“Dark Moons Ary’ia! Why must you scare Kess’ia as such?”

“I'm sorry sister, I did not mean to frighten you,” Ary’ia laughed as she lied to her sister, of course she meant it, her sister was easy to scare. She got down off the ledge to help pick up the item Kess’ia had dropped when Ary’ia had spooked her.

“Kess’ia worked really hard to make these look really pretty for mother and look what you went and did! They are all ruffled!” Her sister whined at her like she always did with everything.

“I am sorry sister,” Ary’ia apologized again if only to make her sister shut up, she knew it wouldn't but so long as this one didn't get in trouble with mother then this one was a happy kitty. She handed her sister the last of her papers and dutifully walked behind her into the house.

Ary’ia Bavaani, was the youngest of the siblings, her sister Kess'ia was the middle child...they had a brother Cas’mire he was a brave soldier, would have been promising candidate to be a Mane had he not been struck down by a daedric Lord during one of the battles he and father went off to help Queen Ayrenn fight in. Now it was just her mother and Kess'ia; Kess'ia studied to be a mage or a scholar of some sort... Ary'ia dreamed of adventure, she didn't want to be a soldier and take orders like her father and brother...maybe a freelance mercenary, a hired Assassin...she always was good in the shadows, and good with a blade…

“Ary’ia! Are you done daydreaming? There are chores to be done!” Her mother called from the doorway when Ary’ia did not finish following her sister into the house.

“Yes mother, this one knows all too well what needs to be done...and I will have them done in a timely manner.” her mother nodded at her and went back inside. Yes yes this one knows what needed to be done, but it wasn't always going to be like this... No! Ary’ia would find a way off this island and she would make her mark in this world and hopefully soon...Khenarthi’s Roost was too small of a place for anyone to have dreams as big as hers.

Ary’ia finally finished those tedious chores her mother wanted done and she was on her way back to the house when she saw smoke from over the horizon. Ary’ia dropped the bucket she was carrying and ran towards her house.

“Mother! Kess’ia!” 

As Ary’ia approached the house she noticed a group of people around one of the buildings. She quickly made her way around back so to get a better look at them, as she looked over the edge of the railing from the second floor she saw the banner one of the strangers carried, 'a tall snake coming out of the water?...sea vipers! They must be’ there was no doubt in Ary’ia's mind she had seen a picture of the banner once before in Kess’ia’s book when she was talking about the Maormer people. Ary’ia knew she had to find her sister and mother and get them out of there.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Look we missed a kitty!” Ary'ia apparently wasn't quick enough, two appeared behind her and nabbed her before she could jump down, she clawed at them with all her might, “this bitch is feisty, better watch it Fargus!”

The one called Fargus was angry because Ary’ia had clawed him in the face he walked up to her and pummeled her with his sword and it was the last thing she saw.

Ary’ia awoke with pain running down her face, and the blood to match it. She looked around the room, it didn't look familiar to her and it smelled awful so it wasn't her home, possibly a boat?

“Looks like the little kitty finally woke up,” the snide one that held her earlier was sitting at the foot of her bed staring at her enjoying the apple no doubt that Ary’ia had gathered.

“Where are we?” Ary’ia angrily asked her capture.

“Curious are we? We are on board one of the best ships there are, and you're with the sea vipers now sweetheart so better get used to it.” He ate a bite of his apple and winked at her.

Ary’ia let out a small growl under her breath, “where is my mother and sister.”

 “oh that I can't tell yeah.. haven't seen them.” He smiled at her and went back to ignoring her again.

She hoped they were alright, what about the island it was all in smoke last she saw...one thing Ary’ia knew she would have her answers soon... whether she liked them or not.

Finally morning broke and they came to get her. Ary’ia recognized Fargus because he still wore her pretty scarring she left him a few days earlier. They brought her up and above deck she looked frantically for her family but still did not see them, “take a good look around little one because you won't see much else for a long long time.” A tall brooding man strode in from behind Fargus, “my name is Ohmanil, Commodore Ohmanil and I run things here.” He stood looking at her proud of his title and accomplishment, Ary’ia of course was less impressed. 

“Is that supposed to mean something? Or to frighten one into obedience? because if that is all you have it needs work.” She smirked at the man.

“Oh I'm sorry, where are my manners we have other guests on board, we should invite them to the party.” Ohmanil turned to Fargus, “would you be so kind as to bring them up?” Fargus nodded and disappeared below deck.

Moments went by and Ary’ia still waited for Fargus to return, then she heard commotion arising from below and Fargus returned with two beings in his arms...it was mother and sister.

“Now that all are present, perhaps an attitude adjustment is in order?” Ohmanil looked to her. Ary’ia was furious and wanted to lunge at the little man, but Fargus still was there by her family and would hurt them if she did anything foolish.

“What is all this? What are you planning to do?” Ary’ia knew something bigger was going on than just some pirate boats showing up to burn crops and steal food from their island.

“You're a smart one I'll give you that, you're right there is more to this.” He got up and walked around, “ I want more, I want to be recognized, no more pillaging these small meaningless endless gains...I want more!”

“You’re insane,” Ary’ia chuckled at the man.

Ohmanil walked over to Ary'ia, “insane you say?” He looked at Fargus, “you haven't seen anything yet.” On that note Fargus picked her mother up and started to walk towards her, she could hear her sister whimpering and crying behind as they held Kess'ia back.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Ary'ia went to charge at Ohmanil but she was restrained by two blokes behind her.

“Earning obedience from one who can't be tamed it seems...the hard way,” he said with a smile. Fargus held her mother tight she was scared but she didn't cry out loud; she was strong for her children, she looked at them both and in that look it told them she loved them dearly with all her heart and to stay strong, a tear ran down her cheek. Mother locked eyes with Ary'ia and said be brave with a stern look...and just as quick Ohmanil snatched what bright light those beautiful blue eyes had shone, as he plummeted his dagger into her breasts then threw her lifeless body over the edge of the ship...all fell silent.