• Preface


    Aryana lay on her bed and looked around her room. It was a simple bedroom, rather small with a few pieces of furniture, but that was expected when you lived in a cottage. She loved it though. Sunlight was streaming through the one large window and there was a breeze. It was on days like this that Aryana loved to walk through the forest and was a little sad she didn't have the strength to do so anymore. A fit of coughs hit her, leaving her gasping.
    There was a knock on the door and her daughter, Elva, came through carrying a tray. "I've brought you some more serum to ease your coughs and some food." she said, smiling.
    "Thank you, Elva." Aryana said, drinking the serum. She studied her daughter for a moment. Aryana always felt both joy and sadness whenever she looked at her. She looked like her father. She was tall with a kind face that looked like it was about to break out in a smile, even when she was serious, and that strange and beautiful white hair she'd also inherited from her father. Only her eyes were like her own. A deep blue. She could see the concern on Elva's face as she placed the tray on her lap, even though she tried to hide it. She was alway able to determine what Elva was thinking.
    Aryana gestered to a nearby chair. "Sit down, Elva. There something I should tell you." Aryana said. "Maybe I should have told you to years ago, but there's nothing I can do about that now." She smiled wryly. Then another coughing spell hit her. It didn't last long, but it left her felling weaker, despite the medicine.
    "What are you talking about?" Elva asked, confused and unsure.
    "It has to do with the past. It's a rather long story, but do not interupt me while I'm telling it." Aryana paused a moment and Elva nodded. "It happened long ago. Many years before you were born. I was the twin sister of the Head of the House of Fëanor, a very powerful family at that time." She saw the look of surprise on Elva's face. She opened her mouth to say something then closed it again.
    Aryana nodded, continuing. "Yes, our family is one of nobility. Back then, a war was raging between the vampires and the elves, and I was working with my brother to stop it...."