Dior
By
Erin Dameron-Hill
(c) copyright by Erin Dameron-Hill, July 2011
Cover Art by Eliza Black, July 2011
Published by New Concepts Publishing
Smashwords Edition
ISBN 978-1-60394-510-3
New Concepts Publishing
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author’s imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.
This novel is dedicated to my sisters, Leah, Sandra, and Carolyn, without whom I would never understand the bonds of sisterhood.
As always, this novel is also dedicated to my loving husband, Cameron, for all of his support and encouragement.
Prologue
The vision was always the same…
The old man swept a few graying hairs out of his face as he relaxed onto his favorite white chaise. Two servants reverently waved purple palm fronds above him to keep him nice and cool. The old man drifted off into sleep and that’s when the vision assailed him. As a Seer, it was his destiny to ‘see’ the future but this particular vision left him sobbing and heart-broken.
He would grasp his throbbing heart as he watched his two beautiful daughters, Namidira and Liessa, try to kill each other. Their paths had taken them in opposite directions. One had become evil and the other became good. It was the same old story of good versus evil but the familiarity of his daughters as the players sent him into fits of depression.
One would die. He never knew which. He always woke up before the last swing of the sword. Perhaps he didn’t want to know who survived and who died…
Chapter One
It was not the first time she had looked into the heavens thinking she was being born again. Change is the will of nature, is part of the cycle of life. In order to grow, one must be reborn.
The dark azure sky rumbled overhead with silent thunder that vibrated the lush and richly forested earth. Leaves shook and rattled as if fear had taken hold of them. The air grew heavy and humid and filled with a smell unlike any other. The aroma was fleshy, like skin that had been drenched after a spring shower, like metallic blood that had been rotting in the hot sun. The smell was incomparable. It was an array of sweet and foul odors that could not be described.
Nature feared the smell. Animals feared the smell. And no one knew what it meant…save one.
Liessa’s long white feathers rustled in the cool breeze along her temples as her long, wavy, white hair caught the wind and performed a ballet in the sky. The air flew sweet upon her intertwined fingers spinning ever so slightly, cascading around her ebbing spirit.
She managed to jump to her feet and spin in a circle as leaves, flowers, and blossoms engaged her. Everything was spinning, nothing was as it should be.
Her hair was lifted into the sky, touching the clouds, introducing herself to them. Her body freed itself from the ground. Her eyes closed, her senses delighted themselves to the smells, both foul and sweet. The mirrors of her eyes reflected the stars as they opened, glowing and shining brightly until the wind let her gently fall to the long bladed grass. She lay limp only allowing her head to turn and gaze at the vista surrounding her.
It was as if she had been here before--the tree, the scene, it all seemed so familiar, and yet, as if to allude her, the thought was gone. She had no recollection of why she was in this location, nor who she was. The loss of self and sense of sobriety echoed in the garden of beauty that enslaved her senses and fought her returning memories.
Her bright blue eyes feasted on the countless flowers and brush that made their home here. Shades of yellow, pink, orange, and blue dotted the sylvan grass. They cascaded down the gently flowing hills and disappeared into the horizon.
The sky was plagued with fluffs of white clouds as a single, gray cloud streaked across the sky dividing it into two regions. The sky looked as if it had been sliced in half and all that remained was a scar. Liessa had never before witnessed a cloud like that, none that she could remember anyway. The cloud seemed to unnerve her, however, and her mind screamed with foreboding. The cloud was unnatural, she knew that. It did not belong here.
She quickly forced her eyes elsewhere because she didn’t want to dwell too long on the cloud. It frightened her too much. She instead focused her mind on the mountains in the east that towered with strength and might and that overshadowed the bright green valley. Along the mountainous tree line, thousands of purple specks dotted the landscape. The trees on the mountains had always been purple as she recalled. It was nice to remember something from her past.
Her eyes then shifted further away from the mountains as she twisted her neck to the west. Yellow vines and flowers were blurry as she squinted into the distance. In the west, the Hills of Odurse proclaimed the golden flowers as their own. Liessa had never been that far west nor did she ever want to go there. She had heard tales of that place, dangerous stories told by travelers and way-farers that a person could lose not just a limb over there, but their life as well. Life is truly sacred in this realm, because life is so precious. Children are rare as fertility has weakened. She had been taught to respect all life, especially her own. That is what scared Liessa the most, the thought that she could actually, technically die if she ventured further west. Everyone fears death and no one takes unnecessary risk.
Is that why she had no recollection of what had just happened but knew exactly where she was? Had the memories of her near death experience created amnesia so she could continue her life ignorant of her trauma?
Perhaps.
Her eyes now steadily circled to the North as she stood on the plateau. Liessa always wanted to go into the Belathian Forest. No one had tales of that forest, no one who went in ever came back out. But it always called to her, begged her to reach its depths, discover its secrets. No matter how much she desired to explore the Belathian Forest, she never once went one inch closer than this plateau in order to see it.
When Liessa hadn’t any chores or any social events to attend to, she would sometimes imagine the trees of the Belathian Forest, shadowing the living and knew the trees were concealing the darkest desire of intense proportions. The forest hid a secret and that secret was for her eyes only.
As she stood alone on the plateau that was high enough to see the surrounding vista of her realm, Liessa leaned against a towering tree and watched with boredom as the pink petals fluttered down to the ground. The beauty here was overwhelming and commonplace and held no intrigue like the Belathian Forest. She remembered how everyone else in the city always barked over the magnificence and elegance of this realm but Liessa could never quite join in with them. She didn’t find this place particularly interesting. It was boring. The beauty here was cookie cutouts, each limb, flower, creature looking just as beautiful as the next one. Sometimes Liessa wondered if anything was truly real in this place. Was there such a thing as imperfection? Would imperfection be true beauty? And who can possibly define beauty?
