Myth

by Terri Todosey

  “It’s alright Willow, thank you,” said Henry.

  Willow? The name echoed in my mind. Could this white-haired faery be the same injured faery from the temple? The one I had carried to the grass? I looked at her violet eyes and shuddered at how different she looked the first time I’d met her. She had been so badly injured, that even now I found it difficult to see. It was a time behind me, and yet for her it was a time still to come.

  “Should Ethal and I still get the carriage ready for you?” she asked, looking eager to help.

  “No, I will manage just fine, however it might be good to check on Valen to see if his illness has subsided,” Henry tucked my arm in his and gently guided me towards the doorway. “An ill faery is not to be taken lightly,” he whispered to me. Then turning back to Willow he said, “Whatever he needs, see that he has it to help him heal.”

  “Thank you sir, I will see to him at once,” she said as she fluttered down the hall.

  “This way Lady Tali,” Henry guided me to another stairway that I had not seen before. It was towards the back of the house and led us straight down to some kind of utility room and the back door.

  —

  The sun was just setting when we entered the carriage house at the rear of the property.

  “I apologize I didn’t have this ready sooner, however we’ve been a faery short today and it seems there was not enough sun for the adventures I’ve had,” he let go of my arm to light a couple of lanterns. The glow from the lanterns filled the room and revealed an old garage with wooden rafters and a dirt floor. Four horse stalls lined one side of the room while a fanciful carriage sat proudly in the centre.

  “It won’t take me long,” he said leading one of the horses by the bridle out to the carriage.

  “Hold this,” he said, handing me the bridle.

  “Where are we going?” I asked with uncertainty.

  “To Ludo’s palace for dinner,” he answered.

  “Ludo’s palace!” I blurted out, while the horse I was holding nibbled at my hair. “Why would we want to go there?” I shooshed the horse’s slobbery mouth off me.

  “She has a dinner party around this time every year.” He led the second horse out of the stall and to the carriage.

  “I thought you didn’t want to be seen?” I said, still more confused by the suicidal mission he was taking us on.

  “Right you are,” he said leaning under the horses to tighten the strap that held them to the carriage. Then looking up at me he said, “But I must go tonight, as it could very well be my last chance to recover the Troth.”

  “All this time I thought the faeries were supposed to have the Troth safe in Montis,” I said.

  “Montis you say?” he finally finished and stood up. “That is good news.”

  “It is?”

  “It means we are successful in recovering the Troth tonight, or not. But if not tonight then certainly the beta plan succeeds!”

  “What plan? Wait, I’m confused. How do you suppose we just waltz into Ludo’s palace without being seen? Do you have some sort of invisible cloak or something?”

  “Oh you of little faith,” he said. Taking my hand once again and opening the carriage door, he motioned for me to get inside. Struggling with my crinoline-lined silk dress I sat down on the plush dark velvet seats. Henry stood on the side step and reached in to hook a lantern inside the carriage with me. It was a lovely carriage with accents of gold, and dark curtains that could be pulled over the windows for privacy.

  “You’ll need this,” he pulled something out from inside his jacket. “Your invisible cloak,” he smiled sarcastically.

  I took the colourful mask from him, done up in purple and gold. It had a violet ribbon on each side to tie it to one’s head, and I immediately pulled it up to my face. I peered through the eye holes and stuck my tongue out at him.

  “Charming,” he smiled. “But you’d better watch that tongue of yours or I’ll have no choice but to deal with it myself.”

  I felt my face turn bright red and was grateful to have a mask that I could hide behind.

  “Don’t you think we’ll look a little awkward wearing these?” I asked.

  “Not if everyone is wearing one,” he smiled. “It’s Lustro’s annual fall masquerade. Most of the town’s well-to-do people show up, as well as others from surrounding villages. It’s all done for charity,” he rolled his eyes.

  “Oh?”

