A River of Orange

by Roberta C. M. DeCaprio

  "Aye, I love tea,” Zailia said, taking a seat beside Meav. “I made raspberry tarts ... do you like tarts."

  Meav licked her lips. “I love eating all sweets, but especially tarts."

  Zailia nodded in agreement and rubbed her belly. “But I should not, ‘tis sure to make my dress size grow."

  "Aye, but only one should not hurt,” Meav said.

  "Can you only eat one?” Zailia countered.

  "Nay, never,” Meav said.

  Both girls giggled again.

  Wysteria smiled in her seat across from Meav. “'Tis good to see two young lasses having fun, and with a little time I believe both of you will grow to be good friends as well.

  Titiana also watched Zailia and Meav, but she was not smiling. From her position on the branch of a nearby tree, Titiana was thinking of a way she could stop Devora's evil plan and the terrible fate of these two young women.

  * * * *

  Shell knocked on the Queen's bedchamber door.

  "Enter,” Devora snapped.

  Slowly Shell made his way to the exotic beauty reclining on the chaise, sheer black robe draped loosely over a beautifully formed body. He eyed her nipples through the material.

  Devora stood, her robe flying open. She made no move to cover her nakedness. “Did you follow her?"

  Shell bowed his head slightly, not taking his eyes from the view before him. “Aye, my queen. At this moment Zailia is visiting Wysteria and her new house guest."

  A slow smile curved Devora's lips. “Good.” She threw her head back and laughed. “All of them enjoying their afternoon tea, no doubt.” She sauntered over to the table and poured brandy from a crystal decanter into two goblets. Turning around, she handed a goblet to Shell. “I prefer something stronger than tea to drink in the afternoon."

  Shell tipped his head graciously and took the goblet. “What else do you prefer in the afternoon, Your Majesty?"

  Devora smiled, stroking her belly. Slowly she moved her hand lower, lower, to massage herself between her thighs. “Do you know what the sign of a loyal sentry is, Shell?"

  Shell's loins grew thick beneath his breeches. “That he pleases his queen, satisfying all her needs."

  Devora tilted her head to one side, offering him her neck. “And how can you do that for me, Shell?"

  Shell threw the brandy down his throat, its warmth adding to his anticipation. He placed the goblet on the table. “By spreading you wide, my queen.” He moved closer, taking her goblet and also placing it aside. “And licking, sucking and tasting every royal part of your beautiful body, Your Majesty."

  Devora moved into his embrace. “Where would you start?"

  "Here,” he said, bringing his mouth down around a full breast. Gently he bit her nipple, than soothed the hard peak with a twirl of his tongue.

  Devora arched her back so he could take her fully. “And then what, Sentry?"

  He lifted his mouth and moved his lips to her belly. “And here,” he whispered, kissing her soft, jasmine scented flesh.

  Devora entwined her fingers in his hair.

  Shell raised his gaze and smiled, then stood and lifted her, carrying her over to the bed. Gently he lowered her onto the satin sheets.

  Devora lay on her back looking up at him. Shell's swollen phallus strained against his breeches.

  Slowly she spread her legs. “Continue, Sentry."

  Shell dropped to his knees and with his fingers spread the lips of her womb. “And here,” he said softly, exposing her labia.

  With soft flicks of his tongue he tasted her; tenderly teased her moist petal.

  She wreathed with pleasure. “Aye, this is much ... much better than tea."

  * * * *

  Rule had filled his belly, now he needed to rest. The coolness of the cave was a welcomed shelter from the sweltering heat of the noonday sun. He lay upon the pile of animal skins and allowed sleep to come. In a matter of seconds the dream enfolded him, pulling him from the present and into a time he once knew.

  'Twas late ... very late. The wall sconces were lit and the long corridor silent. Rule looked down at his bare feet. They were smaller. He looked at his hands, they were smaller too. He smiled. He was home again, roaming the castle he knew and loved so well.

  Quietly he came upon his mother's bedchamber door. Putting his ear to the oak portal he could hear two women talking. One voice he recognized as Meridith's, his mother's handmaiden. The other was the agonized words of the queen.

