The Past Never Dies

"Happy Birthday Ray'ven!" Morrigan smiled, brushing a strand of ebony locks from the now ten year old forehead. Ray'ven beamed up at her mother, emerald eyes sparkling happily as she held up a beautifully crafted dagger. The blade was dark as night with small gems adorning the hilt.

"Mama! Look what Uncle Rueborn got me. Isn't it pretty!" Morrigan's smile faltered a bit before she regained her composure.

"It is a mighty fine dagger, little bird, but how about we put it away, hmm. You have guests arriving to see you."

A pout formed on Ray'ven's lips, but she slid the blade into the customized sheath that her uncle had given her along with the dagger.

Morrigan grabbed her daughter's hand and began leading her down the hall. "Come, your father is waiting for you with a surprise."

At the thought of her father, Ray'ven's excitement grew before she gasped. "Wait! What about big brother? I have to give him his present!! It's his birthday too." She tugged at her hand, but Morrigan held firm, a frown of displeasure on her face.

"Now Ray, how about you give it to him later. I'm sure Bynx has other things he'd like to be doing for his birthday." Morrigan assured and Ray'ven shook her head.

"But he will be all alone. I have to give him his gift-"

"Later, Ray'ven." Said Morrigan sharply, and Ray'ven stopped tugging at her hand, looking down at the floor.

Morrigan's eyes softened and she leaned over, cupping her daughter's chin gently.

"I'm sure Bynx will be at the party, how about you give it to him then?" Ray'ven frowned in thought before she nodded in acceptance.

"Okay," Morrigan grinned happily.

"Now, come on. Wouldn't you like to see what surprise your father has for you?"

Ja'ule had been sitting in the study hall, flipping through an old Norwich book while waiting for his daughter and wife to arrive. She'd enjoy the present he'd been eager to gift. Bynx was the first to arrive, the room smelling of various liquors and ale; the scent of whore houses and the slums. "Can't you arrive at your sister's birthday sober?"

The prince would've flinched at his father's words, but how could he? It wasn't anything he wasn't used to. Bynx blinked a few times, swirling the liquid around inside the glass he held tightly. My birthday, he wanted to say but held his tongue. "She'll live. It's not like she isn't used to it, Father." He spoke bitterly.

"I'm still not used to you being a disappointment." Ja'ule spat out as the door flung open. In stepped Morrigan and Ray'ven.

"Daddy!" Ray'ven happily ran over to him, jumping into his arms excitedly and kissing his cheek. "Mama said you had a surprise for me!" Her green eyes sparkled before she caught sight of her brother. He was a little ways away and from the slight sway he had, she could tell he was drunk.

Her smile lessened but didn't fade. "Happy Birthday big brother." She told him.

"Yes baby girl," Ja'ule said, the faintest of smiles crossing over his lips. Although he had a gaze that'd freeze hell over, today it seemed smooth and calm, as though he were actually enjoying himself for once. He held her in his arms. "I do. You're ten years old, it's time that I show you how much your father loves you."

Several people stepped into the room after Morrigan, wearing the finest clothing, tailored and well-cropped hair; they were the councilman, one having spindly arms and balding. He stared down the long nose which looked like the keen tip of a bird's beak. "These men are here to witness as well."

He walked them towards his desk, pulled the drawer open, then handed her a seal stamp with two serpents eating their own tail.

Bynx's gaze flashed full of hatred and he slammed his fist into the wall. "Father! She is a woman and only ten. What are you doing? That is mine by birthright."

"Silence. Don't think because you're my son you're entitled to everything I have. You haven't earned anything. Do you think I'd put a drunk on my throne? The councilman thinks it's best if your sister sits on the seat. She's only ten and she can drag you around by your arms as though you were a mere rag doll she was playing with."

Bynx turned and faced Ray'ven. "You've got what you wanted." Nose flared, he left, slamming the door behind him.

Ray'ven flinched as the door slammed behind Bynx, her eyes wide. She stared down at the seal that her father had handed to her. Her opened her mouth a few times, unsure of what to say. The look on Bynx's face, the hatred in his eyes made her heart clench uncomfortably in her chest, but the pride that her father was staring at her with.

Swallowing, she smiled up at her father. "I- Thank you Father. I promise to make you proud." She said. The envelope in her hands never felt heavier.

It was late when Ray'ven was finally able to get away from the initial party. She was tired from all of the dancing that had been done. The councilman Garvet had been very insistent on dancing with her.

She had been wanting to leave early to see if she could find Bynx, but both her mother and father had warned against it. Now, as she made her way down the corridor that led to his room, she was slightly hesitant.

Taking a deep breath, she strengthened her resolve. Reaching his door, she knocked.

"Bynx?" She called. There was no answer. Was he even in there? It was possible that he had left after. The sound of shuffling on the other side of the door answered her question.

"I didn't know father was going to do that. I'm sorry." She paused but still received no response.

"You probably don't believe me." She whispered. "I made you a present." She changed the subject, her throat feeling oddly tight. She made him presents every year."It is your birthday too, after all. I'll leave your gift outside the door."

She pulled out a slim decorative box, a serpent carved into it, wrapping around it. She sat the box in front of his door gently.

"Happy birthday big brother."

Bynx exhaled when Ray'ven entered the room without permission. He should've locked the door. Rolling his eyes, Bynx turned and lifted the box, then opened it. Inside lay a pendant the hue of his emerald eyes. He ran his thumb over the shimmering surface, though closed the lid before hiding it in a chest with all the other gifts his sister had crafted.

"I wish it didn't have to be this way, but it does."