|
This unfinished novel was co-written by Jay and I. When we write together, the results are always amazing.
Of Castle and Cloak Prologue *~*~*~ The Mirror of Oneself ~*~*~* Introspection, the looking into oneself
to see what has changed and what has remained the same, is a necessary thing. It allows us
to glimpse by which leaps and bounds (and quiet tiptoes) we have arrived at the state we
are at today. We use it to relive and regret the past, to guide us in the present, and to
plan our course of action for the future. For how we react in the future is inevitably
dictated by our past. And other's pasts. We may wish we were alone, but we will never be.
Always, there will be one who dares enter the thorn-covered castle of our heart, whose own
introspection has led them to us. Some of them will be foolish; they will hack and slash
at the thorns in their attempt to see what lies within, but they will not succeed. Their
blade will dull before they reach anywhere near the heart of the castle. Still, there ARE
others, ones that WILL succeed. They are the ones that do not need to see what lies
within, indeed, they already know. For they weathered the seasons that surrounded that
castle, studied the roses that boomed from the thorns in spring, glimpsed what lay behind
them during the cold winter nights, and came to appreciate the vessel created to contain
such beauty and magnificence. *~*~*~ Chapter 1 ~*~*~* The sun sets quietly over the lake surrounding the castle. All is quiet and still, not a single ripple marrs the surface of the water. The moon shines high in the heavens, and the princess stirs from her midnight slumber. She looks up at the moon, senses its loneliness, and smiles. "Soon," she says. "Soon, we will not be alone any longer..." *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* Just as a star shoots across the sky.
The prince looks up and makes a wish. The fire burns bright throughout the night keeping
the ghosts and ghouls away. The crackles and sizzles keep him company on this lonely
night. The night air lies chilled as a new frost is set. He lies by the fire to help keep
warm, looking still up into the sky. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The sun peeks its red and orange tinged
head over the horizon, spreading its warm rays in celebration of a new day. A single
silver of sunlight streaks through a gap in the curtains of the princess's bedchamber,
lights upon her face. She awakens at the sun's welcoming kiss, banishes the sleep from her
eyes, and begins to dress herself for a day in her garden. Quietly, as though not to wake any
garden spirits that may not yet have awakened to the sun's kiss, she slips silently down
the stairs, her feet barely touching the smooth stone, so carefully laid and polished by
hardworking men and women so long ago. Today she had decided she would prune her roses, to remove the weaker branches and allow the plant to become stronger and even more disease resistant, for the plant was already one of the hardest varieties she had ever seen. She picked up her knife and began removing the smaller shoots, working swiftly but without haste, enjoying the scent of the roses as she worked. Happy daydreams flooded her mind and she whistled while she worked. Ouch - the princess caught her hand on a branch and tried to yank her hand back, but it was entangled between too many thorns to simply break free. She stopped and looked at the thorn piercing her pale white skin. A small trickle of blood flowed from the wound, its color precisely matching that of the bloom of the rose that had hurt her. She made no move to remove the thorn, but rather looked at it closely, reflected on small shape that was suprisingly strong and deadly if necessary. It gave her pause to think of her own life, of the thorns she had carefully grown around her own heart. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The light comes up with the rise of dawn. The light far to bright for the princes eyes to see. He retreats into the underground to protect his precious sight. In these lands there are many underground caves and caverns still never have been explored. In the background sounds of dripping and trickling water surround and echo. The prince's eyes see best at night, therefore it's easy for him to find his way around. These caves and caverns with the glows and cool breeze probably lead throughout the kingdom, thinks the prince. He begins his exploration into the further deep. Bats asleep by the base of the cave stationed to protect it at night. He travels many hours, going deeper and deeper into the earth. Many areas glimmer in such beauty, the crystals along the walls shine so many beautiful colors. He finds an awesome crystal in a small pond that glimmers so sweetly that words cannot explain how unique it is. He places it gently in a leather roll, and places it in his pocket next to his heart. One day, he will be able to give this precious gift to someone. He continues on, there begins now many splits in the path that look like they lead to different parts of the land. Two of which glimmer and shine the most. One shines a green and purple shine with light that looks as though the wall is shimmering. The other of red and blue. The prince realizes the red and blue colors as the colors of the sacred coat of arms in the heart of his castle. And so he proceeds forward out of curiosity. Many hours pass by and the cave now slowly bends upwards. Eventually he comes to what he finds as a door. This is very surprising to him. How in all these years would he come to stumble across the caves and then lead him to a door? Something was really puzzling him. Never in all his years has he heard of any stories of these things. He looks over the door, many markings surround the door in his original language he hasn't spoken in ages past. It speaks of the key to the heart of the city. He inspects the lock, it requires a form of key he has never seem. However the emblem on the door he recognizes oh too well. It is his coat of arms. He thinks... Does this lead into the heart of my castle? He leads himself back to the original pond he came across and found the precious crystal. The water now is so reflective. As he looks deeper into it, the water ripples and glimmers a soft green in one end and soft purple in the other. Clouds appear, a beautiful blue sky. And an image of the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes on. She is sitting on the grass with her dress spread out all around her on the grass, such an elegant dress. And she has what appears to be a rose she holds. She has carefully taken away all the thorns, nothing left to feel its sting, nothing left to keep a loving hand away. She twirls it around carefully in her fingers, she admires the scent, she carefully caresses its petals. The prince realizes his fate. He has been roaming the fields these long years to find the one. He begins to weep, into the rippled water as he watches this sight. For he has been alone a very long time. And now he can't help but let out all his tears. