“Hello!” Snow White called out, but she did not receive an echo. She shivered as uneasiness settled in around her.
The cave was soon lit by the glow of strange amber dust particles, the size of embers from a fire. They each gave off a soft, warm light. But it was not enough to dispel the cold aqua mist that hung upon the ground, which grew thicker, still the further back they traveled.
“Where-where are we?” Rose Red pulled herself closer to the Bear as she asked.
“A magic cave,” the talking Bear moved forward slowly. His paws became stuck in the thick mist. The chorus of voices grew louder in Snow White’s ears. She ignored it. The Bear continued to talk in a low grumble, “a magic cave, to change my fate.”
“Why would you want to change your fate?” Snow White asked as the trio approached a bubbling pool of glowing sapphire water.
They stopped before it. The churning waters made no noise.
The Bear cleared his throat, “to spare me this awful cure.”
Two great thick pillars of jagged sapphire that hummed, and twinkled softly in the natural glow of the pool stood erect. They jutted upwards like two flesh stripped fingers. Both sapphire pillars came to a sharp, knife like point. The pool itself exuded the aqua mist that hung and slithered upon the ground. Within the pool, Snow White thought she caught the glimpse of a tiny, red jewel. A ripple of water, and the jewel was gone, swallowed away into another realm, and another time.
He shook his body, and the girls let their grip upon his fur go. He approached, sloshing through the heavy mist. Neither children spoke as the Bear dipped his large paw into the ice-cold pool. The water was thick, and stuck to the Bears paw as he pulled out. The glob of water fell back into the pool in a large glittering stream.
“What now?” Snow White asked.
“I do not know,” the Bear’s head did not turn away from the pool.
The chorus of voices became silent.
The air became more electric.
The pillars of sapphire burst into emerald flame.
The pool rippled as a single entity. The amber dust particles that lit the cavern vanished as they each popped. Both girls jumped back as a beautiful voice cried out into the cavern from the pool,
“Who dares to enter my cavern?”
The talking Bear stepped closer to the pool, “Prince Ahrik of the Western Shore, come to change the fate that has befallen me.”
The pool before them spun and took form. It rose slowly. The water, reflecting the emerald flames within ripples that danced and rained downwards. Before them stood a strange hooded figure made of the sparkling pools water,
“You wish to change your fate?” The water asked. The creature’s voice rippled and echoed in all their ears, but not the cavern.
“I do.”
“Once done, it cannot be unbound,” the voice called, two arms moved and crossed a chest, but soon disappeared back into the blob. “The fate will be yours until your last breath.”
The Bear looked back and smiled at the two children. His eyes remained glazed, “I understand.”
The hooded figure leaned forward slightly. The pool near the Bear’s feet receded like a wave preceding a tsunami, “There is a price to what you seek so desperately.”
“To remove myself of this awful curse, I shall pay it!” The Bear growled deeply, but as before his voice did not echo in the cavern.
The figure bowed. It then extended itself out, and began to engulf the Bear. Both children stepped back. The water started at the Bears feet. He rose to his hind legs, either by his own will or by force. The pool wrapped slowly around like a snake. The figure spoke more,
“Your fate, dear Prince Ahrik of the Western Shores, she you sought is but a memory. She who will be yours lies far to the North. From her seven sons shall she bestow to you. Though betrayed by one you shall, who will sell their soul to the ancient witch.”
The watery figure fully engulfed the Bear, as he released a mighty roar into the cave. He tried to fight, but was trapped in place by the thick water. Mouth open, the glittery water forced its way into his lungs. Roar disappeared. Glaze of his eyes disappeared. The Bear looked upon the girls with surprise. He fought, but could not move. He became encased. Lifted a few inches off the ground, the children watched. The fur melted like stardust. Limbs reformed. The emerald flames slowly died away. The amber dust reappeared. The water receded back. The amber specks returned to light the cavern. Upon lay a handsome, dark haired man upon the floor. He shivered slightly as he lay naked, curled into a ball.
