Mark of the Princess

by B. C. Morin

  Laughter filled the room as Tristan emerged from a bookshelf next to his empty desk. “Well, you’ve proven your loyalty once again.”

  “Always, my friend” Kaleb stated proudly.

  For what seemed like hours on end they would sit and talk about everything from memories to future adventures…

  * * *

  Finally breaking the silence that had developed between them, Tristan leaned in closer to Kaleb, “so, who is this girl that has you so mystified?”

  “I do not know.” Kaleb ran his hands through his hair as he pictured her once more, “The meeting was somewhat abrupt.”

  “Abrupt?”

  “Yes, she had been running through the forest when she ran into me. I had thought someone was chasing her but it turns out she was merely enjoying time alone. Something she does not seem to get very often.”

  “Make no sudden movements.” The low grinding voice came from behind them.

  Kaleb knew that the sharp pain he was feeling in his back was coming from some sort of blade.

  “Your jewels, now. And no magic or this blade goes deeper.” Kaleb looked over his shoulder and could just barely see the bald head and wrinkled grey skin of the armed goblin.

  “Look, we do not want any trouble.” Kaleb glanced over to the thief’s partner, who had just asked Tristan to get on the ground.

  “What you want, matters not! I believe I requested something of you!” The grinding of the goblin’s voice, oscillating in Kaleb’s ears.

  Kaleb looked over and winked at his best friend. Tristan closed his eyes and put his hands on the ground. Slowly, he seemed disappear on the spot. The goblin thief that had his foot on Tristan's back jumped in terror.

  He looked around frantically in search of the missing faerie.

  Kaleb felt the pain of blade lessen as the other goblin stared in amazement at the ground which now seemed empty. Kaleb took advantage of the Goblin’s amazement, and turned quickly and using his power produced a gust of wind and energy, propelling the goblin backward about ten feet into a tree.

  Before the other goblin could help his friend, a hand seemed to pop up from the ground, grabbing his ankle.

  The dry, dead leaves seemed to take form as the ‘ground’ began to rise. Sheets of debris rising in the form of wings. Twigs and leaves as if taking form to create arms and legs. Tristan kicked himself off the ground and flew twenty feet in the air, dropping the goblin he had been holding by the ankles.

  Struggling to get up, they realized that their attempt was futile, the Goblins turned and began to run.

  The prince and his best friend stood laughing as they watched them trip over a branch in their haste.

  “Ha-Ha. We scared them!” Tristan said loudly, slapping his friend on the back.

  “We? You’re the one that scared them. You should have seen the look on the face of the goblin trying to rob you, when you started coming out of the ground like that.”

  The laughter was roaring…

  “It was priceless!” Kaleb said barely speaking through his laughter.

  * * *

  Alannah sat by her window taking in the scent of her favorite black jade rose bush. She allowed the sweet smell of the dark red roses to surround her. So many dreams of exploring and discovering, and yet so many boundaries, she thought to herself. She ran her finger over the marking inside her wrist. Her family crest. All faeries are born with tattoo-like markings. Some, symbolizing their powers or skills and advancements within them. Others were symbols of their lineage. Each faerie is born with their family’s crests marked on the inside of their wrist.

  “Are you alright?” The most angelic of voices filled her room.

  Alannah turned her head and took in the sight before her.

  Queen Nalani was very much the grown version of her only daughter. Her Auburn hair full, fell nearly to the ground spun in almost perfectly structured curls. Her long green flowing gown clung to every inch of her thin frame, before expanding around her hips and falling heavily to the ground. Queen Nalani had eyes that could very well light up a room, for that is where most of her power came from.

  From behind the hazel eyes, lay the power to change the day in mere moments, as she had on the day of her daughter’s birth. Refusing to give birth to her daughter on a gloomy day filled with rain, lightning and thunder, she took matters into her own hands. Her eyes lightened as she looked up at the sky, the rain began to get lighter and lighter until it was no more. The clouds moved and revealed the sun which birthed a rainbow through the highest trees.

