“Excuse me, your ladyship,” she said nervously as she peered into the room, “but is Sora at hand? The Lady Ducre’ has asked for her.”
Natalia rolled her eyes as she opened the door all the way. She walked over to the window, annoyed by Alexa’s request.
“What is it Alexa?” Sora asked with an aggravated look on her face as she hung Natalia’s robe back into the wardrobe.
“I’m so very sorry for bothering you both, I’m just the messenger,” Alexa exclaimed nervously.
She was right. But Natalia never understood why her mother needed Sora so much. The Marchioness had three other personal handmaidens, as well as random servants like smelly Alexa who also worked in the household, to get whatever she wanted. Natalia thought that her mother would purposely do that because she was jealous of the relationship that she and Sora possessed.
“It’s quite alright, Sora,” Natalia said as she leaned over onto the ledge of her opened window, her head propped up in her hands. “The Lady Ducre’ desperately needs you,” she said with an annoyed tone.
After a minute or two, Natalia heard the heavy door close behind her. “So this is how it will be for now on,” Natalia thought as she still peered out of the window. She knew everything would be so different after that night was over, after Marrisa left. She wouldn’t really have anyone to talk to about her problems anymore. Her mother would slowly steal Sora away from her and replace her with someone like bland Alexa, and Marrisa would be miles away as a queen over the land of Ishkar. “What kind of name is Ishkar for a kingdom anyway?” Natalia thought.
Natalia closed her eyes as the cool air of the bright mid-morning brushed at her face and hair. The mixture of the cool air and warm sun seemed to clear her thoughts, comforting her. She opened her eyes, looking down. She was on the second floor, but seemed higher than that. She could see their rather large vegetable garden below, and that a couple of servants were on their knees, pulling at lettuces and other vegetables. Fields of tall grasses and flowers waved back and forth in the breeze just beyond the garden. Natalia would never forget all of the times when Marrisa and she would ride their horses, Lilly and Orchid, through those fields and pastures and through the apple orchards.
Natalia looked down noticing that between the garden and fields were tall bushes with white flowers all over them, which looked like white dots from her point of view. And just beyond the fields was a small forest, and just beyond that Natalia could see the tall standing castle of Minslethrate. She always thought her bedroom window had the best view in all of the kingdom. And just to the right of her, Natalia could see the far off Mountains of Minslethrate, which looked like gray mounds of dirt painted on the horizon.
Natalia had actually never gone that far off into the wilderness of Minslethrate, but Tairren has. He used to always tell his stories of how he and his father used to venture off deep into the beautiful lands, discovering things that weren’t even looked upon by any other human during their time. Even though the far off lands were forbidden, they went into them anyways.
Natalia caught the scent of wood and leaves burning as another breeze floated past her nose. The gardeners must’ve been burning some old dead leaves and random rotten branches that fell from the trees. The scent of the warm and spicy fire triggered a memory that she had forgotten. Natalia smiled softly as nostalgia came over her. She thought of the times when Tairren would tell her and Marrisa different legends and myths about the land and all that inhabited it.
“How I wish I could go back in time,” Natalia thought as she gazed off into the seemingly magical land of Minslethrate. She thought of a moment during the summer that had just passed, when Tairren made a small fire in the woods one evening…
†††
The fire crackled and popped as Tairren threw some dried leaves into it.
“Tairren, don’t let the fire burn too greatly, for my sake, please.” Marrisa said as she sat down onto a log that lay a couple of feet from the small fire.
Even though the fire was tiny, Marrisa still didn’t like it, she never did…
“I won’t, Marrisa,” Tairren said as he sat next to her, who sat next to Natalia. “This fire will stay just as it is.”
Tairren knew that Marrisa was not fond of fire, but he never knew why. He thought maybe it was that she might have gotten burned by it at some point in her life. But he had gotten burned plenty of times in his life and never thought anything of the orange light.
“It seems as if the sun was just going down,” Natalia said, “and now it’s absolutely dark out here.”