  Rule slowly turned the knob and gently pushed the door open a crack. Peering into the room, he saw his mother's body exposed to the waist. Meridith was washing the queen's pale bosom, being careful not to hurt the fragile woman lying listless in the bed.

  "Does not this feel refreshing on such a hot night as this, Your Majesty?” Meridith said, brushing the moistened fabric over the queen's bared breasts and down her belly.

  Queen Oneida nodded weakly. “You take such good care of me, Meridith. What would I ever do without you?"

  Meridith dipped the cloth into the basin and rung it out before returning to swab the Queen's flesh. “You shall never have to worry, my queen. I will not leave you. In fact I will never be very far away."

  Rule watched as Meridith gently dried and redressed his mother.

  Meridith lovingly brushed aside the thick, black curls from the queen's forehead. “I will sleep here, at the foot of the bed."

  Rule then saw the caring handmaiden climb upon the bed and curl at his mother's feet. Meridith slipped off her slippers and crossed her ankles. Rule could see the crescent shape on the bottom of her right foot.

  Rule snapped awake and sat straight up, finding himself once again in his cave. He inhaled sharply with the memory of his dream. Now he knew where he had seen the crescent shaped birthmark before ... on the heel of Meridith's right foot. And Meav ... Meav had one just like it!

  Chapter Ten

  Meav had been too excited to fall asleep. Zailia's visit yesterday played over and over in her mind. They had talked of so many things that ‘twas way into the dinner hour when they parted. Their lives in many ways were the same. Zailia had lost her mother at a young age as well, and a brother later on in years. Meav was no stranger to the grief of losing a loved one and knew first hand the emptiness of not having a mother.

  Zailia was forced to work at the castle in order to save her family's land from the evil Devora. Meav wished now she had been as sacrificing as Zailia, instead of escaping the terrible fate of marrying Hollister McGreary at her family's expense. ‘Twas at that point in the conversation Meav had lowered her head in shame for her cowardly retreat.

  But Zailia had not condemned Meav ... quite the contrary. She thought Meav was very brave. Zailia's acceptance meant everything to Meav, and ‘twas then she knew Zailia would become a dear and trusted friend. She had already been invited to Zailia's cottage for tea on the morrow.

  Meav stretched and yawned, feeling content. She would face this new day a bit groggy but still with eagerness. Today Wysteria was taking her to the Temple of Silah. ‘Twas there Meav hoped to learn the answers to all her questions.

  * * * *

  Reluctantly Zailia knocked on the queen's bedchamber door, hoping the information she cared to divulge about Meav would be enough to appease Devora. Zailia had carefully rehearsed what she would say so Devora would not become suspicious in any way that Zailia was not earnest in doing her job.

  Devora's voice held a grudging tone. “Enter."

  Zailia flinched, knowing full well the queen's agitation stemmed from Shell having to leave at the crack of dawn to witness the changing of the guards. ‘Twas the mornings that Shell still slept in Devora's bed when Zailia arrived that the day went well. Zailia sighed. ‘Twouldn't be today.

  Devora spoke with authority. “I want a bath ... now! My flesh is hot and sticky from the intolerable night's heat and if I am not bathed soon everyone will feel my wrath."

  Zailia bowed her head. “I have taken the liberty of having a tub
ready and waiting for you, my queen."

  "'Tis about time you did something right.” Devora yanked the satin coverlet off her body and strode naked to the adjoining room. Climbing into the warm water, Devora looked up at Zailia. “What have you learned about the maiden living at my sister's house?"

  Zailia forced her hands to stay calm as she washed Devora's back. “Her name is Meav O'Shay and she comes from Dublin, Ireland."

  "Where is Dublin, Ireland?” Devora probed.

  "When I asked her that she merely shook her head, then said ... far from here."

  "How did it happen that she was sailing?"

  Zailia chose her words carefully. “She was fleeing from the man who killed her family ... stowed away in the hull of the Sea Dragon to escape."

  Devora pulled her knees to her chest. “Hmm, quite interesting, do you not think?"

  Zailia began to wash Devora's arms. “Quite frightening, I would say."

  Devora relaxed. “Then she is here rather by accident."

