Clara and Claire

by Lindsey Richardson

  I left my room and walked through a thin hallway. The boards creaked, and the murmurs stopped altogether. Everything was deadly silent besides the sound of my boots against the wood. I entered the kitchen, and my grandparents and Mother stared at me. Mother’s eyes were wide like Ren’s had been last night. She wore a grey dress that was tight against her body, and her hair remained tied up with only her bangs hanging loose. Despite all the years of medical herbs, her wrinkles showed more today than ever before.

  “When did you do that?” She pointed to my hair and shook her head.

  I had forgotten during the time she was gone I dyed my hair. Last time she saw me, I was still a natural brunette. However, the light purple-colored strands that now covered my head no longer felt out of the ordinary. This was me; this was who I had become. A little change in appearance never killed anyone.

  I shrugged and grabbed an apple from the counter. “It’s been like this for a month or two... A lot happens when you’re gone.”

  “So I’ve heard… Ren is reckless, and his family ought to be ashamed. Had I been here—” She stopped short, and I crossed my arms while waiting to see if she would finish. Even my grandparents stared at her, wondering what words lingered on the tip of her tongue. If she had been here, nothing would be any different. Mother might be the spokesperson for our island, but family matters remained untouched. News spread fast in our small town, but nothing could convey what I felt last night. The horror of watching someone I love become a monster again.

  “Mother, please. I don’t want to hear it. Neither of us are new to any of this,” I replied. I bit into the apple, listening to the crunch. As usual, my grandparents remained silent, glancing from me and then to Mother.

  Scanning the room, I spotted Isaak’s permanent mark on the house. His initials were carved into the right wall of kitchen, though it was small and unnoticeable to strangers. From the kitchen it was possible to see into the living room. A rug, though not nearly big enough, covered the wooden floor in an attempt to hide indents in the wood from years of magic abuse. Instead the marks reminded me that no one’s magic could be taken lightly.

  “Clara? Clara, are you listening?”

  I stopped staring at parts of the ruined wood the rug did not hide and refocused on my family, all of whom stared at me like a rabid animal. Mother was away from home too often to be haunted by the memories, but they followed me everywhere. No lie would help cover the fact I had ignored her, and I quickly opened my mouth to explain.

  Shaking her head, Mother said, “Aren’t you late for work? I will discuss your punishment later.”

  I dropped the apple. “Punishment? I’m punished while you explore the world? Haven’t I suffered enough already?”

  “Don’t be so rash. Your mother is protecting you,” Grandfather replied sternly.

  I turned around and marched to the front door. Reaching it, I glanced back and said, “Ironic how little that does when she’s gone.”

  “You little—”

  Without hesitation I opened the door and ran outside. I ran like I had last night as if my life depended on it. My feet felt like wings I could fly away on, and I did not stop until I reached the beach. I doubted Mother would follow after me; she never had in the past. I stopped in front of the ocean, bending over and catching my breath. On a day like this I was grateful to be wearing pants instead of a dress.

  I glanced out at the ocean and wished I had a chance of leaving this place. If I could afford a portal key, I would abandon Rajoor and go anywhere else. Portals keys were expensive; only Watchers and councilors had gained free access to them. Hardly any locals in Rajoor owned any, and the majority of them were sold in our neighboring island, Ninomay.

  Pull yourself together; no one is going to do it for you. I thought, staring one last time at the waves in the clear ocean. I turned around and remembered Mother’s reminder: work. I was already late, and without further debate I rushed back toward the town.

  Merchants set up in the streets while stores opened for customers. Though nearly everyone here knew me, I barely bothered saying hello to those who acknowledged me. Another reason to run away: everyone knew too much about me. They watched when Isaak was taken away by Watchers and again with Ren. Everyone in Rajoor would always see me as a broken girl. I wanted to be anywhere else, but instead I returned to my normal routine.

