by Bri Sailor
“That’s it!” exclaimed the princess.
She ran over to her large armoire and rooted around. After a few seconds she was triumphant. Wielding her newfound satchel she ran around her room grabbing clothes that were scattered about and stuffing them into it. She washed off the sweat and sea salt and started to get dressed again.
Ehren rolled his eyes. “What in the name of Goddess Ailana are you doing?”
The princess shrugged. “I just need to get away for a while. All this stress has just been building up and I need to clear my head. Some fresh air will do me good.” She grabbed a brush and attacked the tangled mess that was her hair. “I haven’t been outside these walls in forever. I’ve been entertaining the idea for a month now, a visit to Cora is long overdue and might give me some clarity.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” protested Ehren. “Not by yourself. You’ve never spent one night alone outside the city walls. You wouldn’t last an hour! There are wild animals and dangerous people. And have you forgotten about the last scouting report? There are still camps of Khenná soldiers out there and plenty of sympathizers.”
He crossed his arms and stood in front of the door and refused to let her pass. Atreyis grabbed her bag and stormed up to him.
“Let me through! I am perfectly capable of making it to the temple on my own. We’ve traveled there enough to know the way. And besides it will only be for two weeks.” Maybe more, she thought as she tried to get past him.
The prince didn’t budge. He was almost glad the burden of first-born was his, even if it was only by minutes. He was the rule follower and she tended to do her own thing. It hadn’t always been like this. Before they came of age to rule, the two of them were much closer. They wreaked havoc on the palace. When they were nine they once let loose an entire flock of geese in the main dining hall during a feast. Seeing their noble guests lose their composure was a cherished memory. But those years were behind them and lately with their newfound royal duties a rift was starting to grow between them.
“Move!” she yelled. Her patience was wearing thin.
“No.” he replied coolly. “Not an option.”
She put her hands on his shoulders.
“Then come with me!” she begged. “Yes! It will be like when we were children. Except this time no parents. Besides. Mother and father wouldn’t be near as upset with me if you came along as—” she sighed and clenched her teeth, “—my protection.”
The princess smiled her biggest and cheesiest smile. Ehren relented. He knew she wasn’t going to take no for answer and would just leave anyways. He dropped his arms and moved out of the way.
“Fine. But if anything happens I’m blaming you.” He pointed at her seriously and then smiled. “To be perfectly honest I could use a break myself.”
Atreyis arched an eyebrow. “A certain someone giving you yet more unwanted attention?”
He followed Atreyis out into the hallway. “If her father weren’t on the council I’d toss her out of the palace so fast her head would spin….golden-haired monster…”
The princess rolled her eyes. “Let’s get going.”
“Alright, I just need to pack a couple of things. I will meet you at the stables.” He sighed.
Atreyis smirked, her nervous energy building, and sprinted down the hall, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls and pillars.
“To the stables!” she yelled with a ridiculous bravado.
Ehren winced and jogged off in the direction of his room.
“For Goddess’ sake, Atreyis, we are almost twenty-one. It’s time to grow up.” He muttered to himself.
The princess quickly made her way to the stables in the outer garden. The palace loomed behind her, ever the watchful monolithic guardian. Atreyis smiled as she entered the hay-scented structure and inhaled deeply. A white horse began neighing and dancing restlessly in his stall. She dropped her pack near the stall door and stroked his soft white muzzle.
“Hey, Lux.”
The horse nuzzled her face and went back to his bucket of oats. She grabbed his bridle and slid open the stall door and slipped it over the eager animal’s head and led him out. She then tossed her heavy, worn leather saddle onto his back and strapped it down. After making sure everything was secure she cautiously looked around to see if anyone was nearby. Seeing no one, she slipped into a small unused stall at the rear of the stable that held a large pile of old straw bedding.
Ducking down she reached into the large pile and fished around. A few seconds of searching and she was rewarded with a prize. She pulled out a long, heavy parcel covered in rough burlap and set it on the ground. Her eyes lit up as she opened it. Everything was all still there. The sword that was given to her by the captain of the palace guards, Taryn’s mother Rússe, upon completing her ‘training’. The sunlight glinted off of its long and incredibly sharp blade and the white hilt inlayed with blue jewels. A small dagger with matching handle was strapped to a quiver packed with the finest arrows. But her greatest possession remained; her ironwood bow. She gently picked it up and ran her hand over the smooth wood, her fingers remembering the intricate spiral carvings and familiar weight. It had been in the family for many generations and had last belonged to her grandmother, one of the best archers in the kingdom. Milla had practically raised her for the first ten years of her young life. She would take the princess, in secret, out into the trees in the garden where she had hidden a small archery range. Her grandmother started teaching her how to properly wield a bow since the tender age of four. The princess gripped the bow tight. Tears started to build up behind her eyes. Her throat closed as she choked back the sob that threatened to take over her senses as grief tried to drown her. Her parents may see her as something fragile meant to help lead a nation, but she was determined to prove them wrong. The weak newborn she had been was a fragment of the past. While she had been allowed to train like her brother, it wasn’t near the same intensity, more of a gesture to placate her. However, unbeknownst to her family, she had been training in secret with Taryn, as well as on her own, quietly building her strength and athleticism. She was sure she would even rival her brother now if she really tried.
