[Keys of Avalon - Canon - T]
The streets of the mighty and
beautiful city are alive with life. All around her people are
cheering, singing, and trading in the joyful coming together for the
Ascension Festival. All around her people are gathering for the eons
old traditions, banners are painted and pulled taunt above the
streets, people are putting on colorful garbs of all styles, and
children are being told stories of a time before the Great Calm. Back
when humans and beasts fought with one another, a time before wild
magic was a common place thing, back before the Treaty of Unity with
all creatures. She smiles as little children run around her legs,
pulling lightly at her dress.
“Oh. Good morning, little ones,”
She smiles and giggles softly at them, not a care in the world. They
tug at her skirt once more and she smiles. “Alright, alright. What
is it? Show me.” She is then tugged along, out of the crowd, and
down a side alleyway. Unconcerned she follows them all the way to
small, corner home. She frowns at them and looks to them. Three
children in all, the biggest being a girl with pale blue hair and
just as pale blue wings, next to her is a set of twins, one of
lavender and the other of bright red, all the children have the red
eyes, the markings of a vampire.
The biggest, and probably the oldest,
speak with a gentle and a wispy voice, “Please… Please help,
Mama. She’s sick. Please.” The children push at her now, giving
herself over to urgency she walks in and a pungent stench attacks
her. It’s as if something had died in there already. Her eyes water
a little as she looks over to a young looking red headed woman with
ashen skin, her body glistening with sweat. Next to her bed lays a
bucket full of an off red substance. When she locks eyes with murky
red ones she can see it inside her, the coming of death, it’s
frightening, but she also knows what she must do. Just as she crossed
to go to her, another little tug is given to her skirt.
Looking down she sees the little red
headed boy staring up at her with wide and worried eyes, “Can you
fix mommy?” Her heart clenches and she realizes, even as a mage,
she cannot save with vampiric mother. But she kneels down, her long
and wavy dark hair spilling around her as she does. She locks her
deep, hazel eyes onto boy’s.
“I will get a Cleric here as soon as
I can. Your mother needs medical attention, but I am not quite yet
qualified to do such magic,” She says soothingly. Her hand comes
and rests on the boy’s head, rubbing it. “I promise. And when I
make a promise I follow through, understood?” The little boy nods
and she stands, looking over her shoulder she says the only thing she
can to sickly vampire. “May the Goddess shine upon you kin and give
them kindness rather than cruelty. I shall find you a Cleric, fear
not.” With that she gently moves past the young children and back
the way they come down together. She makes it to the crowd in record
speed, but stops before she enters it, a thought crossing her mind.
“Emerald. She would be practicing
right now… And is a lot closer than Weiss.” So she turns back
into the empty back roads. Slipping like a ghost through between the
stone and mud buildings towering over her like impenetrable walls she
moves easier. Knowing the way made things much more sharp and less
likely for her to get lost. Then again she had the children leading
her before.
Past the old oak and around the small
fountain to the large double doors of an old barn she goes. Almost
flying through the doorway she calls ahead of herself, “Emerald?
Emerald! Please. I need you!” In no time at all a woman not much
older than herself appears, peering around a horse stall’s archway.
“Oh. Lady Sara,” She beams a moment
before seeing the panic etched into the other and frowns deeply.
“Milady. What is it?” Emerald, the woman’s name, walks forward
wiping her hands on a smock tied around her tiny waist. “My oh my.
You look like you’ve seen the dead rise. Come, do tell me what is
wrong.”
Sara nods, “Children. A bit of a ways
off, their mother has fallen ill. I wish to pay for treatment for
her.” Emerald nods as well and removes her dirty smock. “Will you
come see her, Miss Emerald?” The Cleric gathers her bag from within
the stall and is ready to set out.
“Show me.”
Together they race along, only running
into a person here or there. They, of course, give the proper
greetings as they move past. Sara with a panic stricken heart, not
wanting the children to lose a mother, and Emerald with a calm and
steady breathing as if the running had no effect on her despite her
delicate disposition. It takes then a little longer to find the
small, corner home than it did for Sara to get Emerald, but they do
arrive. And, when they do, the children are immediately ushered out
and away from their mother.
“Do not crowd her, she needs to
relax.”
And Sara found herself holding the
little ones in her arms. The boy looked like he may cry, but was
holding it back for his sisters while the littlest girl’s gaze was
one of steel, unyielding and cold. The hazel eyed woman holds back a
shiver and smiles to the pale blue haired vampire child. Together
they listened to the mutters, moans, and grumblings coming from the
mother and Emerald alike.
“By all that is Holy,” Emerald
catches herself in a swear and clears her throat. “Sara. Get Weiss.
Now… This is beyond my power.” She nods and lets the children go.
