Dawn in the Dark City

An ethereal breeze toyed with her dark strands of hair. She felt her brother's presence behind her, was safe and content while he was near. Caslan crouched at her back, his long coat draped over the edge of their impromptu perch, weighted with hidden weapons. A noise to their left caught his attention, a bird-that-was-not-a-bird wheeling through the glowing sky-that-was-not-a-sky. The arrowhead-shaped throwing blades in his long braids swung gently as he turned his head. A sentry, not an enemy. There weren't many enemies foolish enough to attack them in their own city. They owned this city. Their parents might still hold the thrones, but Shar Ta'al was their playground. Corinne slid her hand back until she felt the buttery leather of his coat beneath her fingertips. Lan flicked out a finger to brush the loose ribbons of her corset. Dawn was breaking in the Dark City, soft light blooming across the magic ward that enveloped Shar Ta'al. This was the brightest the underground city ever got, then the light would slowly fade throughout the "day" before repeating its cycle. After a long night on the town, the twins had slipped off to a high place to properly distribute their ill-gotten winnings. The rainbow aurora overhead warred with the bright city lights as the strings on their coin purse were loosened. As if by their own will, the coins poured out of the pouch to swirl into the air before them, spinning gold wrapped in magic. They spiraled into a mini whirlwind, danced there for a moment, then flew off in all directions, scattering throughout the city streets. They didn't need the coins, not when they had the riches of the whole city locked away in the royal treasury. They gambled only for the fun of it. For the taste of victory after a well-timed cheat, the perfect play in a difficult game, and the careful manufacturing of luck. Corinne leaned back to rest her head on her twin's chest. Caslan wrapped his arms around his sister's slender shoulders. The city was theirs, and as far as they were concerned, the rest of the world was too.


Check out ~alirodina's gorgeous depiction of the twins here [link]!


Corinne ~Kechake-stock
Caslan ~maryfenja-stock
Background ~Cleonor
Braids ~NiennaAlatariel
Blades ~V-ace
Pouch =PirateLotus-Stock
Dagger ~Beloky-stock
Ledge =HarleyBliss
Brushes =Falln-Stock

As always, my words and my muses belong to me.