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Lunaria - A Fantasy Story
Disclaimer:: This i an original work, you can even view the different versions on my Deviant Art page (link in my signature - please check me out!) It is still a work in progress, but I find writing is a lot more fun when you have an audience and some feedback.^^
Map:: http://syrazel.deviantart.com/art/Lunaria-Map-52614019 The crystal blue water spread out from the small isle, glimmering with the bright afternoon sunlight in every direction as far as each horizon. The warm, shallow waters lapped at the pale sands of the beaches, filling the small dips and bowls created by the dunes. Tide was coming in with the second moon, and the children waited eagerly for it. With their light clothing blowing in the breeze, fair hair askew as they shouted and splashed and played, their bell-like voices raised in laughter - the equivalent of their praise to the sun and water and wind, their saviors. The older youth watched them carefully from the shade of the willowy trees, speaking amongst each other over picnics and honeyed flowers. The adults and elders of the race remained back in the small villages that dotted the isle, relaxing in their open homes and gardens. Farther into the isle, surrounded by the natural defenses of the forest surrounding it, the grand city Nefareia sat nestled beneath the sunbeams, washed over with the pleasant scent of the lush trees and flowers and the salty sea air. The city was quiet and pleasant, most of it's occupants down by the sea. Possibly the quietest area was the palace, sparkling in the bright sunshine. The servants whispered and laughed in gentle tones, the lords and ladies reclined on large, plush cushions, gossamer drapes blew in the sea breezes, tickling the walls and marble floors. All seemed at peace and splendor. In the center of the palace, in the center spire, lived a young woman. Fair as the land she ruled over, it was rumored she was a child of the sun, sired by the moon. Pale and lithe, with bright eyes she lay on her own cushioned bed, looking out past her gilded balcony railing to the trees and sea beyond, to distant clouds peaking and mounting the horizon. Her pointed ears were drooping, you could say, with the sorrow and frustration that she bore silently in her heart. "I am a dove...in a jeweled cage...with no soul mate, and no further purpose than to look pure." She whispered bitterly to the wind, closing her eyes and letting herself fall into a restless sleep as she usually did after such a pronouncement. |
~
The sun was beginning to fall behind the mountain of clouds floating above the horizon, and fewer of the children played in the rolling waters of the shore. One child stood apart from the rest, watching the sun set, dazzled by the scenery which was nature's paint and canvas. The water was calm and dark, and a small break in the gentle waves appeared beside the child, to which he was oblivious. A dark scaly hide could be seen in the small parting of the wave, but was gone again, rejoining the shadows of the surrounding water. The child felt something brush his side, and peered into the water beside him, but saw nothing. Spooked, he began backing up, back to the shore, but before he got a second step, and before he could vice a scream, he was pulled beneath the surface of the water. He felt no pain, only this amazing force upon his leg. He knew he was being dragged deeper, farther away from the island, and began to panic, waving his arms against this sudden current, trying to kick his legs. Bubbles exploded from his mouth as he ran out of air and screamed that not so silent scream that a drowning person makes. He felt himself shaken violently, and could suddenly feel the searing pain of a jagged jaw tearing through his leg. As he sank lower, pulled out to sea, the last thing he could see was the dark cloud blocking out the scant rays of sunlight; his own blood. |
~
His name was Cael. He had been content to lean against a tree, half asleep and enjoying the sunset and keeping an eye on his smaller brother. He had almost not believed the sight when he saw it - when his brother was yanked below the water and did not resurface. With a yell he ran down the beach and into the water, diving below as soon as the shallows deepened, just where he last saw his brother disappear. He swam, squinting against the water, trying to see some semblance that his brother was caught in a weed, or simply sitting on the sea floor. He searched and swam deeper, but could no longer see and his lungs burned for air. He kicked for the surface and gasped a breath as soon as his head broke the water then dived again, desperate to find any trace of his brother. The sun had set behind the clouds now and the waters were dark, ominous even. In defeat Cael soon had to return to the surface again and found that he had drifted farther out from the shore and felt the current of a storm rising and pulling at him above and below. Tears coming to his eyes, he called his brother's name, hoping against hope he would find him, but even his voice was swallowed by the rising wind. |
~
