by R J Kaldanis
While holidays were frequently permitted between the siblings, as the years stretched on and they got older, it became obvious that their shared blood was not enough to continue to forge a strong bond. After all, they were as opposite as water and fire. Pateras enforced that Aardriyah spend time with her brother, but she found herself feeling less and less excited with each opportunity and when she reached the age of fourteen, she saw him once a year, if that. Seeing Sonas and Chastion together made it even more soul crushing to be reminded each visit that she was the disappointment, the let down and the odd one out. While the other two children were clearly blessed by the water god, Undina, she was not and would never be.
As Chastion grew older, he seemed to become more aware of her utter lack of skill or capability and found himself too busy for his untalented sister. So, she started to retract and withdraw from her brother - she didn't want to be a burden or waste his clearly precious time. All the same, it didn't stop Pateras from trying every chance he could to get the two in the same room together; they were family after all, regardless of how different their lives had ended up panning out.
“Besides, it’s not long before he leaves for The Arche celebrations in the Capital - it might be a good chance to see him one last time.”
“I’ll see how I feel.” She responded, biting the inside of her cheek as she thought about whether it was worth seeing Chastion, or if her evening would be better spent reading the latest book she had thrown herself into.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her brother, it was just that it required a certain amount of strength to face him in his royal setting. He was the keeper of peace in the water kingdom. He had a duty to be every last bit the heroic legend the world needed him to be and nothing of the brother she remembered him to be.
CHAPTER TWO
intense verosian stench
Pateras tasked Aardriyah with visiting the docks to see if his latest order of ink and parchment had arrived yet. In light of her one day off, she decided to make the most of the opportunity to soak in the sun. Her father had been running a small library of sorts while also being the local chronicler and archivist. He was proud of the history of the nation of islands, always rattling on about how important it was to keep a solid record of everything happening in an around the islands while respecting the lessons provided by history.
Aardriyah appreciated his passion for writing and his innate ability to recall dates, details and otherwise meaningless facts perfectly. However, she found the history of Veros so dull and boring, and wished he’d spend more time focussing on some of the more exciting cities within the New Realm, places that she’d one day hope to visit. As far as Aardriyah was concerned, Veros was small minded, small spirited and backwards. While she earned her appreciation of books and love of writing from her father, she’d much rather spend her time learning about the air lands of the Yayok Tribe and their six foot white owls, or the stories of the Olurun peoples and their impressive shrines and tombs to the dead, constructed in massive pyramid shapes erected from the earth. All Veros had to offer was bitter resentment for what they had lost, claims of magnificent architecture and culture which no longer lived and little experience or exposure to the rest of the realm.
Making her way towards the one small bedroom in the house, Aardriyah decided she didn’t feel like dressing the way she should - the way any Verosian woman should. Almost every item in her wardrobe was white or a varying shade of blue, besides one cloak. Chastion, of all people, had bought it for her after a visit to one of the earth kingdoms. It was a brilliant deep emerald, adorned with gold trim and worked perfectly with the cold breeze still traversing the land outside.
Pateras raised an eyebrow when he saw her wearing the cloak, perhaps because he knew it was from Chastion and one of the only things she kept from him. More likely it was because he didn’t approve, knowing too well that Aardriyah would get more stares and snide remarks wearing such a colour in the middle of town. He didn’t say a word before she quietly slipped out of the small white domed house.
The walk into the centre of the town didn’t take long, Aardriyah passed the time by continuing to read her book as she walked, paying no attention to the few passers-by who gawked at her. Firstly, they gawked at her fire hair, then her cloak; she looked anything but water blessed or raised. The town was a splattering of domed houses, built into the cliffsides of the mountainous land. Steep and curved roads, sometimes no more than one person wide, weaved in and out of the houses and shop fronts. The wealthiest of the Verosian’s enjoyed the best sunset on the island atop the peak of the main mountain. They often filled large holes on the boundary of their land with water, spilling over the edge creating a seeming endless body of water merging with the sea beyond. It was perfect for sitting in during Suns Inhalation afternoons with a goblet of the best Verosian wine.