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The princess sat cross-legged on her mahogany four-poster bed with its dark violet bedspread and satin pillows. Today the bedspread matched the sky, which was full of swelling dark clouds and a howling wind. It was not a day to venture outside. Her roses would have to wait another day before she visited them again. But the roses were not foremost in her mind this evening. The weather disquieted her, made her uneasy. She did not understand why it had such an effect on her, she had seen many such nights in the past, enjoyed them actually. But lately the dark sky and haunting winds seem to be coming more often. It bothered her, and she did not know why. Perhaps it was because she was alone in her castle, but more likely it was because she could no longer predict the results of the storms. The last one had devasted the countryside, uprooting some of her favorite trees and wreaking havoc among the wildlife. She had found a wounded deer in the woods the last time she walked the forests after the storm. It was just a small thing, and had caught and broke its foot trying to flee the storm. She had used her knife to tear a strip of her gown and bound a splint to the animal's leg, and slowly led it back to her castle. It was in the stableyard now, its leg nearly healed. She had wanted to keep it with her as a pet, but it would not come to her. She had fed it, nursed it back to health, showered it with love and affection, but it would not return her love. It saddened her, and she knew she should let it return to the wild, but still she did not want to. She wanted to show it happiness, to keep it from being afraid. But it would not let her, and so she let it be. Lightning crashed, and instinctively she reached for the small velvet bag that sat upon her dressing table. It was lined with the softest rabbit fur, and contained a set of tarot cards that she had been given as a gift on her 18th birthday. She reached again for her flint and steel, and lighted the slim candle that stood beside her bed. She stared into its flame, trying to understand her source of inner torment, and shuffled the cards... The first card represented the general situation: The World, Reversed - "Carrying the world upon one's shoulders. Fears, especially about responsibilties." Yes, that fit. The second card dealt with other aspects of the general situation: Death - "Clearing away negative conditions in order for something better to flow in. Giving up something of lesser value in exchange for something of much greater long term value. The spiral of life's progression." Third card, what was on her mind: Queen of Coins - "Patience/Passivity is required in order to see a benefit realized." The fourth, fifth, and sixth cards dealt with influences of the past, present, and future. Here she drew the Two of Coins, the Emperor reversed, and the Hierophant. "...same line of work, in a different place...To headstrong. Unable to heed the advice of others...Stuck in Tradition..." The seventh card rang straight through her heart, its truth echoing in brain as she spoke its meaning aloud: "Feeling that your hands are tied...Obsessions, phobias. The need to open up new channels of communication." The eighth card: Knight of Wands - "Taking the necessary steps in order to effect a change" The ninth card represented her hopes and/or anxieties, and indeed it did: Judgement - "...Moving on to a completely different lifestyle...In the grip of powerful forces, seeing your life explode around you before the changes become visible." The tenth card gave her something to reflect on, and made her smile as she recognized its meaning: Six of Cups - "Learning to share on an emotional level. The growth of a friendship through all its phases." *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The prince after a time slows his tears. They now make the water murky and cloudy. It appears that his weeping over this magical pond has started a storm. The princess within the reflective water now retreats to her bedchamber. The prince feels lost and a sadness comes over him that he was to blame for the storm. He sits down and looks around the cave for a moment. Then picks himself up with a new thought. Go back to the tunnel split and take the way of the purple and green light. He travels for a while until he reaches the split. Just as before he takes this passage with curiosity and patience. Upon the end of the passage again comes a door. Now the words written on it are in common tongue. They read, "Use the Key to Open Thee forth the Doors to the Heat of the Kingdom." Still a purple and green light reflect around the door. This time upon looking at the door's lock, he makes a discovery. It appears that the key is a similar shape to the crystal which he found earlier. He carefully pulls it out his pocket and unwraps it from the leather case that protects it. He then insert the key into the door and turns. In amazement, the door and the crakes surrounding it fill with light and it opens! The prince carefully takes the key out of the door and rewraps it. Letting it close shut. Now he moves forward in faster speed then before, for these chambers are ever better lit. And once more he comes to another fork in the path. This time he can see the end of either one. He takes the one now that shows red, green and purple shine and glitter. The light dances in the passage as he passes. This door once again has writing on it in the common tongue. It speaketh, "This Door None shall pass unless invited by the one in the Heart of our Castle. Only then will the door be opened to an outside visitor." The prince distraught, deep in thought. If this is the door, how is she to know that I am here? Does she know of this door existing? So many thoughts pass through, he knows that he must move on. He goes then back and takes the other passage to the outdoors. Outside dusk has just set. Its a beautiful night, another shooting star falls from the north. The prince holding the crystal makes a wish. The cave had taken him to the castle he had passed many a time, but thought it to be deserted. Again on careful look, he sees in one of the high roofs a small candle glittering in the night. He knows now that his sight was right someone behind those walls does live. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* It was a crisp morning, soft droplets of dew covered the short grass that surrounded the princess's castle. The sun has peeked over the horizon just a few hours earlier, and the princess was awaking to the new day. She lifted up the violet coverlet that covered her bed and shivered slightly as the chill air rushed around her skin. Startled by its crispness, she quickly dove back under the covered. Then she laughed at her own foolishness. This cold was nothing, she had slept outside in winter nights much colder than this! How silly she was being! She laughed again, her voice like tiny silver bells. She poked her head out of her coverlet once more, and quickly glanced around her room once more. Quick as a fox, she sprang out of her bed, opened her old armoire, removed a crimson gown, and dove back under the covers. "Stop being such a wimp," she chided herself gently, "What a sight would you make if a handsome prince were to enter the room right now!" And then she blushed and laughed again. She knew full well that a prince would probably have less noble thoughts if he entered a princess's bedchamber and found a half-dressed maiden within. Well, she would not give him that opportunity, not today at least. She slipped lightly out of bed, and quickly replace her slight dressing gown with the heavier crimson one. Next came a pair of soft deerskin boots, followed by a heavy