Back to the start...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Visions Realized | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea was becoming restless in the empty ballroom of the castle. It was now about three weeks until her wedding and the Lord would arrive two days prior to the ceremony. Her vision of Alexander's death echoed in her brain, disturbing her sleep and distracting her at every waking moment. The only thing to worsen the blow of this vision was how Alexander had become the perfect gentleman in the time since he'd left her chamber. He kept his word by obeying her orders and staying out of her presence -- which had been her only wish to begin with. When he did see that he was near her, he simply smiled, bowed his head and retreated in the opposite direction. He had followed his promise for almost three weeks and he showed no sign of wavering. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Despite his absence, her affections had been growing stronger still. It seemed his eminent death was causing her to feel more caring towards him and made her want to prevent it any way she could. She was not supposed to attempt changing her premonitions unless it would protect her order or the kingdom she reigned over. Saving his life might even destroy her kingdom, and would certainly give her elders reason to strip her of her powers. But her emotions were beginning to take over her decisions. At least I have some time before the war kills him, but the time between now and my wedding becomes quickly shorter. I cannot save him after my marriage for fear of making my affections known to my husband. Oh, damn my emotions! | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Just then, Prince Horace entered with a sullen expression on his face. "High Priestess, I am in need of your counsel." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Indeed, Your Highness. Tell me your trouble." Chilandrea summoned two chairs to them and they sat. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I have just learned some disturbing news. There seems to be an army of enormous size on the borders of our kingdom. They are very ominous and seek to conquer us in whatever way they see fit. I'm... I'm terribly distraught." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The news hit Chilandrea like a boulder dropped from above. She could feel her cheeks pale with fright, her heart drop to her stomach and cease beating, and her fingers went cold. His death would come sooner than she'd thought. "Shall you send an army to defend us?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But if I send an army, it could only be under Alexander's charge. This army looks worse than any I've ever seen him go up against. He would most certainly lose many men. Is there any other way to stave off the battle?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea looked away in concentration but could only think of her fear. Was there another way to stop them? Could she prevent his death? Turning back, she said, "I see no other way but to send Alexander's army to defend your kingdom. His army is well trained and I'm sure they will defend us with every ounce of strength and faith they have." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But will that be enough to save us? Can they truly protect us?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| She stood in anger. "You question my counsel again. You may make whatever decision you choose, yet ask me not for my advice on anything if this is how you will react. I tell you, they will fight to protect us. I say nothing more." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Horace was quiet. "I have no choice. I may send them and live or resist and die. It is done. I will send the army in two days in hope of our survival. Thank you, Priestess." He stood and left in sadness. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea could not control herself any longer. She quickly transported herself to her chamber using teleportation, collapsing into the comfort of her bed. Alexander would be dead within a fortnight. Her trembling turned to weeping as she lay face down in her pillows. All her strength was used to keep a strong impenetrable fa�ade to keep anyone from seeing her vulnerable side, yet everything crumbled when Alexander entered the room. Now she was weeping -- weeping! -- to hear that this man who she barely knew would die in battle. She couldn't bear it. Why did she do this to herself? | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea lifted her head and wiped away her tears. She knew that there was only one request for Alexander to obey before he left. She stood and pulled the bell pull to summon for a servant to her room. He arrived shortly, knocking on her door. When she opened it, he asked, "Yes, High Priestess? You summoned?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, could you please send for Sir Alexander? Ask him to come to my chambers as soon as he is able." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, Priestess," he said bowing. "Will there be anything else?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Nay, that is all. But make sure to tell him to be discreet about it, and you should not inform anyone of this encounter. Is that understood?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes, Priestess. I shall do as you order." He bowed once more and left down the hall. Chilandrea wrung her hands together in anticipation of his arrival. This would not be an easy task. She paced in front of her newly lit fire, trying to conjure the strength to stay calm, collected, and not to let herself fall into his arms the moment he stepped in the room. The room was silent save her bare footsteps, repetitive upon the stone floor as she moved into her bedroom. The next knock on the door almost made her jump out of her skin. She called out for him to enter as she stood looking out over the balcony. She knew that by looking at him her fa�ade would begin to collapse and she wouldn't hold on for very long. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| He closed the door behind him and stepped through the second doorway into the center of the bedroom. Speaking quietly, he said, "You sent for me, Lady?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes. I have heard of the impending war, have you?" she asked him over her shoulder. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes," he replied lowering his head. "Prince Horace is sending my army to war in two days, and I must lead them. Therefore I must leave tomorrow in order to reach them in time of our departure. Is this what you wished to speak to me about?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| She hesitated before answering. "Yes, Sir Alexander. I know of your feelings for me and I know that if you win this war, you will try to return here for me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I would only return because of Horace's want of my visitation. He is my friend and wishes me to stay with him." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "And you once vowed to follow my every request," she stated, turning briskly toward him. "My only request to you is that if you should survive this battle, do not return to this place." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But Chilandrea, why would you ask me to do so?" He took a step forward, arms reaching out pleading to her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do not come closer, or I will have to restrain you." He stopped, lowering his arms, his expression saddening. "I ask you this for several reasons: to protect my kingdom, and... to save your life. All other reasons I shall keep to myself. Please, you vowed to obey me. Do not go back on your word." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I understand. I will keep my promise. Shall I not return for your wedding? Even if it is just to see my brother?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You may make that decision on your own, yet if you do decide to return, call not on me during your visit. This is all I ask." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| He took one more step towards her, eyes lowered, testing his limits. "You say 'if I should survive the battle.' But what if I were to perish? Would you mourn for me??" His eyes raised, piercing hers with a fire that ran through her veins. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| She closed her eyes as tears formed, fighting the urge to cry out. "You once said that I cared for you. You said this with such conviction as if you had no doubt at all that you knew my feelings. Do you still believe it?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I cannot say. I believe that I wish it to be true more than knowing it is." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| She opened her eyes, gazing deep into his. "If you should perish, I would most certainly mourn for your death, for I do care for you. Understand that I ask you to stay away for the sake of our well being. I fear I would lose all control if you were to return and we would both be in danger of losing our lives if that were to happen. I beg you to stay away." | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Very well, Lady." He turned to leave and stopped at the small table. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object, placing it on the table. "I want you to have this. In case I perish, it would be something for you to remember me by." The small piece of silver glimmered in the firelight. "It's a ring. The symbol on it is an ankh, an ancient symbol from a distant land meaning everlasting life. I hope it brings you luck." He left with a quick stride, eager to leave the room. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea thought it a relief at first that he had left, but soon realized that she wished they had parted on better terms. She picked up the small ring and placed it on her finger, wiping another tear from her eye. Another vision quickly followed the donning of his ring. What she saw took her breath away. She saw two naked bodies rolling together in a bed in a heated passion; herself on the balcony, surprised to see whoever had just arrived; saw herself meeting the Lord in front of Molandra as he smiled sweetly into her eyes; and finally the naked bodies rolling again, glistening with sweat. She noticed that she was one of the bodies and hoped that this was perhaps a premonition of her wedding night. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| On to the next chapter! Back to the start... |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| <<<- Previous | |||||||||||||||||||||||