Aardriyah’s mother lived in one of these largely domed houses atop the peak. While it seemed overkill for one woman to have five bedrooms, she always seemed to be hosting guests to keep up appearances, so perhaps she found use for all the bedrooms. Moving down the main road, Aardriyah held her breath from the stench of donkey poo now lining the streets. The local shop owners took advantage of the native creatures as they helped carry heavy goods up through the steep streets and often assisted with hauling carts and carriages of the few people with enough money to afford them.
The dock was at the very bottom of the island, a winding sharp road covered in the coarsest black sand was the only way to reach it on foot. After several turns back and forth and steady footwork, Aardriyah finally reached the bottom. As she tried to catch her breath from the steep descent, she was overwhelmed by the now pungent aroma of dead fish which had replaced the smell of donkey poo. The intense, Verosian stench was just one more thing she loved about this tiny island nation.
A small ramshackle shop sat at the end of the docks, the owners were a family of Verosian’s who had run it for five generations. The son of the current owner now stood at the front counter and grimaced at his latest customer.
“Do you go out of your way to stand out?” He sneered.
The young man was the same age as Aardriyah and the two had known each other during their schooling years. They were both unblessed, both came from a family full of blessed and both the middle children, but that was where the similarities ended. Rhodes compensated for his lack of blessing by putting all his time and energy into enlarging his frame. He knew he was quite attractive for an unblessed; dark curled hair, tanned skin, a thick beard and deep brown eyes atop the body of an Adonis. Aardriyah saw him as simple and boring - not really understanding how anyone found him attractive given his big ego, small brain and utter lack of any kindness.
“Rhodes, just tell me if Pateras’ package came in.” She sighed and reached out a hand, while crossing the other in front of her body. The quicker this exchange was over, the better, she thought. He looked down at her hand and said,
“Maybe it did. But he’ll have to come down to get it.”
“Why?” Aardriyah demanded.
“New policy. Unless we see proof that you have been asked to collect a package for someone else, we can’t give it over.”
Aardriyah scoffed and stamped her foot in frustration.
“Don’t be a jerk Rhodes, I’m here now, he’s not going to come all the way down when you know I’m his daughter and can just take it home now.”
Rhodes looked carefully over her, scrunching his face up, sniffing his nose and spitting on the floor to his right, the whole time keeping his eyes on her.
“Do I know you are his daughter? You don’t look like it.” He responded dryly.
Rhodes had always been jealous of Aardriyah for being the sister to what the Verosian’s considered their King, the prime example of what a true blooded, water blessed man of Veros should be. Of course, Rhodes would never admit he was jealous of Aardriyah so instead he relentlessly tormented her for looking so different to her r
evered brother. She glared at the meat headed bully in front of her, wishing she could punch him right in his stupid mouth without consequence. But she knew she risked breaking her hand, banning herself from the shop and damaging the reputation of her family. She would never hear the end of the scandal and damage control Chastion would surely have to undertake to right her wrongs. So instead she just glared at him and simply said,
“Rhodes, if you don’t give me the package and Prince Chastion finds out, I’m not sure he’d consider inviting you or your family to the next grand feast. I would really hate for you to have to explain to your father why he’s suddenly been uninvited after attending each year for the past… oh how many years has it been now?” She pretended to count as Rhodes puffed out his chest and inhaled deeply. After an internal battle in his head he grabbed a small cloth bound package and shoved it firmly into her arms.
“No need to be a fire head about it, Aardriyah. Here’s the stupid package. Now get out of my shop before I force you out.” He cracked his knuckles as he glared down his nose at her. Aardriyah, simply bowed, smiled ever so sweetly and left the ramshackle shop.
A while later, Aardriyah returned and upon opening the door of her family home, found an unexpected guest sitting at their table with a basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Aardriyah smiled and embraced the elderly man with leathery skin and white fuzzy hair, who was cheerfully eating a long and vibrant coloured root vegetable.
