Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  “I think this might be that he is simply be saying that he is with you no matter what, as long as you keep him in your mind and heart” the monk says and smiles as he walks with Mellyruna tell they get to the door of the chapel.

  “Thank you, if you don’t mind I would like to come here more often, I think I may need a sanctuary” Mellyruna says and turns to the monk, his back to the door now.

  “Of course we do not mind if you come back, we are here to provide sanctuary and knowledge to anyone” the monk says and smiles at them.

  With a bow he walks out of the chapel. He hopes that their interpretations of the visions are true, but he must go to Neckity now. He knows that she has the gift of sight and if anyone could translate the images he saw it would be her.

  Calmly he makes his way down the hall, his golden cloak flowing openly behind him. It is only after a few feet that he realizes that he has forgotten one minor detail, sure he wishes to speak to Neckity, but he has no way of finding her. All the other times he has spoken to her, she has already been there. Finally realizing this he stops dead in the middle of the hallway, not sure what to do now. His cleansing is done, he is sure he could try to go to Mecmed and talk to him, or he may find a way to talk to Skorm, not that he wants to, the dark sorcerer scares him. Mellyruna stands there oblivious to the passing people, all of which seem to be rushing around some caring things, others just trying to make the place spotless. If he were paying attention he would realize that all of the people in the castle seem to be preparing for the feast and celebration that is to happen that night. Also since his mind is lost in the reverence of his own stupidity he doesn’t see or hear a black-cloaked figure walking up behind him. At first glance one would think this to be Skorm, but the frame is too small. Seeing the golden cloak Neckity has decided to come to him, she knows that most of the people who have gone through the three stages of cleansing have had there visions on the cleansing of the spirit and she was eager to find him to talk to him about it. By knowing his vision she may be able to guide him along his path and if she is lucky she may find a way to attach this to her own quest, that to gain her freedom. With perfect silence she comes up behind the young prince and gently puts a hand on his shoulder. The feel of the hand startles Mellyruna and Neckity chuckles as she watches him nearly jump out of his skin. Mellyruna turns shocked to see the dark cloaked figure in front of him now, but Neckity is now wearing the mask of her master, and Mellyruna takes a step back. It is the white mask with the red and blue tribal markings.

  “You must be one of Skorm’s henchmen, well, perhaps you can still help me. I am looking for Neckity” he asks his voice strong and commanding but Neckity can listen deeper then most and she can hear that the strength that he echoes is a hollow strength as he stares into the mask.

  “Young lord Mellyruna, it is I. Forgive the mask, and it is a request of my master. A smart apprentice does as they are told.” She says with a polite bow.

  “Neckity, I… . I wish to speak with you, in private” he says shocked and feeling a bit embarrassed at the moment.

  “We can go to my quarters, but let us do so swiftly, I have a task to get to and I do not wish to anger my master. Skorm is not sparing with his discipline.” She says with a bit of a shiver, the things he has done to her to make sure the follows him blindly, if he ever found out that she has been working on his undoing, well, she dare not think of what he would do.

  Quickly the two of them make their way down the halls, they walk for some time but soon she turns a corner and stops in front of a portrait of a warrior woman. She smiles and then looks around, people are rushing around but this hall seems to be abandon, that is probably why the entrance is here. She smiles and taking the edges of the portrait she swings it open like a door showing a hidden hallway. Mellyruna is shocked but quickly slips in, Neckity follows right after pulling the portrait back to place behind her. Before they get even a few steps she quickly lights a torch so that they can see down the hall. The two of them walk for some time, Neckity in lead with the torch. Many times they pass connections and Mellyruna wonders to himself as to where they might lead but he dare not take a chance and leave her side. Who knows how long he would be lost in here. They walk for several minutes before coming to another door, this one of a dark wood. Slowly she opens it revealing a room like any other. There is a bed with dark dressing on it, a couple of bookcases full of random books and a closet. If this weren’t in the depths of the castle he wouldn’t even think twice about it, but the fact that she has chosen to reside deep in here makes him wonder. Slowly Neckity walks to the entrance and lights two more torches lighting the room up. Then carefully puts out the one she is holding. Walking over to the dresser she lays the torch, and then her mask. Hearing the mask tap the wooden surface of the dresser Mellyruna is pulled out of the trance that this place seems to have put on him. He watches as she pulls down her hood, her back still to him. Her long raven hair falling well past her shoulders; probably to the small of her back. Taken by her he slowly walks up behind her, dropping his own hood. Gently he lets his fingers drift to her temple and gently with the touch of a lover he begins to run them through her hair. Taken by his charm and tenderness she leans into the touch, her hands forgetting the long black cloth in her hands.

