chapter one (tw for mentions of slavery + sickness throughout chapter) .. Ralia sat outside of the small hut she called home. it was rather squat and made of hardened mud from the river. Her town, Lapaque, wasn’t know for its .. architecture. Ralia sighs, her gold-streaked tail flicking behind her. Lapaque was mostly built on agriculture, being one of the main suppliers of crops and meat to the capital city, Slatrea. You would think that this would result in more money, but unfortunately the Slysers believed in work without pay. the Talmuds saw this as slavery, whereas the Slysers viewed this as merely working for their kingdom-if you could even call it a kingdom anymore. What was once the Kingdom of Light now became one of darkness; the Slysers oversaw everything and one. they had a King, Shike, but no council as those in the past did. King Shike had destroyed most books and scrolls of the Old Kingdom, especially when these books became almost the cause of a rebellion, but you could still find them occasionally .. that’s how she knew all of this. Ralia sat up, glancing out at the distant castle. since the previous one had been destroyed, a new one was built. it, unlike the one made of light sandstone, was crafted of obsidian. it cast a malicious glare in the morning sunlight, which was a warm red from their star. Ralia turned and entered their hut quietly, watching as Lavania stirred a herbal concoction in her metal pot. ‘ Aunt? ‘ Ralia asked, curiously approaching and peering at the orange liquid. ‘ what are you making? ‘ Lavania’s old, tired eyes turned towards her niece, although most of her attention was fixed on her project. ‘ Ekraka caught the Dark Plague and requested me to make an antidote. ‘ Lavania replied simply, sprinkling some crushed poppy seeds into the mixture as Ralia scowled. the Dark Plague was a sickness that had begun when Shike began his long rule. Lavania thought it was a disease carried by the Slysers that the Talmuds hadn’t had the immune system for, but Ralia preferred the idea that the Slysers had purposefully spread the Plague into the working class so that he healers would be far too busy healing than planning a rebellion. Ralia had never gotten the Plague, but she had heard it was bad. Violent coughing fits and dark purple spots on your tongue. Vomiting and constant headaches .. it was something you certainly didn’t want to catch. ‘ will Ekraka be alright? ‘ she asked her Aunt, expression worried. Ekraka might not be everyone’s favorite Talmud, but fae was always nice to her .. she didn’t wish death upon fae, certainly. ‘ we know not. ‘ Lavania replied after a long pause. Ralia merely nods and settles back down at the entrance of the hut, staring at the working Talmuds beyond.
hi so sorry this is a bit late .. anyway characters: - Ralia. mc. she/her. a black Talmud with a gold-streaked tail, purple eyes, and drooping ears. - Lavania. she/her. a basic Talmud with a brown coat and green eyes. healer and elder - Ekraka. fae/faer. a white Talmud who focuses on agriculture and is currently sick with the Dark Plague - Shike: the ruler of Slatrea. supposedly immortal, still king.