cloak of the finest black wool. She pulled the hood of the cloak over her long fiery hair, and placed her hand over the gilded doorknob that was the doorway out of her haven. Wait. She stopped. She felt like she was missing something. She removed her hand from the doorknob and turned around, silver eyes sweeping quickly across the room, looking for that which she had momentarily forgotten. Ah yes, there it was. She had forgotten the charm she normally wore. It was a small, pretty thing, made of pewter and shaped into the form of an owl with wings outstretched. It was her symbol, one that she always wore. Odd of her to forget it, it was usually the first thing she put on when she woke up in the morning, and the last thing she removed before going to bed. She shook her head to clear it, the cold must have shocked her a bit in the head, for her to be such a silly and forgetful fool like she was today! She reached for the charm, which was strung along a piece of velvet ribbon she had purchased long ago from a kind old vendor in the street years ago, and fastened its clasp about her neck. Ahh, much better. She was used to the weight of it around her neck, liked the feel of the cold metal against her skin, going without it felt strange. She cast one more look about the room, determined that she had forgotten nothing else, and slipped through the door. She found her way down to the aviary, where birds of all shapes and sizes were nesting. Doves, falcons, owls, and pigeons all found their homes here. The odd fight would break out if one species strayed too close to another's nest, but for the most part each respected the other, and thus the birds lived together in harmony. She whistled once, sharply, and a golden-brown falcon swooped down from the high domed roof of the aviary, settling on a small wooden post a few feet from where the princess was standing. She whistled again, softer this time, and the bird alighted from its perch and settled on the princess's now gloved left hand. Quickly she hooded the bird so that it would not bite, and tied its jesses so that it would not fly away. She then threaded her way through the castle's many corridors to the stables, where she stopped to pick up the young deer that occupied so much of her mind lately. Her companions for the day chosen, the princess set out to explore the countryside. She traveled lightly, having packed naught a small lunch for herself; the falcon would hunt for its own prey and there was lots of green grass for the deer to graze where they were headed. As the sun rose higher and higher in the sky, and princess and her animal companions wandered through green pasture, ancient woods, and fields full of wildflowers. The sun had erased the earlier chill from the air, and the princess was quite content to stop amid one of the fields of wildflowers, throw her cloak upon the ground, and promptly flop upon it and look up at the sky. She watched as figures formed out of the sugar-spun clouds, only to be transformed into something else a few seconds later. She loved watching the clouds, they were such interesting things, though she could not determine why. Another of life's puzzles, she figured. One of those things she would eventually come to understand, when the time was right. Until then, they were just something to enjoy along with the sunshine and sound of birds in the trees. After a while she tired of cloud-watching, and as the falcon was growing restless, she decided to head northward, to the more rocky areas of her kingdom. The falcon wanted to fly, and so she took it to the place where the bird could fully exercise its wings. It was where she had first captured the falcon, years ago. She had ventured into the northern forests in search of adventure, when she had discovered a small outcropping of barren cliffs among the otherwise dense forest. It had been standing on the edge of the cliff, a small grouse lying in front of its powerful claws. Surprisingly, it had not alighted at her approach, and she had simply been able to capture it without incurring so much of a scratch. The animal was so close to being tame that she often wondered if it had belonged to a noble at some point, but had been forgotten long ago by its master... And so she unhooded the falcon, untied its jesses, and launched it into the sky. It took to the air quickly, finding a current of air that she could not see, and circling high in the air. She watched it, mesmorized, longing for that chance to fly, for that chance to see all of the world at once, and wondered what exactly it was that it saw... The falcon swirled high up in the clouds, enjoying the feel of the wind beneath its solid wings, happy to be up in the sky after spending so long in the aviary. It swooped and dove, its keen eyes searching for any movement on the ground. There. Beneath the trees. A small movement. Quick as a wink the falcon dove, capturing its prey in its strong, smooth talons. It settled in a tree to finish its meal, then took to the sky once more. There. Movement in the trees again, but larger this time. The falcon swooped down from the sky, circled around the spot where it had seen the trees rustle at something's passing, eyes searching for its cause. A lone figure was leaning against a tree by the riverbank, its head bowed as if in grief or deep contemplation, the falcon could not tell which. It held in its hands a gem of great beauty, one that sparkled with all the hope of the universe. The promise of happiness radiated out of its many facets, illuminating the face of the one who held it. He held his dark cloak tightly around him, not unlike that of the thorns that surrounded the entrance to the princess's castle. As he stared into the gem, his face lightened, the hollowness in his eyes replaced by a sense of purpose. It was at this point that the owl took to the air again, soared back to his mistress where she stood on the edge of the cliff, her hair floating freely in the cool mountain air. She held out her hand, waiting for him to come back to her... The princess smiled when she saw the falcon returned, as she always worried when it was gone for a long time, for while the bird was safe in the air, there were animals that could harm it when it landed after a kill. Her gloved arm was outstretched, inviting it back to her protection... Suddenly the falcon swooped, diving straight at her, its claws extended in the 'kill' position. Frightened, she screamed and covered her face with her hands. The sound startled the young deer, who, in its fear, ran in the direction of the cliff... The falcon continued its descent, heading straight for the princess... It sped closer towards her, its eyes focussed on its victim... With one fell swoop it was upon its target. Its talons closed; it soared off into the sky. Her charm, always worn about her neck, was gone. And so was the falcon. Still in shock, she turned slightly, saw the deer at the edge of the precipice. She wanted to scream again, but did not, to do so would surely drive the deer off the cliff into the river below. Very slowly, she approached the deer, whispering quietly to the deer. It had stressed its weak leg when it had panicked, and now was quavering as it stood. It was having trouble standing, kept looking over the cliff. She was a handspan away from the deer at this point, she could feel its pain, wanted desperately to help it, to ease