  “You are an enchanting elf” he says his voice soft, calm.

  He will be the first to admit that something about her has drawn him, he’s not sure if it is the dark mystery that surrounds her, the magic she wields or maybe just his boyish lust, but he is drawn to her, drawn like a moth to the flame.

  “Perhaps, but you know nothing of me, and I can tell with certainty that I am not the one for you” she says calmly. He will of course make the wrong assumption; he will instantly jump to the conclusion that she has had a vision of her love, the one that she will spend the rest of her life with. But she has not. She only knows that Mellyruna has a task in front of him and that he cannot be distracted, that and she knows that by giving herself to any man, she would loose the gift and that is something she cannot allow, not tell she is free of Skorm.

  “I see, I am sorry. Mellyruna says and takes a step back like any gentleman would.

  Slowly she takes the cloth and blindfolds herself, no one will see her scars, no one but the one she knows can love her, love her for her, and not her gift. Mellyruna wonders why she blindfolds herself, before it made sense, he was naked and it was only proper, but he is clothed and there is no reason for her to cover her eyes. He wonders if he has the right to ask but knows in the end, you dare not ask a mystic why they do the things they do. You most likely will not get an answer and sometimes they may even take insult by it.

  “You wished to speak to me, of your visions” she says and gestures for him to sit on the bed.

  Mellyruna takes a seat at the edge of her bed and then takes a deep breath. He hates the visions, hates having to see them over and over every time he tells someone, but he has to get a good idea of what they mean. Calmly he lifts his head and tells her everything, the torture of Attonnan, his death, and his words after. He watches calmly as he she looks into the flame of the torch then when several minutes of silence and passed she turns and walks over to him. Smiling she gently stokes his cheek; she can see the tears are at the verge of falling, and rolling over his cheek. He must have been vary close to this brother to feel it so deeply. Such a soft soul, yet the golden flame show her that he is powerful nonetheless. Mixed in proper ways and guided just right, he would make a ruler that the people would sing about for ages to come.

  “Since I didn’t see the visions I cannot say if what I am about to tell you is exact, visions are meant to be passed by sight, not words. But I can tell you what I think, if you want” she says calmly making sure that he knows that she is not sure of anything, visions are tricky and sometimes have hidden meanings.

  “I would like that” he says calmly his head hanging; he can only look at th
e floor right now.

  “I believe that the suffering and death of your brother, Attonnan did you say” she asks making sure to get the name right

  “Yes, we were twins” he says looking up; tears now rolling down his cheeks.

  “Attonnan has passed, I think that the reason he is showing you the pain he suffered in life is to remind you of the weak, those that cannot help themselves. When he says that you two will always be together, that you are brothers, well you can take that two ways. One is that he will always be with you in spirit, the other is to tell you that the weak and helpless are no different then those with power and strength, and that those with strength should help those without” she says calmly, a bit of this is a stretch, but if she doesn’t make her move and guide him now in the direction she needs now, then she may loose her opportunity. She cannot guide him out of Mecmed’s service, he is too crafty, too cunning and far to charismatic, but she can instill an idea, a kernel of hope knowing that given the proper root, like his brother, well then she should be able to guide him to not only free her but all the others under Mecmed’s service. This may happen with revolution, or maybe Mecmed will pass the empire to him, he has yet to bare a son with any of his wives. She is not sure, all she knows is that she has been given this hand and she must play it.

  “My brother wasn’t weak, he was the strongest elf I ever knew. My father beat him and hated him, but he told no one, not tell the day of the raid. He wanted us to love our father regardless of what he did to Attonnan. He knew that our father loved us and that we loved him. Attonnan only wanted to keep that so he took his pain and kept it to himself, that isn’t weakness” Mellyruna says looking at her wondering if the more she knows of Attonnan the more she might help.

  “But he knows you would have fought for him, and that I think is what he is asking. To fight, not for him but for others like him, others that suffer without just cause” She says and lays her hand on his shoulder.

  “Maybe your right, the monks told me that he was just telling me that he was safe and with the creator, that his suffering had ended” He says a little disappointed now in the monks, but he know that Neckity would have greater insight, that is her job after all.

  “They are right I’m sure. If your brother is the person you say he is, then I’m sure the creator has welcomed him in with open arms.” She says and smiles at him

  “You said you had a task to get to, I would ask for an escort out and then I shall leave you to it. Thank you for your help. I don’t mean to be such a bother” he says and gets up pulling the hood up so that when they leave no one will see the tears.

  “Everyone needs someone to talk to and with you now in this kingdom away from everyone and everything you love, you will need one now more then ever. I would like you to think of me as that person. I shall have a servant put something in your quarters so that you may summon me when you need. It is no different then with Mecmed and my master Skorm” She says calmly and smiles at him.