  “She sells off tickets, promoting the entire thing as a charitable event, when in fact most of the money goes back in to next year’s dinner and her purse, while the remaining pitiful percent is given to help build a new school in one of the villages. She’s nagged me every year to attend, saying that children would be in school every day of the week if it were up to her.”

  “She doesn’t like children very much does she?”

  “No,” he chuckled.

  “And you never thought to make her a little nicer?”

  “It doesn’t work like that,” he sighed.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  “In order for love to reciprocate purely, choice has to be given. You can’t force someone to love; if you do, then it is no longer love, but control.”

  He stood at the carriage door. “Alright,” he said. “Ready to go?”

  I nodded and he got off the step and shut the door.

  “Wait!” I shouted out the window. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

  “Of course, but someone has to drive,” he smiled, slipping on his mask.

  “But who do I say I am?” My mind spun with anxiety.

  “Hmm, I’m not sure. Perhaps you should think of a name while we travel. There will be many guests so just follow my lead and try to blend in. Just remember,” he spoke louder now from a distance. “Less is more!” he said, and I heard the garage doors swing open and felt the carriage sway as he climbed up into the seat above. He gave out a short whistle and the horses started out.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Masquerade

  The sun’s afterglow faded into a deepening purple sky as we rambled into town. I pulled the dark velvet curtain back to watch a tall, lanky man on stilts walk gracefully between the street lamps, stopping to light each one with a long lit wand as he passed by. A pool of light flooded the cobblestone below each lantern, creating a row of circular puddles that overlapped each other and hedged the cobbled lane. The day was quieting as it dissolved into night, and most of the town folk were closing shop and heading home.

  It seemed an especially beautiful night, but perhaps the beauty was not so much in tonight as it was in the simple, graceful way this particular Lockhart existed? It was different than the Lockhart I knew, where the flickering glow of televisions and florescent street lights would litter the starry skies, and the buzzing chimes of cell phones and humming local traffic would shatter the stillness of the air. It was only a month ago when I couldn’t imagine a life without TV and texting, but here I was being wooed by the appeal of a life without it. A life far different from the one I knew.

  Laughter bellowed out of the local pub, breaking my reverie and I watched an older man stagger out of the double doors and stumble as he tried to climb up into the saddle of his horse. ‘Maybe it’s not that different,’ I giggled to myself.

  The horses’ hooves and the wooden wheels of the carriage clapped and clattered on the cobblestone as we continued our journey through the main street in town.

  We came to a narrowing in the streets where the shops were eclectic and tightly fit together. Colourful sweets and chocolates decorated the window of Sweet Williams, while a popcorn vendor who was still open for business sat out front whistling a cheery tune for those strolling by. Inside a small barber shop, just below a sign that read 2 Cents for Cut and Shave, a short, stout man flipped over the Open for Business sign to Closed. It was the end of the work day and the h
ard-working citizens looked cheerfully relieved to be going home.

  The sun had set and the lantern glowed brightly in my carriage cabin. I felt the carriage sway and bounce off the cobbled curb and onto a dirt road as we picked up speed and left the warm city lights for a darkening countryside. Leaning my head out the window I felt the rush of cool, moist air refresh my face.

  I looked up at the hazy round moon that looked back down at me. A memory of watching the moon from the back seat of my parents’ run down mini-van came to mind. The memory was a comforting one. As far from home as I was, the moon remained familiar. The moon and I stared silently at each other for quite some time, until I noticed a faint incandescent haze between two rolling hills in the distance.

  ‘It must be the party,’ I thought as we rode up over the ridge. Suddenly the castle’s magnificent archways were there before me, brightly lit and with carriages lining the long driveway. I could see the far-off women in colourful gowns and men in top hats milling around the front entrance. Henry had said that many people would be attending, and I suddenly felt a nervous tightening in my stomach.