Liessa sighed and slightly wondered why she was being philosophical. It is not a female’s place to even think or be taught. Females are to be on promenade at all times. To be gifts. Females are not subjugated to the whims of males, however, it is the choice of the woman to remain ignorant and the men simply and gladly accept an empty-minded female.
Eventually, she would have to find a mate. The thought was always unsettling. She was afraid of males, not that she had any reason to be, she had always been frightened of them. So to imagine her with a male, that would be preposterous.
Liessa crossed her bare, white arms over her chest and sighed once more. She could remember everything about her life. She could remember her fears, her desires, her secrets, so why couldn’t she remember how she came to be here?
She knew this plateau well. She came here daily. Here she had been at peace. She always felt at peace here.
No, not peace, whispered the voice that she had lived with all her life. Priestesses believe that voices in one’s head are dangerous, but Liessa didn’t believe her voice was. In fact, her voice always warned her of danger and kept her safe. Her voice was like her guardian. Sure, it sometimes whispered frightening things in the dark recesses of her mind, but it wasn’t particularly dangerous. Liessa did not fear it.
Perhaps she should have.
There has never been peace here, the voice whispered again. Liessa just brushed the words aside because she couldn’t remember a time when there wasn’t any peace. She didn’t even believe there had ever been any wars here.
But still, the voice is never wrong.
The shuddering memory of what might have happened to her kept running from her, itching itself to leave, to forever remain in the dark. Liessa trembled and listened to the pounding of her heart as she squeezed her mind to think, to remember. What was the memory that had buried itself so deep inside? Did she even want to remember?
Liessa struggled with the hidden memory and then it slipped from her grasp and all that she was left with were the memories of her family, of herself, of her culture. Normal memories. The one that held her fate remained concealed.
What was the horrible event that caused her to wake? What caused her to forget?
Her mind escaped the tortured past and brought instead her distinct sense of self that had always been of elitist perfection. Her missing memory was stowed away. She shouldn‘t dwell on what might have been, after all, she was conscious now. She was safe. No one was going to harm her, nothing was going to finish her.
She was Liessa, daughter of the Seer and the most sought after female. She had every right to be elitist and ignorant. She could afford stupidity and an inflated ego.
Liessa scoffed into the odd cloud that had first frightened her and then she turned her back on it. She was invincible. So why should she fear a stupid little cloud?
She shut the strange cloud out of her mind as thoughts of her sister began to churn. She despised Namidira, her older sister, because Namidira was such a nag and spoil-sport. Liessa had to hear the constant ramblings and lectures from Namidira on a daily basis. No matter what Liessa was doing, no matter how perfect Liessa worked at her chores, Namidira would always find something wrong. It annoyed Liessa to no end. Namidira was a perfectionist and believed that her opinions should be heard at all cost. Liessa couldn’t stand the know-it-all.
If only there was some way to glue Namidira’s mouth shut. That would show her. Liessa grinned as the thought of her stern sister’s mouth sealed itself tight, unable to open or to breathe.
Liessa continued to giggle at the immature thought as she relaxed back down in the thick and long grass. The ground felt soft and feathery like her bed at home and so she curled up into the fetal position as she had done so often before. As she extended her arm over her head, her hand touched something made of paper.
“What is this?” she yelled out loud as she picked up the remains of a cignare, Namidira's bad habit of smoking. Namidira wasn’t that perfect if she smoked all the time, “Her and her smoking! Polluting my grove! How dare she! Ugh! Disgusting,” she said pulling up dirt with her nails and burying the filter.
That little whore. This is Liessa’s secret place, no one else’s. Not only was Namidira trespassing, but she was leaving her trash everywhere.
Steamed and furious that Namidira had once treaded here, Liessa threw herself back on the ground and crossed her arms in a very infantile gesture. Liessa didn’t know why Namidira had been here and the thought aggravated her further. What was she doing here? Namidira hates Nature. Period. She hates to hike and explore. All she ever likes to do is criticize. Perhaps Namidira had come here to find Liessa and complain about some random chore that wasn’t done properly. That made sense.
Liessa once again relaxed on the ground, ignoring any intent to go home and tell everyone she was okay. Her family and friends were probably worried sick. Liessa didn’t know how long she had been in the fields, but she didn’t really see signs of change that time had passed. Instead, the tree that rustled above her looked exactly the same as it always had. There weren’t even new buds growing on it. Perhaps she had only been gone mere hours.
Liessa sighed. She didn’t want to think anymore. It hurt too much. She just wanted to lie in this place and enjoy the peace and serenity that Nature created here. Or rather, that the Goddess Dieses created here.
As Liessa’s mind thought of her Goddess, a wave of warmth drifted over her body. Unlike the cool breeze that had been steadily blowing, the warmth began to lick at her and hug tightly upon her skin. Liessa slightly trembled as a few beads of sweat formed on her brow and drained into her temples. She instinctually wiped at her head and tossed off the dew as more beads of sweat formed.
Liessa breathed heavily into the air that had changed from sweet and cool to harsh and humid. The air was becoming stifling.
