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When one becomes two. When one goes away. When one is scared. When one is angry. The souls can never be at peace. And the world will suffer.
-Prophecy 3411 by Aricese

Chapter 3 (30th of Rumatan 6190)

“Sheala!”

The hushed call of her name startled her. Dazed, the elder daughter of Stormband turned over. The straw of her mat cut into her sides. She blinked and watched as Cassandra stood over her.

“Aw, Cass,” Sheala moaned. “What is it? Go back to sleep.”

Sheala rolled back over and pulled the tattered blanket over her shoulders. The air was cold. Rain pounded outside, driving a chill into her.

Cassandra shook her. “C’mon, we’re getting out of here.”

Sheala pulled away from her hand. “What are you talking about?” She rubbed her eyes wearily. “We don’t have anywhere to go. Besides,” she yawned, “it’s not so bad.”

“Not so bad!” Cassandra quickly lowered her voice. “Sheala, you’ve been caught picking pockets three times in as many days. How much longer do you think Ebeth is going to be able to keep you from real trouble? Sooner or later, someone’s not going to give in to him. Then this scam the two of you have is really going to get messy.”

“Cass, I’m just having an off week is all. I’ve been doing this for what, four years?” Yawning again, “Now let me get some sleep.”

“What happens if one of the town guards catches you? I heard someone today say they recognized you as the same girl that got caught two days ago. He can’t protect you forever.”

“You’re just upset because the only thing you’re good at is scrubbing the pots.”

Cassandra planted an angry foot on the loose boards of the old wooden floor. She moved aside the tangle of long red hair that fell into her eyes and barked, “Fine! If all you want to do with your life is scrape and steal with Ebeth and his freaks, that’s your call.” Turning, Cassandra felt for the knob of the rickety wagon door. “I’m through being their little slave.”

As the door opened in her hand, the wind howled inside. Cassandra pulled her raveled coat over her shoulders and leapt to the muddied ground with a splash.

Sheala heard her sloshing away as the door pulled shut. First with a strained creak and then a bang.

She laid there for a while, half expecting her twin to return. Just like so many times before and after just a few steps. But the time continued to pass. The door never did reopen.

Sheala laid there for the long hours until the morning sun began to break through the slats of the supply wagon’s sides. She felt for the medallion about her neck, the one her father had given to her six years ago.

Its warmth was now faded. The distance between the two daughters of Stormband had grown too far apart. It had never been this cold before.

For the first time in her life, Sheala was alone. And it scared her.

She closed her eyes tightly and whispered, not knowing what else to do. “She’s gone, father. Cass is gone … Please don’t leave me alone, father.”

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