Patting them each on the head she
whispers, “I swear I will return momentarily.” And she once more
takes off for the crowded streets and the most direct path to the
royal healer. Her feet carry her with a much confidence and she
almost misses the box in her way. With an ungraceful trip she goes
tumbling forward, scrapping her hands and dirtying her face as she
does. But she doesn’t mind as she forces herself to stand only a
few feet from the festival now. Reaching the crowd she is stopped by
a hand on her should, “Sara. Child. There you are.” The voice is
familiar and warm, she in strong arms, worry deep in her bones. She
feels them shuffling back into the ally as she is given worried
frown. “Sara, my darling, what is it?”
“Father, I must hurry,” Her voice
pitches with urgency. “These children may lose their mother. I need
to get Weiss, Emerald needs him.” The stone walls echo the concern
of her words, but are drowned out by the bustling of the street
beyond once they have reached it. Her father’s hands hold her
steady before one reaches up and pets her hair lovingly.
“Does she now?” When the man
receives a nod his stormy eyes grow dark and deeper than ever before.
“Show me and then we will go to Weiss together.”
She nods and leads her father, only
tethered by her their intertwined hands now, towards Emerald, the
sickly woman, and her three children. She knows her father is no
Cleric, but his concern is not one she can ignore any more than he
can hers. She can sense someone else following behind them, but she
had a feeling she knew who and decides against mentioning it.
Once there she stops and releases her
father’s hand. The three children turn to them with eyes wide and
mouths slightly agape, but they close them quickly. The three look to
her with hope shinning in her eyes and she just waves to them. The
boy returns to her side, giving her a hug as her father walks in,
shortly another male comes walking forward, his orange colored hair
and splay of freckles on his face are unmistakable to Sara. This is
the young knight Percival. She nods to him as he looks into the
small, corner home, a deep frown on his face.
“Sire,” Percival calls ahead as he
walks in. “Is Emerald here?” Her father nods to the male, his
wavy dark hair swaying as he does.
Before the knight can speak again her
father gives a gentle command, “Bring her, and her children, to the
castle… Weiss can look at her with Emerald there.” Sara smiles as
she looks down to the children with a wink. “You get the children,
Percy, bring them with Sara. I will carry this maiden home, it seems
as if she may have much to tell me. And Miss Emerald, please, go on
ahead.”
The young Cleric then leaves the small
house, “Do take care to not aggravate her, Sire.” And she smiles
to Sara and the little ones. “Your mommy will be better soon. We
just need the right medicine.” With that she takes off ahead of
them quickly, humming a tune to herself.
Percival looks rather unsettled and he
speaks lowly, as if to disguise it to the children.
“Sir…? Is this really wise…?”
He nods to the other male leaning over the young mother. “She looks
half starved.”
“All the more reason, Percival. Of
all people you should know this.” Sara doesn’t need to be in
there to see the cold look her father just gave Percival, “Do as I
command, Percival. I will not ask again.” With that she can hear
the rustling of the mother being picked up. She smiles brighter and
holds out her arms to little red head. The child blinks at her and
looks to his sisters, they nod. She lifts him up into her arms.
“Come on, Percy! Get the little
girls.” After a short bit, and the little blue haired girl having
packed what she could, the little lavender haired girl is in
Percival’s arms and the other is being led by the hand. Due to the
festival it’s safe for them to walk the back alleys to the side
entrance to the castle. Met with little resistance they are let in
with the children and met with a grumpy look man with black hair and
just as dark eyes.
He taps his foot impatiently, “What’s
this about a vampire disease? I see no problem with these beasts.”
Sara frowns at him, but holds her tongue since she knows he’s only
blowing hot air and means none of the insults, besides he is a
vampire mutt himself. “And where is there mother? Honestly. These
days people just do as they damn well please-”
“Weiss,” Percival cuts in. “Did
you forget her ladyship is here? As well as children? Hold your
tongue, you old mutt.” To which dark eyes glare into golden ones.
“And don’t think I am scared of you refusing me treatment. If I
need as such I will go to Miss Emerald. She is not only able to heal
as well as you, but is a fair bit kinder to her patients as well!”
Weiss snorts and rolls his eyes, “I
am the Royal Healer, show respect, Knight.” But, other than that,
he doesn’t pay any more attention to Percy. Instead he bows deeply
to Sara. “My apologies Madame. I mean no offense to you or the
children. Please. Let me know what I am needed.”
“Miss Emerald should already be here.
Hasn’t she told you what she needs yet?” Sara’s tone is curt
and clipped before it softens when she turns to the knight. “Come,
Percival. Let us find a place of rest for this family.”
“Yes, Milady,” The two say as one.
Weiss scampers off with a grumble and Percy follows alongside the
young woman with a soft smile.
“You know, Milady, I think they would
fair best close to the infirmary.”
“Do you now?” Sara cocks her head
to the side before nodding and looking to the shy, almost silent
children they are escorting. “Would you like to stay close to you
mother?” At the little nods she receives she smiles. “Come then.