  Alannah had walked over to the mirror and examined the other markings on her arms and shoulders. Indications of the powers and abilities she was born with. They were small still, but as she mastered the powers, the markings would spread. Delicate flowing lines that would show what she is capable of.

  “Mother, when will I have my powers?” Her voice slightly hesitant.

  “Patience, Alannah, no one knows when their powers will come in,” she sighed, recounting the numerous times she has heard the same question, “and besides, you have gifts you were born with.”

  The stubborn daughter huffed crossing her arms.

  “Like what, potion making? Big Deal. Not very good unless you are in a room full of ingredients and a cauldron.”

  “Now, Now Alannah. You also have a gift of spell casting.” Nalani raised her hand indicating the mark on Alannah’s bicep. “You are just too lazy to practice, and I don’t understand why. Magic is all around you. You simply have to want to know how to manipulate it. The energy and glamour is there for the taking. All you have to do is will it.”

  The petite woman made her way across the room, and sat beside her daughter, grabbing her hand. “Why would you want to wait only for the powers that you are born with? You are a faerie princess Alannah. Your abilities run deeper than you know.”

  Alannah sighed heavily at the last statement her mother made as she stood and faced her, “and what of this?” Alannah pulled her tresses over her shoulder so that it cascaded down her front and turned so that her back was to her mother.

  Nalani looked at her daughter’s unique mark. She had stared at it in wonder so many times it was etched in her memory. The mark on her daughter that no other had been able to interpret. The inside looked like a strong oak tree surrounded by elements and among all those things were fae wings.

  “Alannah you know we have tried to find someone to interpret your mark.”

  “Yes, but how do we know that it’s not this very mark that is keeping me from obtaining my powers?” She asked, swinging her hair back over her shoulders until it laid on her back and turned to face her mother again.

  “How can we know that when you do not even bother trying to master potions, or spell casting?” Her mother asked standing from the bed “You are limiting yourself Alannah. We may not know exactly what that mark means, but I have the feeling it is not hindering you.”

  Nalani began to make her way out of the room.

  “As for today,” she said, turning quickly to face her daughter again, “Your father only wants to protect you. I shudder to think of what could have happened had Greer and Xavier not found you before the attack.” Her eyes glimmering for a moment with fear.

  ~ Chapter 3~

  Saros’s dark wings glided him wobbly through the air to the small cave above the waterfall.

  “Ah, you have returned.” The low and sinister voice came from deep within the cave.

  Maligo was a malevolent faerie. It was as if the greed, malice and selfishness most faeries lacked summed themselves in him. Although Maligo was stripped of his powers, the spell that he had put upon himself and Saros that allowed him to see through Saros’s eyes did not waver. He walked over to the bird, sprinkling a fine white powder of his wings and chanting some healing spells. The fissures began to close reluctantly, leaving behind a scar.

  "So, our princess is rebellious? Always wanting to be where she is not supposed to be. Tsk, Tsk, she may just find herse
lf in trouble that way." He began as he walked toward the mouth of the cave. From the darkness emerged first the white thin hair contrasting against his dark worn robe. He stood tall and proud as he began to speak.

  "She is the one."

  Saros sat perched on the stand that Maligo had made for him, cocking his head to the side in confusion.

  "You can be such a stupid bird sometimes." Maligo sighed, rolling his eyes. "The one we need to bring our plan to fruition. We will likely be able to get our hands on her rather easily seeing as how she likes to avoid her own guards!"

  Saros straightened his head as the idea of his master’s plan sunk in.

  "I will need you to find my apprentice." Maligo said, walking away from Saros. "I will need to speak to him. However, make sure you are not seen or heard .”

  Maligo continued back into the cave, the wheels in his head turning, evil plans forming.

  * * *

  "That was pretty impressive." The deep, and somewhat familiar voice floated down from above.