“Dieses,” Liessa said trying to fan her face with her hand, “Why is it so fluting hot?” She exhaled dramatically and then instantly apologized, “Dieses, I am sorry for my language. I will try not to say “fluting” anymore. I know it upsets you,” Liessa inhaled again and said aloud, “Great, now I have to go to confession. How the flute am I supposed to walk through this insane heat?”
Liessa felt a few more drops of sweat form on her chest and she wiped at them, “Since when did it get so hot here?”
The heat began to intensify around her as if fire had erupted and had her trapped. Her breathing was jagged and harsh as she desperately tried to inhale. A burning sear like lightning pulsed inside her head. She squeezed at her skull as it ripped through her mind, leaving horrible screams in its wake.
She felt fire tickle her lips but her eyes were closed so tightly, so focused on the pain tearing through her, that she could care less.
All at once, the fire, the pain and the heat disappeared. Everything was calm and quiet. Liessa sat upright as her eyes darted to and fro around her. What had just happened?
Her eyes then began the slow ascent towards the heavens, towards the strange cloud that was now glowing softly orange.
Her lower lip trembled as her hands shook. She was in the grip of fear, the fear of the unknown. What had caused her pain? Had it been the cloud? How can a cloud possibly do that?
Liessa wrenched her hands together and began to pray. If all else fails, Dieses will give her strength. Liessa has nothing to fear so long as the Goddess is on her side,
“Creation begets beauty
It is its obligation
It is its duty”, recited Liessa. Her mind darted to the school prayers that she, and everyone, was taught in this realm. With over a hundred different Gods and Goddesses, she wondered if these words to Dieses were the correct one. If not, they, at least, might distract her from the flame emblazoning her soul. The fire had once again returned at the mention of Dieses and this time it left her breathless.
Her body fell helpless to the ground as she closed her eyes and began to cry. Within her mind, stars flew in a misty haze before her. Galaxies streamed her sight. An array of color swirled around a white light. A rush of wind burned in her ears. Terror. Destruction. Children screaming in pain. A figure of blood lay next to countless limp bodies--Namidira!
Liessa rubbed her forehead and closed her eyes tighter. Was that truly Namidira she had seen bloodied and near death? Was she having visions now like her Father? Was she a Seer, too?
Liessa held her breath and tried to reach for the vision once more. But it was gone. Only blackness remained behind her closed eyes. She pressed her hands against her head. Still nothing.
Liessa didn’t know what to think or to believe. If Namidira was in danger…but what if she wasn’t? What if Liessa just had an episode or a day dream? It’s possible.
The image had been so vivid. Beautiful Namidira had been bloodied and mangled. Thousands of bloodied and mangled bodies surrounded her like a morbid wreath. Flies buzzed eerily over the dead bodies and swarmed ferociously. Liessa could actually smell the rot and decay and death. The vision had just been too real.
It had to have been a real, live vision like the ones her Father had. Being able to “see” was a true gift from the Goddess. It was a blessing--but as Liessa recalled the fetid body of her sister--she didn’t believe the visions were that much of a blessing.
Instantly, Liessa stood up so fast that several black circles formed in her sight. She shook them out and started to run. She had to find her sister. She had to know Namidira was safe. Whether or not this was a true vision, Namidira’s well-being came first. Liessa may not have liked her sister, but Namidira was family. And Liessa would do anything for family.
Through the rolling valleys and endless streams of hills, Liessa heard the ringing of bells echo across her plateau. The bells reminded her that the Festival of Light, the celebration of Dieses, the First Goddess, had begun. If Namidira could be found anywhere, the temple would be the best place to start.
Liessa leapt across jagged edges of rocks as she climbed down the plateau and tried to reach the valley below. The climb was steep and the rocks were sharp and her scaled feet protected her very little from any cuts or bruises. She wasn’t afraid of the small punctures, though, because her skin was so thick and hard that almost nothing could get through.
She wanted to move faster, to find Namidira before her vision came true, if it even was a vision. Nonetheless, Namidira’s life was on the line.
Liessa chanted the first prayer in hopes that Dieses would give her wings and she could fly to Namidira. Not that real wings would sprout, just more speed. Liessa felt as if she was trudging through water instead of running across fields she was going so slow. She chanted even louder, breathlessly:
Dieses, goddess of life
Bring us not strife
Bring us love and light
For which we dearly fight!
We have much love to give
Of which do forgive
Us of our daily sins.
Liessa tripped over the uneven ground several times as she cursed and prayed at once. She didn’t even know where she was running to because the direction didn’t matter, it was speed. Being unlearned had not made Liessa a great multi-tasker and running blindly towards the Temple did her no favors.
She kept running, sweat beading down her temples and gluing her delicate down feathers to her head. Her legs throbbed, ached with the pain of endurance running. She had never run a marathon before as that was reserved for the males. Females were not supposed to sweat. That would be unseemly. If someone saw her now, there would be no end to the harassment and the criticism that she was doing Dieses injustice. Females represented the First Goddess at all times and were never supposed to get dirty or messy.
Thank Dieses no one ever came this far out of the city.
Suddenly, the small path that Liessa had always traveled before, was split. Her brows clenched together in confusion as she stared at the fork in the road, her heart beating uncontrollably as she tried to regain her breath.
“I don’t remember this ever being here before. I would have remembered this. I think. Why is it split?”
Her eyes roamed down the path that led to the right, into the wheat-laden fields that shimmered and would eventually force her to board the raft which would wind under the Castle and would probably drench her in the cool, murky sewer water. She knew that path. It was her usual path for avoiding people and escaping past the walls to her plateau.
But the new path intrigued her. She had never once remembered it being here. Now that it was, curiosity was overwhelming.