its suffering. It was so close to death, so close to never again roaming the woods again freely...tears formed in the princess's eyes. She stopped, knelt in the ground where she was, and wept. She did not know how long she stood there, crying and calling to the deer, but eventually it did come to her. She offered a prayer to the Gods, thanking them for saving its life. It was in pain, but it would survive. She had learned a long time ago that life was often painful, but that at the end of the pain often came happiness... Slowly, taking the easiest way home so as not to cause the deer any more pain, she and the deer made their way back to the castle. Her adrenaline long gone, the princess collapsed on her bed, dreaming of the charm she had now lost forever... *~*~*~ Chapter 2 ~*~*~* The night had gone by so quickly this night. Very few creatures stirred at these late hours, except a few hungry wolves in the higher mountains. Within close proximity to the cave exit was a small stream that led higher up into the mountains. The prince felt a need for a bit of adventure as the night began to fade away, and decided to follow it a bit and to see where it leads to. The skies to the east this fine morning were quite the sight. As the sun began to come up, the prince took up his cloak hood and held his cloak to him tight. Even though this sight is so beautiful he thought, it still is so very dangerous. The light, the rays of sun will be out shortly in full force to hurt and burn. Still he chose a high stone spot upon to sit. To take in the fine sight of the sky's rejoice for another day, that he hadn't seen in an age of time. The whole event that morning lasted only a few moments but to our fine prince the memory of it all will be a lifetime. He sat back and drifted his thoughts a bit to so many pleasant memories he was able to enjoy throughout his time. Aren't we all blessed? Sitting up now to protect himself from the sun's scorch. The prince buttons his cloak up tightly. Now to continue our little adventure the prince now thinks. Many hours had passed and the stream looked as though it would shortly come to an end. The prince decides to take a rest under some bushes for extra shelter from the sun's curse. A falcon screams its song up high, deserving of its attention. It glides along the wind currents so gracefully. The wind blows swiftly and freshly all around. His kingly hair, long and weightless in the air begins to drift all around both in and out of his cloak. Our dear falcon though his sight only seen for a moment now has past. The air now becomes quiet except the whispers in the wind. In the far off all of a sudden comes a scream as though the sound of wind passing through hollow trees bellows from down below. The prince rushes up to get to higher ground so as to see if anything is amok. He looks low then high. And not a thing can be seen. He squints with all of the power of his eyes, but he was never born for sight from the sun. His senses weak, in all his efforts he cannot tell what has just gone on. With not a sound more for quite the time. Our prince decides to once more trek onwards up these rugged slopes in hopes to find something. To find a clue, to find something or anything. After several hours, and a few mountain tops past. He stumbles across a village nearby. By this time, our dear prince has become quite hungry and in need of some drink. And so entered the first inn he could find. Inside he saw many of a strange folk. Many of which surprisingly spoke his mother tongue. However he had thought an era ago that this language was dead onto this world. He sat down in front the owner of inn. His first words stumbled out were of food and drink he hadn't had in such a time as none shall remember. To his surprise it all was understood and underway. He sat back and pulled back his cloak. He could now sit easy, no burden of the curse on him to beat him down. He spoke over many of an hour that passed hereon in to the keeper and owner of the inn of many things that have and are going on within the land. The food feasted upon was as though straight out of a fairytale book. The drink suppressed the thirst that inside him burned hot with desire. The topic of land owners and pioneers had finally came up. And family trees and books were now taken out. Our prince recited all the relatives of his blood that he could remember. And they compared, they looked up. And in delight and total astonishment they discovered... Many many many a time ago, in all original explorers of this side of the world. There were 3 clans, all of which had a royal order of blood so pure that no other royalty in any land could ever match! This land in its origins upon discovery in times of old. Were at first peaceful upon early settlement. But the dwellers here were of such evil and mutation that the 3 clans had to reunite even older bonds and rid the land of this evil for their own survival. To do this in there last attempt with low numbers to defend what homes they had left. They had built an underground system that goes everywhere throughout the land underground. As the last try at the enemy they were rushed from these caves and taken. And a new peace and dwelling emerged in this land. To continue the peace 3 kingdoms in different places within the land were started. To keep watch and to protect everything around. To bring life back into the world, and for animals and vegetation to live once more in harmony. And this was last that was known of the 3 kingdoms. The prince now in awe from all the information that was shared and learned. Hugged the owner of the inn in such thanks. He had found now where he was from. This village was friends or royal blood in a time so long ago that even while reading the books, just the site of the pages and words dust would form, and letters would fade. Satisfied in his inexplainable find. And the joy of meaning, he took a room for the rest of the day. And rested from all the pain he had suffered from the curse that beats down. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* Night had fallen around the castle, cloaking it shadow. Silvery strands of moonlight reflected off of the walls of the castle, illuminating it in the palest of light. The princess was dressed in a gown of silver-grey silk, its cut clinging to the curves of her body and flowing around her like whispers in the wind. She moved softly and quietly, almost like an elf, her footsteps barely making a sound as she crept down the stairs from her tower. The moon was full this night, looking like a black pearl and shining with an ethereal glow. The princess held a small key in her hand as she traveled down the old, smooth stairs. It was just slightly smaller than her smallest finger, of ancient design with an old-world filigree. Unlike most of the keys to the castle, which were made of bronze or copper that had since turned green, this key was made of the finest silver, and had yet to show even the slightest tarnish on its small, smooth surface. It was her favorite key, for it led to her favorite hiding place in the entire castle - the library. She approached the door and slipped the key in the lock, it opened effortlessly and silently, for nothing in this room was poorly made. A large fireplace took up the southeast corner of the room, a large bearskin rug had been placed in front of it. Next to it sat a small reading table and