  "Aye, my queen ... ‘tis completely by chance she washed up on Keronia's shores."

  Devora glared at Zailia. “What is your next move?"

  Zailia tried to keep her emotions at bay. “I figured there would not be a need for a next move, since she poses no threat to anyone."

  Devora's eyes blazed. “You let me do the figuring. Now ... what is your next move?"

  Zailia sighed. “I have invited her to my cottage on the morrow for tea."

  Devora's lips curled over even white teeth. “Excellent, Zailia. Make her grow to like and trust you."

  Devora's wicked laugh reverberated down Zailia's spine. “That will not be hard; she is a very trusting girl."

  Devora's voice was cold and exact. “Good, ‘tis always easier to kill a person who trusts you."

  Zailia's insides shuddered. Touching this evil woman made her skin crawl. Even just playing along at Devora's evil plan made Zailia nauseous.

  Devora leaned back in the tub. “Wash me here, Zailia,” she said, parting her legs.

  Zailia felt her cheeks turn crimson as she brought the cloth down to cleanse between Devora's thighs.

  "Faster, harder, Zailia.” Devora's wicked laugh echoed the room. “You know how much I enjoy a good scrub."

  * * * *

  Wysteria watched Meav's lithe form walking beside her. Like Meridith, Meav was willowy, her height in proportion to her weight. Wysteria marveled at Meav's resemblance to her dead sister. If she did not know better, Wysteria could swear Meridith had come home.

  "Your Mama loved going to the Temple of Silah ... even had thoughts about studying to be a priestess."

  Meav tipped her face to the sun. “The temple would have been fortunate to have her loyalties."

  "Aye, ‘tis true, child. Your Mama was a pure and giving lass. She deserved better than what she got."

  Meav looked over at the elder. “I intend to avenge her good name, as soon as I learn how."

  Wysteria pointed a crooked finger at Meav. “'Tis not wise to rush ahead, child. If you do as the high priestess advises, all will go as planned."

  Meav nodded in agreement and walked silently beside Wysteria the rest of the way to the temple.

  Meav recognized the beach ... ‘twas the one she had washed up on. About fifty feet from where she had first opened her eyes, Meav and Wysteria entered the opening of a cave ... carefully concealed by bushes.

  Wysteria reached for the lit torch ensconced on the wall and led the way down a winding staircase.

  At first the salt of the sea tinged Meav's nose, but as she followed Wysteria farther into the cavern, the aroma of sandalwood and myrrh incense burning filled her senses. Could they be nearing the temple ... at the bottom of a cave? “I envisioned it to be a grand structure of stone and marble."

  "The power of enchantment never comes from idyllic conditions or complex settings. It can only come from deep within the sorcerer herself, powered by belief and a pure need,” Wysteria explained.

  "And there is no purer need than mine,” Meav commented.

  "Nay, lass, there is not."

  When Meav stepped off the last stair she hesitated. “I am scared, Wysteria. Everything on this island is so strange ... mermaids, elf folks, little winged women, a river of orange, and a witch who puts a spell on the heir to the throne ... can make a man turn into an animal. How can I match these things?"

  The elder turned to look at her niece. “You listen to me, Meav O'Shay. Mortal man contains within himself the seed of the divine. If he nourishes this seed, he can accomplish anything. And if he is successful he is rewarded with eternal life and will one day reunite with his divine origin.” Wysteria moved closer to Meav. “Lying deep within you is such divinities, and with the help of those who know how to activate the grand cosmic scheme, your seed too will accomplish a specific role. Your actions, though supernatural to the majority, will be in concurrence with natural harmony and you will be able to match all you have witnessed on this island."

  Meav's eyes widened. “Are you trying to tell me that the fantastic things I have seen on Keronia are in harmony to a natural life?"

  "Aye, that is exactly my point, child. All the powers, the wonders that surround you now have a practical purpose in our civilization. It has eased life for the Keronians, relieved physical and emotional pain and most times benefited society."

  "Until one turns to the dark side, then it can be crippling,” Meav reflected.

  "Aye, ‘tis true, but only one among us has strayed from the pure course and the natural harmony,” Wysteria said.

