The Long Road to Ruin Ch. 24

She moved as quickly as the bulky armor would allow with an air about her that she belonged here. In all reality, she did. This had been her home. Her fists clenched at the thought. Just because the Dhorn were here for now didn't mean they would always be. One day, she would reclaim what was rightfully hers. And as she half-ran down the corridors she clearly remembered running through the night the Dhorn had come, she found it odd that she hadn't encountered anyone at all. Were they not using this portion of the castle? It seemed odd due to the fact the hallways were brightly lit with torches every few feet.

Shiloh took in another deep breath as she reached her old room. The broken door still hung on its hinges. How odd that it hadn't been replaced? An ache tore through her heart. It had been nearly nine months. She stepped over the threshold and into the room. It looked exactly as she remembered. She rushed across the room which was lit with torches to the other side of the bed.

Her heart lodged in her throat as she rounded the corner and gazed upon the last spot she knew Shira had been. It sank hopelessly when she found nothing. A few tears spilled over her lashes. Shiloh had so hoped to find her, but it had been far too long. She sat down on the bed and pulled the helm off, allowing herself the chance to indulge in a few tears.

But only for a moment. She knew she had to get back to Shanna. Hastily she gathered her clothing from the armoire, her brushes, combs, and cosmetics from her vanity and several pairs of shoes. She stowed it into a valise that had been stored beneath her bed. Next she grabbed her journal, a few books and her favorite quill and ink set. They also made their way into her valise. And when she had everything she wanted to take with her, she headed back down to the cellars. To her sister.

She wondered what Vico's reaction would be. Would he be happy? Excited? Or would he behave in the typical Vico style? It was hard for Shiloh to predict, for he was a man of so many moods. Only time would tell.

"Shanna," she called out as she entered the cellar she'd left her in and removed the helm. "Shanna sweetie, it's me, Shiloh. Come out. We need to go."

A few tense seconds passed. Worry niggled at her. She frantically searched, calling out her name, but there was no answer. She headed into the darkest reaches of the room, squinting to see in the darkness. "Shanna?!?!" she cried.

"I'm back here," she replied with a yawn.

Shiloh sucked in a deep breath of relief and rushed over to hug her sister. "You scared me, sweetie. I thought someone had found you."

"Did you find Shira?" Shanna glanced towards the door.

"No, I didn't, not this time. I'm going to return after I get you settled in my apartment. She wasn't in my old room. I had hoped I'd find her there, but it's been nearly nine months. The Dhorn removed the bodies. I remember hearing Vico say that they'd piled them up in the castle yard. I figure they would have either buried the dead or burned them to avoid the outbreak of disease. Come now, we need to get out of here."

"Why are you dressed in their armor?" There was a wary look on Shanna's face.

"I thought it would help me move around the castle more easily, just in case someone saw me. Now let's go." Shiloh backtracked her way down into the bowels of the castle and into the sewers. When they reached the intersection that would either take them to the hideout or to the northern part of the city, Shiloh chose to go north. She'd take Shanna home before heading over to the Arena. When they reached the ladder, Shiloh sent Shanna up first and then followed. She handed her the valise and whispered, "I wouldn't seem right for a Dhorn soldier to be carrying that. Just walk behind me and pretend you aren't with me. The apartment is at the end of the street."

O.O

Shiloh unlocked the door to her apartment and ushered Shanna in.

"This is all yours?" Shanna smiled, her eyes growing big as she looked around. "It's so big. I mean, I'd seen big rooms in the castle, but multiple people usually shared them. You have always been fortunate, Princess."

"Please, sweetie, I'm not a princess anymore. And yes, I have been fortunate. I earned this apartment. It wasn't just handed over to me. I spent nearly seven months working in a kitchen after the Dhorn attack and then I had to complete seven different lessons for Master Nathan to learn the trade."

"I've heard of him. I remember Vico talking about him a few times. It just seems so strange that so much time has passed and that I've been dead all this time. How did you do it? I wouldn't have figured you for a priest," Shanna's brow furrowed as she looked around the living room of the apartment.

"I acquired a magical rod from the temple and brought you back to life with it. I didn't tell anyone what I was up to when I did it. I wanted it to be a surprise, especially for Vico." Shiloh began to remove the Dhorn armor, setting the pieces on the floor near the armoire. "Now, if you are tired, the bedroom is back there. There's also a tub in that room over there if you'd like to take a bath."

