Back to the start...
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| Unattainable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea had veiled herself for a few reasons, mainly to prevent any lusty man from throwing himself at her in desire. Another that had begun to surpass that reason was that she wanted to blur her vision of Sir Alexander. Her feelings from the premonition were enough to cloud her judgment and she didn't want it further obscured by his presence. Yet another reason was to prevent Alexander from reacting like other men. The veil was perfectly necessary, yet somehow deep inside those reasons were just rationalization for the true reason: that she wanted to be mysterious around Alexander to pique his interest. Why was she so flustered by this man she'd never met? He was a soldier and could only be a savage brute used to win wars for kings. His image of her must have been tainted by stories of other priestesses, meaning he thought she would have been a blonde in long white robes that only speaks when spoken to. Yet the image of his kind smile hovered in her mind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She'd stepped out with Horace when he heard from a lookout that a man on a horse was approaching. She was still trying to convince him to keep Alexander away from the kingdom, but he became overexcited and ran down the steps before she could say otherwise. And so she observed them like an eagle high above her prince and the man threatening the well being of the castle. She felt angered, yet curiously interested in meeting this man. She prayed she would be able to slip away and not cross paths with him. Noticing they were obviously talking about her, she turned to walk back to her room to stay the evening. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Priestess Chilandrea! I'd like you to meet my dear friend, Sir Alexander of Wychdaerv!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horace was coming up the stone steps, seeming to drag Alexander all the way. He didn't look too happy. She decided to amuse them. "Yes, Your Highness," she sighed, turning back to face them. "I remember him from my vision." She used her smoothest voice and it seemed to intimidate him. She wasn't sure why. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Your vision?" asked Alexander, obviously trying to look placid. "What exactly did you see?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Uh, I wouldn't ask that question. She doesn't like to reveal much." Horace laid his hand on Alexander's shoulder again to warn him against her temper. He felt her stare shift to his face, stinging slightly at his temples. "Er, Priestess Chilandrea, Alexander doesn't quite believe the tales of your beauty and that your veil is to protect yourself from lusty men. Would you kindly show him your face?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Her stare intensified on him once again. She did not want to show her face in public, certain that some men would not be able to restrain themselves. She pondered showing it to Alexander, thinking that he too would be weak-willed. Finally, after a long deliberation, she said, "Very well. I will show you, but not here. I dare not risk showing the public. Let us go to Prince Horace's chambers." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why not yours?" asked the prince. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Because they are further away than yours and I do not like strange visitors in my rooms. They are sacred to me." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "...Very well." Alexander gaped at the way she seemed to glide across the floor, body seeming motionless, yet still floating along. Her voice had sent a sensation through him that caught him off guard. Practically everything about her was the opposite of what he'd imagined. He was still wondering about her beauty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| They made their way down a long torch-lit corridor with large tapestries covering the drafty spaces of the stone walls. One more turn around another corner and there stood the large golden doors of the prince's chambers. Once Chilandrea approached them, they opened before her at the astonishment of Alexander. He followed her in, cautiously glancing back and forth between the doors and her, wondering how powerful she truly was. As soon as they were all inside, the doors obediently closed and Chilandrea turned to face them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You wish to see my face, so I shall show you my face." She slowly reached up to her face and pulled back her hood. Long dark brown locks of hair began to show and fell over her shoulders. Her veil was attached to a tiny silver crown with an opal pendant in the center of her forehead. Now that there was more light behind her, her veil became more transparent and her eyes shone brighter than ever. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander could hear his heart pounding in his ears in anticipation of this sight. He kept his eyes fixed on her slender hands as they reached for her veil. Images of feminine faces began flashing through his mind -- some were beautiful and hopeful, yet most were hideous. Those images and her hands were all he could concentrate on until... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The veil slipped off her face and he stared into the most young and beautiful face he'd ever seen a woman possess. He realized that all the images of priestesses he'd imagined hadn't come close to what he saw before him. Her eyes seemed to have a light all their own that rivals the beauty of the moon. Her skin seemed as milk, her lips smooth pedals of a rose, and her cheeks held a pale rouge tint. �He was dumbfounded. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Are you satisfied, Sir Alexander?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horace was smiling and fidgeting like a small boy awaiting his birthday presents. He was obviously excited by Alexander's silence and hope he'd proved his point. To Horace's surprise, Alexander's expression was not at all shocked or amazed, but more collected, solemn, and focused. His eyes were fixed on hers with an intensity Horace had never seen before. "Alexander?" He made no attempt to respond. "Alexander?" He glanced towards Chilandrea for help, but found she was locked in the same stare. Her expression, though, was not as intense as his, but more with a feeling of nervousness. She seemed to be waiting for him to finish studying her. Horace began to worry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea had stood staring at Alexander, not blinking once. She had the urge to peer into his mind to see what he was thinking or to see what could possibly cause the disaster to come. Then she thought better of it. Staring into his eyes, she remembered hearing that men said her eyes were enchanting. That was the exact word she would use about Alexander?s. She could not pull her gaze away. Finally, she pulled together her strength, closed her eyes, and repositioned her hood. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander seemed to pop out of a trance. He shook his head and blinked vigorously and looked at Chilandrea again, then back to Horace since her head was lowered and eyes averted. "Ahem, I guess you were correct, Horace. Her beauty must be veiled out of precaution." He meant this to be cryptic, and it seemed to work, for Chilandrea glanced up for a second in confusion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horace was the most confused. "Er... yes." There was a long pause while Alexander continued to look over the priestess, until Horace finally said, "If you're amazed with her beauty, just wait until you see her display of powers. She's spectacular." He waited for a reaction, but there were none. "Very well, if there will be no more conversation, then the best use of our mouths is to eat! Let's have some supper." He took Alexander by the elbow and led him out the door. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea followed behind, a little shaken by that encounter, and replaced her veil. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The only one to speak throughout the whole meal was Horace. Alexander kept glancing at Chilandrea who stared at her food. Again, Horace was confused. Alexander was usually very talkative with quick jokes and smart quips. Chilandrea usually sat at Horace's right side, yet that night she sat at the opposite end of the table. He thought to himself, Did she enchant him to prevent the disaster from occurring? Or is he going through the same effects that all the other men went through when they see her face? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| They ate in silence. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Afterwards, Chilandrea excused herself and retired to her chambers, leaving Horace to get Alexander out of his strange behavior. "Alexander, what has happened to you? You seemed the same when you first arrived, but since you met Chilandrea, you've been completely transformed. Did she do something to you?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander looked into Horace's eyes and said, "You know that I've held the interest of many women in my days. I've courted them only to find out that I couldn't stand any of them. You remember all the troubles I went through? I detested all of them! Yet, never in all my life have I seen a lady as beautiful as that priestess." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Alexander, you cannot have her. She is a High Priestess. No man but her husband is allowed to touch her!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "She's married?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "...No..." Horace said reluctantly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Engaged then?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "...No..." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But, Horace, if she's neither engaged nor married, why would you bring it up?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But, you--" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Has it occurred to you that I could successfully court her? Well... if she'll have me." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No! You cannot do that!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why not?" Alexander exclaimed taking a menacing step towards the prince. "It seems as though there's no speaking with you about this. Then I will just have to discuss this with her. Good evening, Horace." He turned away and began to storm off. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horace was stunned. How strange Alexander had become this visit. "Wait!" he cried, running after him. Sighing when he caught up to him, he said, "You don't know where her chambers are. She's at the end of the East wing, turn right, a log dark corridor and her chambers are through silver doors on your left. But remember that I warned you." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander smiled and slapped him on the shoulder, running off down the East wing. Horace knew this was the start of Chilandrea's premonition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chilandrea stood staring into her large cauldron, hands latched onto it for support. This was their first encounter, and already she couldn't stop her heart from trying to leap out of her chest. Was this the way it was going to be every time she came across him? If so, she wanted no part of it. She couldn't take it. There was a pain in her head so great, her temples throbbed ands her eyes were squeezed shut. She could feel it -- the impending doom slowly creeping closer and completely overwhelming her. Then, the pain began ebbing away. Her eyes opened to stare down in to the water of the cauldron and she saw Alexander approaching her door. Swiftly, she composed herself and turned to face him. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The door opened and Alexander came through. "High Priestess," he said with a slight quiver in his voice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sir Alexander, what are you doing here? Do you want to question my power now that you know my beauty?" she asked knowing full well what he was really there for. She tried to keep her voice calm. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No, Priestess." He bowed his head in respect. "I've come to..." He raised his eyes and saw her staring down at him. He found himself unable to speak with the most beautiful and powerful woman he'd ever seen hovering in front of him. Horace was correct in saying that Alexander was always na�ve when it came to women, but at least he knew he could speak around them. If any of his troops had seen him at that moment, they would never trust his judgment going into battle ever again. One of the bravest knights of his time and he was powerless in the presence of this woman! "...ask... What actually happens during a premonition?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea flashed a knowing smile. "Each one is unique, very different from the last. Most start off with a flash of white light, but after that they all change." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Well, what did you see during this last one? The one you say I was in?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I am not allowed to discuss the details with anyone outside my order. However, I can let you know if the outcome is beneficial or menacing. But that wasn't really what you wanted to know, was it? Your initial intention was not to ask me about my premonitions, but... me." Alexander stared at her in astonishment. "You have an interest in me, Sir Knight, but what is it and why?