I've apparently gotten a number of my readers emotionally invested with the characters. That can actually be very difficult.

Ok, so this chapter is a bit shorter than normal, so heads up. Also, I noticed some...problems in my first chapter. I think I mentioned this before, but I had compiled that first chapter from different files. There were final adjustments that didn't make it over, and while I don't have a finished outline for this story, I do have some notes. Just a heads up, I've made some small changes, and will likely be making other corrections in the near future, especially before the next chapter comes out. This will mostly be for consistency purposes. Also...am I the only one who sucks at picking names?

And once again, thanks for reading, and let me know if you spot problems so I can address/fix them.

************

After breakfast the two moved to the lounge, and Shia made them some tea. “Well, you probably have some questions.” Shia said, setting the tea on a table beside them. Ashley took a seat on an old sofa, and Shia immediately sat down next to her. Shia seemed intent to keep physical contact with Ashley, while Ashley was just too tired to argue.

“...Yea.” Ashley said as she considered her sister. “Why are you here?” she asked.

“To take care of you...”Shia said tilting her head to the side.

“No...You may be my sister, but we've never met before. Then this happens to me, and you're here as my new 'guardian'. Not that I don't appreciate a family visit, but what do you want? I'm not helping the circle bitches...Especially after they pull something like this.” Ashley says, her tone exhausted, but resolute.

Shia sighed, brushing a few strands of hair out of Ashley's face. “Sorry Ashley, I know this must be difficult for you. I'm not here to get anything out of you, I promise. I didn't exactly want to come back to Nal'Lucan myself. I only returned because I received news of Kalie.” she said, before reaching down to hand Ashley a cup of tea.

Ashley looked down at the tea, but didn't move to take it. “Then the circle sent you to manipulate me.” she said, getting up from the sofa suddenly.

Shia reached out and grabbed Ashley's hand. “Ashley, wait.” she said hastily.

“Neither you, nor mother ever gave a shit about me. Now what the fuck do you want?” Ashley spoke roughly.

Shia looked at Ashley quietly for several seconds. “I'm sorry.” she said, putting the cup of tea down. “I...I look at you and I see Kalie, but you don't know me, and I don't really know you.” she said weakly. “Please...sit down, and lets talk for a bit...if you don't want me here afterward, I'll leave.” she said.

Ashley frowned, and sat down in a chair opposite Shia. “...So you're part of the circle.” she said, her tone accusatory.

“No...not anymore. I was up until a few years ago, but...” Shia said, and then paused rubbing her temple. “I left.” she said, and sighed. “This is hard to explain to someone who isn't familiar with the inner workings of the Circle, but to put it simply...I was past over for a major position, and because of that the circle canceled my engagement.” she said.

“...What?” Ashley asked confused.

Shia took a deep breath, and released it slowly. “Ashley, the Circle has a very tight grip over its members, and over how they interact with the rest of society. There's a reason that they seclude us from early childhood...We're not supposed to have any connection stronger than the Circle.” she said, before taking a sip of tea. She paused for another several seconds, and then looked up at Ashley. “You've not had to arrange for marriage yet, but as you might know, any time a sister of the Circle marries, that marriage is arranged by the Circle matrons. They pick girls some time before their twenty-first birthday, and the best marriages go to those girls who are being groomed for higher positions.” she said frowning.

“Don't you get positions by seniority or something? Skill?” Ashley asked with a raised eyebrow.

Shia looked at Ashley incredulously. “Goddess, no. That's not how...” she said, looking at Ashley with a pained expression. “The Circle invests a lot into assisting with the magic cultivation, and spirit bonding of its 'prime' members from a young age. The Circle then arranges marriages to provide social standing and influence in the kingdom and courts. About thirty years ago the first signs of the seal weakening appeared.” she said.

“The seal?” Ashley asked confused.

“Sorry...The Circle of Bristol is dedicated to guarding a seal placed by the goddess Gaea at the end of the war of the gods. It was meant to keep a force buried that could swallow the world in eternal night. Every several generations a ritual was to be held to strengthen the seal, where the mantle of the goddess would settle upon a chosen bearer. With the goddess's power, the Circle could reseal the prison. The bearer would also pass down a part of that power to her descendents, and so a magical lineage would be created...or sustained” Shia said hesitating for a moment. “I had originally been slated to receive the mantle, and so was arranged to marry Aton, the first Prince of Bristol.“she said.

“...Why were you...Why did the select Kalie then?” Ashley asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Aton and I were deeply in love...or at least I thought so. I don't know for sure, but I think it was because I was seen as being 'too close'. My loyalty was questioned, and so another was chosen. As Kalie was mother's only other daughter, she was the logical choice.” Shia said with a shrug.

“Why would being mother's daughter matter?” Ashley asked, watching Shia closely, “And what did you mean 'you thought so'?”

Shia looked confused at Ashley and then nodded, “Sorry. I guess you were never told. Mother is a matron on the council, and after matron Abigail passes, will more or less be its head. As for...me and Anton. I thought he loved, but after our engagement was nullified by the Circle, I went to see him...hoping that we might elope after I fled the Circle. He wanted nothing to do with me. I felt betrayed by Aton, and by the Circle...I left.” she said glancing up at Ashley.

“So...then why are you here?” Ashley asked, again.

“To help my sister...and perhaps see if you will help repair the seal.” Shia said, looking Ashley in the eyes.

“But not your brother...I don't want this mantle, and I have no intention of staying 'like this'” Ashley said, motioning down to her body. “Can't you turn me back to normal, and move the mantle onto someone else?” she asked.