We shall set up a room for you three. And a nurse maid, yes?” The
children nod once more as the set off to get them nice and
comfortable for the long night ahead of them.
Weiss lays his head upon his desk. Just
a moment’s rest is all he requires, his body long since past the
point of exhaustion. He grumbles lowly. The newest patient, the young
mother, has been doing anything but getting better. And, to make
matters worse, he can recognize this illness. It is the same one that
had stripped Avalon of its Queen only five years prior leaving King
Seraph to raise his daughter Sara alone as well as run a kingdom.
Miss Emerald, as Weiss can recall, had been a close friend at the
time and become a sort of older sibling to Sara since then.
The dark eyed male sighs. If what he
believes to be true is then there is no magic, no herbal remedy,
nothing that can save this woman, can save anyone really. This
illness, though it had been scarce previously, has been found in many
patients recently and there is nothing neither him nor Miss Emerald
can do. He drags a hand through his dirty, dark hair. Weiss knows
that is a lie, there is one thing he can do. He could just kill them
and end their suffering right away. But no. Their families are
depending on him to produce a cure out thin air, as if no science is
behind the magic he performs, as if anyone could be a Master Cleric
such as he and Miss Emerald.
Despite all this, in the dead of night,
when all he can hear is the scampering of mice and the labored
breathing of the sick he feels at ease. It could be the beast blood
in him, the odd mix that comes out as anything, but human. Yet he
finds himself on the King’s Court and is trusted as if he were a
purebred human being. Avalon is such a wondrous and strange place. He
is certain anywhere else he wouldn’t have even the option to
practice commonly let alone to this magnitude.
With another sigh the elder healer
looks to the side at his college passed out at the assistance desk
provided for her. Part of him is tempted to carry her to her room and
lay her to bed, but he knows the repercussions for such an action
done to one of noble blood, even if only by a drop. One more sigh
leaves him as he hoists himself up to go check on the rows of beds.
On the right side are the human
patients just as feverish and sick as the creature patients on the
left. When he reaches he bed farthest from the door he groans inside.
It’s the bed of the mother and her three children seemed to have
snuck in again. Weiss is too tired to wake them as to scold them and
decides that if they were to have caught the sickness they would have
had it already. Besides, it seems as if this illness isn’t
contagious, just deadly and spontaneous. So he rolls his eyes as he
walks back to his desk to read by the low burning candle’s flicker
there. In the morning he will yell at the three and shoo them out. As
it is now, he feels the need to research as much as possible, so he
shall.
Its been days since
the festival and Sara finds herself listening in on her father’s
council meeting from the vents in the room next door. Percival is
there with him as well is Weiss and Emerald. Others that she doesn’t
know very well are also present. Her father had just finished
explaining that the patients seem to be getting worse according to
Weiss and Emerald’s findings it seems to be magical in nature, more
of a curse than an illness.
“Yes,” Weiss cuts in. “And not
your common day curse. More so one that is made to act slowly and
pretend to be a sickness. But the more magic you put into the person,
be it natural or wild, only seems to worsen their conditions.”
Sara can hear murmurs before another
voice, this one gruff, speaks, “Is that what we call a curse now a
day? Back in my day we could tell a curse from a cold. Now a days you
youngsters think that if it can’t be cured with magic it’s a
curse? My. How stupid we have become.” Sara has to hold back a
giggle at that, she can almost see the peeved expression on Weiss’
pale face, his eyes flashing gold in anger and embarrassment. “Come
now, child of beasts, tell us the truth. You haven’t a clue and are
just wagering that it is a curse in hopes to push the burden onto
mages like Minerva so you can go back to lazing all day.”
“Warren,” Her father’s voice is
cold and sharp, it makes her shiver a bit as he continues with the
gentle scolding. “Weiss has more than proven himself as our healer.
Now. If you don’t have anything constructive to say, do not speak.
Although, I do understand your concerns. Weiss. Do you have anything
more to add to the idea that this is a curse?”
“Um, uh…”
Emerald cuts in before Weiss could
further speak. “No. But Sir Percy-”
“Percival, please. My name is
Percival.”
“-has told me of possible lead as to
why. It seems that creatures on the fridges of out realm are worse
off than we are, Sire… Um, you tell him, Percy.”
Percival sighs through his nose, “As
you wish Miss Emerald.” A shifting is heard and Sara assumes that
Percy is looking towards her father now. “It has been reported that
the illness is far worse to the edges of our boarders, Sire. That
many have no only fallen ill, but have Ascended as well.” He pauses
a moment, she can see in her mind him struggling with the words to
describe what he must next.
“Is that all Percival?”
“No, Sire… You see. Many reports of
people… Fighting amongst themselves and rampaging have come to us
recently,” The words are controlled, but the tone they are spoken
in is laced with fear. “The reports also say that people have been…
Coming into their Arcanes much faster than ever perceived as
possible, but, when they do, is when they rampage, Sire. Its rather…
Chilling.”