The girls, ready to approach the damp, naked man, were stopped when a flash of fire erupted between them and the man. Both children jumped back, as a figure appeared. Tall, and muscular, the figure stared down at the children, “Leave him be.”
“Who are you?” Snow White asked.
The figure crossed arms before a small chest, “I am who guided the Bear here.”
“You are the Fairy!” Rose Red bellowed.
“You may call me that,” the Fairy said with a wicked smirk. Waving unnaturally long and thick fingers in the air, the children’s eyes glazed over. “You will never come to this cavern again, children. Let your fate came, whatever it may be.”
The children blinked and the Fairy was gone. A strange silence befell the cold cavern.
“Where we just talking to someone?” Snow White asked.
Rose Red stared at her, “No, it was just us, and the Bear.”
They decided not to wake the sleeping man. Snow White and Rose Red left the cave to find the young woman, who had continued to sit in the meadow near the ocean, waiting for their return in the afternoon light. She perked up upon seeing them, but a sadness fell upon her brow as Snow White spoke, “I am sorry, but—”
Tears entered the woman’s eyes. She stood and ran away. The girls did not follow. They did not know what to say or do, should they have.
The girls sat where the woman did and stared at each other, “is that the cave we too sought?” Snow White asked.
“Magic is surely terrible,” Rose Red commented, holding Snow White’s hands.
“Let our fate come, whatever it be,” Snow White pricked her finger with a thorn from a nearby bush.
Rose Red did the same before the girls put their fingers together, “Let our fate come, whatever it may be.”
They smiled upon each other.
Snow White and Rose Red walked silently into the woods. Their time was almost over. Daylight turned to dusk and dusk to night. Huffing down besides an outcropping, the girls built a small fire with flint stones that Rose Red carried in her bag. The darkness of the forest melted away. The fire formed a bubble that was theirs alone. High above the treetops, the full moon shone down brightly in the cloudless sky. It was not long before the two girls were fast asleep, cuddled together around the fire.
From the darkness of the forest, the ugly old man appeared. He whistled a forgotten song that only fish knew, when he stopped. From his side he produced a dagger, and silently crept upon the sleeping children.
“What luck! Sound asleep and none the wiser—they shall be ridden of, and the little mermaid’s soul shall be mine!” The creature approached closer, but fell back. The blade dropped to the ground as the moonlight increased, blinding him for a moment. The dagger he dropped buried itself tip down into the soft dirt.
When the light subsided, between the creature and the children stood the most magnificently beautiful woman. Tall, slender, and with hair so blonde it was almost silver. A gown of the softest moonbeams and starlight, it sparkled and flowed downward where it turned into clouds at her feet. Hands were folded before her stomach. Great rings on her fingers were as if she plucked stars to wear.
“You will not harm these children,” while stern, her voice remained calm and caring. Eyes possessed the fire of the stars themselves.
“Who are you to intervene?” The creature demanded of the woman, crooked finger pointed straight at her.
“Many names do I have o
ver my lifetime, none of which have been heard by your ears, creature,” the woman continued to stand tall before, “I am guardian to all innocent creatures during the night. And I say again, you will not harm these children.”
The ugly old man picked up his dagger with a cackle into the night air, “I am not of surface dwellers. Nor do I dwell below rocks and dirt. The Moon has no power over me—”
“You will be silent, damned creature of the deepest depths!” The woman raised a hand into the air, and the creature fell back, his mouth shut tight, “I have seen you struggle to walk upon two feet, yet swim so easily it was if you possessed fins. You may fool lesser creatures into believing that you are of below rocks and dirt, but I have seen glimpses of your true form in the forever-truthful gaze of water’s reflection. I hold more sway and power over you, than you will ever know. You will leave this place tonight—Rumpelstiltskin!”
With a flash of putrid green flame, and shriek into the night the ugly old man disappeared back into the forest, quicker than he appeared. The woman turned and smiled upon Snow White, who sat awake, “it is all right little Snow White. Go back to sleep, you are safe this night and many more—but when you awake, your adventures in the woods will end—by mortal lips the tale must be unbound—do you understand?”