The forest seemed as dark as a cave because of the heavy overhang of the tree tops and the thick timber and grass that surrounded them. That summer night was enchanting as fireflies danced in and out through the dark trees of the woods. The chirps of crickets made a soft melody as a hoot of an owl echoed through the darkness every now and then, creating a soft and relaxing tune.
They had just left Tairren’s house where they ate some hearty vegetable soup that Moral had cooked for supper, and decided to go for an evening stroll through the woods. Then it was Tairren’s idea to make a little fire. The sun was just going down as Tairren finished getting the fire going.
“I probably shouldn’t have started this fire, we should get going. Your parents will have the royal soldiers out looking for you both,” Tairren said as he poked the crackling light with a long stick.
“No, we should be alright,” Marrisa said as she pulled her long red hair over her shoulder, “My father doesn’t even know I am gone and Lilith thinks I’m resting. I told Lilith that I was going to bed early, but I’m actually surprised that she hasn’t discovered that I’m not in bed,” Marrisa said with a smile. “I would have already been bombarded with soldiers by now if she knew—I actually wouldn’t be surprised if she was lurking through the woods right now looking for me!” Marrisa said as they began to laugh.
“Well, my mother and father never know where I’m at and Sora probably is wondering what I’m up to, but she knows that I am with you both,” Natalia said as she swatted at a small bug that kept swooping in front of her face.
“Marrisa, if you don’t mind me asking; don’t you think that Lilith is a little strange? I don’t want to offend you because she is your head handmaiden, but she’s very deviant. And I don’t think she’s fond of me,” Tairren said, looking into the cozy little fire.
“Yes, I’m very well aware,” Marrisa said as she giggled a little. “She is very different and of course I don’t know why she keeps her distance away from you, but she has been my servant since I can remember… But actually, over this past week it seems as if she hasn’t really been caring about how I feel lately. I may be acting like a child, but I feel like I need more emotional support from her because of me having to leave in the upcoming early spring,” Marrisa said, and then she went silent for a second or two.
Natalia and Tairren stayed quiet as well because of the thought of Marrisa leaving, and didn’t want to talk about it. And even though it was her special sixteenth birthday coming up in the spring season, none of them were as excited about it as they should have been.
“But what I’m trying to say is that I think she has been doing things on purpose to upset me,” Marrisa continued as she fiddled with the curled ends of her long red hair.
“What do you mean?” Tairren asked as he looked at her. She still kept her gaze on the tiny fire.
“Well, for one thing, you both know how I feel about fire, and she knows this as well, but I find that she lights the fire place in my room more often now, just to taunt me. It’s not cold outside, and we’re in the middle of summer for God’s sake!” Marrisa fussed as she twisted her hair into one thick lock.
“Have you said something to her about it?” asked Natalia.
“Actually yes, I have. And she just says that she thought that I might have wanted it lit. And then she always says that she forgets that she lit it and didn’t mean to,” Marrisa said as she shook her head and r
olled her pretty blue eyes at the same time.
“You just have to be mean to her to make her get the point,” Natalia said with a big smile, “that’s what I would do.”
“Yes, we know that,” Tairren said as he laughed a little.
“Well maybe so, but I just can’t be mean to someone. I don’t think I’ve ever raised my voice at any of my handmaidens. I think I would feel bad about it afterwards. Besides, she says she doesn’t mean it. Maybe it’s all in my head about her doing it on purpose to upset me. I guess I need to get over this fire nonsense, I am about to be considered a woman and a queen soon enough—but I just can’t help it.” There was silence for a moment, then the flickers of the firelight reminded Tairren of something.
“Can I ask you another question?” Tairren asked, still looking at Marrisa. “If you don’t mind me wondering, what is it about fire that frightens you?”
Marrisa was quiet, still gazing into the small fire that illuminated with a soft orange glow, painting spots of gold on everything that it touched. It crackled softly and seemed to add another melody to the music of the crickets and owls.