chair, the surface of each well worn from books and candles being placed upon them. The remainder of the southern wall was covered from the floorboards to the rafters in tapestries, depicting valiant heroes and tales of the past. She loved to look at the tapestries, to examine the way the threads wove and interlocked to form patterns and words. She'd never had the opportunity to learn how to work the giant looms such tapestries were made on, but she'd watched women do so and had great respect for the skill it required. These tapestries were made long before she had been born, however, and so she treated them with the utmost of respect and care. She stopped and looked at the first one: It showed a royal family of lineage long past, christening a young child while courtiers and knights looked on in happy revelry. A young woman in a pale blue dress stands in the shadows unseen, her head bowed in prayer for the newborn son. The second showed a young man in prayer, in vigil preparing for his knighthood. His face shone with inner radiance, light cascaded down from the heavens and landed on the altar at which he prayed, blessing the young man who would soon become a knight. The third tapestries was not as light-hearted as the first two, depicting a bloody battle between to armies. It showed a battle lost, of a young prince cradleing his dying father in his arms, while three knights battle valiantly to preserve the prince's life. The fourth showed that same young prince, still a mere boy, sitting on a throne that was much too large for his small frame as older men pledged their life to his. His face lacked the joy it has in the earlier tapestries, his jaw was set in a grim smile, his eyes told of horrors he could not forget. The death of a king wounded a country, but the death of a father wounded more still. The next tapestry puzzled the princess, for she could not understand what it was trying to accomplish. It depicted villagers carving rock out of the mountainside, the boy-king working alongside them to remove the slag from the cut. He had no use for rank and title, he worked as an equal beside the men and women who gave their lives for his kingdom. Grim determination filled his face as he struggled to move the stone that was several times larger than him, he would accept no help from the others. The burden was his alone. The last tapestry could only be described as barren. It showed a landscape ravaged by war, once-green fields now covered in blood and ash, vultures circling in the sky. The water was polluted by rotting flesh, a castle off in one corner of the kingdom was slowly crumbling into the sea. But to the princess, the most disturbing thing shown was the statue foremost in the tapestry: It wasn't a marble statue commemorating a hero's valor; it was the gravemarker for the young prince. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* Through his time our prince stayed within the strong walls of the village inn. Our prince had alot of time to think and try to remember from these past ages long ago. There were so many area's he began to question that seemed to fill him with blank. "Why don't I remember?" He thought with now even more strain to try to remember. Still now hours and hours have passed and there has been no progress. From what the prince had notice however over these past few ages is that he instinctively can handle a tool by picking it up. Or remember a memory fragment by touching an object from his past. All this ties into all these area's of his mind that he cannot register. Had something happened that makes me not remember? It feels as though there are ever so many things to remember. So many secrets lay within the mind to unfold. With no progress whatsover. The prince decides to rest, for it is not too often he gets a chance to do such. Therefore he ran a bath, hoped in the tub for a while for a relaxing time. Then went to lay down for bed. With his last thoughts running slowly through his mind. One day he will be able to unfold these secrets. One day he will have his freedom, and one day he will find his special princess. Perhaps this journey of learning has just began. Time shall tell.. zzzzzz *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The young princess turned away from the tapestries, tears flowing freely down her face. She did not know why, but that last one always had that effect on her. Every time she looked at it she felt a loss, almost as if she had known the young prince whose tombstone lay foremost in the painting. And yet, despite the heartache it caused her, she came almost every day to look at it. It was almost as if she was drawn to it, and so she studied its threads and its patterns within, seeking to release the secrets so tightly woven within the gossamer strands that formed the tapestry. Though it grieved her to do so, she forced herself to look at the painting once more. She could feel its tug greater than ever before, as if some force had now fully awakened its power. Her eyes traced the border of the painting once more, trying desperately to comprehend the inscription that formed the border surrounding the scene. Nothing. Not a glimpse of its meaning. As always it escaped her. And yet, she could feel its power. She was so close. She reached her hand out to touch the words, her slender hands tracing the foreign symbols with grace and longing. If only she could understand the message they were trying to tell her. If only she could unravel this puzzle she did not understand. Light flashed in front of her eyes, blinding her. A vision slowly formed: A grassy meadow. A large willow tree in its center, its leaves falling in a graceful arc around its trunk. At the base of the tree, a circular slab of stone. An inscription on the stone, too far away to be seen clearly, but ancient in pattern. The vision faded. She swooned and fell to the well-worn floor, silver gown settling around her like a pale mist. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The prince dreamt a very long time from what he normally does. He had visions of trees torn down from limbs. Of evil creatures flocking after the kingdom. When the daylight full, the creatures would be weak. However bring them night, and strength tripled. He dreamt of something he hadn't felt in ages. He dreamt of a time long ago fighting alongside his kinsmen. Most of which were slaughtered just as sheep. He was clad in royal dress, the best metals that man could make. He remembered he never enjoyed being seen or treated any different then his fellow men that gave there lives so others could live on. The memory left, and now came another. Barron fields and winds blowing the breath of the land through the heavens. Clouds shimering in the sky, hurry to travel by. The prince remembers now, taking walks through the land even though it was so dangerous just to clear his mind. His responsibility at the time was great, at times overwelming. And then he awoke. This rest was very strange, the things he remembered awoke him with a new energy he hadn't felt in ages past. Still the prince thinks, "What had happened to me that I do not remember?" And with that he went back to the men at the inn he originally had talked to. He sat down to the bar and still with this weird feeling all over him. Ordered a fine drink, dragon's piss it shall be. He shot it down as if nothing to the amazement of the bartender. The alcohol serged down him smoothly, lighting his blood on fire. He called for the owner of the inn. "Keeper, Keeper come here. I have much to ask. Let me read through all you books of old. Tell me of any libraries I could visit, or people to see so that I may learn more of the things that were passed." The owner stood still for a moment, never before has anyone had interest learning of the evils and hard times passed that the land had been put through. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The princess slowly raised her head off of the hard wooden floor, and crawled to the southwest corner of the room. She weakly pulled herself upright into a small mass of girl and skirt, hugging her knees close to her chest as she struggled to understand what she had just seen in her mind. A grassy meadow with a willow at its heart. An ancient stone slab at the base. The vision was now permanently etched into her memory. And it seemed so close and familiar, that she could almost swear that she had been there before, many years in the past… *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* Hours had passed and book after book was carefully read over. As the prince turned each page old memories and events began to stir in his mind. The history and lore of old where helping him remember himself, helping him remember what had all happened. His dreams he had in the past he had on occational nights now were understood as not being just a dream. He had spent many a morning before thinking about the dreams he had. Why they had felt so real, and like he was a part of them. Many times he would dream of the princess walking alone in the valleys only to be met on the hill in the early mist. This was a rare occation that she would meet the prince. So many things in those days was amok. Their meet each time however short was taken so earnestly, and its seconds held with every heart beat. Together on the soft grass together they would together stare deep into each other eyes, and speak sweet whispers into each others ears. The dew on the grass left soft a soft cool touch against the skin. The flowers nearby a soft gentle fragrance in the air. She would often take one of the flowers and twirl and play with it in her hand as we shared our time together. The sun would slowly be rising up still leaving us a soft milky breath. We would hold each others hands softly and simply kiss for hours. Her lips were as soft as velvet dipped in strawberries and scented with roses and lillies. Her breath would be his to breath, they relied on each other to exist. With the rise and fall of each press of lips, there words none could ever share. They spoke to each other of love, of trust, of a branch to each others hearts. Softly spoken, ripples of joy and romance surrounded by extasy. And each time their lips came together a single kiss would last for hours. The prince now realizing that his search is for his long lost love. Now shed a long tear, which came down on his page from which he was reading as a blacksmith's hammer to the sword. His dreams of late have been of his devine princess and of old wars and problems of old. "How can all this be?" says the prince to himself. For these facts and stories go back ages ago. Many a creature has been born to this world, and been taken from it over this time. So many questions and so many answers lie in wait to be found. The prince finds it harder and harder to understand why he relates to so many things pointed out and written in these withered pages. Several generations of man have passed by between these times. The prince with the turn of each page feels inspiration to search out more and more things to learn. * * * During the time where he had first met his princess upon the hill for the first time. Both had understood that the times then were ruff, that wars were in need of fighting and that there time whenever they could would be short and must be well spent. For the prince due to the circumstances of the time held much responsibility. The king was getting old and his years getting few. But still the king in his pride would not stay in the back lines of battle but stay in the lead to lead his men forward. This was unsettling to the prince and his best soldiers in these times because the loss of there king would be a terrible loss. These creatures that they fought, were terrible and men only stood a chance against them at day. For at night there strength would go up 10 times. And some of these creatures were said to have horrible evil abilities during the dark hours. The prince now remembering the first time he met his princess. She was upon the hill sitting alone after scattering rose petals all over her dress. She sat there so peacefully in harmony with everything around her. Her hair so soft came down and curled about the shoulders. And she slowly drank her tea. The prince had just come back from battle two nights before. And was distraught from it all. He had spent the past two nights roaming the countryside trying to pull back his sanity from all the horrible wicked things he had seen from this beasts that they fought so hard and bravely against. He didn't know why he was roaming at all that morn as the sun began to come up to kiss the sky. He had looked up to see the sun one more time and its curse beat down on him once more. But as his eyes looked up to see, out of the corner of his eye he saw the most beautiful creature that his eyes have ever laid upon. Her hair swaying gently in the wind, dress blue a soft colour same as the sky. She sat there waiting, watching, looking around. The prince not knowing what was about moved forth closer to talk to her. As he moved on the curse beat on him harder then before and a new quiver came abuot him. His legs began to shack and a nervousness came all over. All he could do is just sit by her and bid her good morrow. After a time paralysed and unable to talk. The princess got up and offered him some tea. He took and drank with her. The tea warmed him inside and it took away the nervous feeling inside. After some time they talked, and they shared their worlds over those next short hours. Her smile reminded him of no other, her eyes glared their gentle love. He new that this was no mear happening. And even though the world had become such a crazy place, they would succeed it and appreciate every moment. * * * Up until that time when the prince had met the princess upon the hill. His life and mind had been a mess. He had been plagued with pain inside from the loneliness that grows with time. She comforted him with her words, he took in every word. They sat hand in hand while the world to them stood still. The prince turned the page once more from the book he was reading. Another tear rolled down his cheek. Still the burning emptyiness inside took over as he read and remembered his past. He missed his princess so much, and did not know if he'd ever find out what had happened to her. With the last book finally read the prince set out once more to the inn where he sat once more at the bar with the owner of the inn. He thanked the keeper of the inn for his help and for helping him learn more of the things that passed. He ordered a couple more rounds of dragons piss, listening to the stringed instrument in the backround he stared into his glass thinking about as much as he could remember from his past. * * * A few hours past by and something