She looked to the left and noticed that the path turned upwards and disappeared into a thicket. The path would have to go up the mountains that loomed in the distance which would lead east. The Temple was south.
Liessa paused, hesitated. She knew which path she should take, but did she want to?
Namidira could be seriously injured or would be…
Or the vision wasn’t even real, it was just a dream. Liessa bit her lip and took a deep inhale. This decision was making her head hurt.
She wanted to explore the new path and find out where it led, but what if Namidira’s life was on the line? Could she justify ignoring the could-be plot in order to satisfy her own curiosity?
Liessa tapped her foot as she stood at the intersection. What should she do? Where was that inner voice when she needed it?
The vision of Namidira was just a fantasy, she finally proclaimed. Curiosity is a dangerous trait, one that nullifies both wisdom and logic, but then again, Liessa didn’t have wisdom and logic. The most important thing she ever studied was her face in the mirror.
Liessa ventured towards the unknown path, leaving behind the vision of Namidira. The game trail was basically made of dirt and broken grass but along the sides rested sharp rocks and wet peat moss. Liessa knew not to step inside the wet peat moss otherwise she would drown. It would be like quicksand and she would have no way to escape unless someone heard her scream. She learned that lesson six times before and what are the odds that would happen again?
"Maybe this was not the best idea," she said as the browning leaves and bushes shielded her eyes from the next step. The fields had disappeared and all that remained was underbrush, thickets, and tall trees that barred her sight. It was truly amazing how the forest would just come out of nowhere, how one minute there is a grassy field and the next there are trees, felled logs, and an unrelenting desire to run back to the fields.
As she moved the purple bay leaves, each would slap her in the back, stinging her, leaving an imprint and chipping her white scales. She hissed at the slight pain that took hold of her every step of the way.
The mountain became steeper and Liessa fought harder to avoid the rocks. Although she wasn’t in a hurry, she knew that she had just manicured her scales and it seemed it would be a waste of time to trim and wash them again. So, side-stepping the debris that was bashing at her would be a very good thing.
Thinking of the recent spa experience where her scales were beautifully trimmed and made to shimmer in the glow of Dieses, instead of her might-be-dying sister, her foot slipped on the flat rocks with jagged edges.
Her legs streaked with the deepest blue blood that made the azure sky pale in comparison.
"Arghh!" she screamed, squeezing her ankle with so much pressure that her blood gushed faster than before. A few tears managed to escape from her eyes. She sniffled as her eyes nearly vomited on the sight of her own blood. Nothing should be able to penetrate her scales and skin. They were her natural defenses. How did this happen? And what was she going to do now? Her leg and forearm were raked by the tricky rocks. Was she being punished for being tardy to the Festival? She was, after all, playing the role of Dieses, a tremendous honor, one only meant for the most beautiful....Or was she being punished because she had dismissed the nightmare of seeing Namidira’s bloodied body?
She looked back to her scales, now scabbed with her blood and completely jagged. She caught sight of a few hang-scales and began to pick at them. Her scales looked almost worse than before. It seemed almost pointless for her to find Namidira now. Anyway, it could have been a dream, definitely not a vision, yes, just another dream.
"Stupid brain," she said to herself hitting the ground with her fist. "Look at what you have forced me to do!" She grabbed her leg and picked out a few chipped scales, "I will now have to sit for a few hours and have all of this redone. There is no possible way to be perfect again before the parade. I am already late as it is. It‘s not my fault that I chose this particular path."
She stood up and gasped in pain as she put pressure onto her torn ankle. She, at least, would not remain in the muck that had encroached itself upon her blood-stained body. Her white scales were vivid with brown dirt and grime and she knew she looked a mess especially since her blue blood was streaking down her body.
But she stepped forward regardless of the pain. She had to keep going. She had to continue on this path. Something was waiting for her down here. She didn’t know what was eagerly waiting for her, perhaps Destiny?
Sweat continued to glue her facial feathers together and not even rubbing them backwards removed all that sweat. Liessa moaned with the new annoyance and then groaned even more loudly as the path forked.
“Not again,” she muttered. This feeling to satiate her curiosity was becoming bitter. Liessa knew she was lost, lost in the mountains and the forest so she didn’t know which way she should pick. The smart thing would be to re-trace her steps and head home, but Liessa was not known for her intelligence.
She squinted her bright blue eyes in order to find some sort of a clue on which way to go but she saw nothing. There was no sign of Reveraimer--her people--trails. There would be lamps and road signs if that was one. Instead, the trail to her right looked like it had seen a lot of use by really large creatures while the other one looked brand new.
The path to her left was rockier and seemed to climb further up the mountain unlike the path to her right which was smooth and open from the constant wear.
A warm breeze blew her wet, tangled hair from her face. She could almost hear an answer in that breeze, almost. It was as if the wind carried faint whispers, faint commands that she had to obey.
Whether or not the wind could speak was trivial, because she would take the smoother path. Nothing would change her mind about that. She was done with the rock-climbing.
She took a deep breath and stepped toward the right but her ankle screamed in pain so she plopped down onto the dirt and rested for a moment.
She was so tired and achy. She didn’t know how much time had passed while she was walking, but she did know she couldn’t hear the bells chiming in the distance anymore. She was too far away from the Temple. She had never known that there was a place where the bells couldn’t be heard and the thought was a bit unnerving. She had traveled past her comfortable threshold. Why couldn’t she just turn back and go home? Why did she keep moving forward?