"Old Man Teme" she said as she let the embrace linger.
"Aardy my little firecracker." He responded before he was interrupted by a light slap on his shoulder. Aardriyah was now glaring in disapproval at the use of the word firecracker. The old man chuckled and sat back down, picking up his vegetable to chew on once more.
"Mr Teme was just dropping off some more of his gardens latest treasures. We've got a growing water maiden on our hands. I can't believe how quickly she is going through all the food the house possesses." Pateras remarked, bringing three warm mugs of some steaming concoction to the table.
"What level is she now?" Teme asked.
Pateras sipped his tea and thought a moment,
"She'd have to be … level … six now. No seven." He said at the same time that Aardriyah piped up to correct him,
"Well that does explain it then. She's almost ready for the trials and she'll need all the strength and energy she can get." Old Man Teme thoughtfully responded.
Pateras and Aardriyah looked at each other, sharing a knowing glance before Pateras said,
"Well we decided she won't be doing the trials." Expecting Old Man Teme to be startled into disagreement, he braced himself for the wise and strong words that the man always managed to conjure in moments where the single father made a choice contrary to popular parenting practices. This time, however, Old Man Teme simply raised an eyebrow and said,
“I see.”
Aardriyah, seeking to change the subject, interjected whilst smelling the warm concoction she held in her hands,
"It smells like… jasmine and.."
"Honey" Old Man Teme finished her sentence with a knowing nod towards her.
"It's something to maybe help you have a bit more of a full nights sleep, I think." He continued, before taking another bite of the now almost finished root vegetable. Aardriyah looked over the old man she had known before she could even remember and always seemed to know just exactly what she needed at the right moment. Some days it was unnerving, she felt compelled to shut him out or refuse the advice, herbs or concoction he bestowed on her at the exact right moment she needed it. He had a way of somehow sensing her, knowing her in a way no one else did. To others it might seem odd or perhaps even creepy and improper, but this sacred bond they shared was part of her being and her everyday life. It was as effortless as breathing and as familiar as the moon that rose each night.
There was nothing untoward or sinister about his care for Aardriyah; he had saved her life before it had barely started and the old man, she suspected, felt some kind of need to continue this protection of her past his duty of birthing physician. For all the treasures and special treatments her brother and sister seemed to have for bearing the blessing of water, she felt that this was her own little blessing. She embraced his knowledge and friendship as if it were a sacred gift from the gods, sent just for her.
The light blue wooden door of the house swung open with a light thud, beaming from the white stoned door frame stood the Level 7 Water Maiden herself.
"TEMEEEEEEEEE!" She beamed as she raced towards the aged man, now standing to greet her with not quite the same level of enthusiasm. She giggled, as she always did when cuddling a friend or loved one.
"Do you want me to show you my weaving?!" She excitedly asked while tugging on the sleeve of his long navy cloak.
"Oh yes please" he responded eagerly. Sonas raced to the table, set the cups and vegetables into a small maze and stood back ready to perform for her audience. She stuck her tongue out to the side, clamping down on it in fierce determination while raising her hands. The water from the tea rose out the mugs and formed one solid ball of liquid above the table top. With quick movements from her hands, she snaked the water around the maze she had made and moved her head in time. Old Man Teme laughed and smiled as she so fiercely motioned towards the end of the course, rising the water up once more before separating it and splashing it back down into the three mugs. Pateras and Old Man Teme clapped loudly, congratulating her with words of support and awe. Aardriyah, on the other hand was less impressed given the water had managed to scold her upon re-entering the mugs. Noticing her fathers disapproving eyes on her, she quickly followed suit and clapped for her far more talented little sister. After all, it wasn't Sonas' fault that she had been blessed with the magic that ran strongly through the family – well, through everyone but Aardriyah that was.
