Destiny Scorns

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Alice's castle was no longer a fun place to be in given that her mood swings were drastic and her paranoia about Wendy taking over was getting onto everyone's nerves. They had somehow relaxed that Wendy was not aiming at the crown, at least not yet. Unfortunately that never calmed Alice one bit. She was always questioning the guards on where their loyalties lie. Everyone was getting tired about that.

  Then she saw Jared heading out. `Where are you going?'

  He stopped and looked at her like she had lost her mind. She never inquired where he went at night. `I'm going to Gorham's castle.'

  `To continue plotting with Wendy on how to overthrow me from my throne.' `To see Sidney's babies.'

  `Babies?'

  `Yes, she just delivered twins. A boy and a girl.'

  `And why wasn't I told?'

  `You are not really a friend of the family and you are not in any condition to go see them tonight.'

  `Who sent you the news?'

  `Wendy Summer,' he said the first name that came to mind but in actual sense, Martin had sent him the word. He had been keeping tabs on Sidney for awhile now. He saw the frown on Alice's face. `Is there anything else that you may need?'

  Alice shook her head. He continued on to head to the door. The journey to Gorham's castle was supposed to be a short one but then it seemed that everyone was heading there. Apparently he wasn't the first one to find out. He went into the castle and found that the other people were waiting downstairs. He went up and found Martin in a queue.

  `This is strange,' Jared said as he looked at the long queue.

  `It was the healer's idea. He didn't want people crowding in the room.'

  `Still,' Jared laughed. `Why didn't you just look for Wendy? She would have gotten you in.'

  `Why would she do that?'

  Jared always had to remind himself that Martin had no idea that Wendy was his half-sister. He might have suspected like everyone else but because Jared had never confirmed it, he left it at that. But then to Jared it was also a suspicion and he had never heard it from anyone worth taking their word. „Wait here, I'll go find her.' He found Wendy with the rest of the group in the dining room. He approached her. `Can I talk to you in private?'

  `Of course,' she stood up. They went to the end of the room. `What is it?'

  `Martin is waiting in line to see Sidney's children, yet he is very close to Sidney.'

  `So why are you telling me?'

  `He is very close to Sidney and considers her as his only family.' He paused slightly then added, `Unless you are willing to admit that he is wrong.'

  Wendy looked at him sharply. `I don't like what you are insinuating. Nonetheless, he should come and wait in here with us given that both Sidney and the babies are asleep.'

  Jared left her and went to get Martin who was taken aback by the request. It was going to be a bit comfortable for him but he opted to get to know the group that was now the center of Sidney's well-being. When he got there he was surprised at the wizards being very much like everyone else. They were talking about the same thing that was on everyone's lips but he was drawn more to Wendy. He suspected, like everyone else that she was his half-sister and had even suggested the same thing to Joel who could not allow himself to think that.

  To his brother, Wendy being their half-sister was probably the reason that their mother didn't love them as much. Also being around Alice, his thoughts about Wendy were being poisoned. He refused to accept the possibility but Martin having the chance to now establish that fact, did not fret about being seen staring. At one point she caught him but she looked away calmly as if she was used to that happening all the time. Then Victor stood up but caught the table for some time.

  `Are you alright?' Wendy asked sounding very worried.

  `Just a little tired,' he said then looked at her. `I need to rest now.' He started to walk away but his hand brushed her hair slightly and in a quick motion that if no one was watching, they wouldn't have noticed. After Victor left, Martin was surprise at the turn where he was now the center of attention. Sometimes when he would not have an answer to their questions, Wendy would jump in and help out. Unfortunately everything that she did seemed to confirm his suspicions.