A small, yellow bird chirped into her ear. Liessa swatted at the bird and then screamed in pain as her slashed forearm reminded her that she was cut and still bleeding. Most of the blood had dried and as she sat there, Hemoginens, small insects that feed on dried blood, crawled up her body, gathered up the dust and carried it away. In a line they trooped--black, white, black, black, black, white. They were always black or white in color. Liessa didn’t mind the bugs because they acted as coagulants and soon she wouldn’t bleed anymore. She remembered that little tidbit of information from school when she was a child. Everyone was taught to respect Nature, because Dieses created every creature and every creature had a purpose.
Except for that stupid bird that kept chirping. Was its purpose to be annoying?
Liessa sighed and once again looked at the two paths. Her body moaned and groaned as she stepped into the right path, the smooth path. There was no way her body would be able to climb up the mountain right now. She needed to heal.
The smooth path was lined with bushes on either side but there were no large rocks or large leaves to smack her in the face. In fact, the trail was clear and appeared to be well-traveled.
It was a welcome change to just walk easily along the path instead of jumping and climbing her way. The only thing that really hurt her now, other than her ankle, was her feet. She may not be a heavy girl, but walking so long on the scales and the calluses was beginning to grate at her. Sharp stabs of pain would speckle her feet if she stepped awkwardly onto a stone or even a twig. She would have to get a pedicure once home.
Occasionally, Liessa would stumble only because she was both tired and hungry. When the path began to decline, the walking became even worse. She had to lean back in order to balance and having to put the extra weight on her legs and feet made the smooth path not as easy as before.
Liessa rubbed at her tired eyes and yawned as she kept walking downhill. She could use some rest. She had no idea how much time had passed because in a world of constant light, one needs a clock and the bells of the Temple to tell what time it is. She knew one thing, though, she had been walking forever.
Yellow wings fluttered around her face and she swatted at them again just as she had before. The bird had followed her and was trying to nestle into her neck. Liessa sighed and finally relinquished her shoulder allowing the bird to perch. She was too tired to deal with any unwanted creatures.
The yellow bird fluffed his feathers and cooed contentedly. Liessa tried to ignore it, but the constant tweets made her teeth grind in annoyance.
Liessa rolled her eyes and sighed, “Stupid bird. Why are you even here?”
The bird did nothing but tweet.
“That’s real great. Now I have to deal with you as well. I should never have come here. I don’t know what came over me. And now I’m really lost. I don’t even know if I can retrace my steps now. And the odd part is, I don’t really want to. I need to know what’s at the end of this trail.”
The bird didn’t respond so Liessa just shrugged which made the bird tweet angrily.
“If you hate being on my shoulder, then fly away.”
The bird managed to coo as Liessa’s stomach began to grumble. She couldn’t remember the last time she had actually eaten. And what could she eat around here?
Liessa moved a few branches and leaves in the hopes of finding some berries or herbs but something else caught her attention. It was a smell, not familiar, yet the salty, sweet air made her belly moan even more loudly than before.
Someone was cooking.
Liessa looked at the little bird as if it would offer some wisdom or an opinion but the bird remained quiet. Liessa scratched her head and then rubbed her belly, “I have to find out where that is coming from. Perhaps they would offer me some food. It‘s worth a try.”
As she hunched toward the branches and leaves that barred her way to the food, the bird twitched and flew off. Liessa felt a slight wave of relief as the bird left but the relief was quickly shattered by both hunger and fear. The large, purple bay leaf was moved out of her way and standing inside a small clearing was a figure unlike any other.
Liessa’s eyes bulged and filled with unbridled curiosity as she stared at the man who was bent over a boiling, black pot.
His square chin was lifted high as his eyes which looked like emeralds gazed into the steaming liquid. His skin was dark and utterly scale-less. He had long blonde hair that matted upon itself into dreadlocks and he had no feathers whatsoever. Everything looked perfectly smooth including his unshaven face.
Liessa wanted to see more of him but he was clothed. He wore a burgundy loin cloth that was draped around his buttocks.
Liessa didn’t know what to think about this strange creature that didn’t have any scales or feathers and who wore clothes. Clothes were only meant for those with stature, like her Father or members of the Council. Clothes were status symbols. Perhaps this strange creature was royalty of some sort.
Liessa didn’t have time to consider pondering this as his deep, rich voice shattered the silent wilderness, “Come out from behind there. No reason to hide,” he said.
She hunched motionless. She didn’t want him to acknowledge her presence, after all, she hadn’t even accepted him as a creature yet. He was so new, like a new born baby that the vision intrigued her. She didn’t know whether or not to touch him or stand back in fear.
Liessa still didn’t move as he said, “M’dear, I can see you.” He stared straight into her eyes, piercing her mind as his body turned towards her.
She wanted to remain quiet, hidden but her stomach growled violently and she knew she couldn’t remain anonymous anymore. He could see her. He could hear her.
“Come over here, I won’t hurt you.”
Liessa wanted to believe this stranger, but he unnerved her. It wasn’t natural to be so smooth. He was a freak of some kind. No feathers and no scales, what kind of monster was he?
“Alright,” he continued on, “You can stay there as long as you like. But this food is getting cold.”
Liessa was torn between horror and curiosity about the man and with the ravings of her empty stomach. Sooner or later she would have to make a decision.
Her stomach made it for her.
With a final, loud, glancing growl, Liessa’s belly made her move. Slowly and carefully, she let each foot fall towards the steaming black pot. She kept one eye on the stranger as she sat down by the fire.
Her entire body was stiff and rigid with fear as she crossed her arms and squeezed herself tight.