  An older building with a sign reading “The Craft” stood out more than the rest. Nicholaus took over the business after his father passed away, and it had been a part of the town for as long as I could remember. It had once solely been family operated, though over the years the Bouras bloodline separated and sought out different professions. The doors always remained opened while the bookshop was running, and thus I entered quietly. Rarely did I ever show up late to work, and Nicholaus would not accept any excuses. Without seeing him in sight, I rushed to the counter and pretended to wipe away dust.

  “You’re late!” Nicholaus shouted, stepping out from behind a bookshelf. His red hair nearly covered his eyes, but he flipped it back and smirked. A small victory for him to know he would not have to pay me for the time I had not been present.

  I opened my mouth, but no words left my lips and I returned to fixing the counter. Even if I had wanted to explain the details to him, they only made my rejection to his proposal in years past seem more foolish. He was the only man who had ever wanted to marry me, and now he belonged to another woman.

  I sat down in the chair behind the counter, which was tall enough I could still see the rest of the store. Nicholaus approached, and I offered him my best smile as he taught me to show the customers. We sold and bought spell books written by mages within the three islands. Some books were older than others, thus costing more, while others were newer with more common spells. Only two of the islands, Rajoor and Shadowland, primarily used them. Ninomay was like a gold mine full of wise and well-trained mages, who left legacies behind in their spell books.

  “In another world today, I see,” Nicholaus remarked. I shook my head, trying to refocus on him. It was unusual for him to stand still in the store, but perhaps my worries and thoughts showed through on my face. The thought of the other islands left me itching to find a way to leave behind Rajoor forever. Would my family miss me when they never heard my voice anyways? My desire to run away was not one I could share with my boss, and instead I decided to seek his advice on another matter. My last moments with Ren plagued me, and I needed answers.

  Quietly, I said, “You have traveled more than I. Stepped foot into all three islands, yes? Have you heard news of the white rose returning?”

  His eyes grew wide, and he stepped closer to the counter. He leaned in closer and whispered, “No one has spoken of the white rose since Ivan’s reign. It was outlawed once Jhase Kanelos came into power, before your time.”

  “You’re certain none are grown on the islands?” I bit down on my lip, realizing how suspicious this seemed. While Nicholaus gave me no reasons to mistrust him, I did not know whether to share about my experience last night. I had nothing to prove what I saw, and Ren had already destroyed the evidence.

  Nicholaus touched my hand gently. “It is illegal to grow, sell, or buy them. The Council destroyed every last one in existence. Clara… should I be concerned?”

  Like any good, honest man he had a wife and baby at home to think about. I wanted to tell him everything from Ren’s abuse to the threat with the rose, but looking into his green eyes, I lost all confidence in pouring it out on the table. White roses had not been seen for years; not even I had seen one until last night. Who would want to believe they had returned even if it were true?

  Until I knew the full details I could not send Nicholaus and his family into a panic. Sometimes the right decision risked hurting those you loved. I chose to reassure him instead of throwing him into a world of pain and confusion. It was not a world I wanted to travel through alone, but I would wait until I knew for certain what I saw.

  Forcing a laugh, I
said, “Of course not. They’re only alive in stories now.”

  My voice cracked, but Nicholaus accepted my lie and walked away from the counter. I remained stunned by my own decision, wondering if it would come back to haunt me. Haunt me like Isaak did seemingly through Ren, though neither ever met each other. I held onto hope that the Council would seek me out as they had done with Mother years ago. At last I was prepared to tell my story, and only they could confirm without a doubt about the white rose’s existence.

  I hummed a tone and straightened my back as a customer walked inside. With a wide grin I greeted them as if everything was as ordinary as I once believed.

  Chapter Three

  Beautiful Monster

  A tall woman approached the counter slowly, glancing at the bookshelves as she moved. I did not notice her, but I doubted she resided in Rajoor. Her long blonde hair was tied together and flowed over her left shoulder. Her clothing was unlike anything I had ever seen in Rajoor: a long white dress with lace at the top and a large red cloak over it, golden designs decorating the sleeves. It fit her body as though it had been designed for her. I remained staring blankly at the woman. Once she reached the counter I found myself at a loss of words. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen incomparable to anything. Was this the kind of person who existed outside of Rajoor? Beautiful creatures dressed in the finest materials?