A dark night followed, and the children were gathered from the waves by their older siblings and everyone retreated back to their homes, shutting doors and curling up with stories and weaving and toys by their fireplaces. Though the wind and waves beat on the isle, the villages and city slept in peace, despite the dire events that had just taken place. The Lady of the Moon, Daughter of the Sun, stood at her balcony, letting the wind whip her long ivory colored hair whip about her firm form, dressed in a white dressing gown. Her cold gaze watched the distant cresting waves and did not blink even as the wind tossed debris into the air and her way, as if the elements were attacking the palace and lady herself. The red dawn confirmed her suspicions of the storm, though she still stood fast to her post on her balcony. "Red sky in the morning...blood dapples our fair seas." Her words were carried by the wind to the recovering city and isle, and a heavy mood was set by them as a fragile calm covered everyone like an invisible blanket. |
~
A cry of horror erupted from the beach not long after dawn broke over the horizon, and Cael was found. He was rushed to the nearest village, and from here to the city, to the palace where the healers resided. He lay on a bed of clean white sheets and with sunlight spilling through the large windows, but his skin was a sickly pale and he shivered with his illness. The healers did their best to calm him in their gentle tones and to make him comfortable, then parted as the Lady of the Isle stepped into the room. Cael did his best to not openly stare at her beauty, and to stop his chattering so as not to seem rude. When she raised her hand, the healers left, and she then took a seat on a small stool beside the bed, her smile gentle, disarming. "You need not fear me, Cael, I am mortal as are you, I am no goddess. Look at me, into my eyes, and you shall see as much." She told him. Cael slowly raised his gaze to hers and found his breath stolen from him. Before him sat the most beautiful of women, her bright emerald eyes glittering in the sunlight with kindness, though they echoed the weight of responsibility that weighed on her shoulders, a sort of weariness that created shadows. "Lady...I..." "Tell me what happened, Cael, let me help you put your fears to rest," she told him, placing her hand over his, willing her strength to him so he could tell her his tale. Cael swallowed and couldn't help but gape at her hand on his before looking back to her eyes. Slowly, he explained how he had watched his brother disappear, and how he had searched for him in the waves even after sunset. As he told his story, she noted the odd dark coloring to his hair, the surprising toughness of his hands, not soft like anyone else she had touched, how timid he was about her that was so different than the timidness of the servants and lords and ladies. "I found no trace of Karolas. There should have been a body or some evidence...but the sea...forgive me, Celestial Lady, but I strongly felt and still feel that the sea did not want me to find my brother." He bowed his head and took his hand, though reluctantly, frm hers, so as not to tarnish her with his traitorous touch. |
Speaking ill of the elements, especially the land and sea, was blasphemous. It was looked down upon greatly to say such a thing of the Sea Herself because the sea dominated the world of Lunaria, separating isles and small land masses with the vastness of Her Body. According to the teachings of Lunaria's priests, the Sea was the Mother of all, she gave nutrients and rain and took care of her children, which also included punishing them when they 'misbehaved' and became selfish and crazed with power. The land spewed forth fire and shook when the same was needed of the Land's children. Just who were whom's children? That wasn't always clear, so it was taught to respect both Sea and Land and your fellow man.
"Please, call me Scylina, and you need not worry - I fear you may be right about the Sea and Her doing in what happened last night," she told him, standing and moving towards the window, fully aware of his appalled expression. "I felt it last night in the storm - how you survived I know not, though that must have been the Sea's doing as well - but something has gone amiss in our wonderful world, something dire and last night was the first warning." She explained, pulling a lily from it's siblings in a stone vase and turning back to Cael who was still staring at her from the bed. This was absurd, the Lady of the Isle accepting blasphemy?! It was simply unheard of, it was-- "A warning, Celest-Scylina? A warning for what?" He asked, more curious and concerned now with her words than ancient taboos. |
"To prepare; to make haste and arm ourselves for what is to come, and to warn the rest of the world that has not suffered yet what will shortly be at their doorsteps." Scylina explained, turning away from him, unable to bare the pain that was evident in the young man's eyes. "You saw it yourself, your brother didn't slip or fall, he was pulled beneath those waves by something. The red sky this morning proved that - the fact that you survived the sea is miraculous. Your brother is dead, taken away from us, from you. It is taught that Sea loves us, protects us. If we have done nothing wrong, why is Karolas dead?"