Shia looks at Ashley confused. “Didn't they tell you...” she said and then paused.

“Tell me what?” Ashley asked, her tone gaining an edge.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Goddess...Ashley, the mantle wasn't just laid on you. The spirit of the goddess fled into you. The great tree that housed her spirit is empty...” Shia said shaking her head.

“Then move her into someone else!” Ashley spat out.

“Ashley...I don't know if such a thing is possible. The mantle was permanent, as it imparted a spark of the divine upon the chosen. You didn't just receive a spark Ashley...the spirit bonded herself to you...can't you feel it?” Shia asked, holding up a hand. “Her power radiates from you as powerfully as it ever did from the great tree.” she said and shook her head. “...But I'm not one of the matrons.” she said as Ashley's face fell.

“No...if...It was in a tree before. I left the tree, it can leave me.” Ashley said.

“The tree is dead.” Shia said.

*******

The leaves had fallen from the great tree quickly, as its roots had died days ago. Many of the Circle's enchantresses stared up at the tree hopelessly. Word had spread through the ranks about what had happened with matron Evelyn and Ashley, and people were scared. It had only been two days, but the seal was failing faster than they could have imagined. Even the wards the head matrons tried to place did little more than flicker and dissipate as the darkness in the depths stirred.

Evelyn had spent the last two days in mourning, only leaving her personal quarters to visit Kalie's body, which was set onto a cold stone altar. A few others had come to visit, but the chambers were off limits to any but the council.

A thin white veil draped over the body stirred as matron Abigail walked quietly into the room with an elderly enchantress. Walking to the altar, Abigail slowly passed her hand over the veiled form before speaking. “I don't sense any signs of magic, Rea.” Abigail said softly.

“But...the body hasn't begun to decompose at all.” the elderly enchantress said.

“Weren't spells placed to prevent that?” Abigail asked curiously.

“No! We tried, but the wouldn't stay. I'm telling you, something is wrong.” Rea said irritated.

“...Are you sure there are no signs of life, because...” Abigail said after a moment's pause.

“Definitely not...and don't you think I would have told you if there were? Don't you think I would have spoken to matron Evelyn?” Rea asked, waving her hand dismissively.

“Still...” Abigail said, pulling back the veil to gaze down on Kalie's lifeless face. “I'll have a team of enchantresses look over the sacred pool...though this might just be an effect of the ritual, or the energies we've been suffusing her with for the last few years” she said, placing the veil back into place. “Until we know what's happening, we'll postpone the burial.” she said.

“Yes matron...and the twin?” Rea asked hesitantly after a second.

Abigail turned and gazed down at the older enchantress, “What of her?” she asked.

“...The seal is weakening. Why hasn't she be brought to the circle to restore it?” Rea asked, glancing from the body to Abigail. “The entire circle is nervous.” she said.

“...I'm aware Rea, and something is being done.” Abigail said coldly, moving to leave. “Have faith in the goddess, she would not abandon her children.” she said. Rea sighed, glancing back at the body on the altar, and shaking her head.

As the two left the antechamber the shadows grew thicker, strands of darkness flickering along the floor toward the lifeless body.

*******

“...Are you saying that this 'thing' is stuck in me?” Ashley asked, “...But, can't you change me back a least? Can't someone?” she asked her tone becoming desperate.

Shia glared at Ashley, her fish clenching slightly, “The spirit of the goddess is not a thing.” she said, glaring for a moment, before she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “And...I don't know. The only people who might be able to help you would be the matrons of the circle.” she said.

“You mean before, or after they try to kill me?” Ashley asked, as she felt the irritation building again. It was easier to embrace anger than the myriad of other emotions inside of her.

Shia looked at Ashley and sighed. “Our mother is suffering, and she made a mistake.” she said.

“That woman isn't my mother.” Ashley said coldly.

Shia reached out her hand, causing Ashley to jerk away. “No...she wasn't much of a mother to you, and I've never been a sister to you...but please give me a chance.” she said, standing up. “I can't change what's happened to you, but I promise to be here for you now.” she said.

“Why? Because I'm your 'sister' now? I don't see you visiting Connaly, or Jason, or Minos.” Ashley said accusingly.

“No, and I don't see them visiting you either.” Shia snapped. “And how often did you come looking for me? Or Kalie even?” she asked.

“I wasn't allowed to...” Ashley said defensively.

“When you were four, sure. What about when you were fourteen? Or sixteen?” Shia asked, angrily, before taking another breath.

Ashley flinched like she'd been slapped. “...Sorry. No one was there for you either...when your engagement fell through.” she said.

“No...and I didn't go looking either.” Shia said after a moment, “And you're right...maybe I should.” she said, taking a seat again.

Ashley was quiet for a moment, but then she just shook her head, “Don't bother, they're assholes.” she said, causing Shia to giggle.

“Well, I'm not perfect either.“Shia said with a smile on her face. “Ashley, I know you're angry at the Circle, and at mother, and you have every right to be...but would you consider helping them just once?” she asked, holding up as Ashley opened her mouth to respond. “This is serious Ashley. I wouldn't have ever spoken to the matrons again if it wasn't. Afterward, we can do whatever you want. We can leave Bristol, and go adventuring, or settle out in the middle of nowhere. I'll even leave if you want me to...” she said.

Ashley closed her eyes and sighed, “I...I can't think about this right now.” she said softly. “I just want this all to go away.” she said.

Shia nodded, and got back up before pulling her sister into a hug. After squeezing her tightly for a few moments, she pulled back and gazed at Ashley thoughtfully. “So...would you like me to teach you some magic?” she asked.