inside the princes soul called him to move on. He looked onward to the map that layed flat on the wall. "Which way?", he had thought to himself? The prince gathered his things, thanked the owner of the inn for his great hospitality and for his help. And set off from the village at a comfortable stride. He wasn't certain where he should travel to, where to explore from here. Inside he felt a need to find his meaning, to take comfort in his princesses care this lonely night. Onward he treaded, to explore these mountains and whatever they might hold. Moving onward from mountain to mountain the treading on was slow. Highrise and low valley, always ever changing foothills that we never meant for exploration. After some time, the prince stopped by a stream of cold clear water flowing down straight from the mountain top. This water has always been his favourite; the water that melts at the top of the mountain is the most pure and great tasting you can find anywhere. He filled his cantene and continued his journey. The night tonight as with the last couple nights has been really beautiful. The moon high above him lite his path in all its glory. The blue and grey haze changed with every step. Upon coming to the top of another highrise he stopped and looked around for a moment. In the nearby valley he could see a small home and it looked as though someone were outside. The prince decided to head towards the small home and greet the owner. In the valley much work was done in the small fields that surrounded this home. Beautiful gardens and peacefull sounds where here in all there glory. It looked as though a woman was tending to a young goat that had wounded itself somehow. Not wanting to frighten the young woman he bellowed hello. She saw his greet and returned it with, "just a moment." Finishing with the goat, she smiled and talked with the prince for a while. In this home lived the woman with 2 other girls that roomed there. The gardens and plants growing all around were kept at there free time. Apparently not much goes on in the valley, and very rarely are strangers seen in these parts. She asked the prince where he was journeying to, and the prince could not answer. He talked of how many ages have past and still his search for the princess goes on. Upon hearing this the woman gave out a great smile. "Come", she said. "We have much to talk about." And called the prince indoors to some hot coffee to take off the chill and a place to sit so they could talk more easily. * * * She began telling the prince that many years ago there was a princess that would come to this valley ever so often to visit. She would come and walk amongst the gardens. She would pull out the weeds and upon satisfaction continue her walk. Accompaning her on her visits was a falcon that would sore high above the clouds and every so often sing a tune. It used to bring the woman and her friends joy to have a visitor here in the valley. It tends to get lonely never seeing another soul. The princess never said much on her visits. But you could tell in her eyes that she was waiting for someone. Somone to one day return and bring her the joy and meaning she once had. The princess always walked so tall and proud, a truly unique creature in every way. While sipping back the coffee every word describing the princess sounded like the sweetest poetry. He held back a tear and wiped his eye. "Do you know from wence she came?", he asked? "Unfortunately nobody knew", replied the woman. "I wish I could help you." *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The princess stood at the front gate of her castle, her arms outstretched to the sun as she allowed its warm rays to purge the chill in her heart. Behind her stood her home and sanctuary, the place she had grew up in and knew would do her no harm. Before her stood a vast expanse of land she had no knowledge about, whose unknown threatened to rend her very soul apart as easily as the wind tore the leaves off trees. But she had seen the vision, and knew that which she must do. She would venture into that great unknown. Triumph over its hold on her, and emerge victorius. At least that was what she hoped. For in her heart, she was scared. She was just a young maiden, whose innocence was even more pure than newly-fallen snow. Yes, she had been trained to defend herself, but what good was a bow when a knife was pressed up against her throat? She could charm men prettily and easily, she was sure of that, but could she recognize the same when they turned that charm on her? Her heart was plagued with doubts, but the inner longing of the vision carried her forward. She traveled alone, knowing that the deer would be unable to make the long, hard journey that lay ahead, and her falcon had not returned to her since the fateful day at the mountainside. A mount would have made her travels easier, but she had never managed to learn a proper gait and as such was much more comfortable traveling on foot. She was dressed as a boy, in breeches and tunic, her hair braided and pinned under a simple wool cap. She had wanted to cut it, so as to go even more undetected from lusting highwaymen looking for easy prey, but by her own vanity could not. She had held the knife at shoulder level, prepared to remove the silken tresses in one fell swoop, but had broken down before the blade could fall. And so she kept her hair, and her femininity, though it might be her failing in the end. And so, dressed in the fashions of a boy, the princess walked through the gates of her castle, and into the unknown realm she had so carefully removed herself from so many years ago. She walked in no particular direction, but rather allowed herself to drift aimlessly through the forests that has surrounded her castle for years. She passed under the benediction of the light green firs, and smiled as her own feet slipped daintily passed the lady slippers scattered along the forest floor. The sun rose high in the sky as she traveled the woods, its rays streaming down through the towering treetops to light upon her head and dance in pretty patterns in front of her eyes… She saw the old tree again. Wait, it was changing. In front of her eyes it was transforming, its old, scaled trunk slimming, gnarled roots shrinking back to its base. It was a sapling again. The stone slab was noticeably absent. Instead, a picnic basket was in its place, dried apples and fresh pastries peeking out of the cloth they had been wrapped in. The patterns faded. She was alone in the dark. Startled that she had ventured so long and so far without regard to her direction, the princess stopped and looked around. She stood at the base of a mountain ridge, its cliffs extending hundreds of feet into air. The forest stood around her, its darkness ominous and chilling. She did not know where she was. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* The shadows in the night danced with the chill in the air. Tonight wasn't the most pleasant of a night to be outdoors. The prince however had grown quite accustomed to these conditions. His host huddled in a blacket sipping her coffee down, stayed silent for a short time. Nothing was heard except the sound of slumbers from another room down the hall. Finally the woman begain again. She talked of the princess never carrying supplies which indicated that she did not come from far. Our prince now with everything heard asked to be excused for a tour of the gardens. The host woman fully understood his need to connect with the gardens that the princess once held with so much care. He finished his warm coffee and emerged once more into the night. The gardens here were of fair size, and flower and sprout many. So many vibrant colours springing up from this blessed land there only for those special few to see. The prince took the rest of the night touring, taking in all the beauty that surrounded him in all its elegance. "So many beautiful things all around us everyday for us to enjoy, but how often do we slow down our pace to see them?", the prince thought to himself. The prince sat down on a stone for a while. Just looking, seeing all that was around him. He was filled with a very deep sorrow of the sweetest kind. With the princess on his mind, he felt comforted now being able to enjoy all the beauty that grew around him. Knowing that his princess had once been here, and by seeing the life grow from everything she had touched and cared for. He truly felt her smile fall upon him. The breeze blow her kiss softely against his check, the dew from the flower petals gave the sweet smell of her hair, and the garden held her warm embrace on him. He sat there taking it all in as he watched the sun bless her garden as it came up slowly from the east. A smile came upon his face as her warm touch was placed on his heart. For the prince knew deep inside the root of his being that one day he will reunite with his lost love. And together then they will walk the gardens and paths filled with beauty forever. As this garden reminded him how love would never die; but from love only beauty and prosperity grow to limitless bounds. * * * The host woman came out and searched for the prince in the morning because he was gone for several hours. At this time he was leaning against the rock and twirling a flower the princess had tended to years before in his fingers, and taking in its ever beautiful scent. He had a pleasant, but sad look to him. The host woman could see how much he missed his princess. How hard this journey he's on must be on him, not knowing where she is. It was apparent that the only thing that drove his will, the only thing that kept him from loosing himself in his empty lonliness was knowing one day he will find his princess. A sadness came across the host woman. She worried about the prince and made a wish that his travels not be in vain. And that he does one day soon find his happiness. She called to the prince, and the prince woke up from the concentrated daze he was in. He looked up, the light was so bright that it burnt down on him like the fires from hell. Keeping his eyes unable to fixate on any image for several minutes. The prince stood up and tucked the flower away into a safe pocket. They went inside the host womans home for some breakfast and some talk about the days of old. At this time the others had woken up and were surprised and pleased to see a new man in these parts. The prince rolled his eyes knowing he had better escape this valley by the end of breakfast. They had finished breakfast and the prince thanked the host woman her hospitality and for her help with the princess. He was very happy to spend his time amongst the gardens his princess had once taken care. And with that the prince saw himself out, back into the curse that beats down on him. He adjusted his cloak and took one last walk through the gardens and began leaving the small valley. He had travelled a while and come to the top of a mountain. This would be the last time his eyes would see these gardens. He took a moment, pulled the flower from his pocket. Smelled its wonderful scent and after putting it away carefully again continued forth once more. The clouds now were beginning to form and wind speeding up. This day will be long, the prince thought to himself. "And now we shall wait for fait to lead me to my next waypoint until faits eye decides the long journey has gone on long enough. And together again we shall be. Until then I shall hold onto every moment that has been lost by time." *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* She did not know how long she stood there, her back to the cold cliffs that surrounded her this cold night. All she knew was that she was alone, and that she wished desperately that it weren't so. She had been foolish to venture outside that which she knew and held dear. Why hadn't she had the sense to remain where she belonged? Because of the vision. She saw it still. Everytime she closed her eyes, it was there. She could see the tree; see the picnic basket at its base replaced by a cold stone slab whose meaning she was no closer to understanding. And so she was trapped; not just by the cliffs and woods that surrounded her this night, but by the vision she did not understand and the promise held out to her if she just knew enough to take it. She stood there, her cloak offering little protection from the wind that howled this night; she shivered and tried to tuck her small body further into the rock face; feeling the cold rock unyielding against her back as she did so. Cold and alone, these thoughts swirled and circled through her mind as she waited in the dark for the night to pass. She lost track of the star's position in the sky, became numb to the world around her. A lone figure stepped out of the woods. The princess, absorbed in her thoughts, failed to notice the woman until she was just a few feet from where she crouched in the cliff. She looked up; saw the old woman standing in front of her. Wordlessly, the woman offered her hand to the princess. The princess, her thoughts still in a faraway corner of her mind, took the hand without a second's thought, allowed herself to be led through the forest that night. The old woman knew the path through the forest's trees well. She lived among them, knew every tree that grew there, from the oldest pine to the youngest new birch sapling. Her old and gnarled hand held the princess's young, pale one firmly, guided her through swampy marshland and dangerous deadfall, always leading the princess over the terrain that would be easiest for her tender young feet. Many hours passed as the princess was
led through the wood, and it was not until the first red sun-streaks of morning has graced
the skies that the old witch reached her destination. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* A town ravaged by fire, every thatched
house on the street burning. An old man was trying vainly to put out the blaze, his
crippled hands spilling most of the water to the scorched ground before he even reached
the blaze. A mother was screaming for her child, her screams changing to one of
devastating horror as she spotted her son's trampled body caught underneath a fallen beam.
Whimpering, she clutched his body; her husband could not pry her away from the son she had
watched and nurtured since birth. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* Click. *~*~*~ * ~*~*~* True to her word, the old
witch woman led the young maiden to the village the next day. They stopped at the
outskirts of town, lined with interwoven willow trees, while the princess stopped to check
that her boyish costume was once more in place. Impulsively, she hugged the woman in a
quick gesture of thanks, "Thank-you for your kindness, I hope I meet more people like
you on my journey." |