Cael knew his brother's fate already, but hearing her confirm it was almost too much to bear and he swallowed a sob though he could not stop his tears. "But..why? By what? And why would the Sea not take me as well?" He asked, wishing it wasn't so. "I suspect..." Scylina began, turning partly to him so as to look at him from the side of her eyes, "that it was to save you from whatever fate your brother suffered. I...believe that your brother was attacked by something that the Sea cannot hinder nor aid, and that she was preventing you from finding him because it was too late, or you would have been taken as well. I have faith in Her, despite her shadowy depths." "But..what could possibly be sulking below the waves that the Sea could not stop from attacking her children?" Cael asked, growing frustrated and confused. "I know not, Cael, not yet, at any rate. The Sea is vast, for all we know we could be at war with a sea-fairing brethren from ancient times...or an ancient enemy, as it were. There is simply not enough known to speculate on what this danger could be or mean." Scylina turned fully to him once and sat on the side of his bed, a small frown appearing upon her soft lips, her eyes full of concern. "Cael...you and Karolas lived alone, no parents or elders. I understand you have suffered much this past night and morn, but I see it as necessary to send word of this to our sister isle, and bring word back to us of what they may have already suffered. Cael, would you do this for us? Will you be our runner and hold our torch of hope high?" |
Cael again found himself without breath or words and quickly closed his open mouth and forced himself to breath. "Lady Scylina--"
"Just Scylina, please." "Scylina...it would be an honor, but is there...is there not anyone better to send? One of your elite, or--" "Cael, how old are you?" "Almost eighteen..." "And you have been trained in bow and sword?" "I, well yes, I--" "And you can sail a boat?" "Scylina, really--" "What I'm getting at Cael is that since there has been nothing but peace, the Elite are no better trained for this than you. I have chosen you for the task because you are a witness to this danger and you will take it in all seriousness. Cael, I believe there are very few who could take on this task, and I believe you to be one of them." Scylina explained to him, her voice grave and firm, yet somehow he felt she sounded sad. "Will I be alone?" Cael asked after a few moments of silent consideration. Scylina blinked, somewhat surprised by the question. "No...a representative of my family shall accompany you - I believe she will be a welcome addition to your quest. She's a talented swords woman and archer, and she's constantly speaking of traveling the world." Scylina stood, smiling to herself. "I did not know you had family, Scylina..." Cael began, but stopped when he felt foolish for vicing such a thing. |
Scylina, much to Cael's surprise, chuckled. "I had parents, and have a sister and brother. My brother rules our sister isle, Carnyel. It is with him you should speak with. My sister...as the youngest she's the heir to both thrones, but since there has not been anything to fear save for time, she has broadened her horizons greatly and done much traveling between here and Carnyel and even Shryell to the east of Carnyel. You will meet her later. For now I believe it would be best you ate and rested. Tomorrow you both shall set out." Scylina explained, knowing the healers would be itching to get back to their patient and would whisper about her questionable wisdom when they find out what she has planned for their patient.