  The prince searched the area and found the source in a tree above him.

  "Ah, Velius." Kaleb said, sounding a bit indifferent.

  "You two really know how to wake someone up from a nap." Velius said as he sat up from his perch high in the trees. Known widely as a Far Darrig, Velius was among those faeries that play gruesome practical jokes, are very solitary and mischievous.

  The prince and his friend let their guard down as they watched their acquaintance sprout his wings, and glide his thin frame down to the ground below. His dark blonde hair was about shoulder length, and his eyes were large and a hazelnut color.

  "So what brings you here Velius?" Tristan said in a very sardonic tone.

  "I was headed into your kingdom for a little while. I like it there." Velius replying, oblivious to Tristan’s rudeness.

  ”So why don’t you stay? Make it home?" The prince by upbringing was taught to be inviting when it came to his home. Taught to be proud of what he would someday rule.

  But it wasn’t lack of pride that stopped Tristan from joining his best friend in extending the invitation. Something wasn’t right. He never did like the way Velius was so secretive about where he’d been and how he could never really look at you the whole time he was talking. As if he were constantly making sure that he didn’t give too much away, playing enough with the truth to remain vague.

  "Perhaps someday I shall take you up on that." Velius said as he walked closer to the prince. "But I have many forests that I have not explored. So I dare not settle down just yet."

  Tristan walked around the faerie looking at him suspiciously. "So, Velius, where have you been staying lately?" Tristan stopped in front of Velius, his arms crossed.

  "Oh, all over really. Are you both headed to town now? May I join you?"

  Never a straight answer Tristan thought to himself.

  Kaleb stepped forward next to Tristan. “Sure, come along.”

  "Mother, Father!" Kaleb said, walking into his gathering room where he found his parents talking.

  His father stood, tall and proud, his midnight black hair swept behind his shoulders and his dark ocean blue eyes searching his sons face. Through his light colored shirt you could see his thick markings. Some even came up past his collar to his neck and off his wrists to his hands. Any faerie could see that King Alcander had chosen not only to master the abilities he was born with, but others as well. King Alcander was known to be one of the strongest faeries in all the Kingdom of Talom. The King stood mighty. The perfect picture of a king; strong, mature and intelligent. It was no wonder Kaleb idolized his father so much.

  He kissed his mother on the head gently before taking a seat across from her.

  Queen Etana was a frail looking faerie. Her petite frame seemed even smaller when she stood by her husband. She had long white hair streaked with lavender. Her skin was darker than her husband, making a beautiful contrast with her hair and light brown eyes. Although water manipulation was her birth power, she was gifted in sorcery and excelled at it. Since she was a child, she practiced so often that it became second nature to her. Sorcery when learned could be powerful, but it took many years of practice. When a faerie is born with it, what she needs to learn are the commands and how to control it. Her very thoughts could occur before she could control them if she is truly in tune with her gift.

  "Kaleb, your mother and I were just speaking of you," Alcander said, his deep voice filling the room.

  "Really, and what pray tell were you saying?" Kaleb leaned back in his seat.

  "Oh, your mother was just mentioning how she would like to see you involved with someone."

  Kaleb glared at his mother as he straightened up in his seat once again.

  The little faerie simply shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

  "Mother…." Kaleb began.

  "I can’t help it. You’re my son, and I want what’s best for you. You are getting older and when you take the throne, it would be good for you to have someone by your side." Etana interrupted.

  The prince stood and began pacing the room. "Mother, you need not worry about me. I am just fine. I have told you over and over again. I will not look for someone merely to avoid loneliness. Whomever sits next to me on the throne must care for our people the way we do. I will not rush it." Kaleb responded, stopping to look at his mother.

  The mighty king looked proudly at his son. "Alright then Kaleb, we will respect your wishes." King Alcander stood from the overstuffed seat, walking to the arched doorway.