“Chilling indeed,” Her father’s
voice is thoughtful. A heavy pause lays over them for a long moment
before Seraph’s voice raises high and clear. “We must visit these
people and aid them as we can. No longer shall they suffer alone.”
“Milord,” A new voice, eerie and
oily, although feminine, creeps and seeps into Sara’s skin making
her feel sickened. This voice she hears often as it belongs to her
magic teacher, Minerva. “Could I be so bold as to say you should be
bringing your heir with you…?” There is a heavy pause before the
woman obviously clears her throat, realizing that more explanation is
needed. “This would be, of course, to train her, Milord, in the
ways of a Queen… Not that she isn’t well trained as she is. I
just wish to bring up her studies as a matter of importance.” Of
course she would, if she had her way Sara would never have fun and
would always be locked away studying somewhere. But this is
different. This is the question that beckons her father to relent his
hold on her safety. Surely he will not say yes.
“Hmm… I see,” She could hear the
frown in his voice. “And you think putting the Princess in danger
is good for her growth?” Sara rolls her eyes. Yes things may be
dangerous but as long as Minerva and Percival are around she will be
untouchable.
She’s glad to hear her teacher state
almost the same, “Sire. Between all of us Masters both Princess
Sara and yourself will be safe. Not that you yourself, sire, need
much protection.” Sara crosses her fingers as she waits for the
answer. The idea of getting to see the world she’s only read about
is a little thrilling. Not that she has ever really worried about the
surrounding area seeing how she’s grown up in a time of peace
unlike her father who had taken up the throne at the age of fourteen
and had waged a war against more monstrous creatures before the
Treaty had been fully written up and signed upon.
Finally her father sighs, “You make a
strong point… Alright. Sara will come with us, but she is to be
kept as far away from any battle as possible…” He pauses a moment
and Sara can’t begin to picture how serious her father’s
expression must be. When he speaks again its firm, but also cautious
in nature, “Percival?”
“Yessir?”
“Princess Sara shall be learning many
trades on this journey. You shall teach her the way of the sword,
understood?” Sara felt her heart skip a beat when she heard that.
If she was to be kept away from any form of battle why is she going
to need to learn that? Unless… Her father is just being cautious
she’s sure.
“Yessir.”
And, after that, the meeting dissolved
into plans for the travels. Sara couldn’t wait to leave and be
taught, but, at the same time, her heart ached for the children
living here and the fact they will be without a mother soon… And
there was nothing anyone could do for them.
The day arrived
quickly for their departure. Sara was amazed by the gathered group.
Warren stood with his selected soldiers for this mission while
Minerva has her own pack mule full of books and herbs, meanwhile
Percival is adjusting the saddle on a young dappled grey. The stud of
a horse snorts and taps it hoof annoyed at the tugging. But the
Princess frowns. Her father is still back by the Castle doors with
Emerald and Weiss. She jumps when she hears her female friend shout.
“Weiss! I can
take care of myself!” Turning around Sara sees Emerald stomps her
foot childishly and pout with her arms crossed in front of her small
chest. “Stop babying me! Besides, you said yourself you can’t go
because of the number of sickly being so overwhelming! And they NEED
a Cleric to help them! What if someone is wounded or falls ill?”
Those are good questions, Sara frowns to herself as she looks to her
father whom is smiling and shaking his head at the two.
Weiss stands at
his full height, his dark hair spilling from where it’s tied up and
away from his face, “Emerald. I swear to the Goddess, you child,
need to think with you brain sometimes. Of course I can’t go.
Neither can you. The number of sickly are too great for just one
Cleric and I cannot afford to leave them long enough to find a
replacement.” He huffs and rolls his eyes. “Besides. This journey
is no place for you. You’ll get hurt with your little experience-!”
“Sara is
going,” The girl almost sounds pathetic as she pouts harder. “Come
on, Weiss. They still need a Cleric!”
Weiss looks to
Seraph now and sighs, holding the bridge of his nose, “His lordship
knows of many Clerics suitable for the journey. Besides. They are
stopping at my home village first. There is a Cleric there by the
name of Bryan. He will help.” He then stares down the younger
Cleric. “So, Lady Emerald, please. Calm yourself. All will be fine.
You are needed here, so be it.” Emerald sighs and nods.
“If you are
certain.”
“He is,”
Sara can hear the humor in her father’s voice. “Do not fret. We
will all be home shortly… Weiss? Keep me updated on the conditions
here. Anything changes, notify me as fast as possible.”
“Yessir.”
Sara jumps when
a throat is cleared behind her. Turning she sees Percival standing
there with a set of reigns in his hands, “Milady’s steed is
prepared. Do you need assistance mounting him?” Sara shakes her
head no and Percy gives her a gentle smile. “Don’t worry about
these two. We’ll be seeing them soon, I’m sure.”
