Sins of our fathers

Sentinel Island - Haven

After what felt like a lifetime, Gonyaul heard crunching footsteps in the wet sand outside the stone hut. His head turned slightly from the fire and the warmth provided and for one heartbeat he wondered if they had simply washed him and fed him just so he wouldn't die and if they were coming to throw him down that dark whole again, at the mercy of the tides and elements...

He could tell the footsteps approaching the door belong to distinct individuals. Not the guards he had seen around. One set of steps was slow and methodical, there was a rhythm to it as if the person was dragging one of its legs. The other was strong and assertive, clearly belonging to someone tall and heavy set.

The door was thrown opened and the light of the grey day outside washed in, framing his capture. The woman with the white hair and the sword. The woman who had taken him from his friends. His gaoler. She looked around, her eyes scanning the room and him. She bore her sights on him, clearly warning him not to try anything and stepped into the room, followed by a much smaller woman that walked supported by a rough wooden walking stick that looked like it was made of driftwood.

Her age was etched upon her face with deep lines and wrinkles. Her silver hair cascaded down to her waist in a thick braid, accentuating her wise and weathered appearance. The woman stood at an average height, her frail frame covered in a faded, emerald-green shawl that swayed with each step she took. Despite her obvious age, there is a grace in her movements, a sense of quiet strength that speaks of a life well-lived.

The old younger woman grabbed a stool and placed it near the older woman who sat at it, carefully as much as not to fall but also as to not trip on the a long, flowing gown of deep purple, adorned with intricate patterns of stars and phases of the moons.

Gonyaul saw that her shawl was fastened with a silver clasp in the shape of antlers and on her gnarled hands, she wore a myriad of silver rings, each holding a unique gemstone that glimmered softly in the light the room.

The warrior woman closed the door and positioned herself behind the seated woman, crossing her strong arms over her chest. The old woman pointed to the floor near the fire, a few metres from her with her walking cane, mentioning to the Vaux to take a seat.

"After all this time, you have come to this shores. A son of our enemy. A son of our sins." she started in what was clearly the language of the Vaux, but spoken in such a tone, enunciation and intonation that he had never heard before. His eyes widen. He had been surprised the warrior had understood his words but this woman was clearly speaking his language.

"What are we to do with you now?" she asked but he knew she did not want answer from him. In that moment he knew immediately his future was in her hands.