  "Oh! Father, I forgot to ask… is it alright for Velius to come to dinner tonight?" Kaleb asked, stopping his father before he walked out of the room.

  King Alcander looked at his wife with a careful eye, knowing she would not like the idea.

  "What brought you to invite him to dinner?" Alcander asked, his voice deepening and becoming more solemn.

  "Well father, you always tell me to be inviting and proud of our Kingdom."

  "I know son, but you also have to know who you’re inviting. Some people are not what they seem, and Velius is one of those faeries I am just not sure about." The King said crossing his arms over his enormous, muscular chest.

  "Father if you don’t want him to come then I will not invite him." Kaleb responded with an understanding tone.

  "No, if it is your wish, then he is invited to stay for supper." Alcander countered, surprising Kaleb.

  "Alcander!!" The queen said firmly, jumping from her seat.

  "The child is invited Etana." Alcander said firmly turning his attention to his wife. "Come, I need to speak to you alone."

  The dainty little faerie almost had to sprout her wings to use along with her legs to keep up with the stride of her husband as they walked down the main corridor of the great castle. The crystals that lined the hallways reflected the sunlight all around. Some crystals had carvings in the center that seemed to come alive and dance when under the warmth of the sun. The master bedroom was the most beautiful room in the castle. The canopy bed had burgundy and berry colored sheer silk hanging form it’s beams, whilst the bed itself was made of the finest and softest silks and feathers. Carved silver chairs and night stands surrounded the bed, and lush pillows lay in every nook where any faerie bottom may land.

  "What is it my King?" Queen Etana asked, pulling her long hair to one side to move it out of the way before sitting on a rather large chair.

  "I allowed Kaleb to invite that boy because he is obviously going to learn the hard way that he cannot trust everyone. Plus…" The King stopped mid sentence, lost in thought.

  "What? What are you thinking?" Etana chimed in.

  "I’m just a bit interested in who he really is. Don’t you find it odd that he never has a direct answer? And then proceeds to ask a dozen questions? A little too inquisitive if you ask me." The king huffed on those last words. It was true that many faeries spoke in riddles and that they could not tell an untruth. However, it bothered him that he couldn’t read Velius’s character or m
otives. He was hiding too much. He reminded him of someone, but he just couldn’t put his finger on who…

  "So Velius, how long will you be in the kingdom this time?" Kaleb stepped back into the room, rejoining his friends.

  Velius glanced at Kaleb as they began to walk. "Just a few days are all I need." Velius replied, very nonchalantly.

  "Need?" Tristan inquired and then gave a very worried and inquisitive look to Kaleb.

  Velius realized quickly that what he said was not what he wanted them to hear. "Yes. Need. To get my fill, you know."

  "I see, and then you are off to some other village or kingdom to get another fill?" Tristan responded with his usual sarcastic tone.

  "Yes. It is the way I live, I like it that way. I do however envy you both." Velius said, his voice no longer jumpy, as with his last response.

  "Envy? How’s that?" Kaleb asked stepping closer to hear the response.

  "Yes, well the both of you have your families and your Kingdom and you both are content with that. I have never known feeling of family and belonging and so I live the way I do … in search of it." Velius responded, looking at them out of the corner of his eye.

  "I should break out some violins and perhaps a handkerchief." Tristan stated, low enough so only Kaleb heard him.

  Kaleb raised his eyebrow at his friend and then looked back to Velius, a smile on his face. "Velius, would you like to join Tristan, myself and my family for dinner?"

  Tristan nudged the prince and gave him a very ‘what are you doing’ sort of look.

  "Sure, I’d be honored." Velius answered with a smirk on his face. "I will see you both later tonight, then."

  They walked out of the doors of the castle and proceeded in different directions. As soon as Velius was out of earshot, Tristan turned to Kaleb and asked what he was up to. Kaleb assured him that he is not as naïve as Tristan and his father thought him to be.