  Mellyruna cannot answer, he only nods as she takes a torch and then guides him out of the halls. As they walk through the darkness he thinks about what she has told him and what he knows of Mecmed. They both seem to walk hand and hand with one another. Mecmed only wishes to bring the elves under one rule so that they can feel the peace that they all so desperately for. If they were to fall under one rule, and if he were to serve Mecmed well, then perhaps he could find a way to make it so that people suffered in the towns as little as possible. Maybe this is all for the best and the capture is the will of the creator. And now at his side he has Neckity, a sweet and charming woman who will guide him, not only as a mystic, but also as a friend. Once out of the hidden halls Neckity smiles and places the torch in the entryway. Then closes the portrait again concealing the way.

  “Mellyruna, talk to the first guard you get to and he will show you to your quarters. I want you to take this as well; it is some herbs to help you sleep. There will be a feast in your honor tonight and I’m sure Mecmed will want you at your best. I shall come in and wake you when it is time” she says and hands him a small white packet that rattles as if there were sand in it.

  “Neckity, would you be my escort to the feast, I know we can be nothing more then friends, but you have been so kind to me today” He says and smiles at her

  “I shall go to the feast on your arm, but I doubt it will be my arm you take when you leave” She says and gently strokes his face.

  She then watches as he walks down the halls and turns the corner, he will be in his room in only a moment or two, then the potion she gave him will put him in a deep sleep. With that she opens the portrait again and walks back to her room. She feels bad about using him like this, but it is necessary, she has to play the advantages given to her, she knows that Skorm and Mecmed will be playing theirs. Once inside her spider comes up to her and rest to her right. She gently reaches over and scratches it just right.

  “I know, I know, he’s sweet, but he’s only a boy and he has to be wielded for his own good.” She says reading her pets mind, or at least reading her own.

