Domus Noctus

Chapter I An Unexpected Visitor

Aubrey focused her mind on the Globe in front of her, allowing herself to slip into a sort of trance. The charm on the Globe began to pull 'Rey's mind further down, closer and closer to the surface of the globe until she could see each person, hear what they said, watch what they did. Immediately, something caught 'Rey's eye: two women, one young and one middle aged, trekking through the shady woods towards 'Rey's home in the mountains. They seemed nearby; 'Rey could not be sure, never having left the safety of the mansion, Domus Noctus. She could not imagine why they were coming, but felt a pang of regret that she could not leave her home to greet them. Although she could easily watch the outside world from her mind, any real exposure to sunlight (even reflected moonlight) would nearly kill her.

'Rey did the closest thing to greeting them outside that she could, and walked through her pitch black home to her second front door. A small screen next to the large metal door showed the women as they knocked. 'Rey pushed a button to turn on the speaker, and asked, politely as she could, "Who are you?"

"Domain Leader Sahara," said the younger woman, and 'Rey choked. The Domain Leader walking up to her house was a little like the President of the United States striding up and knocking on a hermit's front door. Unsurprisingly, 'Rey was more than a little shocked. "And this is my friend, Guiana," Sahara said, gesturing toward the older woman. "We're here to speak to Aubrey Hannaka. You're her, right?"

"Um, yeah, I'm Aubrey. Come in, ma'am, but make sure you close the first door before you open the second one. Please. Grab some goggles, if you need 'em." To ensure that no sunlight accidentally entered 'Rey's home, her front door led into a dark chamber, where there were night-vision goggles available for visitors. The second door was sealed shut until the first one closed.

A moment later there was a slight hiss as the second front door opened, and Sahara and her friend stepped in. Sahara wore her standard long red gown, and her feathered wings were folded at her back. Guiana had short grey hair, and wore plain pants and an embroidered tunic. They looked a little like bugs with the large night-vision goggles on.

"I'm Aubrey Hannaka," 'Rey introduced herself. "You can call me 'Rey. Sorry about the dark, it's just, I'm allergic to sunlight, and... yeah. Sorry," she finished lamely. "How can I help you? Are you lost?"

"No, we're not lost. 'Rey, what do you do in your free time?" Sahara asked.

'Rey scrunched her brow at the surprising question. "Um, I dunno," she said. "I read, and Watch people, I guess. There really isn't much I can do, sealed up like this." She was a little embaressed; what would the Domain Leader think of a seventeen-year-old girl who spent all of her time Watching other people?

"Is that all?"

"Well, yeah..." 'Rey felt stupid, wondering if she should have made up some other things to say she did. Like what?

Sahara pulled a few papers out of a pocket in her gown. "Look through these. Tell me what you think."

'Rey looked at the papers suspiciously. "Why?"

"Let's just say, you might not have so much free time, if you accept my proposal."

'Rey took the pages. The first showed a photograph of a strange beast, draconic, with spiral horns and sharp spines down its back. It looked powerful, dangerous, beautiful in its ferocity. Underneath, a caption read, "Male Drakkin." Skimming the texts, 'Rey learned these drakkin were fighting animals, kept by drow in some otherworld. They were very ferocious, and... 'Rey gasped mentally. They were photosensitive. Couldn't stand light. Just like her.

"Why are you showing me these?" 'Rey asked, although she thought she knew. Sahara was well known as something of a fantastic creature enthusiast, and had something of a support plan for people in her Domain who wished to care for one. She helped pay for expenses, get the person to the otherworld, and sometimes.. sometimes she thought someone was a perfect match for a creature and came to them with some information.

"The three breeders of these drakkin have recently begun adopting them out to foreigners. There is a single hatchling still available for purchase from their most recent clutch..." Sahara gave a sly smile. "What do you think? Raise it, train it. Fight it, when it's old enough. You up for the challenge?"

'Rey's mind was made up in a heartbeat. "Well, there's nothing to lose," she said, and Sahara grinned. "What do I have to do?"

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