Today was the second day she let her mother halt her blade. Whatever dark magic Varen was involved in she knew in her heart she had to purge it, but she did owe her mother at least this courtesy.
Not putting her saber away she looked at Varen whose eyes had a slightly unnatural glow. “I won’t wait long, mother. Give me a reason to not drag him before the Temple for judgment. Using dark magics is strictly forbidden as you know.”
Maeve watched as her mother continued to position herself between her and Varen. “Varen did nothing wrong. Nor has he brought direct harm to anyone not deserving of it.”
“Don’t try to avoid what you said!” Maeve’s temper flared “You said you can’t lose him again! Explain yourself…now.”
Maeve had known her mother her entire life. Varen was too young to have been involved in her mother’s life for too long.
“It's okay Valeri, it is best to just tell her.” Varen said his voice was firm and resolute.
Valeri took a deep breath “You must promise me you will not do anything rash.”
“I won’t.” Maeve had no interest in playing games where her words could be used against her later.
Letting out a shaky breath Valeri looked at her daughter in the eyes “Maeve Felmark…this man is your father and my husband. Formerly called Valum Felmark.”
Maeve’s brain didn’t seem to understand. The entire concept was foreign to her. A father? The man who had bravely died fighting beasts in the wildlands? The man who she envisioned in her head as kind and fatherly.
“Eh?” Maeve’s face twitched as she tried to form words.
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After a few moments Maeve raised her saber again. “What kind of blackmail does this man have on you to say something so ridiculous? Mother, don't you have any shame? Smearing your husband, my father’s memory?”
“I am not being manipulated Maeve.”
Valeri's voice was firm and resolute this time showing no hint of lies. Maeve felt her stomach begin to churn uncomfortably.
Varen stepped forward putting a hand on her mother's shoulder. “I went exploring some abandoned ruins to try and find a few old relics to sell and when I entered I remember nothing. Only that many years had passed and you both left our small town.”
Valeri grabbed Varen’s hand and kissed it. “Varen has been changed now. Blood nourishes him and he is powerful with abilities that allowed us to build wealth quickly. Eventually…I also embraced the gift and now feed.”
Maeve’s hand trembled barely keeping a grip on her blade. “How can I possibly trust either of you? Both you could be monsters disguised as human.”
“You know in your heart we aren't lying. I know my daughter well enough to know what is on her mind.”
Her mother's words caused her knees to nearly buckle. Using a nearby barrel for support she sat down.
“H-how do you expect me a Paladin of Caphaine to simply ignore this?”
Caphaine and her clergy taught to fear and destroy the inhuman. Yet, her parents were not the very thing she was sworn to defeat.
“Maeve” Varen’s deep, but gentle voice broke through her malaise. “I am sorry that I was not their for you growing up. Nothing we are doing here has the intention to harm you. The fact is I did not choose this, but in my heart I don't believe we can maintain this double life in Myredi for long.”
Maeve stood up and sheathed her saber.
“Mother…f-father” she stuttered out the word as she still couldn't full accept it. “I need to think about it and I am to report anything to the Princess. If you do not see me return tomorrow by three past noon. I recommend you both leave Myredien.”
Looking at the dead bodies “Since these were criminals I will not say more on that, but that girl must be unharmed.”
Varen nodded “we had no intention of harming her.”
Maeve turned around and slowly left back up the tunnel. In a few moments her world had crumbled and in its place was uncertainty.