Shanna's whole face lit up. "Your own tub? Wow! Oh, Shiloh, I'd love to take a bath. And oh! When can I see Vico? I've missed him so much! It feels like an eternity."

"I have something I have to do for Master Nathan, but afterwards I'll head over to his place and bring him here. Or once I'm done, I could come here and take you there with me. Perhaps that would be better. I'm sure you'd like to have some time alone with him." A wan smile crossed Shiloh's face. As much as she loved him, she knew this was for the best. She was sure that Vico would be happier with Shanna.

"What's wrong, Shiloh?" Shanna asked, noting the sadness that had entered the princess's eyes.

Shiloh look away. "It's nothing, my dear sister. I wish I could have found Shira, too. Now tomorrow I'll visit the furniture maker here in the city and order a bed for you. In the meantime, you can sleep in mine."

"What about you?" A suspicious look crossed Shanna's face. She wasn't buying Shiloh's line about Shira. Shanna was sure there was more to it than that. Shiloh hadn't gotten that look in her eyes until they were talking about Vico. Had there been something between the princess and the man who had been her whole world before the Dhorn attack? She recalled fondly the nights they spent together within the bowels of the castle. He had promised her so much. Would he make good on those now that she had been miraculously brought back? She couldn't wait to see him. She had to know the truth.

"I'm not sure if I'll make it back before dawn so you take it. This job is important and I've put it off as long as I possibly can. I have to go to the Arena." Shiloh changed into the leather armor that Hatori had given her and laced it up around her body until it fit her like a second skin. She added her soft soled boots and the dark cloak she'd stolen from the temple to complete her outfit. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? I can run over to the Bear Pit and bring you back some food."

Shanna eyed her warily for a moment. She wasn't sure what to make of Shiloh. Her mother had nary a good word to say about the spoiled brat the King and Queen had spawned. And even Shira had said that Shiloh was condescending and rude to her. She wondered why the princess was being so nice to her and found it hard to believe that they were half-sisters. "That would be nice, Princess.... err, I mean... Shiloh."

"Chella makes a very good stew. I'll bring you a serving with some bread and dessert," Shiloh headed for the door. "I have a key. If anyone knocks, do not let them in, under any circumstances."

"I won't. I am going to take a bath," Shanna picked up her valise and headed off to bathe while Shiloh made her way to the door and locked it behind her. Shiloh had to get out of there as pangs of regret tugged at her heart. Perhaps she should have left well enough alone. She couldn't fault Shanna for feeling the way she did about Vico. Shiloh knew all too well how charming the blackguard could be when he really wanted to and obviously Shanna had never witnessed his violent side. A part of Shiloh prayed Shanna never did.

A few tears slipped down her cheeks. She hastily brushed them away before dashing out the door of the building, through the pouring rain and into the Bear Pit. Heading up the stairs, she smiled a greeting at Nelina and sailed into the kitchen. Trissa turned and glared at her, but Shiloh ignored her. "Chella, I came for dinner, but I'd like it to go. I can fix it myself."

Chella waved her off before returning to her seat at the table with Celia, Silia and Nicca. It seemed that they were playing a game of cards. Shiloh stopped to watch them, hugging Nicca in the process, before she gathered the food for Shanna.

Before she turned to leave, she cleared her throat. "Chella, when I come back over tomorrow, there's something I wish to discuss with you. I haven't the time at the moment, but it's important to me. So I'll see you then."

"Is it about you-know-who?" Chella cocked her head in Nicca's direction.

Shiloh sighed. She loved Chella dearly, but the matronly woman was quite positively as obvious as a bull in a china shop. "Yes, Chella. Tomorrow?"

Chella nodded before she set her cards down on the table and cried, "Rummy!"

Shiloh laughed and headed back to her apartment. Once she was inside, she walked to the tub where Shanna was relaxing. "The food is on the table. I'll see you in the morning, if not beforehand. And again, I'll lock the door behind me so don't answer the door for any reason."

Shanna opened her eyes, "Yes, Shiloh. I'll be alright. I'm going to eat and rest and read a book. You have so many. I picked a few up that were on the floor."

"Thank you, sweetie. Just make yourself at home because this is your home now." Shiloh leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her sister's forehead. "We are family and we are all we have. I'll take care of you."

With that, Shiloh left the apartment.

O.O