The World of Rhune

" Princess Karillian (pronounced how it looks) Zeba Diliah, and her brother, Prince Zayde (pronounced Zade) Kereste Diliuh!" a loud voice boomed, and two sixteen year olds stepped out of a floating cart held up by guard, and their feet touched the sacred ground of their people's temple. Only a royal or priest could walk on this ground. Karillian gazed in awe at the temple, her brother matching her. "Kari, isnt it beautiful?" Zayde asked quietly, his black hair shining where his sun streaks showed. "I know, Zay, to think we're even allowed in here...But Zay?" Kari flashed scared eyes up at her brother "What are we doing here?" Kari's words were barely more than a whisper. She looked at her brother, her earlier happiness faded "Kari, I dont really know." Zayde spoke, matching his sister's tone. Kari looked away from her brother, and stared at her clothing. Her bare feet, her airy white dress that split when it reached her knee, and the lace that covered the top of her strapless dress. It was all white, except for her solid gold band that kept her long black hair (with the same sunstreaks as her twin) down and not windblown from her desert counrty of Caryi. Zayde wore the same color scheme and crown, but he wore long pants and had a vest on.

"Darlings," a high voice spoke from behind them. Their mother. The twins turned to their mother, and instantly bowed, as was their custom. "Rise, children." Zayde and Kari winced slightly at the word. They hated being called children, but rose. "Come with me, dears. We are to meet your father." The three walked briskly, admiring the mosaics on the sleek marble walls. Suprisingly, the temple was very bright from natural light. "Mother? what are we doing here?" Zay asked after a few minutes. "For the ceremony, ofcourse. What else would take place here?" came a quick reply before they came to a large ebony door. The twins looked quizickly at each other. There were no ebony trees in their country, and hardly any in the world. Two robed priests opened the door, their eyes framed in heavy dark make up. The family walked through, and came up to the altar, decorated with the most rare stones, flowers, and the windows were positioned so light always hit the altar. "Karillian," a male voice called just as a high voice called "Zayde," both were filled with relief and warmth. The twins looked at the person who had called thier names. The person who had called Kari's name was tanned like her, but his hair was like a crisp honey. He was tall and you could see the muscles of his arms and legs. Zayde's person was a light tan, and small. Her petite figure was graceful, and her deep golden brown hair was let down in wavy ringlets. The siblings now knew why they had been summond, and they both took a step closer to each other. "please let me introduce these two," Kari and Zay's father said from a lavished couch. "This is Sunste, king of a small group of islands off the coast of eight, and this is the Aei, the daughter of a lord" The two strangers smiled warmly at the twins. "And these are your.." "No!" Kari was suprised even more so than her twin as the word burst from her mouth. She instantly looked down, but did not regret her statement "Karillian!" her mother shouted in suprise. Her voice was harsh though, and Kari bent her head slightly She still did not regret her statment She knew what her father was going to say. "Mother, do not shout at Kari," Zay spoke up, soft but with power, his normal personality. "Zayde!" Now their mother turned on him. "Do not talk to me like that, I am your mother, and your queen. If I must go to that extent. I know your games, I know what you are thinking, and wanting and hating right now. But you will do as you are told, and you will marry these two!" The last statement was no shock to the twins, a little dissapointment because of the shred of hope they had had, but they were used to their mother's shrieking. "Father? Can we converse in private? Just to help each other regain our minds." Zayde asked smoothly. He always knew what his father had wanted. Their mother was still glaring at the two when they were excused by their father. They exited quickly from the room. "Zay!" Karillian said quickly, freaking out. "I know, I know! Kari!" Zay shook his sister harshly, and let go "Sorry," Kari muttered,"But I cant marry, you know how I feel I want a single ton life! and so do you!" "I know, but we can get out of this, you think I want Aei as my wife !" Zayde spoke the last word as if it was the name of the god of the under word. "Then let's think of a plan." Kari said with the upmost assurance. Zay smiled at her, "We have to leave this temple some time, be left alone some time. And then escape! The rain forest is full of shelter, and has a couple creatures useful to us If we can steal some Pegasi..." Kari looked up at him with suprise. They had five pegasi in the whole country, bought from Terra dei Cavalli Volanti. The winged creatures were wild, ate a lot, and were the most stubborn creatures. "Just listen to me, okay? Just act like your okay with this thing, I'll come plan with you later, collect supplies when you can though." Kari nodded at her brother's statement. They had used this plan many times, except for the pegasi part. Anytime they hadnt wanted to do anything, they would run for a week, and then come home to a furious house, but it was worth it. "Well!?" Their father called. "Coming!" Kari and Zay shouted at the same time. They walked gracefully to the room and sat next to their betrotheds, and put on the most realistic smile, for a fake one. So this is what the temple is like...Zayde wondered to himself, I would have much rather gone to the mountains he thought regretfully. He had been given the choice on the way out, but since Kari wasnt allowed to go, he had stayed with his sister, like he always had