Atreyis cleared her throat, gritted her teeth and gathered up her weapons, tying the sword to the saddle and fixing the dagger to her leg and tying down her bow and quiver on top of her satchel and bedroll. To be safe she checked the saddlebags for supplies and found it packed with flint, rope, and basic medical supplies. She liked to keep things stocked just in case she decided to actually follow through and go on an adventure. Sadly, the dream faded more and more with every passing day. At most, she and Taryn and Cora would camp out in the outer garden, surrounded by palace guards. She smiled fondly at the memories. They would build a small fire and stare up at the stars and talk about the future.
Cora knew from a young age the she was going to be the High Priestess. She had an uncanny affinity for magic that confounded most of the priests in the Lynican temple. It came effortlessly. The Elder Priest claimed that the girl had been touched by the Goddess and would be the first High Priestess that the kingdom had seen in an age. Taryn, on the other hand, was certain to end up in the palace guard. Her mother was the captain of the guard and her father was a member of the royal council. She had the finest tutors and teachers available to her, growing up, and was trained in the palace guard as well. Much to her father's detriment, she seemed to be following in the footsteps of her mother as of late. Looking back, Atreyis realized that compared all of her friends, she never actually knew what she wanted to do with her life. With her head in the clouds, Ehren strode into the stable unnoticed. He quietly got his brown warhorse ready and led him out.
“Ready?” he asked her as he walked past.
“Mmm? Yes. Oh, and we need to make a stop at the market for some supplies.” She replied still lost in thought.
He mounted his horse and waited for his sister to do the same when he noticed her well-stocked saddle.
“What’s with all
the hardware? Planning to run into some trouble are we?”
The princess playfully swung at him. “No! Don’t be ridiculous. I just—I just want to be prepared. I mean, neither one of us has been outside the city for more than a couple of hours without the royal guards. You never know what might be out there. Besides, why should you be the only one that gets to carry a sword?”
Ehren narrowed his eyes. “What are you planning, sister?”
Atreyis avoided eye contact and focused intently at a suddenly interesting spot on Lux’s saddle and picked at it.
“Atreyis.” scolded Ehren. “Atreyis, I thought we talked about this. There is nothing beyond our walls! If you step one foot outside our lands you are as good as dead! If you can get beyond Stone Shield that is.”
He moved his horse in front of hers. “I’m only looking out for you, but if you have a death wish, I will have no part of it.”
The princess rolled her eyes and feebly defended herself. “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry. I’ve given up ever seeing the world. Obviously it’s not meant to be. There is a war going on after all.”
She tightened her grip on the reins. “Let’s get going.”
The prince followed his sister, feeling a slight foreboding at her words.
“You know, now that I think about it, maybe Cora can talk some sense into you. She always was the level-headed one in the group. And who knows, maybe the break from mother and father will do you some good.”
Atreyis didn’t seem to be paying attention.
He continued. “You know that I support you one hundred percent. I believe with my whole heart that you are more than capable of ruling. You can hold your own against the council better than most. And don’t even get me started on the courtiers…”
That got a sly smile from the princess.
“See?” Ehren grinned. “This will all blow over, you’ll see.”
“Sure.” She said sarcastically but the prince didn’t seem to notice it.
The market square was bustling with activity. Tall stone pillars stood in a perfect square grid with ropes tied around them to hold up canvas tents to shield people from the heat of the sun. Atreyis inhaled deeply. The air was thick with the scent of spices and flowers and fresh breads. She loved the smells and bright colors of the market, and the people, how she loved people watching when she was younger. With Taryn and Cora by her side they would often browse the stalls for new and exotic wares. Afterwards, they would sit and eat lunch and watch the people flow by. The diversity of her people never cease to amaze the princess. But now, as she looked at them, she didn’t have the faintest clue how she was supposed to lead them. She tried to shake the thought out of her head.
Despite the warm sun, the twins wore dark blue hooded cloaks and kept their heads low, trying to avoid any unwanted attention. They tied their horses off and slipped innocuously into the crowd. They weaved in and out through the people and stopped at various stalls and made their purchases. It was mostly trail food only grabbing a few pastries for a quick snack. With their purses relieved of some silver they made their way back to the horses. They packed their saddles and headed towards the northern gate. As they traveled in relative silence through the streets Atreyis took in the sights. Tall buildings, squat dwellings, all made out of gray stone and some with bright blue domed coverings. It was odd, even though she called Lynica home it felt foreign. She was more than grateful to be getting out.
As they neared the gate a nervous young guard briefly made eye contact and let them pass, preoccupied with those coming into the city. The twins followed single file through the gate. Once they cleared it the princess breathed a sigh of relief. There was nothing but open country before her. Her skin tingled and her muscles twitched with excitement. She threw back her hood and smiled at Ehren. Everything she had been bottling up came bubbling up to the surface as she erupted in an almost manic happiness.
“Good luck bringing me back to that prison!” She gave Lux a kick and was off to the fields of green grass and endless possibilities that stretched to the horizon.