Cael nodded and bowed his head. "Of course, Lady." Scylina walked to the door and paused, turning back to the young man. 'Cael...it is up to you how your brother's funeral will progress. It can be public, or it can be private, whichever. Where and when you want as well." Cael closed his eyes, his fingers sliding around a beaded choker that was the twin of one his brother wore. "Children should not need funerals, their laughter should ring for many years before they should have to comprehend such things as death - my brother has been released from life early, but will wait for me. I wish not to say goodbye, since I shall meet up with him in the next life. Instead of a funeral, I will simply pray tonight, and the wind shall carry my prayers to his spirit. I know he will wait and will be happy then." Scylina nodded and bowed her head. "Then I shall leave you to your rest, Cael." |
~
Cael felt awkward being in the palace. He had been content to remain in and around his village in which he and his brother were born, and like almost everyone he knew, was happy with what life had given him and did not seek out more. Granted he had often wondered about the rest of the world, what it might be like somewhere else, and loved to hear the tales told by the merchant families down by the docks. Often when Cael was young he had imagined himself a pirate or a great explorer of distant and unknown lands, but it had grown out of him when his father died of an illness, and his mother died shortly thereafter giving birth to Karolas, whom Cael raised. He had cleaned himself up and finally convinced the healers that he was well enough to walk about and take care of himself. His thoughts were cluttered with remorse, with fears of the upcoming quest, and even mild wondering surrounding the fair lady Scylina. He had never met anyone so beautiful and young yet mature and strong. She was everything and more than she was said to be in the stories, and now having met her Cael held no doubt that she herself had fought in the First War that had eventually sundered the lands apart, creating the world as Cael knew it today. He was leaning against a pillar of the palace, gazing out over the royal gardens. Near him was a wide pool laid out with stepping stones that crossed it, the water shallow and clear, save for the odd ripple. He watched as glowing insects flew from lily pad to flower and off to the bushes and back again. He looked over his reflection, noting how his new clothes provided by the palace certainly made him look more a lord, taller even. With a simple red silk shirt tied loosely below the neck, pants and boots of a supple leather and cord and black. He noted how pale he really was, and how long and silky his dark hair truly was. He had lived simply, and now? |
Thoughts of vanity brought on thoughts of Scylina, and Cael found himself comparing himself to her. She had silvery white hair, and those green eyes...and paler skin than any person he's ever met. The pointed ears of the long-lived and wise people that ruled the many lands that made up Lunaria. She was legendary, and it seemed a dream that he had spoken to her at all. Cael realized he was holding the hand that Scylina had held to his breast and shook his head. Scylina was his ruler, not some maiden. He scolded himself and sighed. She would never think of me in such a way, I should be ashamed.... Yet he could not stop thinking about that sad weariness he had discovered in her otherwise kind gaze. She would live millennia, and with whom? Ruling over a constantly changing land, saying goodbye to so many friends over the decades and centuries. Had she ever known love? A man's embrace? A night where she needn't worry about a country of people who hardly knew her to be real?
"If I could do anything to see her happy..." "See who happy?" "Scy--ah!" Cael yelled in surprise and twisted to see who had crept up behind him and spoken, but ended up falling backwards into the large pool. It wasn't deep, and he ended up sitting up with a groan, a lily pad floating across his lap. He glared at the figure and then was surprised to find it was a woman. The woman blinked and it was obvious from the twitch in her lips that she was struggling not to laugh at his clumsiness. "My apologies Cael, I didn't mean to startle you. Could I give you a hand?" She asked, smiling and extending her hand out to him. |
Cael had been raised to be a gentlemen and swallowed his angry words and grasped hold of her delicate hand which did not look strong enough to aid him. He was soon corrected when he felt himself heaved out of the pool and dripping wet up onto the walkway. He smiled awkwardly and took his hand back, feeling his pride bruised. "Thank you, Lady..?"
"Oh, none of those pompous popinjay titles for me, simply Triest will do. I hear tell we'll be traveling together, yes?" She asked, pulling hr hand back and hooking it around her side, placing her elbow on her arm and curling her finger against her chin in a thoughtful pose. She even cocked her head to the side in a questioning manner, though the spark in her eyes told of other motives. "We are? Are you the Celestial Lady's sister then?" Cael asked in disbelief. "Indeed I am and she told ye to call her Scylina, no? So do so, that'd make her happy. It was Scylina you were talking about just now, yes?" She pointed out, almost appearing innocent in her eavesdropping. Cael was slow in coming up with a protest and knew he sounded like a foolish boy. "N-no, I meant a sad maiden from my village whom was fond of my brother." He lied, glancing away. He was not practiced at deceiving people. "Ah, I see. Well, no matter." Triest seemed to simply shrug off the matter. "Tomorrow we'll be setting out about noon, but you should get some sleep. I intend to wake you up early and have you fitted for this little adventure of ours. Do you have a sword in your...village?" "No, I never could afford a sword of my own--" "Very well, fewer errands. We'll see about buying one tomorrow as well as some light armor. We go by sea and I care not to wind up with you dead." She explained, turning to leave. She paused, glancing at him over her shoulder "Sleep well." She was then gone as silently as she had appeared. Cael let out his breath and carefully chose to not say what was on his mind and turned his gaze to the moon above. "Our adventure?" |