“Would you like something to eat?” The man said trying his best to look and seem innocent. But he was a freak. He was not meant to be trusted.
Liessa nodded gently and tried for pleasantries but her mouth was clenched too tightly to say, “Thank you”.
“You’re a jumpy little thing, aren’t you?” He asked handing her a wooden bowl that he must have carved himself. Liessa scowled at the browning pods that filled the bowl. They looked like beans except beans are pink, not brown. Liessa hated beans.
Her stomach growled again and she knew she would have to suffer through the beans in order to quiet her stomach.
“Would you like a spoon? Or do you use fingers?”
Liessa’s mouth slightly opened in shock at the fact someone would use their fingers to eat with! How disgraceful! How barbaric, uncivilized.
The man only smiled as he stuffed a handful of the beans into his mouth.
Liessa was disgusted, “That is gross,” she said, her fear overwhelmed by the lack of manners.
“Oh, I apologize your highness. I didn’t realize I was in the company of a lady.”
“A lady?”
“Yes, it’s a term for females schooled in the art of manners.”
“That’s a stupid term,” Liessa replied as a sense of superiority garnered strength from his barbaric customs.
The man only smiled and cocked his head as he swallowed more of the beans, “What brings you so far from your own people?”
“How do you know I am far away from them?”
He scoffed, “I know a Reveraimer when I see one and you are far from home.”
“Well, I can ask the same question of you. There aren’t too many freaks like you around here.”
“Freaks?”
“Yes, it is a term for strange creatures such as yourself.”
The man laughed heartily as he said, “I know what a freak is. I’m not one. But you are.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Anyone with feathers and scales is a freak. That’s just how it is.”
“How dare you…”
“Listen, lady, you should be grateful that I’m offering you food. Continue to insult me and I may not be as gracious with what little I have.”
“Me insult you? You’re the one insulting me!”
“Now, now, let’s not get agitated. Eat. Enjoy your meal.”
Liessa didn’t like being told what to do even if she was starving. She just looked at the bowl of beans and frowned. Who is this freak? And why was he being such a mange? Liessa bowed her head towards Dieses in attempt for forgiveness because she had used another word that Dieses hated. Why was she using such bad language lately? “Flute” and “mange” were words used by males who were unruly, not for females like her.
“Why aren’t you eating, sweetheart?”
Liessa looked down her nose at him, “Are these beans?”
“Yes.”
“I hate beans,” she said simply and arrogantly.
“Well, I hate to break it you, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
“What does that supposed to mean?”
“It means you eat what is given to you or you don’t eat at all.”
Liessa scoffed loudly and thrust her chin high in the air. She didn’t appreciate the savage telling her what to do or even knowing more than she.
The man chuckled softly, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a true Reveraimer and you all never change. You still act high and mighty.”
“Because we are.”
He shook his head and allowed his tangled blonde hair to plop over his large, muscular shoulders. Liessa saw a few muscles ripple under his smooth skin and she became enraptured. She had never seen something like that before. It was almost beautiful to watch him flex.
“So,” he said abruptly interrupting her staring, “What are you doing way out here?”
“Well, what are you doing way out here?” she asked.
“I’m just doing my own thing.”
“So am I.”
“Okay, keep your secrets.”
“I will,” although, she didn’t have any but she didn’t want to tell the stranger that she just felt like exploring nor did she want him to know she was lost. He would just laugh at her again.
“I have to admit, I’m curious as to why a Reveraimer would journey so far from home.”
Liessa shrugged, “I guess you’ll have to remain curious. It’s not for me to enlighten you.”
The man chuckled again which made Liessa cringe. She was getting tired of being laughed at. She didn’t even understand the joke.
“You, madam, are adorable.”
“That’s possible.”
He chuckled some more and stuffed the beans in his mouth. With a loud gulp they wound down his throat and rested in his belly. Liessa wanted to eat, she really did, but not in front of him. He would probably criticize her for using a spoon. She didn’t want to be a mockery anymore.
With shaking hands, Liessa reached into the bowl and felt the hot sting of boiled beans upon her fingers. She winced just a little but she took a few of the beans and placed them tenderly in her mouth. They tasted like dirt. They were chewy and very dry and lacked any real flavor. Nonetheless, she swallowed. Her stomach didn’t growl anymore and for that she was thankful but as she looked up, the man was grinning even more broadly than before. She was trying to fit in so that she would not be the comedy that this man fed on and instead it only made her seem more comical to him.
“I’ve never seen a Reveraimer use their fingers before.”
“Well, I assumed that was the proper way to eat these disgusting beans,” she said biting her lip slightly. She couldn’t do anything right around him apparently. It would seem it was his destiny to constantly mock her no matter what she did. In a very odd way, he reminded her of Namidira with his constant criticizing.
Liessa at once sighed as she thought of her sister. If she had just tried to warn Namidira of the maybe-vision, then Liessa wouldn’t be in this mess. She at once wanted to beat herself up for her own selfishness. If she had helped Namidira, Liessa would be relaxing in a spa right now rather than being forced to eat undercooked beans and speak with the intriguing stranger.
Liessa stared at the man some more as she gazed about his smooth and hairless skin. Hair grew on his face and head but nowhere else that she could see. He was very odd indeed.
“What?” he asked with his smile askew as he interrupted her meditation.
“Exactly. What are you? Why do you not have scales? Where are your feathers?”
“Why do you have feathers and scales? That seems weird to me.”
“Please answer my question.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to know.”
“I thought Reveraimer females were not supposed to know much.”