  “Hello, I am here for Clara Nasso. Her mother says she works here?” She looked directly past me as if expected the woman she sought to be elsewhere. Clearing my throat, I regained her attention and she stared at me with large green eyes. I assumed she was someone from the Council, but unlike Mother, I would not resist. If the Council wanted my account of Ren’s actions they would have it. I had nothing to hide. Our family’s secrets hid behind bars now, and I refused to let fear guide me anymore.

  “I’m—”

  She cut me off and grabbed my arm, dragging my body closer to the wooden counter. “Claire, is that you? It’s me, Gemma... what’s happened?”

  Shaking my head, I tried to release myself from her grip. She proved stronger than I anticipated, but if I needed help I could call for Nicholaus. He never left the store without telling me.

  “My name is Clara. I’m the one you’re looking for. Please let me go... I’ll come freely,” I explained. My heart raced, and I wondered if this woman was from the Council. Might she be another person trying to harm me? The possibilities did not add up; I was nothing more but a stranger to this woman.

  With her free hand Gemma revealed a golden key necklace. “Never mind; it can wait. Come with me.”

  Hesitantly I asked, “Can I tell my boss? My family? They’ll want to know I will be away.”

  “Your family is already aware of the situation. Call your boss out here. I’d prefer you not wander too far.” At last she released my hand, and I rubbed where a red mark covered the area.

  I had never met a councilor before, not even during Isaak’s arrest. Only Mother had been called to the trial, and she’d refused to allow my involvement. Was this normal behavior for a councilor? As it turned out beautiful creatures could be as threatening as monsters. “Nicholaus, come here please!” I shouted.

  Silence returned, and Gemma and I stared at each other. She seemed to be observing me too, trying to figure me out. Meanwhile I thought back on my lessons in a desperate attempt to recall Gemma’s name. Mother taught me about the eight councilors, but history and names had never been a strong point of mine. All the nights I assumed there would be “more time” seemed to lead up to this moment. History stared me in the face, and now I yearned to return to my books and studies.

  Nicholaus rushed to the front of the store with a handful of papers. His reading glasses fell on the floor as he gawked at the woman in front of me. I waited for him to offer reassurance or acknowledge Gemma’s role, but he remained silent.

  “This is Gemma... from the Council. She needs me for Ren’s trial,” I said calmly.

  He nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course. Let me know if you need any further statements.”

  Gemma gestured for me to follow her, and I quietly stepped out from behind the counter. Nicholaus continued to stare like a boy with a crush. I gritted my teeth, but as I passed him I dared to ask the question plaguing my mind.

  In a whisper I asked, “Is she really from the Council?”

  He chuckled and finally looked me in the eyes. “Of course! Clara, who filled your head with madness lately? Go on, we’ll manage without you.”

  As if his words might not be enough, he nudged me forward and I gave in. I followed Gemma without another word or hesitation, and I glanced back at Nicholaus once more. He waved and grinned, but nothing about my departure felt morally right or safe.

  We walked outside into the sunlight and through the crowded street. Locals bargained with merchants, and children ran past us toward the bakery. Families carried on without a care in the world, and no one stopped or questioned Gemma’s presence. Despite her glowing dress, she moved through the island unseen. She passed by people without a wave of emotion on her face, and all the while I watched her carefully. The position of her hands, the movement of her lips; everything felt key to my survival. Gemma gave me no reason to believe she would harm or kill me, but my hands sweat. The wall I built around myself remained high, and I prepared to use a spell at any given moment.

  She held up her hand, and I halted behind her. We stood in front of the lamppost the Watchers had used with Ren. Though I waited for her to use her necklace, she continued to stare at me.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked, gulping.

