[ IP ] Sanctuary

`` My dearest Cornelia, where has your light gone? Not so long ago, you were the brightest presence here. Our collective has grown concerned.'' 
 
 Cornelia hid her face beneath her hair, a feature which was treasured by all who laid eyes upon it. Taking a deep breath, she parted her hair with her thumbs and tilted her head back. Her beauty perfectly displayed, but her eyes held a sadness. 
 
 `` Exemplar, I have seen the end of our ways. A life of stray is ahead of me, yet I know not where to go.'' 
 
 The Exemplar was taken aback, `` Dear child, what ever do you speak of? Have you been given a vision?'' 
 
 Her eyes lost their sadness and traded themselves with a look of accusation, `` I have, though not from above. With the eyes given to me at birth I have witnessed a lie.'' 
 
 `` Our people can not be held to a standard beyond their earthy bodies. Do not let their wandering ethics deter you from following the grace with which you have been blessed,'' The Exemplar met Cornelia at her level and placed his hands upon her shoulders. His thumbs caressed the skin of her bare arms. 
 
 She rose to look down upon him, `` Does my grace surpass your own, the grace of our Exemplar?'' 
 
 Though holding his age poorly in his back, he stood again to rise above her. 
 
 `` Lady Cornelia, you speak beyond your manner. Your time here has not yet begun to match the devotion of mine own. I beg, no, insist you keep your words simple, and more importantly, kind.'' 
 
 She felt the cold stone floor beneath her feet. The setting sun could no longer reach the floor upon which she stood. Cornelia turned away from the Exemplar, her dress momentarily grazing against him. She approached the columns overlooking the water's edge. 
 
 `` Tell me of this lie, Cornelia,'' the Exemplar's voice was stern. 
 
 Cornelia wrapped her arms around a column and pressed her cheek against it. Her face towards the outstretching ocean. 
 
 `` You've taken a liking to the maiden prior to myself. Have you not?'' 
 
 The Exemplar placed himself behind her, `` You speak of Lady Sarene? My impression of her is one of adoration in her purity.'' 
 
 `` Purity...'' Cornelia spoke softly. 
 
 She felt his hand place itself in the middle of her back. 
 
 `` Do you wish to ask something of me, Cornelia?'' 
 
 Still embracing the column, Cornelia smiled, `` Your whole life; devoted to grace.'' 
 
 Waves crash upon and pull away from the sands. The majesty of the sanctuary instills wonder in those who want to believe in something greater than themselves. Was that also a lie, Cornelia thought. 
 
 `` How can you lead us to grace, if you have none?'' she let go of the column and faced the Exemplar. 
 
 His face trembled with insult but he remained where he stood; with her between himself and the sea. His hand slowly found its way to her face. Cornelia remained still, subdued. Her steadfast burned within him. His hand slid from her face and around her throat. What strength he had was enough to bring her to her knees. She did not fight him. Cornelia let him feel powerful, as he always had felt. 
 
 A knife plunged into the Exemplar from behind. Lady Sarene wielding the blade and a gasp. 
 
 The Exemplar collapsed on to Cornelia. She let his body fall into the sand below, where the water was to rise before night. She turned to face Sarene. Cornelia's face was regal. 
 
 `` My lady Sarene, you've saved not just my life but this sanctuary.'' 
 
 Sarene clasped Cornelia's hands, `` Yet I have still failed you.'' 
 
 Cornelia stood and laughed a single laugh. Her smile comforted Sarene. 
 
 `` That man was the evil within our home. You had no part in his lie, except as a victim to his torment.'' 
 
 Sarene looked around them, suggesting the uncertainty of the future. 
 
 `` Do not worry, dear Sarene. Now we can bring truth back into the wonder that is our home.'' 
 
 
 
 
 

