“Neph,” Kadan called from behind him, but he ignored his brother and continued for the door. He had one more purpose in Delvay and then he would leave and never look back, at least not while RenDelvayon lived.
Neph made his way in silence through the front gate and up the small path that led to the trial grove. Her body was still where he had left it, as he knew it would be. It was custom to leave the remains of cowards or traitors for the scavengers of the forest. He had known Kadan would leave her here, despite the fact that she had been neither.
Pulling his bag free from his shoulder he dropped it to the ground and knelt in front of her. His eyes traced over her face memorizing each detail. She had been his twin in everything. They shared the same eyes and pale hair. The only difference had been their strength. All of his life Neph had believed he was the stronger of the two of them, but Zyi had proved him wrong. Out of everyone in the city below, she had been the only one strong enough to tell RenDelvayon no, and she had died for it.
Slowly he pulled his dagger from his boot and gently cut a lock free from her tangled blond hair. Wrapping it carefully around his hand he sliced the edge of his palm and let his blood run slowly down to mingle with the dried blood already staining the hair. “I’m so sorry Zyi. I should have gone with you, or stood up to father. I don’t really know what I should have done. I just know I should have done something.” Neph paused and stared down at the bloodstained hair. Silently he clenched his fist around it before looking back down at her body once more. “It won’t happen again, Zyi. I promise you that. From this day forward I will speak my mind and to hell with the consequences. I will not back down when I know something is wrong.” He paused and tightened his hand on the hair. “I promise you I will help those who truly deserve it as I should have helped you, Zyi.”
Footsteps on the path behind him drew his attention and Neph glanced back at two riders approaching. Letting out a slow breath he stood and tucked the bloody strand of hair into his cloak pocket before turning to face them. He closed his eyes for a moment and willed himself back to calmness. There were so many emotions churning in his gut it was nearly impossible to keep from sobbing or screaming. Neph wasn’t sure which he truly wanted to do.
He recognized both of the riders, however, and now was not the time for either.
“By our beliefs, the dead do not hear our words. Once the soul has left the body it is in the hands of the Divine and no longer cares for mortal concerns.” His Aunt’s voice was calm and level as was the expression on her wind burned face. She was younger than his father by several years, but it didn’t show in her features. KayDelvayon lived most of her life outdoors and the effects showed in her numerous scars and deeply tanned skin.
“I doubt you are here for theology lessons. Are you planning to drag me back?” Neph asked coldly.
She frowned her disapproval at his tone and shook her head, her long brown braid bumping slowly against her armor. “We are planning to help you bury your sister,” Kay explained in the same neutral voice. Turning back to her snow cat she pulled a shovel from behind the saddle and tossed it to the second rider. “Kadan, start digging the hole. I need to speak with your brother for a time.”
Neph had purposely avoided looking at Kadan until that moment, but now he couldn’t help but watch in stunned amazement as his brother caught the shovel and dropped from the saddle wordlessly. Without so much as a glance in Neph’s direction, Kadan set up the hill and into the woods, his gaze searching the ground as he walked.
“I have nothing to say to anyone,” Neph began, but his Aunt cut him off with a sharp gesture.
“I have plenty to say to you, so shut up and listen,” Kay snapped. Turning, she searched the area until her eyes landed on a spot beneath a massive pine that was reasonably clear of rocks. With another quick gesture in his direction, she made her way to the spot and dropped down into a cushion of pine needles.
“I don’t have to listen to you. I am apparently a citizen now,” Neph grumbled, but even as he spoke the words he was walking to join her. Her clear brown eyes settled on him as he sat down across from her and he could see how exhausted she was.
“I don’t have to waste my time seeking you out, either. I love you, however, so I did. You love me as well, so you will listen,” Kay said with a sigh. Her gaze trailed past him for a moment to Zyi’s body and a flicker of pain crossed her face. She shook her head sadly and met Neph’s gaze once more. “I won’t defend what your father did. I will explain it to you, though,” she began.
“I don’t want you to explain it. I don’t want to think of him at all,” Neph snarled and sat back quickly as her large palm connected squarely with the side of his head in a solid smack. Blinking, he stared at her in shock. His Aunt had never raised a hand at him before, even when he had deserved it.
“I said shut up and listen, Neph. I’m tired and I have no patience for petulance. I rode all night to reach here when I heard what happened,”
Kay snapped back at him. With another sigh, she rubbed the fingers on the hand she had smacked him with and shook her head lightly. “Thick-skulled brat,” she muttered. She shifted where she sat and adjusted her sword before continuing. “The trials have always been part of Delvay, Neph. In the beginning, however, they were only for our warriors. It wasn’t until after your Grandfather died that it was decided that everyone must be a warrior and therefore everyone must take the trial. Not everyone agreed with it, but Ren was in charge so they accepted it.”
“Cowards,” Neph grumbled, his expression filled with disgust.
“What is the penalty for treason, Neph?” Kay asked sharply her eyes narrowing.