Prelude

“You are here by exiled from The Empyre.”

My luck had always been bad. But now it seemed to have reached an all time low. Exile, exile from my own kingdom. I had known the punishment would be harsh but this was beyond cruel. I stood before the man who had decided my sentence with my face clear of any emotion. I held my head high. I would not shed tears before this man, I would not beg this man for leniency, I would show him, show him what I was capable of, but not here not now I would wait until the time was right.
“I decree that this young woman before you shall be exiled to the lower world until the council sees her fit to return.”
An uproar was heard from the people that had gathered in the court.
“Madness!”
“The council has gone insane!”
“The people will never approve of this!”
One woman’s voice rose above all the other protests.
“You shall not! Can not!”
My static mask almost broke then, as my mother defended me.
“I can and I will.” Spoke up the man from the dais. “You have no say in the matter.”
My mother bristled, “You are exiling my daughter and you have the nerve to say I have no say in the matter!” Fatima rose from her seat in front of the court and stalked up the steps to the dais; she was livid, her long black hair twirling and hardening to sharp points as her emotions flared. She wore a silk blouse and soft leather pants both died dark orange, her knee high black boots clacked as she climbed the stairs. Mother was a sight to see at that moment, every movement she made emanated confidence and power. Fatima the tigress of the night, Fatima the fearless, Fatima the wildcat of the Empyre. I could see now how she had gotten those names.
“Tell me King ‘Ga-loreta how you exiling our only child has nothing to do with me.” she growled, “I am Queen of the Empyre and I will have my say in this whether you like it or not!”
My father sighed, “The council and I have already decided Fatima. Even as Queen you cannot overrule both the council and I.”
Father sounded tired -bored even, as if he didn’t want to be there, as if it was a waste of his valuable time. Heh so typical of him. “I take and accept the punishment the council has given,” I stated raising my voice to be heard by my arguing parents, “I take my leave to the lower world now and I shall await anxiously for the word that I can again return to your side beloved father.” I said my voice thick with sarcasm, I nodded farewell to my mother. Chin high and eyes ablaze with pride I, Arita ‘Ga-loreta Hun, Vampyress of The Empyre, huntress of the night and only child of The Empyre’s beloved monarchs walked out of the courtroom to an uncertain and perilous future.