“Mmm. If you
assume as such,” Sara mutters slightly and then walks next to the
horse. “Hey there boy, be easy on me, alright?”
Percival
chuckles, “His name is Philippe. And he isn’t just any horse.”
He rubs the creature’s flank and its sides shift before spreading.
Sara stares in awe as she sees a beautiful set of dappled wings
stretch out in front of her. “He’s a flier. Just like his mother
Storm, your father’s mare.” Percy nods his head in the direction
of a strong horse with her head held high. “Storm has seen battle
long before she met your father and only was tamed when your mother
found her. It’s said that the bond between your father and her is
so strong because your mother put her life on the line to protect
your father from the mare when she attacked your father… Philippe
has a reputation to live up to…”
As do I,
Sara thinks to herself quietly. You and are have a lot to live up
to, huh Phili?
The young steed
turns to look in her direction as if to say he agrees with her. But
her snorts and she smiles. “Nice to meet you, Philippe.” And she
then pats his mane. “Up I go.” Before she steadies herself on the
saddle and has to give a little jump in order to properly mount the
young stallion. He lets out a huff and she smiles and holds out a
hand for him, he sniffs her and huffs again.
I think this
will turn into a great friendship. What do you think, Phili?
Philippe shakes
out his mane and dances on his toes to get balance with his new
rider. After a moment he neighs happily. Sara takes this as a good
sign and pats him again. Percival nods up at her. “All set?” She
nods to him with a large smile. “Good. We will be leaving on your
father’s mark… Be sure to keep up the trot, understood?”
“Yes, yes,”
Sara sighs. “Go get ready, Percy.” Her tone is filled with humor
and the ginger walks off with an almost annoyed expression at the
unwanted nickname.
After a moment
the knight calls back, “Tomorrow morning... Training will begin…”
The village is small and is resting next to a small farm just before
the Enchanted Forest. Sara yawns from the long ride. It’s been a
whole day and a half just to get to the nearest village from the
Castle, she never knew that people lived so far apart. Even Philippe
seems tired as his trot slows to a gradual walk. But the peaceful
village welcomes them with the barest of smiles between the hard work
of the farmers.
Ahead Sara can
see Warren and Percival chatting with one another, both of them on
foot while their mounts graze nearby. Even farther ahead her father
is smiling and laughing with an elderly woman, she can only assume
that they know one another. Her body feels heavy and stiff from the
sleeping on the ground and early rising. But, even in her sleep
filled state, her father’s voice comes clearly to her, “Sara.
Come here, child. I have someone I wish for you to meet… And let
Philippe have a rest, my dear.”
Nodding she
dismounts and pats the young, winged horse’s side, “I’ll be
back… Sleep, explore, just don’t run away.” The playful whinny
she receives brings a small smile to her face as she walks past the
Knight and tactician to her father’s side. “Yes, Father?”
Seraph smiles to
his daughter and waves to the elder woman before him, “Meet Mimi.
She’s the village elder and one of the protectors of this place.”
Sara bows to Mimi, the elder woman gives her a toothy grin and her
old eyes sparkle. “Mimi this is my daughter, Sara Fairwinds. I hope
that you two will take the time to get to know one another.” Sara
nods and Mimi just hums before the King kisses the top of his
daughter’s head. “Now. Us mages must find Bryan, Sara, Mimi, do
take care.”
Sara frowns only
after her father has left her sight, the elderly woman gives a small
laugh and nudges the girl, “Your father is strong man, stronger
than most and with a kind heart.” She hums again before turning and
walking towards a small building. “Come child. Let me read for
you.”
“Read?” Sara
ponders aloud, but follows the elderly woman. “I am able to read
just fine.” And maybe better than you seeing how old age seems
to have taken some of your sight. The last is noted in her mind
as Mimi shuffles around and looks for whatever she wishes to read by
touch. Finally she produces a set of tea bags, a kettle which she
fills with water that seems to magically begin to boil as she sets it
on a small and round oak table, and a set of worn cards. These cards,
Sara notes, do not have any images on them nor seem to be different
than each other in any what way. This causes the girl to frown, but,
when Mimi points to chair near the table, she sits as instructed.
Mimi smiles
another toothy grin, “I see you are not a believer, Sara. Much like
your father once was.” She gives another laugh. “You see, young
one, I can gaze into the future and write out vague tales of what is
to pass. But, as you might guess, I can also peer into the past and
link together what has been to what will be and how one effects the
other.” She smiles pleasantly and Sara finds herself nodding. “So.
I shall lend you the cards. Shuffle them however you feel like…
Just remember to relax.”
Sara nods as she
takes the cards and begins to shuffle them. Meanwhile Mimi begins to
prepare the tea, letting seven bags steep in the kettle for a short
while. The girl watches as she pours a deep blue colored liquid into
two huge cups. One is places before her and the kettle is set to the
side, still steeping. Mimi then waits patiently, sipping her tea once
before she nods to Sara. “You can stop whenever you like, child.”