  ‘Would I pass for someone from this world?’ I wondered, watching the behaviour of the party guests as we drew nearer to the entrance. Their drivers helped them down from their carriages and arm-in-arm they walked up the front steps to the castle. I noticed a man at the front door greeting everyone as they arrived.

  ‘What if they have a guest list?’ my stomach tightened more. ‘What if I see Ludo? Will I freeze like before? Will she recognize me behind my disguise?’ I felt my mask to make sure it was tight to my face. ‘What is Henry’s name? WHAT IS MY NAME?’ I had forgotten to think of one, but suddenly the carriage came to a stop and Henry was swiftly at the door, his hand held out to take mine.

  “What’s your name?” I whispered.

  “Hmm... I haven’t decided yet” he replied.

  “But shouldn’t I know before we...”

  “Perhaps...” he whispered calmly, “you could think of one while you wait for me.” He smiled.

  I looked up to see another couple who had been watching us look away. I held my breath. Had they heard me? But then in a stately manner they began to walk up the long steps that led to the front doors and I exhaled a sigh of relief. Several others were also exiting their carriages, and in a similar routine they too headed for the bright entrance. It seemed an insurmountable task for me to climb the steps and enter Ludo’s castle. I took Henry’s hand and then, remembering what he had said about me tripping, I purposely took hold of my dress and lifted it carefully out of the way of my feet as he helped me down without a hitch.

  “You’ll be fine,” he whispered. He must have seen my trepidation. “I will park the carriage and meet you inside.”

  “What do you mean meet me inside?” I whispered anxiously, my heart jumping into my throat.

  “Just remember, less is more,” he leaned down and kissed my hand while keeping his bright green eyes fixed on me. His magical spell stilled my heart, but I was dizzy from the emotions he stirred up inside me.

  He guided me to the first step and let go, stranding me to fend for myself in an unfamiliar world. I turned to look at him and his hand motioned for me to carry on. I squinted my eyes in disapproval, then turned back towards the graceful stone stairs, lifted the hem of my skirt and began my ascent.

  —

  The man I had seen greeting people from afar wore a black top hat and a dark Victorian suit. He stood at the massive entrance to the castle, holding a tray with champagne flutes on it, all fizzing golden effervescence. He smiled as I approached and I forced a smile back.

  “You look lovely, Lady?” his voice rose in query and he lowered his head as though he were going to bow, but paused waiting for me to say something. “Lady?” he repeated wanting me to tell him my name. MY NAME.

  “Lady... Madonna,” I answered quickly. It was the first thing I could think of probably due to the number of times I had heard my Dad sing the song.

  “Lady Madonna,” he smiled warmly and bowed his head, holding out the tray towards me.

  I took a glass by the stem before thinking that it may not be a good idea to mix champagne with ‘less is more’ and finding the Troth, and the fact that I had only ever had a sip of my mom’s champagne once before on Christmas Eve and had no idea what affect it would have on me. Not to mention Henry and all the emotions he roused in me. My mind raced violently with all the stress. The bubbles fizzed into my nose as I lifted the delicate flute to my mouth and took the tiniest sip. It was delicious.

  “Thank you,” I smiled at the man and entered the party feeling out of my element in an extravagant dress with a glass of champagne in a foreign adult world.

  The inside of the castle was equally as grand as the exterior. The smooth white marble floors led me into the main entrance where glittering light from a massive candelabra danced playfully around the crowded room. It was not the castle I was expecting. Perhaps it was my cold memories of Ludo’s ice castle in Demoror Ari that had prepared me for her castle here to be anything but cheerful and warm, but here I was amid hundreds of chattering, laughing guests who all seemed to be having a grand time at this party.

  The guests were as eclectic as the town, all different in some way, yet all dressed in beautifully ornate costumes. I slowly walked through the crowd, trying not to bump into anyone, but finding it exceedingly difficult with the width of my skirt and the tight gathering of guests.

