[subtitle]A Parting Wink[/subtitle]
“The Seanchan happened. They appeared a little more than a year ago, with ships and soldiers and offers of ‘protection’ that we couldn’t refuse,” Velvaen told Kaira bitterly. “There was no defence–our oaths compelled us not to fight. ‘Conquest’ isn’t the right word for what happened. One day we were independent and isolated–freely following the Way–the next, we were under the thumb of their Empress.” As she recalled the calamity, her gaze lengthened into a distant, dark look. “It was so sudden–I’m still surprised I’ve made it this far. They came after my twin and I first–I’m not sure why–and I only just escaped. Corlien, she… well, she’s the first one I’ll get out when I return.” The dark look in Velvaen’s eyes deepened into a furious burn, and her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists at her sides. “The Seanchan will control us and shape us into whatever they want–my entire culture will be erased. I can’t–no, I won’t allow that.”
Velvaen listened to Kaira’s following outburst and made an effort to soften her face. The girl was still so young–she didn’t deserve to get mixed up in Velvaen’s problems. She had her own people to protect, anyway.
A tower servant arrived with words of warning for Kaira and called the girl away. Watching her go, Velvaen returned her parting wink. Rather featherbrained, that one. she thought to herself with a small smile. But also genuine.
As she wandered back to her stonework path to conclude her raking, Velvaen stopped, glancing at the bed of violet flowers. After a moment of hesitation, she strode over and plucked that lonely blossom from the soft earth, quietly tucking it into the pocket of her novice dress.
“The Seanchan happened. They appeared a little more than a year ago, with ships and soldiers and offers of ‘protection’ that we couldn’t refuse,” Velvaen told Kaira bitterly. “There was no defence–our oaths compelled us not to fight. ‘Conquest’ isn’t the right word for what happened. One day we were independent and isolated–freely following the Way–the next, we were under the thumb of their Empress.” As she recalled the calamity, her gaze lengthened into a distant, dark look. “It was so sudden–I’m still surprised I’ve made it this far. They came after my twin and I first–I’m not sure why–and I only just escaped. Corlien, she… well, she’s the first one I’ll get out when I return.” The dark look in Velvaen’s eyes deepened into a furious burn, and her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists at her sides. “The Seanchan will control us and shape us into whatever they want–my entire culture will be erased. I can’t–no, I won’t allow that.”
Velvaen listened to Kaira’s following outburst and made an effort to soften her face. The girl was still so young–she didn’t deserve to get mixed up in Velvaen’s problems. She had her own people to protect, anyway.
A tower servant arrived with words of warning for Kaira and called the girl away. Watching her go, Velvaen returned her parting wink. Rather featherbrained, that one. she thought to herself with a small smile. But also genuine.
As she wandered back to her stonework path to conclude her raking, Velvaen stopped, glancing at the bed of violet flowers. After a moment of hesitation, she strode over and plucked that lonely blossom from the soft earth, quietly tucking it into the pocket of her novice dress.
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