To which the girl freezes, confused, before she realizes that she has
been shuffling the deck the whole while.
Flushing Sara
nods, “Alright. And now what do I do?” Mimi gives her gentle
smile.
“Take the top
card and lay it flat as well as face down to the left, take a card
from the bottom and it flat as well as face down to the left. Shuffle
once more and then place the top card in the middle,” Mimi sips her
tea as Sara does as instructed. Looking to the cards Sara gasps. The
once blank cards suddenly have silvery backs with blue stars
flickering on them. Mimi smiles again. “These cards react to your
destiny, child. Aren’t they beautiful, just as you are.” And then
she flips over the middle card. A deep frown on her face as a young
rabbit with majestic angel wings and crown is laid before her. “This
is your heart now, the destiny of a gentle creature with a noble
goal… While this one…”
Sara watches as
Mimi flips over the left card. A heart with a skill’s shadow is
produced. This one confuses the girl, she looks to Mimi, wondering
what it means. But the elderly woman frowns the card having been
turned over the correct way up for her. Mimi sighs, “An
unforgivable shadow lingers in your heart even now child. Do not let
it consume you or you shall perish.” Her lips are pursed, but she
says no more as she flips over the last card. And gasps. A dragon as
black as night with acid green eyes stares at her atop a mound of
dead bodies, its teeth and claws stained with blood and mirth glints
from it. The elderly woman looks panicked, but she looks to Sara and
says softly. “Your future holds terrible and horrible things. So
unspeakable is this one image, but… Your future also holds many a
great things. Bonds and hearts shall both be broken and mended in
your wake, dear child. Take care to not let your past rule you… For
it will try… It will try…” With that she gently takes back the
deck and gathers up the three cards. Sara watches the colors fade
from the cards and she frowns deeply.
“Terrible and
great things? Bonds and hearts shall be broken and mended? What does
that mean? Mimi… What… What is going to happen to me?” But the
elderly woman just shakes her head at the worrying woman. “There
must be more than that. Please. Tell me!” Sara jumps to her feet,
almost knocking her tea over, but Mimi shakes her head once more.
“Drink your
tea child, it will help.”
The tea will
help? At a moment such as this? This old woman is mad!
“I think not,
Ma’am,” She frowns, but the elderly woman just stares at her.
After a long pause Sara sighs and sits, defeated. “If I drink will
you tell me more?”
Mimi frowns
before sighing, “I will tell you what I can, child… But do drink.
It’s a stamina brew… I will send you with some of my herbal mix
teas… Now drink.” The elderly woman puts away her cards and the
kettle cools down to almost room temperature as she watches Sara
drink deeply. The girl can feel her nerves relaxing and strength
coming to her in waves. She mutters a small “thank you” and Mimi
finally speaks once more. “Your future is that of darkness. Forged
by misery and vengeance. You cannot escape this destiny alone, dear
child… Do not let your heart become one of stone. That will be your
greatest downfall. Remember, every tragedy is blessing, and every
blessing is something worth fighting for.”
Sara frowns and
is about to speak when a knock is heard on the door frame to the
small building. Turning Sara see a man with long, shaggy black hair
pulled up into a high pony tail, a twinkle in his yellow eyes. She
also notes that his pupils are slits and are the mark of a
Were-creature. He gives snotty laugh, sounding like a pig as he does,
“Sara is it? Don’t worry about what mean old Mimi says. She’s
gone batty in late years.” Mimi frowns at the male and he chuckles.
“Ah, come on, even Ma would of said it, Mimi! Anyways. Miss Sara?
Come, your father wants you.” Sara frowns but stands and walks over
to the male with her head held mightily. The male laughs again. “Oh,
you royals… Name is Bryan. I’m the new Cleric, best be making
friends, I hear my magic gets iffy if I don’t take a liking to ya.”
At which he laughs again and moves from the door way.
Sara can feel
her eyes rolling as she walks out, “You are Weiss’s son? Who
would have guessed?” She sighs as she walks onwards and towards her
father. As she goes she can hear more laughter and feels a frown
growing large on her face. This shall be a rather interesting
travel, won’t it? She sighs again, but lets it go for now.
Her body ached
everywhere. Sore and exhausted beyond belief Sara could hardly sit on
her horse let alone walk beside it in order to lead it through the
dense woods. Minerva had kept her up long past sunset and worked her
magical energies down to the last drizzle. Then, before dawn had even
crept upon them, Percival had woken her and they had practiced until
nearly the end of breakfast. She never had felt so happy for weird
hunter surprise stew with dry bread and a cup of water in her life.
Sara’s father
had comforted her when she expressed her pains and discomfort, but he
made her promise to keep trying that, that this was to make her
stronger one day. So. She is begrudgingly awaiting the endless cycle
of little sleep, unsavory food, and long as well as tiring travel.
