Dreamed Into Life

[Illianna]

I nod gently. "What was she like as a child?" I ask looking down at my wife

[GamesMaster]

"Stubborn, mostly."

[Illianna]

"She hasn't changed much then" I chuckle

[GamesMaster]

"What were you like, girl?"

[Illianna]

"Scared mostly. My mother nearly died birthing me and was never the same after and my fathers a monster. Most of my childhood was spent praying or being beaten." I shrug "I've changed a lot since then thanks to her." I smile roundly at her

[GamesMaster]

"Hmph. And why did she pick you?"

[Illianna]

"Politics. Or fate... if you believe in the old stories. If not then I'm the only heir to the Castilian throne and she wants an empire."

[GamesMaster]

"Lesson number one -- you need to know who you are before you can cast magic safely. Otherwise you'll draw too much from someone else's vision and you can risk losing yourself entirely. Surely she saw something in you, not just your throne but you. What was it?"

[Illianna]

" I chose death. The first time we met I tried to kill muself rather than be a prisoner. She saw straight in me when no one else did"

[GamesMaster]

"hrmph. I hope that's not inheritable," she grumbles. 

[Illianna]

"It's not" I say firmly

[GamesMaster]

"Good. I lost two little ones myself, you don't want to go through that."

[Illianna]

"I'm sorry" I say gently "do you know the old stories?" I ask hesitantly "ravna tried to tell me once but she's not very good at it... we have matching birthmarks..... my people call them the mark of kain but ravna said they connect us..... I can feel her I can rember things I know only she knows..... is this normal for witches?"

[GamesMaster]

"Not for witches, no. But for destined lovers, of course. You are two halves of one person, you know. But do not let Ravna overpower you. That's the key danger for the submissive partner."

[Illianna]

I flush slightly and look away embarrassed for a moment "I won't" I say softly. Is this what it's like to have a mother? I wonder someone who looks out for you? Someone to give advice? my mothers never spoken a word to me. I'm pretty sure she never really even knew I was there.