“There is no rule against knowledge, we prefer to know nothing is all.”
“Then why do want to know about me?”
“You are a strange creature. And how is it you know my language?”
“You need to get out more. You Reveraimer never leave the confines of this realm. There is so much more to this world. If you traveled, you would know that instead of blindly following whatever society dictates.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about but I’m pretty sure you’re not answering any of my questions.”
“Why are you asking so many questions?”
“Why are you?” she replied.
He chortled, “This conversation is getting us nowhere. How about I answer one question and then you, and then me. Sound good?”
“I suppose.”
“What was your first question?”
“I don’t remember.”
He laughed again and the rumble through his throat actually made Liessa smile just a bit even though he was laughing at her.
“Why do you wear clothing, are you royalty or something?” she asked.
“Well, clothing for me covers any unmentionables.”
“Unmentionables?”
“My personal areas.”
Liessa shook her head, “I don’t know what that means.”
He sighed loudly, “It’s like teaching a child how babies are made.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I wear clothing to cover my penis. Are you satisfied now?”
“Why does your penis need to be covered? Is there something wrong with it?”
“No, nothing like that. I wear clothing because I’m modest.”
“Modest? I don’t understand the term.”
“Modesty is like…um…well, it’s like not using profanity.”
“You mean words that Dieses hates?”
“Exactly.”
“So, it’s mannerly to wear clothing?”
“Yes,” his dark green eyes rolled over her naked form as he said, “You should put on some clothing.”
“Why? I am not ashamed.”
“It’s not about shame.”
“Oh, right, it’s about modesty.”
“Correct.”
“Well, that’s all very confusing,” Liessa said eating another bite of the horrid beans.
He grinned as if she was a child on display, “Now it’s my turn for you to answer a question.”
“Do I have to?” she moaned.
“It’s a part of our agreement.”
“Very well. Ask away.”
“How did you end up here?”
Liessa cringed at the question. She didn’t want to appear more of a moron than she already did by saying she felt like going in this direction. That’s a really silly thing to do, to just walk off and explore.
“I felt like going for a walk,” she said simply.
“You’re not being honest with me.”
“Yes, I am.”
“There’s more to it than just that.”
“Well, you didn’t ask for more than that.”
“Is that how we’re going to play it?”
Liessa just snubbed her nose higher into the air in an act of pure superiority. She wanted this man to know he was being snubbed.
“I should be more careful of you, Secret-Keeper,” he said.
“Whatever pleases you.”
He smiled some more with a wicked grin that hid inside his dimpled cheeks, “It does please me. There are other things that please me too, you know.”
“Such as?”
“Is that the question you want to ask me, or is there another, more important question?”
Liessa sighed, “You’re right, that’s not what I want to ask you.”
“Then ask.”
“Okay, what are you?”
“I’m a human.”
“A human? That’s a very bland name.”
He scratched the back of his neck and said, “Like it or not, that’s what I am.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“There’s a lot you’ve never heard of.”
“There’s no need to be condescending,” she snapped.
“As I said before, you Reveraimer are content to just sit idly by as the world turns. You don’t care about anything that happens around you. You’re so damn self-centered that your…”
“Wait,” Liessa interrupted, “What is this “damn” word?”
“It’s profanity.”
“A slight against Dieses?”
“No, she could care less about this word.”
Liessa spoke the word “damn” again and it rolled off her tongue nicely, “I like it.”
“A lot of humans do.”
“You mean, you use this bad word all the time?”
“Yes.”
“And it doesn’t count as a sin?”
The man smiled wickedly again and said, “No, you can say it in genial company without any harm being done.”
“Hmm, I like that word. Damn,” she giggled, “I’m going to try to use it in every damn sentence.”
The man laughed loudly and insolently, “Good girl.”
The man finally stopped laughing and began to pack a light brown sack. He dropped his bowl in there and then emptied the hot pile of beans from the pot onto the ground. As he stuffed the pot into the sack, Liessa began to wonder what he was doing.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“No, it doesn’t work like that. It is my turn to ask a question.”
“Damn agreement,” Liessa muttered.
The man giggled slightly and licked his lips, “What is your name, sweetheart?”
“Liessa, Favored of Dieses, Daughter of the Seer.”
“That is your full name?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to call you the whole thing?”
“No, just Liessa will be fine.”
“Good, because that’s a mouthful.”
Liessa dumped out the rest of her beans and handed the wooden bowl back to its owner. He seemed to be packing things up and if she could help out, she would. It was the least she could do because she was sure this man would escort her back home. He seemed to know the woods rather well otherwise he wouldn’t have a backpack and eat beans.
“Thank you for the food regardless of its taste.”
He smiled, “You’re welcome, darling.”
“Why did you ask my name if you’re just going to call me something else?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess I ran out of questions.”
“You ran out of questions? Don’t you want to know more about me? Or does my reputation as the Favored of Dieses precede me?”
He shook his head, “No, I know everything I need to know about you.”
“I doubt that.”
“If you meet one Reveraimer, you know them all.”
“That’s very bias of you.”
“You’re all the same. Although, I must admit, you make me laugh. None of the others could make me laugh.”
Liessa narrowed her eyes, “I am not a court jester. I am not here for your entertainment. I demand that you apologize at once for insulting me.”
He raised his hands in a surrender-like gesture, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were a jackass.”
“You damn mange!” she said out loud.
The man just smiled some more and threw his pack over his shoulders. Liessa stood up and frowned at him. She couldn’t believe the rude manners of this human thing. He was still a freak in her eyes.
