The Cruel Lord

erwynn and Edina waited for their father to contin

is cursed," Chief Ingred words echoe

nd even her usually rosy cheeks devoid of warmth. She withdrew her hand fro

didn't? She tried to read Edina's expression, usua

e, she managed to as

while Edina nodded in recognition. Memories of Mother's frightening tales an

tribute," Maerwynn whispered, her voice strained. "But... I thought those we

Fae Lord himself. Those two years were his herald, and wh

om the lineage of Talerion, a legendary warrior who had wronged the

village, seeking retribution. Yet, the stone was bound to their souls

ered his own daughter, Hardesa, to the high lord-

st. Edina's icy demeanor now made sense; she was destined to be taken to the hi

this!" Maerwynn protested veheme

for survival," Edina pleaded, her grip on

ponsibilities-cleaning, cooking, hunting. She could face life's challenges, but Edina was too fragile. Ma

of captivity and suffering, her delicate hands a were soft agai

upon them, permeating the room with sorrow that exten

well properly, hadn't shared more memories of their Mother, or indulged in idle gossip about the town girls. It felt like Edina wa

ring?" Ingred asked

ps at the harbor have fled, terrified of

eping shadow, engulfing the town, emanating from the depths of the sea. It instilled fear in the v

intoned solemnly. "We must hasten

*

en locks. Edina stood before her, dressed in a simple white gown, adorned only by a delicate g

en from home like a sack of grain," she sighed, avoiding her reflection in the mirror. "Dest

f only there were something I could do. Perhaps we c

of Talerion chiefs haven't tried that over the centuries? He is beyond

d fate. Edina rose from her seat as Ingred entered the room, his eyes swollen from tears. His favo

ed out the door, leaving her alone in the s

, filled with despair. She strained to hear, hoping for a glimmer of

she save Edina from this fate? Memories of their childho

et Edina face this alone. With trembling hands, she pushed open the d

ored, her voice shaky but deter

ed in shock. "Mae,

face this. I'll go willingly, if it

and sorrow in her eyes. "Mae,

choose to stand in your stead. You deserve the life you've dreamed of with

na whispered. " Please forgive my sh

ak at heart and there was every rate that she

elf and Father, and live long and happily," Ma

he weight of her decision settled upon them, she prepared herself for the unknown, ready to go with the darkn

ousers and regal waistcoat, paired with a sweeping black coat, seemed out of place in their humble cot

ord himself. Unlike the menacing tales of the Dark Lord, this man s

ut Maerwynn stepped between them, draw

anywhere," Maerwy

itness the blood of your kin staining the floor before meeting your

I am," Maerwynn asserted,

Ingred, silently dem

mpany you instead," He conceded,

ent in his expression. "That was not our agreem

termination. "I don't care about your agreement. I can't let my sist

mind. She was going, not even her father's plea was going to change it even though she kn

y well," he conceded, though his tone held a note of warning. "But know thi

steeling herself for the

air seemed to shimmer around them,

with an iron grip. Edina dissolved into sobs, clutching the worn-out table in the living room,

departure? Despite her rebellious nature and penchant for trouble, she was still his child. He shed tea

o the cool night air, pulling Maerwynn's attentio

dished a knife from his belt. "No, stop, Father!" she pleaded desperately, but no rescue w

a peculiar blue stain, dizziness overcame her. Her vision blurred, and she staggered, seeking support that was not forthcoming. All around her, the vill

ating and overwhelming, until she co

are, human," the Faerie's words