Natalia glanced at Marrisa, and knew that she didn’t like to talk about her fears; but Natalia wondered about the same thing as well. Of course she knew that Marrisa didn’t like fire, but she never knew why. And every time that subject came up, she would always ignore it or change what they were talking about. Natalia felt bad for not changing the subject herself, but she wanted to know as well and knew that it would be good for Marrisa to talk about it anyways.
A small tear began to roll down Marrisa’s cheek as the fire’s soft light danced on her beautiful face. Anxiety began to build up inside of her. She was still quiet as more tears swelled up in her crystal blue eyes, making them sparkle.
“I’m so very sorry,” Tairren said, breaking the awkward silence, “I should’ve never been so bold as to ask such a question…”
“No,” Marrisa said, cutting him off, “I need to stop acting like a child… But to tell you the truth…I really don’t know why I get so emotional or why I’m so terrified of blazing fires. This small fire is fine and could be stomped out in a second, and doesn’t make me feel so uncomfortable. But it’s the big fires, the uncontrollable ones that terrify me so,” Marrisa said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I just get this sad, horrible feeling when I come near fire. And I feel as if I have just lost someone I love or someone I am close to. My heart starts pounding in my chest and I begin to become terrified… I just get this horrifying feeling that someone I love has been tortured in it…and I don’t know why. And I hate the way it feels, and I hate that I have no idea why I feel like this. But When I look into the flames, I get these flashes of someone being—burned and burned and burned and screaming out and no one will stop to help!” Marrisa started to cry as she covered her face with her hands.
Natalia and Tairren were shocked, not expecting anything that came from her mouth. They both rubbed her back, trying to calm her down.
“It’s okay,” Natalia said as she put her arm around her friend, pulling Marrisa closer to her.
“No, it’s really not,” Marrisa said, wiping her eyes again, “I feel that it’s not okay. There has to be some reason why I feel this way!”
They were quiet for a while, giving Marrisa time to calm down.
Tairren thought to himself, wondering what he could say next without offending her. “I’m sorry, Marrisa, I never meant to get you upset. I didn’t know,” Tairren said quietly as he wiped a tear drop from her chin.
She looked at Tairren and smiled her beautiful smile again as her eyes twinkled in the firelight.
“It’s okay, Tairren,” Marrisa said, not sounding as upset, “I think I’m happy that you’ve asked, I kind of feel relieved that I’ve told someone, and that it was you both and not anyone else. I’ve never told anybody about this, because of the fear of someone thinking that I may be mad.” Marrisa laughed a little, still hugged up against Natalia.
“We don’t think that of you,” Natalia said, kissing her head.
“Thank you,” Marrisa said, sniffling.
“Well, on the other hand—you are stranger than an old noblewoman with a bucket of brew!” Natalia said in a loud voice, mocking her beloved Sora and her islander accent.
They all laughed, breaking the intense feeling of angst that had developed among them.
A huge smile crept across Marrisa’s face. She quickly grabbed a huge wad of dead leaves and threw them at Natalia.
“Marrisa! That wasn’t at all lady-like!” Natalia snapped as she pushed Marrisa off of the log.
They both laughed again, including Tairren. Marrisa just lay on her back on the crisp leaves and fresh earth, pulling Natalia down with her.
“Marrisa, I don’t want to be associated with the filthy ground and dead leaves!” Natalia fussed as she got up quickly, dusting the leaves and dirt off of her deep-blue colored gown.
“Well, you already have when I threw them at your face! What’s the difference?” Marrisa laughed as she just lay there, putting her hands beneath her head.
“Come on Natalia, don’t be a ninny,” Tairren said with a big smile as he lay down next to Marrisa.
Natalia just rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms, sitting back down on the log. “I am a lady,” she said as a smile appeared on her face.
“You know Natalia, you look like Fiara with those flames glowing behind you like that,” Tairren said with another one of his teasing smiles.
“Who is Fiara?” Natalia asked, picking a leaf out of her long brown hair, “and don’t insult me.”
