Forgotten Fate

 

by
Cassandra White

 

 

The world that you are about to enter isn't just beyond land where warriors fight to last breath or where kings argue to end wars till each one dies a very cold, cruel or macabre death. The arid land you are about to enter is being haunted by something beyond even your imagination. These creatures are called Desdemona, and they are the true evil in this world. That name is no longer spoken; it is forbidden by the word of the High King himself - King Harlan. King Harlan was a dictator or a simple disciplinarian who enforced the laws in order to keep peace among the creatures of Laryia. He was a firm believer of nihilism, but you could not find one person that would call him a tyrant. He was far too kind for that; all the creatures and people of the land cared deeply for the jolly king.

Laryia is filled with various peoples and lands. The mountains of the North are protected by the people, The Plains of the West are protected by the Dwarfs and Centaurs, and The Sky's are protected by the Phoenixes and Dragons. The Elves and Unicorns of this land reside in the East in the cities of the coast, and to the far Southern corner lies Mount Dareve.

This land has a history, and that story begins thousands of years ago. When, every creature in the land ruled themselves and fought their own battles for freedom. The Desdemona hid out on the inner cavities of Mount Dareve until they were at their strongest, which was at night. Then, once night's darkness fell, the Desdemona came and haunted the land, burning forests, kidnapping younglings, and slaughtering innocent beings, causing a lot of non-proliferation. They were known as an anathema.

They did this, leaving the land a sad, desperate land. At that time, Man walked onto the land leaving their footprints everywhere. Man wasn't afraid of the Desdemona and they fought them furiously. The battles were many and the wins few, but Man never gave up and soon enough the Desdemona and Man reached a treaty. The Desdemona won Mount Dareve and Man would not challenge their ownership. Even with this treaty though, Laryia was in no blithe state. In all actuality they were in more of a state of trepidation.

There are many men of this world who wish to rule, but there is only one true heir to the throne of Laryia. Being in this situation has caused quite the acrimony between the people. After all, King Harlan is on his death bed, and there are wars going on. The land is being split in all directions, with all kinds of creature's wanting to rule themselves and have man leave them be. This was the time that the land needed the one ruler to unite the land once again.

No one would have every expected that there was an actual heir to the thrown till it had been announced by the High King himself. There had always been murmurs of an heir that had been sent into hiding during the darker times of Laryia's past. The land needs a peace that is more than ephemeral but everlasting.