  She frowned and removed her cloak, insisting that I wear it over my attire. I opened my mouth to object, but she refused to hear my concerns. No one walked near the lamppost, and I realized I had no other choice but to agree to her terms. Perhaps this would all be cleared once I arrived in Ninomay. I had never been allowed outside of Rajoor, and another island’s customs remained foreign to me. Once I put the cloak on and Gemma ensured the hood covered my face, she withdrew something else: black cuffs, which she snapped onto both my wrists.

  I panicked. My hands shook, and beads dripped down the back of my neck. These were the black cuffs the Watchers used on prisoners. So long as the cuffs remained on my wrists I would be powerless. Was this how it felt to be a prisoner? One minute living with magic and the next having it stripped from you? Without any weapons I had no other means of defense.

  “Please don’t take away my magic!” I cried.

  She withdrew the key necklace. “I refuse to babysit you or answer any more questions. Ninomay is a big island, and you could get lost. I’ll need you at my side the whole time. And no, I don’t expect you to trust me. Alas, I’m not giving you a choice in the matter.”

  The necklace shimmered as it dangled in front of the flame, and within seconds, Rajoor faded away. The world washed over me like waves crashing into my body, and we arrived on a different beach. It looked similar to the one at home, but the sand appeared cleaner and the trees seemed larger. Several men were fishing in the distance, but Gemma led me the opposite way. I could only assume and pray we were in Ninomay, but as for the Council’s whereabouts I did not know. The Council was said to spend their time together in an ancient castle that had been restored.

  Welcome to Ninomay, the land of the rich and beautiful. You are a prisoner. I thought. Unlike the crowded areas Gemma had spoke of, this beach remained almost untouched. We continued in a straight line without any clear indication of where it led. I remained powerless in my position without magic and little to no options to run away. Hours ago I had dreamed of this kind of freedom, but instead my liberty cost me everything. She had already taken me away from my home, and nothing suggested what she might do next.

  I opened my mouth to scream, but Gemma quickly covered it. She urged us to stop walking and withdrew a piece of parchment from her cloak’s pocket. Hesitantly she gave me the parchment, and I read it silently. This was the official docu
ment, reminding me of the one Mother received shortly after Isaak’s arrest.

  The Council hereby calls upon Clara Nasso of Rajoor as key witness in the trial against Ren Axelos. Clara will be accompanied to Ninomay with councilor Gemma Christofis. This request cannot be declined or may result in arrest or further punishment. We thank you for your loyalty and obedience in this timely manner.

  The paper was also signed by Jhase Kanelos, the head councilor in charge of our three islands. His official stamp at the bottom assured me this was official Council duties. I folded the piece of paper but insisted on keeping it. While this paper confirmed Gemma was who she claimed, it did not bring me any ease. The distance increasing between us and the fishermen left me frowning. My stomach twisted at the thought of seeing Ren again, but first I had to arrive at the castle safely.

  “This will make sense when you meet Jhase. Until then I need guaranteed silence,” Gemma said, and withdrew a thick piece of lace fabric. After waving her hand over the fabric, she touched it with her fingertips and it glowed faintly. Then she tied the fabric around my neck. I opened my mouth again and tried to speak. Nothing came out; no scream or words escaped my lips.

  This kind of enchantment was unheard of in Rajoor. Now my words “I’ll come freely” were of no use. This seemed more like a kidnapping than a witness request. Gemma escalated from untrustworthy to dangerous. Her actions no longer seemed like that of a councilor but rather an enemy. She grabbed my arm and tugged me to the right, leading us through a handful of trees.

  Everything from the sand under my boots to Gemma’s absurd actions locked into my memory. If she truly intended to take me to Jhase Kanelos I planned to tell him about this harassment.

  Once we were past the trees, we stepped out into a yard. For the first time since arriving we finally walked on a paved path. In front of us awaited a large castle. From the outside, the stone architecture showed its age, but the large glass windows and freshly painted door assured me this was indeed the castle where the Council resided. For whatever reason Gemma stayed true to her word, but my opinion of her did not change. As we advanced on the path, my hopes grew, and I continued moving my lips in an attempt to hear myself again. Instead I became a part of the shadows, and no one would hear me so long as Gemma controlled my fate.