Her days have begun to bleed together into one, huge ache.
She sighs as she
comes to a small stream. Loosening the grasp on her reigns she leans
down and dips her fingers into the water, it’s cool to the touch
and soothes her a little. Simple things like this she never really
understood until starting this journey. Now? Now she can understand
what her father meant when he said it’s not just what you see that
makes Avalon beautiful. It’s everything there is to it that does.
All the souls gathered together in harmony long since won.
Sara can’t
imagine the world as anything more than the peaceful woods around
her. So calm and welcoming. As if the world itself was saying its
okay, you can relax now, I’ve got you. Yet she knew better by now.
Letting her guard down was just an incentive for either of her
teachers to give her a lesson. She really liked the ginger knight
better when she hadn’t been close enough to his face in combat to
have memorized his number of freckles. And her magic teacher never
let the chance to drop another surprise lesson on her pass by. So she
stands tall, “Let us go, Philippe.” She whispers to the horse and
it whinnies as they begin once more, their feet getting damped by the
stream as they walk onwards.
Time passes
slowly as they wander, about ten feet from the rest of the party
having needed a “moment of peace” away from all the rumors of
death. Minerva had snorted at her, but, with a little help from her
other teacher, she was allowed to have some space. Often times she
can feel their gazes on her, keeping check from a distance. Sara
sighs to herself, her dappled gray stead snorting in agreement. This
all seems to be a little stifling despite the openness around her.
Carefully
stepping out of the stream she has to avoid root and rock alike, her
eyes almost glued to the ground. It takes her a moment to realize she
had stopped due to bumping her head into a small wall. This wall is
warm and jumped. She gives a tiny shriek before looking up to see a
man with dark skin and dark hair looking at her with frightened eyes.
But the fear fades when he looks her over, inevitably spotting the
royal mark on her winged horse’s saddle, and he drops to the ground
before her in a bow.
“Freya,” He
says quietly, his body stiff in what could only be nerves. “Forgive
Nah. Nah is runner. Nah mustn’t stop. But Freya see Nah. Nah is no
safe. Nah be punished. Freya, please, no see Nah.” She then takes
in his garb, its loose and flimsy like wisps of fabric and elegant.
The elegance is interrupted by the shackles around the young man’s
ankles. Her lips press in hard line as she can hear metal clank up
next to her and worried hand is placed to her back, she can see the
scars that mar the male’s natural beauty, they at all on his back
as if he had been whipped often. When he looks up she can begin to
assume why, the looks of arrogance and dark humor in his eyes is
enough to drive any slave merchant crazy .
Then, to her
left, Percival speaks, “Milady, are you alright?” He glares down
at the male. “Did he hurt you in any way?” She shakes her head
and slowly kneels down. She can feel another presence on her right,
one full of magical prowess.
“No,
Percival,” When she is crouched in front of the male she holds out
her hand, to her right a snort is given and she concludes that
Minerva must have come to watch over her while Percival dealt with
the issue. Sara sighs before she speaks once more. “Nah was it?
Don’t be afraid. You are safe with us, I promise.” But the male
frowns and shakes his head as he slowly stands, making sure to keep
his gaze down and away from anyone present.
“Mmm… Yes,
Freya. Nah is Nah. Nah is never not Nah… Mmm… Freya hear Nah. Nah
speak to Freya. Nah know Nah is in trouble. Nah no good. Nah bad,
very bad Nah,” He speaks in a simplistically complex manner that
seems to have baffled the knight next to her, his body tensing before
he exhales sharply. Meanwhile the mage on her other side sighs and
mutters something darkly under her breath that Sara can’t quite
catch. But the dark skinned male just nods to Sara. “Good forget
Nah, Freya. Nah is bad news. Nah no good, Nah runner, Nah is bad
Nah.” He shifts uneasily as he speaks, revealing the full truth
about himself and Sara can only sympathize with him. “Nah sorry
Freya touch Nah. Nah is no good. Nah is dirty. Nah wish no bad for
Freya… Sword Man and Miss Mage no like Nah, yes?”
The ending
question is given with a small smile, its dazzling and endearing all
the same. Sara can see why someone would think they should keep
someone as handsome as Nah as a trophy. But she could never accept
the idea of slavery. Slowly she stands and holds out her hand once
more as Percy clears his throat, “The Princess wishes to shake
hands with you, uh, Nah. Do you shake?” And, after a brief thought,
he adds. “And I am weary of you, not that I do not like you.” Its
then that more footsteps come to their attention. It seems that the
whole band has come to see what is going on just as Nah takes Sara’s
hand in a firm and strong embrace. Minerva snorts again at the
display, obviously displeased, but not commenting on here or there.