  With all that done she slips out of her cloak and dress, then slips under her covers and falls into a deep sleep. Mellyruna however does just as she asked and as soon as he spots his first guard he asks where he is going to stay. The guard already knowing the importance of Mellyruna bows out of respect and quickly leads him down the halls to a room. When the door is opened Mellyruna is shocked at the room, it is larger then even his fathers room in the castle of Ronin. The bed is large enough for maybe three or four people with a canopy and dressings so that he can pull the surroundings closed. The entire room is dressed in whites, gold’s and light blues. The woods that make up the bed, dresser and many bookshelves are a rich red wood that shimmers and shines with its luster. The bookshelves are empty but as he walks in he can see that there is already a set of four goblets on the dresser. Once Mellyruna is inside the room the guard only bows and without a word shuts the door leaving him in the room alone. Taken back the extravagance of the room Mellyruna continues to look around. Everything is so perfect; he would have never thought that he could have lived in such a place. The floor is covered in a rich and soft royal blue carpet and as he looks closer at the bed he can see that the posts that hold the canopy up are twisted and molded wood, and in-between the twist is a fine gold chain. He runs his hand gently along the post of the bed and feels that the wood has been polished and sanded to the point that it is as smooth and inviting as silk. Slowly he walks to the dress and is shocked to feel that all the wood is this way, he even takes a look at himself in the mirror above the dresser, a mirror. This alone shocks him. A mirror is not easy to make and not cheap to have in a room, especially one of such a large size as this one, it is not quite the full length mirror that his father gave his mother for their anniversary, and which Rin enjoyed when she took his mothers position but it is still large and he can see most of the opposing wall in it’s reflection. He opens the drawers of the dresser to find that they are already stocked with cloths that look to be about his size. All the cloths are in whites and royal blues with golden trim. His eyes then drift to the goblets on the top of the dresser, they are silver with jewels inlaid into them, there are four of them and a silver tray under them, the tray has fine jewels also inlayed into the edges where one might hold it. He wonders what kind of extravagance like this might cost. He carefully takes a deep breath and lays the small packet next to the goblets, it is then that he also notices that on the opposing side of the dresser is a large silver pitcher, this is just a plain pitcher and has no jewels inlayed into it. He gently strokes the side and finds that it is ice cold. Carefully he looks inside and finds that someone has laid out some cold water for him. He’s not sure why but he smiles, it seems he will have more then convenience here. Opening another drawer of the dresser, this one a much smaller one near the top he finds a brush, comb and some other grooming tools. All seem to be made of h
igh quality with some kind of bone handles. Shutting the drawer he looks at the tapestries hanging on the walls, they are all paintings of scenes, mountains and river, some have warriors in them, one is a scroll like hanging with some writing he does not recognize and has a tiger facing off against a dragon, he has seen this before in shops at his home, it is a vary popular scene. He then walks over and touches just the vary edge of the tapestry; he is shocked to find that these are not painted on paper, or even a fine paper, but rather on silk. Across from the bed is a stone fireplace as large as the one that he remembers in his father den, it is already stocked with fresh wood ready to be lit. Knowing now that the dresser was stocked he slowly goes to the closet, opening it he finds that it to is stocked. There are many fine shirts and cloaks hung up and on the floor an assortment of boots, also near the back is some things hanging up, they are slightly hidden by the cloaks so slowly he pushes the cloaks to one side to find out what is hidden. To his surprise the closet has pegs in the back for hanging baldrics and belts that hold many weapons. Also between a few pegs are spears leaned slightly so they do not tip, the pegs keeping them upright. He can tell that there are at least four kinds of spears, and five kinds of swords. In one of the baldrics is a sword much like his own, a two handed double-edged blade. It is nothing special at the look of it but slowly he pulls it out of the baldric to get a closer look at it. The quality of the blade is like nothing he has seen before, the blade itself is a shimmering silver that looks not so much like it has been forged but rather poured into its shape like liquid metal. Along the blood groove are small jewels inlayed. The handle is a kind o bone or ivory and the cross guard and pauldron are golden. The weight is fine but a little lighter then he is used to. Slowly he puts it back and then his eyes catch a blade he must try, it is another two handed blade, but this is single edged, it is like the ones that he has seen the guards carry, the blade is normal width near the beginning, then widens near the tip, then curves down to the edge at the last 9 inches or so. Taking it out of the sheath he sees that it cannot be pulled directly out, but instead comes out more from the side of the sheath. The blade is golden and at the vary brace of the blade a hole about 3 inches has been cut in the shape of a cross. The cross guard goes either way, at the edge of the blade it seems to curve up, at the blunt side it curves down, but only slightly on either side. The handle is a fine rosewood sanded and polished so it feels like silk, it is shaped so that the wood seems to spiral down to the pummel, and in the grooves of the spiral is also a fine gold chain fastened to the handle so that it is unyielding. The pummel is gold and is in the shape of a cup holding an orb, looking at the vary top of the orb he finds that someone has inlayed a red cross with white surroundings it. The blade is light in his hand, lighter then any he has ever held of this size. He swings it around ones or twice to get the feel of it, it moves through the air making a small whistle sound. Feeling this he has made his decision, this is his blade, he then sheaths it into the baldric made so that it can be strapped to his back, a blade of this size would be difficult to draw at your side, but on your back it will come loose quickly and efficiently. Knowing that he should get some rest he smiles at the other toys in this closet and knows that they will have to wait, he can also see that in the corner is a huge chest, he is almost sure that this will hold some kind of armor, it seems Mecmed has thought of everything. But as much as he would like to explore all this he knows that he should sleep for the feast tonight. Slowly he hangs up his cloak and takes his cloths off laying them on the dresser. Now wearing only his under garments he takes the blade in it’s baldric and lays it against the wall so that it is leaning at the corner of the bed near where he has chosen to sleep. His father and Vulge have taught him this trick. If you sleep you sleep near a weapon at all times, you never know when you might be attacked and you should always be prepared, he knows his father slept not only with his sword at his bed but also a short sword laying under his pillow. But as careful as he was about all that, it was still an ambush that took him. Hanging his head he takes a deep breath, that is all over now, he must not think of the things to come and how to better the gray elves were he is now. He knows that no matter what Mecmed may do he is still the king of the Unagi and they are his people, it is something he must always keep in his mind. Slowly he makes his way to the goblets and pours the packet into the bottom of the one closest to him. A small amount of what looks like bright green sand comes out. There is only a bit of dust that flies off and smokes a bit. He thinks nothing of this and pours the cold water. When the water hits the potion it begins to sizzle and smoke, Mellyruna shocked holds the goblet away from himself, he’s not sure what to do, he has to ask himself, does he trust Neckity. The answer comes right away, yes. Closing his eyes he takes a deep drink, there is no real taste to it and somehow the potion seems to have turned the water so that the temperature is not hot but about room temperature. It takes him no time to finish off the potion and gently lay the goblet on the tray. Smiling he walks over to the bed and pulls down the covers, the quilt on top is a royal blue with gold embroidery of vines and leaves, under that is some kind of thick blanket, just a plain white and then the most beautiful golden sheet. The pillow covers are the same as the quilt on top. As he slips in-between the sheet he feels so soft and warm. He lays on his side and soon the potions takes affect, he feels himself grow heavy and it feels as if he is leaving his body, then before he knows it, sleep over takes him.