“Goddess.” Ehren bit his lip in consternation and took off after his galloping sister.
Chapter 2
There was that girl again. Tall. Too dark to see. Damn it! In the distance was a ball of bright white light. Suddenly, the faceless girl was struck by the flying orb of light. Fear. Grief. Rage. The lifeless body crumpled to the ground. Darkness.
#
Ky bolted upright. She was covered in a cold sweat and shaking, a scream dying on her lips. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as her heart beat like a drum inside her ears. Every muscle fiber in her body twitched and contracted with a wild energy. Her still sleepy mind was saturated with an unbearable, unknown grief. The embers of the night’s fire were barely glowing and the sky was beginning to lighten with the pale pink of the pre-dawn sun. The forest was starting to wake up and the sounds of birds penetrated the stillness of the trees. The early spring dew covered the ground and saturated her blanket. She tried to calm her racing heart and still the storm of emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her.
“It’s just a dream. Just a damn accursed dream. Dammit!” She whispered to herself.
She took deep breaths and the storm passed. The familiar numbness in her chest came back as she flipped the switch inside and turned off her emotions and regained her internal stoicism. For the past few weeks the dreams had been getting worse, ever since she had left. Sighing, the girl mentally shook herself and stood up. Her shoulders popped as she stretched out all six feet of her impressive muscular frame that put most men to shame. She slowly began packing up her campsite, looking around and ever on the alert, scanning the forest for any signs of danger. She could never be too careful. Nearby, a black mare snacked on some grass. The girl walked over and stroked the mare’s head and was obliged with a snort in the face.
“Thanks, Luna. Love you too.” She laughed half-heartedly.
She checked her saddle bags for supplies. It wouldn’t hurt to replenish her food stores, maybe do some hunting. She patted the horse.
“I’ll be back, girl.”
Ky grabbed her large empty water skins and a small pouch and went off in search of game and whatever else she could gather. The tall trees loomed above her, their green canopies allowing small sunbeams to penetrate through the darkness. The scent of the sweet morning dew filled her senses. Nothing was better than being out in nature. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a large bush dotted with red. She sauntered over and started collecting the tart little berries and placing them in the small pouch. As she picked lower to the ground she noticed that most of the berries were half-eaten and some of the leaves had bites out of them. She looked around for the culprit. Nothing. Taking some string out of her pocket she set about making a snare. Odds were the berry thief would be back for another tasty treat. She left her trap and walked a little ways more until her ears perked up at the sound of rushing water. Following the sound she searched out the source and came upon an oasis in the dense forest, a clear pool at the base of a small waterfall that fed into a brook. The clear water tumbled over moss-covered rocks and the small pool reflected the green of the trees surrounding it. The early spring day was already warm and the water looked too inviting to ignore. Ky sat down near the water’s edge and absorbed her surroundings. There was no sign of anyone around, so she decided that a short swim was in order.
After unlacing her large black boots she began stripping out of her clothes as well. For over a month she had traveled and had hardly stopped to take a proper bath. Standing, she peeled off her black sleeveless tunic and black pants. With hardly a care she tossed her clothes in a heap on the ground. She smirked. Black was sort of her thing, simple and uncomplicated. It also kept unwanted interactions at bay; that is if her penetrating gray eyes didn’t scare people off, as well as her shocking, almost white-blonde hair twisted up in warrior’s braids that revealed the shaved sides of her head. The warrior was beautiful, but deadly
.
With her shirt off she studied her tattooed right shoulder, gently tracing the lines and spirals. At first glance it looked like a large black lizard had climbed up her arm and rested on her muscular shoulder, but a closer look revealed an intricately designed fierce dragon. A wave of nostalgia hit her. The tattoo had been a present from her best friend the day she was promoted to General. She sighed, trying to maintain her indifference, and looked at the waterfall it didn’t seem too difficult to climb. The moss made the rocks soft and very slick but skilled general moved with catlike grace to the top. The warrior was pleased with herself as she basked in the sunlight that peaked through the emerald leaves of the forest; it penetrated to her bones and stirred the latent energy lying dormant inside. The warrior was invincible.
The warrior stood tall and stretched her arms out, took a deep breath, and did a swan dive into the water below. The cool water rushing over her body invigorated her senses. It was clear enough for her to see the rocky bottom some feet below. She stayed under for a couple of minutes, pretending like she used to as a child that she was a fish swimming in her own underwater world. Each rock and cluster of aquatic vegetation seemed to house their own worlds within. A burning sensation in her chest caused her to kick hard for the bright blue sky. She broke the still surface of the water and gasped for air. Catching her breath she flipped onto her back and floated around. Her mind began to wander, leading her to the events that had brought her this far.
#
The cold wintry night gripped the city with its icy fingers. The palace appeared all the more stark and dreadful; its dark gray stone now covered by the inky black of night. Its pointed towers stretched up to the sky, rivaling the mountains behind it. The slumbering city blanketed in crisp silence. An onyx river flowing through the center sparkled under the silvery moonlight, mirroring the stars above. The only other light came from a small section of the palace.