  ‘Excuse me,’ I whispered as I squirmed through the crowd. I had my eye on a dark vacant archway at the back of the entrance that looked to be the perfect refuge from the crowd and seemed to have a great view of the front doors. If I was lucky, I’d reunite with Henry before having to speak to anyone.

  ‘Success,’ my insides gloated as I turned within the raised dark arch to face the crowd. I had full view of the large front doors and most of the entrance floor from this place. I took another sip from the fluted glass and began my survey of the crowd while keeping my eyes hovering near the doorway in expectation of finding Henry.

  “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure o’ meeting you Miss?” came a robust voice from behind. I turned to face a large burly man with reddish hair that waved over the edges of his shiny green mask that resembled some sort of bird. ‘A parrot perhaps?’ I thought and he held out a large hand gesturing to give him mine.

  ‘Miss Madonna,’ I smiled, placing my hand in his, but not expecting the enthusiastic handshake that proceeded.

  “Gregory McGregor,” he smiled back, shaking my hand with fervor. “Now what’s a fine young lassie doon o’ here by yourself?” he asked and instead of letting go of my hand, he tucked it around his arm and pulled me out into the light. “You should be dancing is what!” he chortled.

  “But I can’t!” I replied. He stopped and my legs stammered to catch up to my dress.

  “You can’t dance!” he roared. Then eyeing me up he said, “You can’t fool me, Miss Madonna. You look fit as a fiddle and raring to go. All you be needing is a good partner.” He pulled at me to follow him.

  “I mean, I can’t because...” I blurted out. “Because I... I’m with someone.”

  “Oh? I didn’t see a promise ring on your finger,” he lifted my hand up into the light to get a better look. “Now what kind of lad would be so foolish as to leave his beautiful bride on her very own?”

  “I see now my folly,” Henry’s voice swirled over the crowd and was instantly at my side. He slid one arm around my waist and held the other out towards Gregory. They shook hands and I took a big gulp of relief and of champagne.

  “And who might you be?” Gregory looked dumbfounded at how quickly Henry had appeared.

  “Perhaps you should introduce us?” Henry nudged me with a smile, which melted me to mush. Even through his black-feathered mask the green eyes held their spell over me. I could tell his brow was cocke
d anticipating my introduction. I swallowed the champagne that lingered in my mouth.

  “This is Mr.....Fred...erick Mercury,” I said, raising my own brow in response to his playful smile. “And Frederick,” I turned to Gregory, “this is Mr. Greg McGreg...or..y?” my voice lilted upward. ‘Greg something Mc Something’ my mind fumbled to remember. This was the only guest I had talked to, and already I was screwing up.

  “Gregory McGregor,” he said emphatically rolling his R’s.

  ‘He was just about to show me how to dance,” I said in a cheery voice with hopes of dissolving the awkward mistake I had made.

  “Ahhh dance!” said Henry. “What a splendid idea!” and suddenly I was being whisked away to the adjoining ballroom where lively music and delicious scents of food filled the air. I gulped back the remaining bit of bubbly and hastily placed the glass down on a waiter’s empty tray as I skirted around the guests, trying to keep up to my dance partner. He was quick and seemingly on a mission as we glided to the centre of the room. The music from the five-man band played and Henry turned to face me. His arm around my waist pulled me firmly towards him as the fingers of his other hand slipped through mine in a gentle grasp. Lifting my hand up with his, I found myself in waltzing position.

  I had never waltzed before, nor had I had any dance lesson, so I was fascinated to find myself doing just that. Somehow it was effortless as he swirled me around and guided me across the dance floor. It was an easy rhythm to follow; one, two, three, one, two, three... the music harmonized with our movements. Faster and faster we moved, until everything around me became a blur of colours and lights and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

  My eyes glanced up at him and I found that he seemed more amused by me than interested in looking at where we were going. He must have thought I was funny, as his mouth widened below his mask into a smile. My laughter dissolved as he took my breath away. It was as though the world was spinning around us and we were the only ones standing still in this magical dance.