The current state of Laryia is almost utter turmoil; the High King on his death bed and the heir to the throne not known. Everyone is fighting, all the different peoples are fighting against each other for rule, and then even peoples amongst themselves are fighting. The Desdemona are staying hidden for now, but the people agree that with this current chaos, they could join and cause more turmoil. Even though the Desdemona haven't proved it, they are perfidious.

~~~~~~~~~~~ Across the land to the mountains. ~~~~~~~~~

I open my eyes to see the sun coming up from over the southern Mountain peak. From the corner of my eye I spot a Phoenix, it was probably on the hunt for a light breakfast. I take in a breath of the nice crisp mountain air, and I sighed in the smell of pine. The familiar smell sent shudders up spine.

I lift the covers of my bed off of me and I feel the cool morning air on my toes. From the view from my balcony I can see the other people of the village walking about already off to work or to the city. I see good ole Aurelius walking down the pebble stone alley with his cart of bread loaves. He is on his way to the market in the city, I can tell by the elaborate robes he is wearing that are a deep teal blue that is accented by what looks to be flowers embroidered in gold. In all honestly the robes are about as aesthetically pleasing as his bread.

I turn my head and squint down the alley a little farther and I spy something even more interesting. He looks to be a man, no a young boy. He looks to be maybe no more than a year older than myself. He looks like a vagabond, his long hair and worn clothes add to his appearance. He seems to be in a blithe state as he walked down the alley. It was my women's intuition that overthrew my common sense as I defenestrated my bath water over the edge of my balcony.

I didn't mean to cause such a kerfuffle, but I could see why a man would be angry about being drenched in water from head to toe. Personally, I found it to be quite the serendipitous moment. It gave me the chance to talk to this mysterious man. I ran from my balcony to my closet where I quickly grabbed my robe. I slid it on while I ran downstairs and outside of our house.

"May I ask what the point in doing that was?"

I blushed due to my embarrassment. He must find me to be very fatuous. "I am truly apologetic. Please forgive my clumsiness."

He shook his head. "Do you mind helping me up? I slipped and I think I might have twisted something."
"Oh, no of course not. Here come with me to the apothecary. She will have something for you."
"Its okay, you have done quite enough. Just point me in her direction, please."
I nod, but the acerbic tone in his voice causes me to feel suddenly melancholy. "Just continue on down this way and take the first left."

With that he was gone. I crossed my arms and pouted. He was quite quick witted, I was almost dumb founded by his obtuse personality. He had in fact acted as if I was bland or even incompetent; he had run away from me so quickly. I hadn't even gotten his name. Oh, well maybe I will get a second chance. I've never been known to be assiduous nor have I ever been one to be part of camaraderie; In fact I am known as a hedonist.

I return into the house and I walk into the kitchen to what appears to be a very serious conversation between my parents. They both look up at me at the same time with the same exact expression. It is one of sadness and seriousness. I smile trying to get rid of some of the awkwardness of the situation.

"Aria, it's time that we share something with you." My father told me. His voices deep but sweet sound, had lost its sweetness.

"What is it?" I was discombobulated.

My Mother cuts in before my Father and answers. "We don't know how to tell you this, because we feel like we have been lying to you for 16 years in raising you."

"What do you mean?" I was even more befuddled now.

"Here this is for you; you must understand we did what was in your best interest." My Mother told me with her eyes watering.

She holds out her hand and places in my own a golden locket, inscribed on the front was an "A". I smile, tracing it with my finger. Then, I go to pry it open and once open out falls a piece of paper. I go to reach for the paper, but my eyes are drawn to the picture inside of the locket. Inside was a picture not of my family, but of the High King and his wife the High Queen, but there was also a young baby. I didn't recognize the baby, and I hadn't known the High King and Queen had a child. The King was a jolly fellow; the smile on his face was filled with so much joy. This picture had been of a better time when he had been healthy. It has been far too long since that rosy color had been in the High Kings cheeks. The High Queen was a beautiful elfish woman; I saw a likeness to my Mother in her. They had the same figures that were hereditary to our family. That was the only likeness though. Where my Mother was sweetly beautiful, the High Queen was painfully pulchritude, with her high cheek bones, fair skin, and tightly curled black hair that fell all the way down her back. Her crown made of silver that is weaved with the shapes of flowers made of sapphire was very ornate.

I reach for the piece of paper that had fallen out of the locket. On it was written.

"My Dear Azanaria,

Today mark's your 16th birthday and it is time for you to seek your own throne. I am so sorry for all I will put you through and I understand that this must be quite fortuitous for you. The kingdom was in a dark time when you were born and I thought it would be best if you grew up in secret, away from your true place; which would be beside your father and I, as Princess.

You must travel to the palace immediately and take what is your given birth right. I understand that you might be confused right now, but you are my Daughter. It is my blood that runs through your veins and I know that you will rule Laryia like a true queen, because you have lived among the people all your life. Having lived with the people all your life you have gained a different kind of useful sagacity that will be very expedient and give you the audacity to be queen.

When you arrive at the castle, tell the guard's your must see the royal advisor immediately. Then show the advisor your locket. He will bring you to your father.

I'm sorry we haven't ever gotten to meet my dear. I am told you grow more beautiful everyday and sound even more like me with every word that comes out of your mouth. Don't look down upon My Sister and Brother for hiding the truth from you. They are your family, they raised you but you are my true daughter. With that comes responsibility to your people.

