fractured fate - closed for cnuveau

[erininstant]

The Commander stood waiting by the large, wooden double doors, his Templar armor polished and shined by his squire, yet still bearing the dents and scratches of lifelong battle. His shoulder-length hair betrayed his struggles over the years, with light strands of silver sprouting about his temples, and the same silvery hair sprinkled throughout his beard. But bright eyes and broad shoulders carried him like the Commander he was; respected, revered, and a bit feared. The way he liked it.

Around him, Templars and mages alike were milling about in the greeting room, lighting candles or dusting carpets, eager to mark the arrival of the new High Mages. Each new High Mage had been handpicked by the Commander himself, every single one useful in their own way, whether it be tending to the garden throughout the frost or chaperoning the green mages during training. And each High Mage had taken their oath to use their magic to serve mankind, not rule them.

But one High Mage was particularly special. The Commander had only laid eyes on her once, years ago in a tower that was far from his, but all it took was that one glance to burn her figure into the blackness behind his eyes. Now she was on her way here, to his island, to his tower, to serve under his watchful eye. All at his command.

"Ser? They approach!"

The Commander nodded to his Captain, then cast his eyes over those in the greeting room. A hush immediately fell, and once he was satisfied that it would remain, he jerked a chin at his Captain.

"Open the doors."

A simple command, but that's all that was needed. The doors to the tower groaned and creaked, then slowly slid inward to beckon the mages inside.

 

[cnuveau]

Irina looked down at the fresh markings that covered her arm. The vibrant colors of the vine that crept her skin seemed beautiful but she knew that beauty wasn't it's purpose. It was all part of the gathering that she'd been able to avoid for years while the other mages were seized one by one and whisked away. Now, as the ship approached the shoreline and the large wooden doors that marked her next and perhaps final destination, she was going to be thrust into the world she'd avoided for so long. Across from her on the deck of the ship were others, each with the fresh markings that she bore and each with a similar look of dread on their face.

Across the deck a couple stood close to one another taking in the first sights of their new home. "It's going to be ok. Trust me." William said, clutching the trembling hand of his wife who stood beside him. When the two were captured he pleaded that they be allowed to stay together, promising whatever was needed to assure that they were. To him, living without her was unthinkable so whatever fate this island held for them was tolerable as long as they were together. His raced as they were lead, one by one, down the gangway and towards the large wooden doors that had slowly creaked open for them.

Irina dressed in her sheer, flowing gown stepped onto the solid ground with her shoulders pressed back and her head held high. She was determined to not be broken by any of this. Their potions might have stripped her of her magic and their chains bound her but they could not possess her spirit. It was the one thing that she would cling to until her final breath regardless of what was in store for her.