“Freya,” He
leans down and kisses the back of Sara’s hand causing her to raise
a brow in question, surely as a slave – since he has spelled out
that much to them– he shouldn’t have the knowledge needed of a
gentleman. But his smile dances with humor as he leans up and
releases her hand just as her father draws up on the other side of
Philippe next to Minerva, the horse seemingly calm in the male’s
presence, maybe that is why she isn’t too jostled by the whole
ordeal, or maybe it’s just that this male is so unthreatening it’s
laughable. But she does nod to both Nah and her father.
Her father gives
Nah a smile, his stormy eyes bright when he suddenly embraces the
other, “If it isn’t the little Valerie boy returning to his
post.” He spoke as if the two had once known each other, humor
lacing his words, and Nah smiles brightly. “Nah. My brother. I was
told you were dead. What has become of you?” The dark skinned male
gives a hum before reaching up and picking leaves from her father’s
shoulder.
“Nah got lost.
Nah is sorry Nah worried Brother. Brother is well? Nah hope so,” He
hums loudly just as Minerva gives an annoyed sigh.
“Sire… This
isn’t the slave child you paid for, is it?” Its Warren who spoke,
his voice dark and dangerous. “Years back, before he spoke a word
of our tongue?”
Seraph nods,
“Yes. This is Nah Valerie de Chieftain Valkyrie of the Southern
Elven Tribe… I had freed you many years ago, my brother. Why are
you shackled now?” The playful tone leaves the king and his eyes
grow violent. But the dark skinned male waves his hands in the air as
if to dispel dark thoughts.
“Brother,
calm. Nah is runner. Nah be bad, Nah need punish, Nah understand, Nah
no mind.”
Seraph shakes
his head and sighs, but it’s Percival whom speaks, “Should we
confront the slavers, sire? Is it not illegal to sell a sentient
being unless it is their profession?” At the last part Sara looks
to the knight with wide eyes. Their PROFESSION? Is there such a
thing?! But Percy doesn’t hear her silent thoughts and finishes
with. “Unless this Nah is actually willingly allowing himself to be
enslaved. Which I doubt because he is running from them.”
It’s Minerva
who speaks next, as if she wants to get something off her chest,
“Yes. Yes. Let’s go forth and beat down the dastardly bastards.
The sooner they are dealt with the sooner we can get this elf back to
his people.” Upon which Bryan gives a laugh, the Cleric sounding
almost like a squealing pig. The Master of Dusk magic looks to him
with a sinister glint in her eyes. “And what is so humorous, young
healer?”
After a moment
of calming himself down Bryan blinks at her with eyes gradually
widening, “Wait… Wait… Do you really not know?”
“Do I not know
WHAT?”
Bryan’s lips
press into a thin, hard line, “The Southern Elven Tribe has been
missing for over a decade now. Ever since they lost their heir
they’ve been on the move only surfacing long enough to push back
against the expansion into the forest.”
Minerva snorts
before peering at Nah, a frown darkening her features, “This man
isn’t an elf! He is merely a human, why on earth would we return
him to them? He belongs among his kinsmen.” At this Nah raises a
brow and gives Seraph a knowing expression, Sara frowns at this and
realizes that her teacher is right.
“Wait. Minerva
is right-”
“Of course I
am! I’m not BLIND.”
“-Father… He
bears no markings of an elf… How is that possible?” Sara found
herself drawn in due to the mystery. Her father gives her a sad
smile, but Nah stands up to his full height and stretches his arms
wide.
“Nah is elf…
Nah just human now,” The man gives a happy laugh. “Nah just need
work hard.” And he nods to his “brother” whom gives him a
small, weak smile.
“Yes, Nah,”
Seraph says with a sigh. “We will lift the curse… Now, Minerva,
don’t make assumptions based on appearances, you know better than
that first female grand mage. And, Percival, seeking them out may
cause more problems than just taking Nah in… What do you say, Nah
Valerie? Join me in arms once more?”
Nah gives a
laugh and holds out his hands before him in an open hand gesture,
“Nah wish Nah could. Nah told Nah serve better elsewhere. Nah not
ready yet. Nah sorry, Brother. Nah must run.” He takes a step back.
“Brother. Take care of girl… Malory worry…” Seraph frowns,
but nods.
“Go then. And
don’t Mal worry, I will,” He wraps an arm around Sara and presses
a kiss to the top of her head. “She is my daughter and I would take
on the world to protect her.” Sara can feel a retreating gaze on
her as she looks up to her father and she can feel herself turning
pink.
“Until next
time, Brother,” And, when Sara looks back, he’s gone. It’s as
if he melded with the trees themselves. Her eyes widen in awe. Then
someone clears their throat.
“We should
make camp soon, Sire.”
“Yes, of
course.”
Sara felt her
body being lead and Philippe whinnies as they begin to walk once
more. The entire band is around her now. Yet she finds herself
worried deep inside, as if something terribly wrong is about to
happen. Frowning she remembers Mimi’s words to her and shakes them
off. Great and terrible things are coming my way? Not as long as I
have my friends, not as long as I have my teachers, and not as long
as I have my father!