~
Cael spent the last few hours of the night reflecting on his life before the disappearance - and inevitable death - of his brother. It was shortly before noon when he was disturbed once more by the Celestial Lady's sister, and just now the sun's rays were dancing across the distant sea-filled horizon. He was following Triest through the streets of Nefareia, pausing as she did every little bit to discuss what he should choose for weapons and armour, then what they would be encountering on the seas. "It'[s going to be rough fighting the currents, but I know just the right place to pass them over. If we time it right - that's the important part; if we time it right, we'll be perfectly fine." "And if we don't time it right?" Cael asked, hoping the sea wasn't as bad as she said it was. "Well, you'll be reunitedwith your brother alot faster than you think, ya?" Triest chuckled, putting down an athame she had been inspecting. Cael gave her a dubious frown as he stood there, a pile of leather breeches and vest in his hands, plus a chainmail shirt Triest had suggested 'just in case' plus a silk cloak and a new bow and quiver with arrows. Now he was waiting for Triest to just choose a blade for him so they could just be on their way. She had chosen everything else and hadn't taken his opinion into consideration at all - and wouldn't for the rest of the trip as far as he could tell. She dragged him on throughtwo more smith shops before she finally stopped and gave the shop some actual critique - standing there for a few silent moments, tapping her chin in time with her foot - her head cocked to the side slightly. Just when Cael began blinking in time with her taps, she stopped and whirled about on her heel, her long sapphire hair fanning out behind her as she did so. "Alright, drop that junk and go pick one. Remember to keep balance and how it feels in your arm in mind - a sword is a tool, a length of your arm. It must fit." She told him. |
Cael blinked, as if not comprehending a single word, but then quickly found a place to dump off the armour and weapons then turned back to the shop. Triest led him to a wall of steel - swords, axes, spears, the whole lot of them - all shining silver and flashing as the smith's forge flared while he worked. Cael approached the wall tentatively, and, though he would not admit it, like a little boy about to get his first toy. His first sword, his very own - with a sword he would be as dashing as any lord, he knew. He had always wanted a sword of his own, and now? This was his chance.
Cael's eyes scoured the wall, searching for a blade he knew he cuold handle. Finally his green gaze came to rest on a long sword. The hilt was crafted beautifully with a rose winding about it, the head f the flower at the base of the hilt, the leaves extending uot vine like around the guard. The blade itself shone brightly by the light of the forge and runic symbols were engraved into the blade. Carefully he lifted it from it's rack on the wall and held it before himself, feeling it's weight before letting it fall back over his wrist then flipping it back into his firm grasp. Thuogh there had been nothing but peace, Scylina had instructed that every generation know how to use the blade and bow. Cael, the few classes he had been able to attend before he was forced to take on living alone with his brother, had thoroughly enjoyed the classes and remembered that his teacher had complimented him several times. He had been so young back then. |
He took the sword through some forms, beginning to grin as he fought back invisible foes, and was sure he could have kept on like that had Triest not cleared her throat rather loudly, startling him out of his reverie. "Ye like the sword then?" She asked, hiding her smile behind her gloved hand.
Cael felt his face flush and he nodded. He turned to the smithie, holding the sword in both hands. "You have a baldric for this one?" The smithie set his hammer to the side for a moment and straightened, looking Cael and Triest over as if he had just noticed they were there. He pulled a sooty handkerchief from his belt and wiped his brow, which really didn't do much to clear it of sweat or more of the black substance. "That one? Sword of a dead man...I've got a few baldric's that might suit it though." He replied in a slow, almost growling, voice. It spoke of a man who was raised and possibly born from the anvil and hammer. He moved off to the side, sorting through a pile of leather belts, scabbards and who knew what else. Cael wondered why the smithie would have mentioned the sword was a dead man's. Did the man die by the sword? Did the sword not fair well in battle? He glanced to Triest and he culd see the mirth shining in her eyes - she was laughing at him again. He sighed and turned back. 'Sword of a dead man', yeah, that'll sell a weapon. Bastard smith. He grumbled in silence. (and my apologies, but that's all for now - i have it in my head, but need to type it out...) |
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