Free Between Darkness and Light Trilogy by Brianna Hawthorne

led
through yet more long corridors. I have to wonder at the size of
this place, it must be huge. Finally my guide stops in front of an
unusual intricately carved door, scores of faces look out from it.
It feels like… like they watch me. I wonder if they could react if
they chose?
    A voice rings out from within, “Come,
Shi'ahn, please join me.”
    I glance quickly toward the servant who
shrugs and smiles nervously.
    The door swings open with an odd sigh, like
women’s voices saying, ‘Ah,’ in satisfied recognition.
    I enter what is obviously an artist’s
workshop. A woman of indeterminate age stands to greet me. “Thank
you for coming, Shi'ahn, please sit down.” She leads me to a stool,
then begins carefully feeling my face. She must sense my surprise,
for she laughs kindly. “No, I am not blind, Shi'ahn. The hands
often catch details that the eyes do not see. Your homeworld has a
blue sun, does it not?
    “How did you know that?”
    “It’s all in the hands, child; all in the
hands. There, that should do it.” She moves behind a table and
lifts a large clump of odd-looking clay onto it. “Well now, let’s
begin.”
    I’m not used to sitting perfectly still for
long… I must fidget, for she sighs. “Shi'ahn, you need to focus
your thoughts on something. Why don’t you think about the moment
the Emperor’s Gem touched your brow – that should hold your
attention for a few moments.” I eagerly recall the memory,
grateful, really, for the chance to review it for a while
undisturbed. Just before the light completely blurs my vision, the
sculptress blinks oddly and her eyes seem to turn whitish with
swirls of color, like opals.
    “Shi'ahn? Shi'ahn, you can relax now, I’m
done. Shi'ahn?” Hands clasp my shoulders and give me a slight
shake.
    “What? I’m sorry, did I do something
wrong?”
    “No, child, you’re fine – your sculpture is
complete. Care to see?” She turns it toward me and I inhale in
surprise. Does anyone have a smile so… rapturous?
    “I don’t really look like that, do I?”
    “Do you doubt my skills?” I pale and she
laughs kindly, “No, no, child, you haven’t insulted me. Yes, you do
look like that when you think of your oath taking. I’d say it’s a
pretty good sign. Now I need to clean up a bit and get ready for
William’s sitting. You look like you could use some rest.”
    Feeling dazed, I walk out and am met by the
servant who brought me here. The trip to my rooms seems to take far
too little time. Conversely, it seems to take far too long for me
to get bathed and dressed for bed; why am I so tired?
    ***
    The Emperor enters the sculptress’s workshop
after William has been escorted back to his rooms. She looks up in
surprise. “I was just about to test them, to make sure they are
valid representations.”
    “By all means, do continue.” She turns
toward the bust of Shi'ahn first.
    “Who are you?”
    “I am the weaver and the binder… the
peacemaker. I am the child of fire and light; daughter of the old
Universe and Mother of the renewed.” The Emperor looks at the
sculptress momentarily, then takes over the questioning
himself.
    “What is your purpose?”
    “To give of myself so that others may
survive the coming darkness.”
    “Why would you do that – what do you expect
in return?”
    “It is what I am for… I expect nothing in
return, but… I do hope to know love, before death overtakes me.”
The Emperor entirely ignores the pain in her voice and
continues.
    “Who are your parents?”
    Another voice suddenly booms out, old but
very powerful, the Cailliach’s voice.
    “That is quite enough of that! She is not
for you; you’ll have to wait for your answers – just like everyone
else.” The bust of Shi'ahn is suddenly no more than dust on the
table and floor. The Emperor and sculptress look at each other in
shock. After several long moments he asks, “Has anything like this
ever happened before?”
    “No, Your Majesty.” The Emperor’s