The woman asked, and Snow White nodded softly, “Good. Now sleep, sleep young one!”
The Woman waved a hand across Snow White’s head, and the most delicate stardust of purple and pink fell into Snow White’s eyes. She yawned and stretched and yawned some more before lying back down, eyes heavy. She fell into a dreamless sleep, next to young Rose Red. In her mind, she remembered the name that was told out loud, and her mission in the morning. The woman never left them, until dawn broke.
Rumpelstiltskin appeared upon the edge of the forest. He could see the dark beautiful ocean. Upon a rock he sat and stared into the water. There, before him, was the face of a haggard old sea witch. Tentacles danced around behind her. Hair white, decayed, moldy seaweed with plump lips, she smiled at herself. “Soon enough my friend, I will be back to you.”
A flash of cold fire erupted from behind the ugly man. He turned sharply to find the tall imposing figure of the Fairy standing. Thick robes of the blackest night ran down the Fairies slender frame. “We had a deal, creature. You were not to harm the children.”
“They are a nuisance that needed to be dealt with,” the creature hobbled closer. The Fairy raised a hand, and the creature stopped.
“Your services are no longer, required, Sea Witch.”
“I have yet to claim the mermaid’s Soul!” The ugly old man hopped up and down.
“The Prince’s fate has changed, he no longer searches for her. The Soul shall be yours as was your contract with her. The children saw first hand the power of the cave, which is what I needed.”
“What do you care if these children live or die?” The creature asked with a wide, crooked smile.
The Fairy knelt down and picked the ugly old man up by what was left of his great white beard, “my reasons are my own, but their fates are important to the realm and its future.”
“Release me!” The creature flopped about as a fish in the Fairies grip.
“As you wish.” A flash of cold grey-aqua fire, and the ugly old man disappeared. The flesh burned away. In the Fairies strong hand was caught a fat woman with grey skin, the Sea Witch.
The Fairy dropped the fat creature, which landed with a disgusting plop in the sand. “Where is the mermaid?”
“I have seen her,” the Fairy began again, “I have altered your contract. Because mermaids possess no souls, she had none to give to you. Upon the sunrise this morning, she shall succumb to sea foam, and turn to a spirit of the air.”
“What have you done?” The Sea Witch screeched.
“Only that which will help unbind the tales,” the Fairy laughed deeply, “Now return to the depths from which you came.”
The Sea Witch in a rage sloshed towards the sea, where she disappeared beneath its depths. The sun rose over the horizon, and the Fairy disappeared as the children appeared from the woods to go home.
Five.
The Wolves departed the burning city, led by their Queen, the nameless red Wolf. They left behind the death of Saledii Red, and untold others. The creatures traveled without rest. They ran faster than the Wind, as if an invisible force chased or whipped their heels. A great magic encircled them. They could smell it. They could see the tendrils dance upon the ground. The Wolf Queen carried in her mouth, the two shards of the broken Bloodstone. They sparkled brilliantly in the little light that they caught. In that broken jewel, she carried her fate, her future, and her past.
The Wolves remained on the outskirts of civilization, and so did the Huntsman. He followed them as much as he could. From that first scent in the waterway, he tracked most of the Wolves that had come, to the Hessen Woods beyond Zhan’ding. He knew the pack was immense, and of such size that had not been seen since the Great Wolf Queen. He did not linger, for many knew him, and his fate would not be pleasant should they catch his scent as he caught theirs.
The Huntsman continued because the ones he hunted had continued on. Well past the woods. He followed until at last the trail grew dead. The Winds shifted and were no longer ally to him. They blew with their might from behind. Those beasts that hid in the woods masked the scent.
“Such odd direction for the Winds to blow. Some force does not wish me to learn of their ultimate destination,” Avarice commented to himself. His horse huffed almost as loudly, “Powerful sorcery indeed if these beasts masters can call and command the Winds.”