"Are you coming to see Chasty tonight?" Sonas beamed up at Old Man Teme, "I'm going to show him my weaving. Do you think he'll like it?"
When Sonas finally let the old man speak, he responded with a smile,
"Very much so. You are almost as talented as him, I'd say." This seemed to be the exact right words to say to both send Sonas into an exploding ball of excitement while forcing Aardriyah into a dark place of utter defeat. If she had needed any encouragement that tonight was a complete waste of time for her, this was it. All those magically blessed would discuss their grandest accomplishments and newest techniques - things so far beyond her comprehension she no longer pretended to feign interest.
"I really want you to come Teme, pleeeeeaassseeee?" the little girl begged with her eyes beaming up in an exaggerated expression. Old Man Teme looked over her and sighed before turning to Aardriyah.
"How about this, I will go if your grumpy big sister goes. How does that sound?"
Great, Aardriyah thought, now there was no way either of them were going to get out of it. Old Man Teme knew that Sonas had her big sister wrapped around her little finger and could never say no to those big blue eyes.
"Fine." Aardriyah huffed, making a face at her sister, she continued. "But we have to be back before the peak of moon, I have an early day tomorrow and Miss Farrow won't -"
She was cut off by a squealing Sonas who was now racing towards their bedroom to get ready for a night with the royal family.
CHAPTER THREE
night to feast
Moments later, Aardriyah found herself un-braiding her sister’s hair from the morning, letting it out into sweeping curls resembling waves on a dark ocean. She added in some pearl clips before tapping the youngster on the shoulder and announcing she was done. Sonas grabbed a small hand mirror and tried her best to see the back of her hair, she beamed with happiness and hugged Aardriyah in thanks before making her way into the bathing chamber.
Aardriyah couldn't be bothered bathing and decided to rummage through her drawers to look over her few pieces of clothing deemed worthy of the dinner ahead. She sighed, wondering if any of
it mattered, she could turn up naked and no one would even pay enough attention to her to scold her for it. Though given the odd chill outside, she decided it was best to at least put some clothing on and grabbed a deep blue velvet dress, with simple silver trimmings. She pulled her hair back into a tight bun, and slipped her feet into simple black boots.
The royal family had a designated residence on each of their four lands, Veros, Mizu, Hala and Sia. The four periods of the year were divided evenly into three months of thirty days each. The United Water Kingdom Royal family spent The Sowing in Mizu as the land was covered in beautiful blossoms of pinks and purples. They then departed for the Suns Inhalation to spend in Sia as it was the only time of year that was somewhat tolerable in the land of snow and ice. The Harvest was enjoyed in Hala, where the days and nights were full of enjoying the final harvests of the plentiful farms on the lush green land. Then during the cold months of the Moons Exhalation, the family relocated to Veros which was usually warmer than the other lands, although this year suffered a barrage of icy cold winds.
When the carriage arrived at the lodge, Aardriyah had forgotten what a fete of architectural genius it was and took a moment to admire it once more, as the family left the small carriage Chastion had sent for them. Old Man Teme nudged Aardriyah and motioned for her to leave, before grabbing his trusty old lantern and following her down the path towards the lodge.
Like most houses on Veros, the royal lodge was coloured only using the water kingdoms preferred palette - whites and blues. The colouring was where the similarities ended though, as she stared up at the three large arches forming what appeared to be the underside of three giant breaching whales. Lapis lazuli weaved its way through the white marble facade, making intricate patterns of waves down the throats of the whale shaped buildings. Marble pillars surrounded the outside of the gardens, while thick sheets of ice made a fence between the pillars, large ice spikes adorning the top. The guards at the gate used their water magic to turn the ice to water to allow the guests inside, before raising it again. Aardriyah marvelled at their abilities - she had never seen anyone so skilled in water magic they could turn it to ice. She had heard rumours the north eastern lands of Sia had an abundance of the blessed that used water in this way, but it was something she had yet to witness in her life; maybe this night would be more exciting than she had thought.
