Braesenia’s Orphan - Chapter 2

Prophesy:

The Promised One, of the mended and twice blessed

Shall come at the time of our greatest duress

Child of the duilgoatha and craionnacht

With its passion and strength shall one day unlock

The foretold Age of Truth, Justice and Peace

When false friend’s tyranny shall forever cease

Rowan choked back his horror at the abominable state of the girl on the horse. She looked to be about fifteen winters and was tall and lanky, with her slender limbs stretched across either side of the horse. She wore dark brown breeches that were coated in dust and an assortment of leaves, twigs, and what looked to be blood. Her dark green tunic was almost threadbare and had a similar coating to her trousers. It appeared as though her hair had once been tied back in a braid, but now her dark auburn curls stuck out at the most bizarre angles and its appearance was not improved by the presence of yet more dust, twigs, and leaves. She wore neither gloves nor shoes, and underneath the ropes that bound them her hands and feet were as bloodied and bruised as her face.

The young man knew without a doubt that the Keepers would not have wished for any of the orphans to witness this sight, but some part of him whispered that he needed to be there. Ever since his Naming Ceremony the month before Rowan had experienced moments of insight which seemed to come from somewhere outside of himself. However strange this was, his instinct was to trust it and follow wherever it may lead. He hunched his shoulders in an attempt to make himself appear smaller, tugged on his forelock as he had seen the stable hands do as a sign of respect, and looked to the commander for instruction hoping that he had managed to disguise himself sufficiently.

"Cut her down, boy, and bring her into the receiving room. The other lads can tend to the horses." The commander then turned to the two soldiers on either side of the girl and ordered them back into the ranks as he proceeded into the Asylum.

Rowan immediately began attempting to untie the knots at the girl's hands and feet, but they were far too tight for him to undo. He raced back into the stable and found a hoof pick that seemed to be fairly sharp. As he sawed away at her bindings the girl began to moan in pain. The rope had broken her skin and in some places was embedded in the cuts. Rowan cut through the last of the rope and positioned himself on the right side of the horse, where the girl's feet were dangling. He was grateful for every inch of his height as he reached over the horse's back to grab underneath the girl's arms and ease her down. She seemed to be aware that he was trying to help and cooperated to the best of her ability in her weakened state, but when her feet touched the ground she immediately collapsed against him. Rowan caught her and nimbly maneuvered to carry her as he remembered carrying his siblings when they were infants. She made no protest and Rowan made his way into the Asylum. 

Over the past two years Rowan had become accustomed to life here even though he knew things were not all that they seemed. It had been a safe haven for his siblings since their parents had died and he did not know how else the three of them could have managed to stay together. The children were still too young to feel the inexplicably sinister effects of the place and as soon as he managed to secure an apprenticeship and provide for them he would take them far away so that they could put this all behind them and be a true family again. Just a few more years here and everything would be fine. 

But as Rowan passed through the main entryway with the girl in his arms his body gave an involuntary shudder and it was as though the veil which had gradually been growing weaker was suddenly torn down entirely. Evil and pain seemed to seep through the very walls to surround them, and images of brokenness and despair flashed across his mind. He was blinded by the stark truths that rushed toward him and nearly dropped the girl. It was so strange; these visions were like nothing he had ever experienced, yet nonetheless Rowan knew them to be real. He waited for his sight to return then continued carrying the girl beyond the central staircase and down the hallway to the receiving room. No matter how much the young man tried to soldier on he was unable to ignore the overwhelming sense of guilt and betrayal that had settled upon him - as though rather than granting her asylum he was cementing her doom.