Snow Rising - Scene 3

High above the city in the highest tower of the three towers for which the city had been named, Celestine stepped toward the jade font and looked at the inky liquid within. Muttering under her breath she lifted her hands above the liquid and watched it bubble and shift beneath her fingers. The liquid rippled as though something swam beneath, a ripple that travelled inward not outward. She leaned closer, lifting her hands as if coaxing the rippling surface upward. “There”, she whispered as images began to form in the air above the font, blurred at first but now shifting and clarifying into a birds eye view of High Bridge. She smiled and repeated the Farseer spell, eyes widening as the view changed to one at bridge level. Celestine studied the two figures on the bridge, a slender young woman with a shock of white hair leading a manacled Shifter behind her. So this was Snow, the bounty hunter she’d heard so much about? Nothing more than a girl, yet earning coin and respect in equal measure among the locals. A small adjustment of mind and the view changed again, now closing on the girl’s heart-shaped face, a dusting of freckles on the pale skin below clear hazel eyes, eyes narrowing as the creature behind her resisted once again. Snow tugging at the chain before stopping to stride back to her captive, “What’s wrong shifter? Don’t like the view”? Not waiting for an answer she gripped the silver manacles and began pulling it forward, “Sooner I turn you over, sooner I get my bounty”. “Who’s the girl with the long legs”? Celestine looked up as her brother limped to her side, “A potential tool, bringing in a thief. Or so she thinks”. “Ah, I see”, Sebastian peered closer image, “Strange, the creature bears a striking resemblance to Nyla Longfang ”. “Yes”, Celestine’s cold smile widened, “How unfortunate she should be the victim of mistaken identity. The Delondran pack have been disrupting trade for too long. Now be still brother, our bounty hunter has a new problem to solve”. She turned her full attention to the scene playing out far below, aware that Sebastian too was keen to see what would happen next. “Stand clear of the Shifter”! “Your pet Captain Roga sister”, Sebastian said, “He’ll kill the girl if he can”. “Of course. That’s why I sent him. The Wolfun needs to die. The girl has enemies near and far, she won’t be mourned if she makes the wrong choice”. “Choice? What are you up to”? “She has to choose. Lose her bounty or her life. She has no reason to protect the creature, only herself. Besides, if a fool the like of Roga kills her, then she’s of no use to me”. “You’re testing her”. It was a statement of fact not a question. Sebastian watched the scene hovering above the font, saw the determined look on the girl’s face, “The Wolfun’s regaining strength and your man’s looking for an excuse. Is this wise sister”? Celestine waved her hand dismissively, “Be still or begone brother. Roga’s robbed the girl before, her skills intimidate him but she can’t outrun an arrow. If she hands over the prize, he’s to let her live”. She turned her attention fully to the scene as it unfolded before them, screeching with rage as Snow took herself and the Wolfun over the bridge. “Damn it”. Sebastian chuckled, “She made her choice. I’m beginning to like her”. Seeing the angry look on his sisters face he tried to wipe the smile from his own, “Why the interest”? Celestine stared at the bridge for a moment then dismissed the image before replying, “The girl’s of Kyrian blood, battle trained from childhood. She’s in my city and can be leveraged”. “A Blood Raven, here? That’s unusual isn’t it”? Sebastian sensed there was more to his sister’s latest game. More than the mere amusement of reaching out from afar to meddle in the lives of those who came to her notice. When Celestine ignored his question he tried another tack. “You need her, don’t you? Need her for a task Roga and those like him can’t perform. What could that be I wonder”? He saw the change in her eyes and knew at once he’d made a mistake. “Careful brother”, Celestine’s smile cut like a knife,“Curiosity can be a dangerous thing or have you forgotten”? Sebastian’s hand strayed instinctively to his crippled leg, a nervous gesture he knew gave her the answer she was looking for, “Of course sister, forgive my questions. Too much wine, it loosens my tongue”. “You’re forgiven”, she said as she walked gracefully to put her arm around his shoulders, “Remember brother”, she whispered, “I tolerate your insolence only through love”. She leaned down and kissed him on top of his head then stood back with a cheerful smile, “Come. I think it time our little bounty hunter was brought to heel”. She walked quickly to the chamber door leaving Sebastian to follow at his own slower pace. For a few moments he stayed in place, the thinly veiled threat was only one of many he’d endured over the years. Celestine had always been both beautiful and cruel. His twisted leg a reward for an imagined transgression when they were but children. Though the healers had done all in their power to heal the broken bones, he knew his sister’s powers had prevailed to render him a cripple. At the time he remembered being grateful she hadn’t ascended to full power. Barely a year later on the death of their mother, she had and should she choose, punishment would be far worse than broken bones. There was a reason she was called Hex Queen. As he trailed along the crystal lit halls leading to the [name] the rawness of this latest humiliation gnawed in his gut. He had to find out why a Kyrian bounty hunter was of particular interest to Celestine and, if at all possible, turn it to his advantage. A cripple he might be but he was no fool. Smiling at the armed guard at the gateway to the [tower name] he found the smile sticking as a name came to his lips, “Snow”.