13 Answers (2)

A-Narah's mother looked down to see if the silent girl was listening, and met with A-Narah's wide eyes. A-Narah's favorite class had always been history, and ever since she learned how to read, she would bury herself in these stories. To think that these legends were in fact part of a record of history, just sounded outlandish. It was too hard to take in.

Her mother continued, not giving A-Narah much time to process or claim her disbelief, "The creatures also felt themselves weakening, and embedded some humans with their own blood to continue their line. These humans became mixed raced, and though they were few in numbers, they were stronger and held characteristics of the great creature that had blessed them. The water serpent made the white devils, the scorpion king made the desert tribes, and the panther made the islanders. These mixed raced people were more powerful than the now weak humans, but time was cruel. As the years passed the blood began to thin out, and these powerful people of mixed races became just like the rest of the humans."

A-Narah's took a deep breath and reached out her hand for some tea.

"So, you are saying that I am one of these people of mixed race?"

"Yes, you and your brothers carry the blood of the gods and the panther, although it is very thin and almost indiscernible. It is very rare to see any of the mixed races in middle kingdom, most have stayed within their own territories."

She really couldn't believe it. How was she to believe that in her there was some magical blood. Or that her family line included gods and a panther?

She looked like everyone else, her features didn't differ from that of any other human, and she had no special powers. She was just A-Narah.

Her mother reached out her hand and tried to comfort her, "It is understandable that it is difficult for you to believe, and if things hadn't changed so suddenly, I wouldn't be sitting here telling you this now, but A-Narah the world is beginning to change. The blood is beginning to awaken, but only in those of mixed-race heritage. None of the normal humans have developed any of the characteristics of those from the ancient past, and this occurrence is known to the king. He is afraid of those who are stronger than him, with more power than him. Those that have awakened or might awaken are being hunt down because they are considered threats. Your previous fiancé was one such victim."

A-Narah abruptly stood up and began to pace back and forth across the room. Outside was silent, there was only the sound of the autumn breeze and a few chirpings of birds in the trees. All the servants had long departed, unknowingly sent to carry out various tasks so that A-Narah and her mother could speak privately.

"A-Narah this is why your father did what he did. He had to, for your protection. I know that it wasn't planned well, but because it was all of short notice. He didn't have time to smooth out all the edges. Please, don't blame him."

"What about my brothers then? Are they in danger as well?" A-Narah asked with her back still facing her mother.

"No," her mother answered, "luckily the blood in your brothers is dormant."

"So, the only reason that I am in hiding is because of my name?"

"Of course not! Yes, your name can put you in danger, but it could have been covered up and you could be given a new identity, but A-Narah you are one of the few whose blood is reviving. Those that carry the blood of the serpent are the easiest to spot. Those with scorpion blood are said to have dark veins that hold deadly poisons."

"And those with panther blood?"

"They are the hardest to find. They easily blend in with surroundings, but they are known for their beautiful golden eyes. I don't know much more than that. Legends of the panther are of its golden eyes, glowing out from the shadows, and that's all anyone has ever seen of it. If anyone had ever seen more, then they didn't live to tell the tale. A-Narah you have those golden eyes. No one here would think anything of it, but those hunting the mixed races in Middle Kingdom will know what it means."

A-Narah stopped her pacing to look in the floor length mirror. She went up close to observe her face. She really didn't look different from others, but her familiar eyes that she had seen every day of her life, now seemed strange and eerie. She had been proud of them before, thinking that they were unique and beautiful, but now she knew what they really meant. These eyes meant she was different. To others they were the eyes of a monster.

"If we could your father and I would just hide you away within the walls of our home, but your father already has more reports of children missing. Newborn babies are not even spared. The capital is no longer safe for you."

Turning away from her reflection she looked back at her mother. Her mother found it almost disturbing how tranquil her daughter was now acting. She would rather A-Narah to yell or blame her, to curse her fate than this.

"A-Narah, dear, are you alright?"

"Mother," A-Narah didn't answer but instead asked, "What plans has father made for me now?"

She still felt worried for her daughter. A-Narah was now excepting this all too well.

"Your father is arranging for you to leave with his most trusted guards. Officially, Ara, the legal daughter of house Talley was of ill health and passed away. The house will soon be in mourning because this tragedy. You will be stripped of your name and all association with the Talley family, and in the future will have no contact with any of the family members. You will be sent to a small, hidden village on the outskirts of the kingdom where there has been no involvement with outsiders. You will stay there well-guarded, and with no contact with the villagers. Servants will take care of everything for you, and people will only know that you are a sickly daughter from a wealthy farmer's family."

"I see. So, father settled everything then."

"I'm sorry," her mother apologized. "I know that this isn't the life that you wanted, nor the one you thought that you would have, but at least you will still have a life."

A-Narah's mother then broke into sobs. A-Narah took a step forward to comfort her, but ultimately, she stayed where she was. She felt… nothing. It was as if she was an observer watching a play. "I will be okay mother," she dully said.

When her mother had finally left, A-Narah went to the center of her bed and laid down. Her arms and legs spread out as she stared up at her ceiling. So much had happened. Her world had been overturned.

She wasn't human but some hybrid. She, A-Narah, was now dead. She didn't exist. She would never see her mother, father, or brothers again.

With this last thought her tears finally came. Alone, she now cried for all that she would loose and all that she could now never have.