“Isn’t she an ancient Minslethratian goddess?” Marrisa asked, propping her feet up on top of the log, next to Natalia. “The elders of Minslethrate say that she is a seductress, a promiscuous woman of beauty who knows the secrets of any man whom she gazes upon,” Marrisa said with a low voice, trying to sound mysterious.
“She sounds like a trollop,” Natalia said, nonchalantly, making Marrisa giggle.
“Well, legend has it that she is a goddess, a lady of fire, and the sister of Haifen and Dolsia. They are the goddess’ of water and earth. Fiara dwells far off in the south, deep in this land towards the mountains. She lives with other women who wait on her hand and foot, serving her as if she were the creator of fire. Haifen dwells behind the Great Falls and Dolsia dwells deep in the heart of the Black Forest.” Tairren spoke as if he were telling a ghost story, speaking low and mysteriously. “And obviously that’s where we get our great landmark names from, like Mount Fiara, Haifen Springs and the Dark Lands of Dolsia.
“Do you believe it, that there really are goddess-like women out there who live to be worshiped as the creators of fire, water and earth?” Marrisa asked, sitting up, pulling her long red curls over her shoulder as she combed through it.
“Well, I only believe in one God, who is the creator of this earth and of the sun and the moon and heavens. These legends of Fiara and her sisters are just old beliefs of our pagan ancestors, long ago before The Great King from the past brought his mighty words to the land of Minslethrate, which were later written down in a book. I don’t believe in the goddesses; they are just interesting stories that are told and passed on from generation to generation. But I do believe that there are monsters and evil beings out there that live to spread false prophecies. And I believe that these beings want to be worshiped as a god, to live on and rule as a great god, and to crush every believer and follower of our true God. My father used to tell me stories of the old legends of Minslethrate, and of the ancient pagan goddesses that some elders believe in, still to this day. They make great bed time stories though,” Tairren said, sitting up as well.
“But do you think there are really women out there deep in these lands, who live that way still, to be worshiped?” Natalia asked, interested in the conversation.
“Well, I will tell you that when I was a young boy, my father and I went on a journey deep into these lands to fetch some things to sell in
our shop, things like special herbs and flowers to make oils with. I remember that we had a compass and a drawn out map of Minslethrate. I know that we went really far because I remember that it took us a couple of days by horse. And I remember one of those afternoons we set up camp In the Black Forest because my father was tired. He fell asleep quickly. Shortly after we set up camp I decided to look around a bit, just to see what was around.
“And then I heard the voice of a woman, singing. It seemed to echo through the woods, and I still remember to this day how beautiful and sad it sounded, full of melancholic mystery. So of course I followed the voice and it led me to a small temple, covered in the nature that grew all around it. You could tell that it was ancient because of the way the trees took over it. I remember how vines and other greenery seemed to grow all over the place, inside and out of the old temple. Then once I stepped inside of the temple, the singing seemed to fade away. Then I remember seeing a figure walk past one of the many columns towards the back of the temple. I really couldn’t tell who it was because I stayed glued in the great threshold of the entrance. Then I ran back to our camp, which was about a twenty minute walk away from the temple. I woke my father up; I remember how alarmed he looked. So I told him what I saw and led him to the ancient temple. And as soon as he saw it he knew exactly what it was because of a symbol that was etched in the stone above the doorway. Apparently it was the symbol of Dolsia. But we didn’t go into the temple. I remember my father said that it could be dangerous and infested with evil spirits. But I wish we would have because to this day I always wonder who it was that I saw, and whose voice it was that I heard.” Marrisa and Natalia were quiet, as if in awe by what they had just heard.
“I would like to see it,” Marrisa said, smiling. “All my life, I have never gone beyond the great fields of the kingdom. I have never seen what’s out there in these lands.”
“Well, that was the only temple that I’ve ever seen. After my father died I’ve never went that far into the lands again. It’s far too dangerous, and forbidden. But apparently there are three other temples out there that were built many years ago, to honor the other two, Fiara and Haifen.”
The Last Legend: Awakened Page 6