Copyright © 2012 D. María Trimble
All rights reserved.
ISBN-10: 0985575328
ISBN-13: 978-0-9855753-2-8
To my family — my support.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-one
Chapter Forty-two
Chapter Forty-three
Chapter Forty-four
Chapter Forty-five
Chapter Forty-six
Chapter Forty-seven
Chapter Forty-eight
I chose the blue silk ribbon because it matched my gown perfectly. Braiding a section of my hair on each side, I pulled both strands together and held them with a clip, letting the rest of my hair fall down my back. Thankfully, my young age allowed me to wear my hair loose.
As I wove the silk ribbon through one of the braids, I wished for my mother to help me. But that was not possible. I was preparing to attend the Life Celebration Gathering, honoring those who now rested with our ancestors. I would be walking alone in the ceremony to accept my mother’s ashes.
There was an ache in my heart I wouldn’t have been able to bear if I didn’t have my dragon, Eshshah, humming a soothing tune to comfort me. My dragon, my strength, my love. But of course she could not accompany me to the Gathering. There were no dragons left in all of the Kingdom of Teravinea, and hadn’t been for almost eighteen years — or so it was thought — we had to keep it that way.
I was now a ward of the Healer, my mother’s closest friend. The Healer’s dragon, Torin, was the last of the noble creatures that once filled the skies of Teravinea. At that time the Healer was known as Nara, the greatest dragon rider that had ever ridden.
Standing back from the looking glass, I appraised my progress. Taking in the full view, I didn’t recognize the girl who looked back at me. Never before had I worn such finery. My eyes swept over the beautiful blue gown — more costly than most people in Dorsal could afford on a year’s wages. Overly extravagant, I felt quite guilty wearing it here, but it was a gift.
It had been about five weeks since Eshshah and I returned from the Arevale Outpost. Outposts were small dragon rider strongholds located throughout the realm. Arevale was at the very northwestern corner of our kingdom, just on the border between Teravinea and the Kingdom of Serislan. It was about a four-hour flight to the outpost, where Eshshah and I had transported Ansel, the Healer’s nephew. More than that, he was the son of the late King Emeric of the Royal House of Drekinn and rightful heir to the throne of Teravinea. He had started a new life in exile across the border in the Kingdom of Serislan. King Tynan had allowed him one of his manors in the southwest corner of his kingdom. The king knew Ansel only as a young noble whose lands had been confiscated by our present ruler, the usurping King Galtero — Ansel’s great uncle. King Tynan had not been made aware of Ansel’s true identity.
I became close friends with Ansel after Eshshah and I rescued him from the dungeons of Castle Teravinea. It would be the perfect friendship if he could keep it only at the friendship level — he cared about me more than I wanted to allow. It was the only chink in the armor of our relationship, and the cause of our strained parting when we saw each other last.
Since that farewell at the Arevale Outpost, I’d carefully built a fortress around my heart to keep my feelings guarded within, and his affections out. It was necessary, because in two weeks’ time Eshshah and I would travel to Ansel’s manor in Trivingar for his eighteenth birthday ball and the Dragon Rider’s Council Meeting.
I poured myself into my fighting practice for most of the past several weeks — training with a feverish intensity. Not only did my life depend upon it to stay in top form, but it kept me occupied, and prevented me from thinking too much about Ansel. I could not jeopardize my intended quest to procure a dragon egg — I could not get emotionally involved with him. Ansel and I had been over this discussion on more than one occasion. He didn’t want me to risk my life for his throne. I, on the other hand was bound by duty to help obtain it — no matter the cost. Two weeks didn’t leave me much time to make ready my emotions.
The communication disc posed a problem in my efforts to keep my distance from Ansel. The device consisted of a thick glass disc, about two hands-width in diameter, mounted on an ornate wooden background. Behind the glass was an inlay of three dragon scales in a triangular formation. Below the glass was a brass knob. When a rider placed their hand on the knob, they would whisper the name, “Gyan,” and then the proper name of the rider they wish to contact. The glass would shimmer and the rider’s image would appear in the glass. It was an ingenious device created by Gallen, the Healer’s assistant and closest friend. This device kept the dragon riders throughout the kingdom in contact with each other — and with Ansel. I found a pattern when Ansel and the Healer would communicate and I made it a point to be unavailable at those times. I retreated to the barn or rushed to my chambers each time I anticipated they would contact each other. There were a few occasions where I had no choice but to show myself at the disc. With some effort, I managed to pull myself together to speak with him — slightly distracted by my sweaty palms and racing heart.
I secured the first ribbon in my hair as my thoughts drifted back to a week ago.
“Amáne!” Gallen called. “A package just came for you. Take a break. Come in and open it.”
