His glasses were always as Mabon remembered, made of pure amethyst crystal. He had eyes as blue as the waters found only in the Chateau and his ears were slightly pointed near the tops. This man’s name is Folklin, he is a master of the ancient ways, brought up amongst the divine ones. He has powers and abilities that no other master has been able to reach. Folklin is a natural clairvoyant, he can see into the future as well as the present and the past. A true skill that many people from the Chateau can never do. His talents are unique and serve Mabon very well, especially today.
“Hello again, great Mabon. It is a pleasure to see you again. Was your ride from the Chateau agreeable today?” he asked.
“It was, thank you.” “I know why you have come.” the man said.
“It is because of what you saw in the Mezidi ball, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” replied Mabon.
“Hmm, I thought as much.” He replied as he took one very long finger that boasted a large golden ring. The ring featured as always, a golden shaped pyramid set upon a beautiful, shimmering, turquoise stone.
The old man, put his hand in his long, robe pocket and turned.
“Come,” he said. “I have exactly what you need.”
With that we both left the room through the little wooden door, to enter ‘the other world.’
Mabon, having visited here before, knew what to expect but somehow each visit, Mabon saw things he had never seen before.
Everything glittered like stars in the night. Mysterious objects were displayed in many different cabinets, in this new market place.
People from all different civilizations came here to exchange and trade magical wares. Potions, spices, stones, and amulets were exchanged. Spells to enhance their magic were chanted into the ears of the purchasers whose eyes grew with both astonishment and delight. Through the small gatherings of people did we make our way until we came to a wide, blue velvet, curtained area. Folklin pulled back one curtain and bid me to enter, I did he followed. The luxurious, soft, velvet curtain fell behind us as we sat upon the large, soft, floor cushions which surrounded a low, rosewood, pyramid shaped table.
Engraved in the table was the figure of Abraxas. His figure became highlighted when the light from the large, fragrant pillar candles fell upon the table. Incense pledged the room with properties that Mabon was familiar with – familiar herbs used for protection and magic.
“Are you ready?” said Folklin.
Mabon nodded. Folklin put his hands upon Abraxas and closed his eyes. Silence fell and darkness besieged the curtained space as the candles dimmed to a low flame.
The eyes of Abraxas glowed upon the table, turquoise and the table started to protrude an additional hidden level, upward, towards Mabon and Folklin. Upon this platform was a small wooden box. Light increased again as the candle burnt at full wick as Folklin removed his hands from the centre of the table.
“Here we are,” he said.
The box opened by itself and light shone from it.
“Can I?” Mabon asked.
“You may, – it is ready.” replied Folklin.
Mabon put in his hand and retrieved the object. In his hand he held an oval mirror. It was simple to the eye and light but when Mabon looked into the mirror all he could see was a shiny, milky, coloured surface – with no reflection.
“It is a mirror?” asked Mabon.
“It is, my child. Do not worry that you cannot see your reflection now, it is the power of the moonstone within it. When the time comes to see the truth, all will become clear. I know you are worried about what you saw in the Mezidi ball. But now you will not need to, their threat is removed.” replied Folklin.
He was talking about the war lords and their dark magic. The way that the forest trolls’ arrows would plant lies in your head if you were touched by one. Mabon had seen an episode of this when Amenea had given him a Mezidi ball but he could not see the face clear enough in his hand to see who got hit by one. All he knew was that he was with that person and they meant a lot to him.
Mabon had had many sleepless nights since then going through his family and friends in his mind, tying to work out who it was. He had exhausted himself by trying to foresee different scenarios, trying to work out who it was.
“Here.” said Folklin as he gave him a deep purple cloth that also shimmered delicately in the candle light. “Wrap it in this.”
Mabon took the cloth and wrapped the mirror. He placed it in his leather sack, thanked Folklin and made his way back to the main shop. He left the same way that he entered and returned back to the cobbled street, making his way back quickly to his horse as he only had few hours to get back
to the orchard where Oriana waited.
Chapter 10
It had been a fast kantar, going back towards the Chateau. Mabon had tightly secured the mirror in his secret saddle bag, which he hid under his saddle rug, beneath his leg.
He was looking forward to seeing Oriana alone. They had arranged their secret meeting the other day whilst riding back from the Tower. No one else but them, thought Mabon. No fussing and interrupting sisters and no bossy brothers that would make fun of him if they knew how much he had fallen for Oriana.
Since the moment he laid eyes upon her he was betrothed. Mabon had decided this is the woman for me – she shall be my Queen.
As arranged, Oriana was waiting on the pear wood bench. She had picked her most favourite robe with its lace edged bosom bodice and full velvet skirt. The velvet flowed lovingly around her petite frame, extenuating her already pleasing to the eye figure even more. The fabric had tiny flowers embroidered all over it with gold thread and it was this that she was running her soft hands over as she sat and stroked the soft fabric. Oriana had spent ages curling and pinning her hair adorned with her most favourite jewels and her most favourite pendant. A gold rectangular pendant with rounded edges. Her father had given it to her when she was younger. Upon it her name was written in an ancient script. Oriana loved this pendant – as it reminded her of her father.