  "But it only took one, dear healer, to make a shamble of it all ... to destroy the balance and terrify this island into submission.” Meav placed her hands on her hips. “Was there not one among you that could stand up to Devora? Certainly good magic should outweigh the bad."

  "Devora has found a way to hinder the good. Her creative force ... the black magic she practices ... has bound spirit and matter together and drawn from their energy. No longer can the good find a way past the evil,” Wysteria explained.

  Meav bit her bottom lip nervously. “And here I be, just a farm girl running from me own horror, and suddenly ‘tis up to me to straighten out the situation here."

  "Do not resent the mission, lass ... but embrace the challenge,” Wysteria said softly. “You should feel honored. ‘Tis an adventure that lies ahead."

  "Not one I readily would have chosen,” Meav muttered.

  "The pain a woman endures giving life to her child is not one she would have chosen, yet the end result is a babe ... far worth the ordeal."

  Meav frowned. “'Tis an endearing example ... but..."

  Wysteria took Meav by the hand. “Come, let me show you something."

  Meav was pulled into a room lit by candles burning in translucent alabaster hurricane lanterns. The stone walls absorbed the heat of the flame and spread its luminary warmth throughout the tiny cubical.

  Wysteria stopped in front of a stone figure. “This is the female chief, Iolita. Her broad hips and full thighs symbolize fertility and abundance.” Wysteria took Meav's hand and placed it on the statue's round belly. “Her cupped hand signifies the womb and the feminine principle through which all enter into life.” Wysteria pointed to the goddess's head. “Her jewel encrusted crown represents intelligence and higher consciousness."

  Meav's frown deepened. “What does she have to do with me?"

  Wysteria smiled. “She emanates the hope and power of women ... and you are a woman, Meav."

  Meav's response held a note of impatience. “But what directly has she to do with me ... why I am here, what must I do?"

  Wysteria hesitated, measuring Meav for a moment. “Do you not find the miracle of birth spectacular, yet natural?"

  "Aye, I have always been in awe over the way a woman can conceive, nurture and bring forth life,” Meav said. “And yet ‘tis the way of things, how ‘tis meant to be."

  "You feel that way because you have knowledge of the pr
operties that produce the element. You accept the sun, the earth, water, fire, and fearsome animals, like the snake, crocodile ... and the panther ... because you know why and how they exist. And when you learn the elements and properties of why and how magic comes into play, then the mermaids, and pixies will be natural to you as well."

  Meav raised a brow. “I will learn all that here?"

  "When you understand your part in the things to come, you will feel a connection. And like a mother who understands what her newborn asks for even though no words are spoken, you will understand and accept your surroundings as natural.” Wysteria brought Meav's hand up to caress the cloak that hung around Iolita's shoulders. “This cloak is red for a reason ... red is the color that stands for life. Blood is red ... when it flows within us we live. But red also stands for anger. When you mix life with anger you have conflict and pain. ‘Tis what Devora has done to her own life, and to the lives of others."

  Meav pointed to the white and black curtain hanging behind Iolita. “What do those colors mean?"

  "White means purity and sanctity; ‘tis the color of joy. Together red and white symbolize wholeness and perfection. Black is death, yet it also means the seeds of rebirth.” Wysteria looped her arm through Meav's. “Come now, child. The high priestess Neteru waits for us. With her help and infinite wisdom you will know the answers to all your questions."

  Meav sighed. She was not all that sure, but then again what did she know? She was just a farm girl.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rule needed an answer to the question that had plagued him since his afternoon dream of a day ago ... why do Meridith and Meav share the same birthmark?

  Though Wysteria was a wise healer, Rule had the distinct feeling he would find the answer if he went to the Temple of Silah. There he could talk to the high priestess, Neteru. The holy woman's power of the vision quest would render the truth.

  Rule could journey to the temple through the winding corridors of his cave. Neteru, when she had learned of Devora's spell, offered Rule the far end of the underground sanctuary as refuge. The high priestess believed cats; big and small, were to be honored because they protected their domain from all kinds of evil, both natural and supernatural. Neteru had made Rule protector of the jungle and kept him close by the temple for safety.