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I... I... think you're... bewitching." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So I've been told many times by many men." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He gaped at her. She seemed so blas� about everything. "I suppose it may be my fascination with you because I've never seen a priestess before. It must be a strange curiosity." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You came here with the intention of asking to court me. What made you change your mind?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "How did you--" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What made you change your mind, Sir Alexander?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I.. I don't know." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I believe you have some desire driving your actions. How strange it is to see a knight who has won so many bloody battles, to fall over himself because of a woman." She smirked. "Granted, I am no ordinary woman, but that doesn't matter. What matters is you want me and can never have me. Men always want what is unattainable." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Unattainable? But you are not married nor engaged to be married. I don't see any man courting you. Unless you are destined for life-long celibacy, you must be somewhat attainable." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Her eyes narrowed in thought. "Then you do not know the Divine Law?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Prince Horace continues to mention this law, assuming I've heard of it, but I have not. What is this Law?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea seemed to stand taller as she spoke the law, making it seem inborn. "The Priestess is a sacred being and shall not be fouled by any unworthy man's touch. Her only close companion shall be her Promised -- the husband chosen for her by all the All High Priestess. This shall be the only worthy man. All other men are forbidden to touch the priestess. Those who do shall be put to death. The priestess allowing any unworthy man to touch her shall be stripped of her powers, her right as a priestess, and her title." Returning to her normal stature, she waited for his answer. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Oh." Alexander was suddenly aware of the consequences of his intentions. Horace was right; the Divine Law was not something to be messed with. "I'm sorry. I wasn't aware of what would happen. I guess my feelings... just... took over." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So many have said the same... just before they were executed." Alexander's eyes went wide. "They, however, had touched a priestess even though they knew the law. We can sense knowledge of certain things in certain people. You are not as readable as others, though." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I shall never touch you wrongfully, Priestess. I give you my word." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, but you would want to touch me if I were willing. Most men do. You will never convince me to change this law. Besides, it is not within my power to do so. I believe that -- like most other men -- your desire will fade with time." Just as my fear shall, she hoped. "You shall see." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander turned to leave, but stopped short. Turning back he said, "Horace mentioned that you saw something in your vision that made it look like I would bring trouble with me. What made you think that?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I saw your face followed by terror. Yours was the only unfamiliar face I saw. My assumption was justified, was it not?" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "...I suppose so. I do not understand what I would cause, though. I know I am a soldier, but I would not do anything hurtful to a friend... or anyone I cared for." This last segment was spoken as his eyes gazed into hers. He took a few steps toward her. After hearing the Divine Law, he was nervous to be near her, but wanted to be near in spite of it. What scared him the most was the feeling that he would ultimately cause the trouble shown to Chilandrea because of his stirring feelings for her. He hoped he'd be able to keep his head around her, to keep his emotions deep down beneath the surface. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea was mesmerized by Alexander's stare so much that she was almost completely unaware of his advances toward her. She told herself that she must be coming down with an illness, for her head was hot, her hands clammy, and she didn't want to believe the thoughts in the back of her mind. She wanted him to touch her. She wanted to be held in his arms, to be warm, to feel his strength surround her. But this couldn't be true. She knew the law; she lived and breathed it. So many men had lost their lives for doing exactly what she was wishing for. She couldn't let it happen, not when she had seen the consequences first hand. She noticed he was getting awfully close. She pulled herself away from him, taking a step back and turning her eyes downward at the fire behind her. "I think it's best that you leave now, Sir Alexander. I will see you tomorrow. Good evening." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander was so close to her, he would have been able to touch her by barely lifting his finger. He knew she was right. He would lose himself around her and he couldn't let that happen. He took a step back from her, beginning to surface out of his trance. "Good evening, Priestess," he breathed by her shoulder. He could swear he saw her shiver with his speech. With that, he swiftly walked out the door, fighting the urge to turn back again. He walked the same quickened pace all the way to his chambers in the North wing. The same chambers he'd occupied as a child and during every visit since. Shutting the door behind him, he threw his cloak to the floor, took his scabbard and belt off and placed them in the chair beside his bed. He then collapsed onto his bed with an exasperated sigh. He'd never known one woman to occupy his thoughts so totally. She was obviously unique, and he'd never met anyone similar. In some ways, he hoped her predictions were right and that his affections would fade, yet in the foreground of his mind he couldn't believe that they would. "Chilandrea," he whispered. "The Child Priestess." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| On to the next chapter! Back to the start... |
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