Suddenly she could hear the hooves of a horse coming closer and closer, she looked out towards the noise hoping that it would be Mabon. It was. He arrived smiling sweetly at her and quickly descended from his horse to go to Oriana.
As he came nearer Oriana could feel butterflies in her stomach whilst her body panged for him. She too was attracted to Mabon at first sight. His small petite figure was matched to hers and his dark hair and vibrant blue yes always made her smile. She had been longing for him to touch her.
As Mabon reached Oriana, he stretched his arm out to her and she took his hand, with the other hand he embraced her, and their eyes and lips met. Locked in each other’s arms they fell to the floor and continued to kiss and hold each other. The sun was bright and warm and their bodies so warm together was starting to make Oriana’s lips very warm. Her cheeks were rosy, and her hair was starting to unwind as was her bodice. Mabon pulled away to sit up, but she pulled him closer to her.
“Kiss me, kiss me more.” she said.
Mabon unable to speak as he was so happy with being with Oriana did as she requested. He would do anything she requested. The more they kissed, the more they caressed. Their clothes were becoming looser as they rolled and moved together upon the soft grass. Touching and caressing each other. Oriana bent and lifted her legs and looked straight into Mabon’s eyes whilst her robe fell open to her expose her naked body.
No words were needed. Mabon knew what she meant, and she knew what Mabon wanted. He wanted her and she wanted him, what else was there to say. Every part of her body was panging so much for him it was hurting, she was warm in places that she had never known until now. Her heart felt so light and energised with her new founded love, that she felt she may need never to sleep another night ever again.
They rolled and entwined their now naked bodies as one, on the soft orchard grass. How beautiful she looks thought Mabon as her long dark hair surrounded her beautiful face, which lay upon small white flowers.
“My queen, how beautiful you are.”
Oriana pulled him towards her again, continued to feel his love - their love. Could this be more wonderful she thought as she continued to kiss his soft lips passionately.
They continued to pleasure each other with kisses and caresses until the sun started to fade. For a few moments they lay silent in the grass, Oriana’s head lay on Mabon’s bare chest as he stroked her from her head to as far as he could reach. He was so pleased to have her in his arms, so pleased that he was hers. Laying their together they both felt that they had known each for so much longer. Oriana turned to face Mabon and said:
“Mabon?”
“Yes, my sweet.”
“Do you think it matters that we haven’t known each other long, that we feel like this about each other?” she asked.
“I don’t know…” replied Mabon.
“And I don’t care – you are all I have ever wanted, why wait for time to pass when love can be just like this.” he said.
“Good.” She replied as she returned her head back to his chest.
They lay a few hours more, talking softly to each other and caressing each other until the light started to go.
“Come, my sweet,” said Mabon.
“I don’t want you to get cold. Let’s dress and return to the Chateau.”
Oriana obliged and started to dress herself. Mabon having less clothing attire to attend to was ready before Oriana and so he helped her to lace her bodice but as he did he touched her soft skin again and fell again hopelessly towards the love he yearned for as he started to kiss her again. Over and over. He lifted her to the bench made from the wood of the pear tree and seated her upon him, smiling sweetly.
Slowly they embraced again, into the night, only the orchard fruits and flowers could hear the sounds of their rendezvous. They moved from the bench to the floor as Mabon rolled to the top. As their clothes loosened as they were again, gently pulled from each other’s, passion filled bodies. Their bodies moved sensually into the night air, caressing each other again and again. Eventually their loving encounter drew to a slow end as the first, few stars appeared, shining down upon them.
“Come,” said Mabon.
“It is getting late; the others will wonder where we are. We must return before questions are asked.”
Oriana nodded and they both dressed quickly. Mabon wrapped his softest animal skin around Oriana’s small shoulders and soft, ivory skinned neck as she sat on the bench, he planted a soft, gentle kiss on her forehead.
Happy that his love was sat waiting for him Mabon finished preparing his horse for their ride back to the Chateau.
Oriana suddenly felt that she was being watched. She turned her head to look behind her and to the sides, but she saw nothing apart from some bushes that moved as if the wind had caught them. But on this beautiful, still, starry night there was no wind. Convinced that it must have been a rabbit, or a fox Oriana disregarded her fears and relaxed again. She looked up at Mabon’s handsome face as he busied himself checking the pale grey horses girth and saddle. He turned and looked to her with love filled eyes and smiled as he passed Oriana a beautiful, deep red apple which he picked from one of the orchard’s apple trees. Mabon gladly polished the apple on the front of his tunic before offering it to Oriana.
“Here my love, we missed supper you must be hungry.” he said, placing another kiss on the soft skin found on the inside of her wrist as she put out her hand to take the apple.
Mabon gave a final tug to the horse’s saddle, stroked his horses side gently before putting one of his leather, booted clad foot in the stirrup as he mounted his petite but firm body into the saddle.
Oriana was slowly eating the apple with one hand as Mabon offered her his hand to mount the horse.
“Are you set, my love?” he said gently as their hands joined. He pulled her up onto the horse behind him with one strong manoeuvre of his strong hand.