So, please my dear follow the path towards the lodestar and remember I will always love you,
Allora"

I take a deep breath and I reread the letter. I am either in complete and utter shock or having a heart attack. I feel my heart pounding threw my chest and it's almost a dull painful throbbing. I look at the people I had thought to be my parents and I felt betrayed.

"I can't believe you could do this to me!" I yell at them. They sat across from me holding each other's hand and I was filled with this uncontrollable anger that left me wanting to throw a tantrum. I fled from the kitchen to my bedroom upstairs. I added my own special touch by slamming the door behind me.

Once in the secluded sanctuary of my own bedroom, I took the letter and tucked it under my pillow. The locket was in my hand and I walked over to the mirror and put it around my neck. I stare at my reflection. My eyes are swollen and puffy; I could just about imagine what I queen would think of me. "Look at the poor child" she would say. She wouldn't be proud to call me her daughter; she would probably be embarrassed to admit it. She would never see past my clothing and rough hands from working in the country and traveling by foot. I had grown up a tom-boy always following the other boys around as if I worshiped the ground they walked on.

Someone like me would never fit in with the elegant parties and extravagant dresses. When I look at the queen, I see that we have much more in common then my Mother and I have ever had. I stick out in my family. I have the same dark black hair that is naturally curly. I used to try and tame it by putting it up in a knot on the nape of my neck. It would always fall out, so lately I have given up and just worn it loose. It falls all the way to my waist in the back. I look at the picture and see that she has it worn to the middle of her back.

I go and pick out my best dress from my closet. I've only worn it a few times, to weddings and other such parties in the city. I lay it out on my bed. I go to my bath and I wash all the dirt out of my hair, and scrub my skin till it turns red. I get out of the bath and rub oil on my skin, so that is as smooth as a child's. I return to the mirror and I comb my hair till it's soft and I find where my hair would hit me in the middle of my back. I take the pair of scissors in my dresser and I reach up behind me. I close my eyes and I chop it off. I feel the hair fall down my back, I shiver. Then I open them and reach for the little makeup that I do own. I put it on, acting not as if I was me getting ready for a party. I was pretending instead that I really was this princess, and I was painting a blank canvas in order to be able to become this princess.

When I finish with the makeup, I go to my bed and pick up the dress. I slip in on over my head and I turn around to look at my reflection. What I saw even shocked myself; I couldn't believe the resemblance between the queen and me. I thought the hair was a coincidence, but when I look now I see the high cheek bones and fair skin. I see how my eyes are that same piercing blue of the ocean.

I slip the dress back off of me, and I hang it up in the closet again. I return to my bath and wash off the makeup and oil from my skin. When I get out I put on my favorite pair of worn pants and a shirt that was far too big for me, but it was my most comfortable. I pull on some thick socks, and I tie up my boots. I laughed at how many scuffs there were on them, it caused me to think back on just how many adventure's they had stuck out through with me. Hopefully they will make just one more journey.

I pack a small bag of provisions; which included food, a map, and some extra clothes. I take a glance around my room and I see the locket on my dresser. I walk over and put in on, as soon as the clasp is in place. I suddenly feel a new kind of security as if I have my own hidden shield surrounding me. I then climb out my window and I scale the roof till I reach the edge. I look down and there isn't anyone around, but that doesn't mean there won't be as soon as I slide down the pipe. I decide to take the longer route around back. I reach the huge willow that has been here for hundreds of years. I reach for a branch and I pull myself up to the top of it. Then I navigate myself through the many branches to the center of the tree. This is where the fun part begins. I have to find a path down the tree.

After a long battle of being scratched, slipping, and branches breaking I finally reached the bottom. I ran from the house and I decided that I wanted to collect my thoughts at the lake. I was undecided about whether I wanted to go still. I don't know what I would do if the High Queen or King didn't want me. I made my way down the city alley to the edge of the town. The forest wasn't very vast till you got a mile into it, because the lake was just on the other side of this first hill.

It was a sight for my sore eyes seeing that large piece of my childhood. We would come here almost every day to swim during the summer and there was always a very big celebration the day of the first swim in the late spring after the air started to get warmer. The winters were very harsh in this area. The snow alone caused problems in traveling but the cold temperatures caused pneumonia.

Sitting there just enjoying the sight of the beautiful lake, it was a clear blue with hints of green where the sun hit the water. There were ducklings dawdling off in the water in the shallows on the eastern side near the tall grass that grew in the water. I lay back enjoying the sweet smell of the grass and all the flowers. I reach for one of the chrysanthemums that had bloomed. It was a purple with red hues, almost a burgundy. It was beautiful, Mother used to tie them into a circle and I would wear it in my hair and then once the day was over I would take it too the stream and let it drift off with the current.

I was staring up at all the clouds and I see a man on a dragon. The dragon itself was huge. The dragon had blue and green scales, with what looked like purple hues. I couldn't see the man to tell anything about him. It was strange to see a dragon in these parts especially being ridden by a man. It's usually something you see more in the North because that's where the men reside. Here dragons are seen as mystical creatures that are seen as more than a companion and then suddenly the sky went black. I could hardly see a thing, and I sat up to see a hooded. No, a dark cloaked figure hovering towards me.

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WillyCon XIII (2011) Short Story Contest - 1st place (tie) for High School Category