Fall from grace
Poe absently waves Jaxio away. The sylph had been fluttering about anxiously since Poe had returned to the Sanctum. Poe had been staring at her journal, slowly ripping out page by page and letting it flutter into the shallow pool of water she sat beside. Jaxio flew closer again, plant like arms reaching out to gently stroke Poe’s hair, “Mender One is upset. Mender One destroys important things.â€Poe would have laughed at the irony of statement if she had it in her. Finally dumping the damaged leather binding into the water, she stood, brushing Jaxio away. The sylph made a hurt sound, spinning around a few moments and following the Miqo’te, “Mender One is not calm.†Poe was about to snap at the sylph but took a deep breath, turning to Jaxio, “I am sorry. You are right. I am not calm.†Poe pauses, pursing her lips as she considers her next move. Turning to look at Jaxio, Poe offers the small winged creature a sad smile, “Things have changed now, Jaxio.†Jaxio twirls in the air, humming lightly but simply follows behind Poe as she moves to a bench. She carefully removes two necklaces; one she had gifted to Ryillin made from the Willow tree wood, and the one he had gifted to her. Her hands were shaking when she opened the locket from his. She carefully caressed a finger over the raised writing, hearing the soft murmur of her name in her ear. Jaxio fluttered down, peering into Poe’s hands and back up to her.
“Mender One removes treasure.â€
Poe closed her eyes and simply nodded, tucking the two pieces into a small velvet bag and raising the bag to Jaxio, “I need you to guard this. If…if I don’t come back, you must follow the plan, ok?â€
The stubborn flying creature gasped, shouting loudly, “Mender One must return! The Woken have come to trust Mender One.†Jaxio reluctantly took the bag.
Poe nodded, looking to Jaxio, “I realize this. But if I can’t stand for my own beliefs and principles, I don’t deserve to speak for the Forest and all of you.†Poe stood and took one final glance around the Sanctum. Jaxio fluttered anxiously in front of her. Poe reaches up and affectionately touches the Sylph’s delicate hand, quickly moving past Jaxio and leaves.
* * * *
Poe took the familiar path, knowing full well they would know she was coming long before she arrived. The tribe didn’t disappoint, as she walked out into the opening, the familiar call could be heard. Miqo’te started to gather, coming out from the small buildings and the treeline, everyone looking on with interest. She could hear the whispers.
“Is that the Matron’s daughter?†“A Mender, why is a Mender here?†“Have they come to heal the Willow tree?â€
“I heard she is friends with the Touched!†“She was told to never come back.â€
Poe kept her head up, walking toward the main building she knew her mother resided in. Several huntresses lounged on the porch steps, one stepped in front of Poe. Poe looked down at her, recognizing the childhood friend. The huntress smirked, poking Poe in the shoulder, “I recall you were told you were no longer welcome.†Poe continues to stare at the Miqo’te with her intense green eyes and moves to step around her. The huntress shifts, again getting in Poe’s way.
“Ajha…I wish you no harm. Please let me pass.†Poe could hear the thinly veiled anger in her voice, making it sound thready. Ajha’s smirk widened, her canines flashing. As she opened her mouth to speak, another huntress emerged from the front doors, “Visitors are not often welcome here. Though I believe the Matron will make an exception.†Ajha closed her mouth and Poe nodded, shifting past the old friend.
Poe followed the huntress inside, waiting in the small entryway as the Miqo’te disappeared, likely informing her mother she was there. Several long moments later, the huntress returned, motioning for Poe to head down to Sula’s office. How long has it been since I was last in my mother’s office? Poe didn’t notice the group of huntresses gathering behind her as she headed down the hall.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked at the double doors and entered without waiting for a response. Sula and Mota were waiting; Mota sitting on the edge of the large oak desk, Sula sitting behind it in a large velvet clothed chair. Poe closed the door softly, turning to the two as she folds her hands together.
Mota jumped off, her grin wide, tail flicking from side to side as she sauntered toward Poe. Poe’s eyes narrowed but remained silent. Sula leaned forward, eagerly smiling, “The family back together. Isn’t this nice?†Mota flashed a grin over her shoulder to their mother. Poe let out a long breath, almost growling. Sula laughed mockingly, “And I thought most Menders were calm and level headed.â€
Breathe…
Mota leaned in, her voice a soft whisper, “You have nothing now…â€
Poe canted her head, a flash in her eyes as she spoke, “Enough.â€
Sula stood, shaking her head, “This all ends when you return the Willow tree wood. You can return or not, but that wood is ours.â€
The anger, the rage that had been simmering below the calm exterior bubbled up. “Enough!†She yelled again, one hand raising as she forces a gust of wind to blow over the oak desk, papers scattering and dumping the ink fountains over. Mota turned, shocked. Sula immediately called out. Poe twisted toward the door, raising her other hand as she murmured a quick conjuration, forcing a strong, steady blast of wind to press against the doors in hopes of preventing any from entering the room.
