[Aylwen Dreamsong]

“Thanks for not embarrassing me half as much as you usually do, Khasia,” Jasara murmured to her sister as the Priestesses and the newcomer spoke to each other about the numbers of the young. Khasia glowered back at Jasara with an evil sparkle in her eyes and bit her lip. Jasara smiled in mock sweetness. “Those of you who think you know everything are very annoying to those of us who actually do, dear sister.”

“You might think that hatred makes you stronger, it also makes you seem blind and stupid. Do not order me around; I don’t need you. You’re acting just like the elders,” Khasia spat out the last word, and it made Jasara cringe inwardly. Jasara knew her sister better than anyone else did, but she still didn’t know what Khasia wanted from this meeting. Why did she want to be there?

Your sister wants to impress the Priestesses. It fascinates her. Khasia wants what you have, she wants to take the place of Dristi or Sevora. Don't let her usurp your power. Don't let your sisterly bonds get in the way of what you are destined for, Jasara. Khasia must not get in the way.

The voice was right. It shed new light on what Khasia had wanted all along. Khasia was jealous, Khasia wanted to have the power Jasara had. Jasara glared at her sister suddenly with new venom and hatred, and Khasia moved back ever so slightly. Then Khasia glared back with anger and impatience that mirrored Jasara's own.

"I'll start acting nicer when you start making sense and stop trying to take advantage of the generous opportunity I have given you. I didn't have to let you come along! All you want is the chance to take what I have and leave me to die!" Jasara hissed shrilly at Khasia. Not that Jasara wouldn't have done the same thing had she been in Khasia's position, but it didn't matter at that moment. What mattered to Jasara was that Khasia leave and stop trying to steal the glory that belonged to Jasara.

"I won't let you take this chance away from me! Sister or no, I won't have you holding me back!" Khasia muttered back, calm and cool as she hid her true emotions. The two girls had a staredown for a few moments, but then turned away from each other to face the three older people that were still talking across the tent.

“What makes you think I want to fight them?” Jasara heard Sevora say moments after her fued with Khasia. Jasara stifled a slight gasp. What did that mean? Were they not going to attack the elders? They had to! They had to get revenge! All Jasara really wanted was revenge, but was that so wrong? A battle certainly would kill a lot of people, but all the elders would have died soon anyway, and anyone else would die sooner or later!

Jasara looked up at Sevora and Dristi, staring momentarily at their matching crimson and ebony robes and their crowns of thorns. Sevora's eyes were deep and knowledgable; they matched Jasara's eyes, which had taken in much since the beginning days of the rebellion. Dristi's eyes were just a shade or two lighter than black, but they were full of wonderment and rapture. When Jasara turned her gaze over to Ghurdan, the first thing Jasara noticed was the long scar that spread from his left eye to the bottom of his stubborn chin. Ghurdan's dark skin and dark hair were only contrasted against the three gold rings in his right ear as he smiled evilly at Jasara and Khasia.

[ August 05, 2003: Message edited by: Aylwen Dreamsong ]