I’d never received a delivery from anyone in my life. I ran into the kitchen after stopping at the laver outside to wash the dirt and sweat from my face and hands, anxious to see what had arrived.
On the kitchen table sat a rather large fabric bundle. It looked like the same cloth of which ship’s sails are made. The package was tied securely with leather thongs.
“What is it?” I looked at Gallen and the Healer.
“We won’t know until you open it,” said Gallen.
After struggling with the knots in the leather, I finally just drew my dagger and carefully cut through them. Shaking with anticipation, I managed to release the bundle from the thongs and began to unroll it. The sail cloth fell open and revealed the most beautiful blue silk gown I’d ever seen. I gasped, afraid to even touch it. My eyes wide, I looked at Gallen and the Healer in bewilderment.
“Lift it up, Amáne. It’s not going to bite you,” Gallen laughed.
I held the gown up against me so we could admire the full length. As
I did so, a piece of parchment dropped to the ground. Gallen picked it up and handed it to me. Without thinking, I read it out loud.
My Dear Amáne
I know that shortly you will be going to the Life Celebration Gathering. I sincerely wished that I could be with you when you accept your mother’s ashes, but I am sad to say that you’ll have to walk alone. Please accept this gown to accompany you in my stead. Its style is not too extravagant, as I know you would not have approved otherwise. I thought of your eyes the moment I saw the blue fabric, and knew it was meant for you.
Your Friend,
Ansel
Thankful I was still flush from the exertions of my practice, I hoped the red that began to rise in my face was not noticeable.
“Ansel certainly has a perfect memory. That gown is the exact match to your eyes, Amáne,” said Gallen.
I held it up again as the Healer and Gallen nodded in approval.
“I can’t accept this, can I? It doesn’t seem proper — I really haven’t known him for that long. And it’s too fine to wear in Dorsal.”
The Healer and Gallen disagreed.
Coming out of my reverie, I refocused on my reflection in the glass and thought of Ansel’s sweet gesture to help me through this difficult day. He really is a true friend, I thought, as I followed the tear that slowly made its way down my cheek.
I wondered if he really knew how frightened I was of walking alone in the Receiving of the Ashes Ceremony. I don’t like drawing attention to myself — the entire township of Dorsal would be watching me, talking about me or pitying me. Just thinking about it made me nauseous.
Others attending the ceremony would be walking with their family members, but my family had consisted only of myself and my mother, Catriona. The Healer and Gallen were the closest I had to family, but they were presiding over the Life Celebration Ceremony and wouldn’t be able to accompany me. I had no choice but to walk alone.
My stomach churned as more tears escaped. It was rather ironic that I would feel this way over something as mundane as walking in front of the townspeople who had known me since I was born. My fear made no sense when I considered some of the recent events in my life that would paralyze any normal person. Eshshah and I had shared quite a few harrowing experiences that would make walking in the ceremony seem like a pleasant day at the cove. Nevertheless, I was terrified.
As I worked on weaving the silk ribbon in the second braid, my mind went back to review my resolution regarding my heart — that it was not to be given to anyone. I had to shield it before I saw Ansel again. I returned to the same conclusion — two weeks was just not long enough to prepare.
“Amáne, hurry up. We need to leave soon.” The Healer called up to me.
“Yes, Healer, I’m coming.”
With one last glance at myself in the glass, I gathered my skirts and bounded down the first flight of stairs to the landing. I turned quickly for the second flight and got halfway down, when I froze and caught my breath. My knees weakened, my mouth went dry. My heart beat like thunder in my chest — demolishing the barrier I had been constructing around it.
“Ansel!”
He stood at the foot of the stairs as he gazed up at me. So handsome, dressed in emerald green, which made his eyes even more green than I remembered. My surprise was not well-masked. He looked pleased with my reaction.
The intensity of my feelings upon seeing him frightened me. I found myself not yet ready to test my resolve. I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and composed myself. After retrieving my heart, I managed to repair the wall around it. I tucked it away in a safe place. The hope that illuminated in his eyes told me my recovery was not quite fast enough.
Being a gentleman, Ansel followed my lead and appeared to put up his guard as well. He recovered more quickly than I.
Forming a “d” with his thumb and forefinger, he placed it on his heart and gave me the dragon salute. “Greetings, Amáne, and my greetings to the lovely Eshshah.”
I nodded back in the correct response to the salute. “Greetings, Ansel, from both of us.” My knuckles turned white, holding fast to the railings, lest I tumble down the last few steps.
“The gown,” he smiled approvingly, “— you look ravishing!”
I clenched my teeth, narrowed my eyes and curtsied deeply, “Thank you, Your Grace,” knowing this action annoyed him as much as his compliment annoyed me.
“Okay, we’re even,” he laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. “No more curtsies.”
“No more personal compliments,” I countered.
“Deal.”