Sula’s eyes opened with alarm, calling out again. Mota turned to strike Poe. Neither woman was skilled in close combat, but Poe’s distinct height advantage was the difference. Grabbing Mota’s hand, Poe wrenched it hard, hearing a satisfying tearing of ligaments as her free hand grabbed her older half-sister’s hair, jerking it tight.
The sound from the hallway increased, the banging and thumping on the door growing in volumes as the doors seemed to bow under the pressure. Poe used her weight, momentum slamming Mota against the office wall. Poe drove her sister’s head once more into the rigid structure, the female slumping and collapsing to the floor in a heap.
Her breathing now ragged, Poe turned, head tipped down as her eyes narrowed on her mother. Sula had backed up, placing not only the desk but also the chair between them. Poe took a step closer, Sula anxiously shifting behind the furniture.
“Let him go,†Poe’s voice was a growl, her hands clenching and unclenching. A quick glance and she confirmed her gusting wind was still holding the large double doors closed. She could see Sula swallow nervously and the fear was suddenly intoxicating to see. Her voice dark, Poe spoke once more, “End this…now.†The heady thrill started to wash over her, Poe almost staggered under it. Leaping over the desk and landing on the chair, Poe reached for Sula, grabbing the Matron by her shoulder. Tipping the chair over to pin Sula against the wall, Poe reached up, her other hand gripping tightly around her mother’s neck and squeezing. Sula’s eyes opened wide, panic clear as she gasped for air. Poe grinned, her eyes dark as she stared down at her mother, her grip tightening further.
The Matron attempted to claw at Poe and Poe shook her by the throat once, bellowing, “Stop!†Mota’s eyes were becoming unfocused, the wretched gasping sounds filling the air. Poe could feel herself starting to slip, her perception altered as she stared down at the one woman she hated more than anything.
It was then she felt the sudden pain. Whimpering in pain, her hands release Sula and she turns, facing Mota. Her sister had hit her across the ribs with the handle of a gardening tool and Poe was caught off guard as a second strike hit her square across the cheekbone. Poe staggered, dropping to her knees as she raised a hand, sending a blast of wind towards her sister. Mota was thrown back, the impact of her body on the wall a loud thud.
But Sula was quick ad Poe found her hair pulled tight, neck exposed as Sula slowly dragged a knife delicately across her skin, “My little Poe. I did not expect this, what a pity I had not realized your potential earlier.†Poe squirmed angrily but her concentration had been broken. The wind keeping the doors at bay silenced and several huntresses poured through the doorway. Arrows drawn, they stood awaiting orders from the Matron. Heated, raspy breathing resonated in the room, it dawning on Poe it was hers. Poe attempted to move, Sula anticipated and brought the dagger low, impaling it between Poe’s ribs on her right side. A weak gasp, Sula smirks at Poe, backhanding her across the cheek. Poe collapsed to all fours, the taste of blood in her mouth. Her cheek stung, realizing she had also been cut there. Coughing up some blood, Poe woozily attempted to right herself. A swift kick from Sula stopped her, Poe collapsing further onto the floor. The other huntresses smiled, enjoying the display of power by the Matron. Sula knelt down beside Poe, whispering into her ear, “You were so close…†The Matron reached down and quickly jerked the blade still impaled into Poe’s side. The loud crunch of ribs would have made Poe grimace if the pain hadn’t caused her to lose consciousness. Her form still on the ground, the crimson stain started to spread on her robes, another small pool forming under her lips, her breathing now sounding wet as the blood started to drool out.
Sula pulled the blade out and stood, brushing the hair from her eyes. Mota was sitting groggily against the wall. Sula glared at her, “Your priority is the child. Make it happen…-now-.†Sula looked down at her younger daughter’s collapsed body. Turning to the huntresses, she waves a hand. “Dump her off near the Eastern Shroud.â€
One huntress spoke, “But Matron-“
Sula glared at her, interrupting, “She is a Mender. She can heal herself if she wants.†Poe’s body was roughly picked up, the two huntresses half dragging her from the office. Sula turned to the remaining Miqo’te, “Get this room cleaned up and prepare for the male.â€
* * * *
The moon had long been in the sky. Jaxio floated along, singing loudly, “Woken Ones, Spoken Ones, Broken Ones.†The sylph stopped, curiously looking down a side path as it saw something out of place. A crumpled heap. Fluttering closer, Jaxio gasps, “Mender One, Mender One.†Affectionately lowering it’s hand, it stroked over Poe’s ear and through her hair. But the Miqo’te did not move. Jaxio chirped, again touching the female’s ear, “Mender One never lets Jaxio touch ears…†Jaxio panicked, “Mender One, Mender One, open eyes!†As Poe lay unresponsive, Jaxio did the only thing the poor creature could think of, bring her to the Sanctum and send word to the Sylph Stronghold.