The Huntsman continued on for a short time, for he knew they traveled the way the Winds blew. He travelled before he stopped before a flowing spring. He took the moment to allow his horse to rest and eat.
Six.
A gentle knock upon the chambers door brought Marguerite out of her uneasy slumber. Her mind wandered to Saledii. The dream faded like the morning mist. Her thoughts of the cave and adventures vanished. She barely touched the needlework. She placed it gently upon the windowsill. She rose to open the window wider. A gentle spring breeze blew in. It sent a wonderful shiver through her body. Another knock. Marguerite sighed softly.
“Enter,” Marguerite called back. She knew who it was, so she continued to stare out the window. Kaniz and Iritis entered together. She could see their ghostly outlines in the window.
“That was expedient work, Captain,” Marguerite commented with hands folded behind her back, “Report, please.”
“All preparations have been made, Lady White. Refugees are going to be escorted to Ashok Orai within the hour,” Iritis ended with a bow.
“How many?” Marguerite questioned. Her eyes locked upon the sky. The image of the blazing horizon burned into her mind.
“A small number to start. To test the waters of Ashok Orai hospitality,” Iritis answered.
“You mean the Ministers?” Kaniz commented with a clearing to her throat.
Captain Iritis bowed his head taking a step forward, “more will surely follow, should that prove accurate.”
Marguerite spun upon her heel and stared at both Kaniz and Iritis, “Speaking of. We must convene the Ministers again.”
“Twice in one day?” Kaniz asked, “They will not be happy.”
“Is this not their job?” Iritis questioned.
“There are things that must be discussed,” Marguerite looked in the mirror upon her nightstand and adjusted her hair. “That much is certain. And as such, the Ministers will have to deal with a little extra work.”
Marguerite pulled her shoulder length hair back. From her nightstand she wrapped a delicate silver chain. It clasped tight, a few strands dangled like delicate snowflakes.
“I will summon them, Lady White,” Kaniz rushed from the chambers.
Marguerite stared at Iritis through the mirror as she examined the silver strand she wrapped around her hair. They sparkled lightly in the sunlight, �
��What of the lands beyond, Captain?”
“As you have feared,” the Captain spoke, hands behind his back. He cleared his throat before he continued, “the Wolves are growing in number and power. They are encroaching upon the Hessen Forest. And there are few alive to defend Zhan’ding, let alone the realm.”
“Very well,” Marguerite finished listening and exited with the Captain, “We shouldn’t keep the Ministers waiting any longer.”
“For that’s how rumors begin,” Iritis joked.
Marguerite raised an eyebrow as they walked, “Is that so?”
Both laughed at their own joke.
Seven.
Through forest, and over mountain, the creatures traveled with little fatigue upon their bodies. It was if the air itself gave them the stamina needed. They traveled great distances until at last the Wolves crossed a scorching desert, a grand forest, now turned to dust. To that forgotten, foreboding tower. That rested in what was once a stone labyrinth. The Wolves paws sank into the sand as they traversed slowly forward.
The tower they approached was old when the forest that created the desert was new. In the blistering heat and whipping sands, dead vines tangled, wrapped, and choked all about the tower. So much did the dead vines wrap, one could barely make out the dark aged stone.
The nameless red Wolf trudged closer towards the tall tower. The sand smooth like water, she nearly sank to her chest. The Wolves that followed, and protected her stayed back. They knew their place, for they waited patiently. Silent guardians stood upon stone ruins that erected themselves from the sinking sands. Ancient drawings sun-faded could barely been seen through dead vines that leached and slithered their way from the tall tower outwards like veins.
The red Wolf dropped the two halves of the Bloodstone to her paws. They barely disturbed the sand. Their bright ruby color shone bright in the sun. Their weight, soon caused them to sink every slowly into the shifting, blowing sands. The Wolf with her jade eyes stared at the tower and released a melodic roar, “Open sesame!”
Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1) Page 8