“Deal. But I do want to thank you for the beautiful gift. Truthfully, I do love it.”
In control of my emotions, I practically flew down the remainder of the stairs and we hugged each other as close friends.
He held me a little longer than necessary with his face buried at my neck. I figured out why and pushed him away, “Stop that!”
On more than one occasion I’d caught Ansel enjoying the scent of my hair, which had a spicy fragrance to it, similar to Eshshah’s delicious scent. It was either because I had her venom running in my veins or because I was always around her — or a combination of the two. He never missed an opportunity to inhale the aroma.
Ansel laughed, took my face in his hands, kissed my forehead, then one cheek, followed by the other. I stiffened ready to push him away again should he go for my lips. But he didn’t. He pulled away and announced, “This is how friends greet one another in the Kingdom of Serislan, my new home.”
“I’m happy to hear that you’ve learned the local customs,” I said. “But what are you doing here? And how did Braonàn ever allow you out of his sight, or let you travel alone?”
He explained that he decided to personally deliver some documents to the Healer, so he sailed down on a merchant ship from Trivingar. “Don’t worry, Braonàn thoroughly searched the ship and sent guards along, posing as hired ship’s hands.”
He tilted his head. “So, you see, I’ve been delivered safely, and here I am in time to accompany you to the gathering today. I assumed you wouldn’t mind someone walking with you in the Ashes Ceremony. I’d like to be your support and your family, if that’s okay with you.”
I was touched. How could he have known that I’d practically made myself sick anticipating that walk by myself? Now, he would take all of the attention off of me as everyone in Dorsal tried to figure out who he was ... especially since he was much more interesting to look at than I.
I didn’t know what to say. A lump formed in my throat.
“The only catch is that I have to beg a ride from you and Eshshah back up to the Arevale Outpost tonight after dark.”
“Eshshah and I have been wanting to go on an extended flight for a long time. We’d be more than happy to take you.”
I paused and pursed my lips, “But I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing you beg first,”
We both laughed.
“Amáne! Ansel! I’ll leave without you if you don’t come out now.” The Healer called.
We found her already seated in her cart, with reins in hand when we ran out to the courtyard. I said farewell to Eshshah as Ansel helped me up on the seat next to the Healer. He climbed in beside me, and we were on our way.
My relief at having someone with me at the gathering was immense. I turned to Ansel to thank him, but quickly looked away when I caught him gazing at me intensely.
We were still very early when we arrived at the gathering grounds south of the town walls — the sun just began to rise. Gallen had been there since the early morning hours setting up the tent and all the necessities for the Life Celebration Ceremony. We helped the Healer unload the urns and other items from her cart.
The Celebration was full of festivities and music, scattered with colorful booths offering food and drink and other wares from the town’s vendors. The smells, colors and excitement helped me to forget my apprehensions from this morning. We had a while before the ceremony began, so Ansel a
nd I wandered the aisles as the peddlers set their booths up for the day.
I enjoyed the looks directed at Ansel. The fine quality and style of his clothing made it obvious that he was not from around here. I admired his talent at ignoring the stares. Certainly he had been accustomed to having eyes on him all his life — being a noble and a very good looking one at that.
The sun continued its arc in the sky. It promised to be a very hot day.
Ansel and I made our way back to the ceremony location and joined the group that would be walking in the Receiving of the Ashes. It had been a relatively safe year and there were only about twenty families that would walk. I was relieved, because in bad years we’ve been known to have more than a hundred families. Those occasions made it so very sad, but it also made the length of the ceremony almost unbearable.
The Healer and Gallen led us all in memorial and life celebration songs, as well as other traditional ballads. We were accompanied by minstrels playing lutes and recorders. It was truly a moving part of the ceremony.
Those of us who had ashes to receive waited on benches under a shade tent. When the Healer called our loved one’s name, the family walked a path from the tent, then up a middle aisle to accept the urn that contained the ashes. As the relatives walked, the townspeople were led in a song chosen by the family. Most of the time only a verse or two would be sung, but large families often meant that the entire ballad or song would be completed — even a second or third time until all of the family members made it up the aisle.
While we waited, I observed the glances we continued to receive. The combination of Ansel’s striking looks, and me in a silk gown — when I usually dressed very plain — caused more than a few people to point at us.
Finally, I heard my mother’s name called. The musicians struck up the tune of the “Battle of Sregor’s Field.” My mother had taught me that ballad. It remained one of my favorites. It told of Nara, rider of Torin — the Healer and her late dragon. More than once, the Healer pressed me to confirm that it was indeed the ballad I wanted sung. I insisted it was, unless it would upset her. She eventually acquiesced, and I believe she even felt honored, as my mother had been her close friend.
Amáne of Teravinea - The Prophecy (The Teravinea Series Book 2) Page 1