“Yes, my Prince,” she whispered delicately, in his ear.
“For you, I will always be ready.” Oriana said as she kissed the top of his ear. This brought a small, contented smile to Mabon’s passion filled lips as he shivered with excitement at the gentle touch of Oriana being this close to him. He cracked his whip on his horse and they started their return journey.
Just at that moment as the horse set off, it passed closely to some of the bushes of the orchard. Having to hold her robes up with one hand, away from some of the thorned rose bushes that also grew in the orchard, the apple fell to the floor. She watched the deep red apple as it tumbled on to the soft, green grass amongst other apples and pears that had already bore the feast of smaller orchard animals, identified by the change of the fruits vibrant colour into now, soft golden russet colours where holes showing the pathways of many a smaller beast had left its tethered mark.
Amenea held tightly on to Mabon with the other hand. They started to move further into the darkness on horseback, away from the orchard when suddenly Amenea felt a small scratch on her leg. She looked down and saw that her lower leg was lightly bleeding. Oh no, thought Amenea – still holding her robes up as she watched the deep, red blood trickle slowly down her soft, ivory skin. The minute I put my robes down it’s going to stain all my robes, and this is my favourite robe, she thought. Her favourite robe, chosen specifically for Mabon. As she thought these thoughts she looked back up from her leg to Mabon. She pushed her nose up to the back of his naked neck where she engulfed all her senses willingly into his skin. She closed her eyes as she took the pleasure of filling her nose with the smell of his skin. Deeper and deeper she pulled his smell back into her nose, hoping to penetrate every orifice of her body with his.
The horse starting to pick up speed and needing the other hand to hold on to Mabon’s waist to secure her safely on the horse, Oriana let fall her soft robes which covered her cut and started to soak up the blood.
Once they arrived, they kissed lovingly before both went quickly back to their rooms, hoping that no one would notice.
Oriana quickly redressed her hair and put some soft comfrey leaves on her face to reduce the glow that her cheeks had found, forgetting all about her leg. Her meeting with Mabon had filler her with so much happiness and joy that she currently became immune from feeling any pain. Any pain at all.
Mabon put his mirror in a safe place in his trunk at the end of his bed and changed from his simple clothes today to his normal attire.
They both made their way to their different parts of the chateau. No-one would learn about their rendezvous. It was to be their secret. Just for now anyway.
Chapter 11
It’s no good. Amenea told herself. I can’t lie here anymore trying to sleep just because everyone else is. She got up from her warm bed covered in soft animal skins and put on her long velvet over robe, lacing it carefully in the middle just under her bust with the ribbon. It was half-light – Amenea could tell from the circular windows that her ceiling held. Their clear, crystal glass allowed her to look up and into the full night sky full of golden stars.
Amenea did not want to wake anyone as she wanted to have an uninterrupted snoop about, so she did not light a candle or a torch. For a moment she idled about her room, looking at the ostentatious mirror that hung on the wall as she sipped some of the cool, crystal blue water that was beside her in her cup as she peered deep into the figure that emulated form the mirror.
It was early morning, about 4am. Amenea couldn’t sleep due to her excitement, breamed from the book that she had borrowed from the Chateau school. At last Amenea had felt that with this book she would unravel the mysteries within the mirror and the bright blue water.
Amenea had been reading about Abraxas and how his magical name resembled connections with different magical stones. She wondered what that could mean. What did it mean? As she stood here in front of the mirror, she kept turning this over and
over in her head. What did it mean? What did it mean …? It must have meant something she thought, as here he is on my mirror and on the saddle of Custennain. Why is this figure appearing in these different places?
Eventually being bored being awake whilst everyone was asleep and feeling slightly cross with herself that she could not work out the pieces of this puzzle – yet! Amenea decided to go for a walk.
She left her room and started along the corridor. The light was still dawning so the wall lamps here were still burning. Light was starting to inkle in through the large windows that nestled themselves, periodically between the tall, alabaster pillars that echoed along the entire, empty corridor. Amena’s tiny, light blue, jewelled slippers trod softly upon the luxurious deep red carpet as she trod gently past the doorways of those that slept silently.
Apart from knowing her sister’s door and her mother’s door’s, who else lies behind these doors Amenea thought as she past door after door. Amenea carried on through the corridor following its gentle turn, until she came to the doors that led to the courtyard with the fountain. She paused and thought for a moment. Would it be too cold outside? she thought. Needing to feel the freshness of the night air which she was she so desired at this moment Amenea disregarded herself questioning and opened the door to the courtyard.
As she stepped on to the cool stone slab steps which felt refreshing under her thin, satin, jewelled slippers she entered into the courtyard. The air was cool, and the half-light hung in the fresh air like a mist before the storm.
The leaves of the plants and green trees did not move they stayed ecstatically still like statues, silent but alive, watching but not speaking whilst their gentle ebb cast soft shadows upon the half-light. On the courtyard wall hung a few torches that were almost burnt, they winked gently in the darker corners of the courtyard, their orange glow bringing a feeling of warmth to the cool, fresh courtyard.
The Queen of Hope (Tower of Glass series) (The Throne Of Glass Book 1) Page 5