“Oh, come now,” he said smiling gently, “Let’s not part on cruel terms.”
“Part?” Liessa asked stunned.
“Well, yes, I have to get moving on.”
“I thought you would…”
“Thought I would do, what? You’re not lost apparently. You just went for a stroll in the woods. You can find your own way back.”
“But I…” Liessa held her breath. She couldn’t and wouldn’t admit to being lost in the woods. Her pride was too overwhelming to ever ask for help. She clenched her teeth and almost cried at the prospect of being alone again. If only she could bring herself to tell the truth then he would help her get home. Instead she replied, “Yes, I can find my own damn way, thank you.”
He laughed out loud again and nodded in her direction, “I really hope we meet again, Liessa. You’re different from other Reveraimer,” he paused and looked at her daunting face as if she had just been insulted, “I would take that as a compliment.”
Liessa wanted to accept the compliment, but soon she would be all alone again, alone in the wilderness, and hopelessly lost. Why couldn’t she swallow her pride? Why couldn’t she accept help from the strange man?
She managed to smile weakly as he began to depart, “Where are you going?” she asked.
“I’m going home. You should do the same. No one should be wandering around here by themselves. There are some dangerous creatures in these woods.”
“Okay,” she replied not knowing what he was talking about. There was nothing scary in these woods. These woods were home to many creatures but none that would harm a Reveraimer. Unless she had ventured further than she thought. She had come across a human and they were not a natural phenomenon in these woods.
Liessa sat back down on the mangled log as she heard the footsteps of the first human she had ever met disappear. She felt completely and utterly helpless. How could he leave her like that? What kind of man would do that? No man has ever left her side and he was the first. She was always being escorted somewhere even if she didn’t need the help. She had to slip away unnoticed in order to be alone.
She didn’t want to be alone anymore.
Every crack of the dying branches, every small noise made her jump. She had never been frightened before in the woods and now everything seemed unfamiliar and horrifying. The trees seemed strange and unknown and even the air carried a sense of dread.
Or she could just be imagining things.
She should get up and move. Try to find her way home. With achy and tired limbs she stood up and surveyed the small clearing. She had no idea how to get out of here. Brush and bramble covered any path that might be around here and she couldn’t even remember which direction the man had left. If only she could follow him. Perhaps she could persuade him to help her. That would be the only way she would ever find home again. She needed his help.
But how would she even be able to find him?
Another cracked branch sounded in the silent clearing. Liessa’s heart jumped once more. She couldn’t stand the scary noises the forest made anymore. She had to look for the human.
More branches cracked and shattered around her. The air breezed by as a creature ran past in a blur. Liessa turned on her heel and held her breath as another creature ran past. Wind from their bodies swept her hair and ruffled her feathers. She felt two more zoom by.
Were they birds? What could run that fast? And how were they able to clear the brush?
More ran past in a blur until the dust from the clearing clouded her vision. Her heart began to beat wildly at the confusion.
“Nothing here can hurt me,” she said out loud to comfort herself, “Stay calm. Everything is okay. There is nothing to fear.”
She tried to control her breathing as several more creatures kicked up dust.
Fur caressed her dodgy scales as one came too close for comfort.
Her mind raced to think of all the creatures that had fur. Anything with fur had sharp teeth. That was fact. Her heart thumped loudly as more ran past. She hoped they would pass her by and just leave dust in their wake. She hoped it was just a stampede.
All at once the thunderous noises stopped. Silence echoed in the small clearing as the dust began to settle. She still couldn’t see well through the haze and the fear of the unknown became too big of an issue to ignore.
Run, said her little voice. Run.
Liessa let her hands fall to her sides and leapt over the bramble. She had to run. She had to. She ran faster and faster, her heart thumping out of her chest. The wind whipped her face and stung her eyes. Plants and branches beat her as she passed by them in a blur.
Growls sounded at her heels.
Liessa knew she couldn’t look over her shoulders to discover what was chasing her because she might trip but she did anyway. Screams escaped her lips as she tried to fun faster. She knew what the beasts are. They are the Mezgure, the Agents of Narcis. She had heard rumors of the creatures who worshipped a God known as Narcis, who were cannibals, who kidnapped Reveraimer children from their beds. She thought they were just a scary story meant to keep children in line. She thought wrong.
Their lion heads were beaded with two rows of red eyes as they clawed their human bodies to follow her. They gnarled their sharp, pointed, yellow teeth as they chased her.
Liessa’s only choice was to outrun them. She knew she could keep ahead of them, but for how long? How much endurance and adrenaline did she have?
Tears etched their way down her cheeks as she kept running. Her breath came in heavy heaves the more she ran. Her heart threatened to burst if she didn’t stop running. Everything hurt.
Her eyes noticed a black hole through the thicket. It was a cave. She knew not to go into the cave because there would be no way out but still she ran for it. She sought the safety of confines, of something over her head and around her body. She wanted to go home. Whenever she was frightened at home she could just throw the covers over her head and be safe. Liessa likened the cave to her bedspread. She was just so exhausted that she couldn’t make a decent decision anymore. She had no more energy. She had to stop soon.
Her legs gave way underneath her as the darkness of the cave surrounded her. She had never known true darkness and as the thick black air blotted out any light, she cried. She could hear the Mezgure entering the cave, searching for her in the darkness. She knew they could hear her sobs so she began to move further into the dark cave.
She couldn’t see a damn thing so she stretched out her hands in an attempt to feel for something. Nothing was all she found. She didn’t even know where the cave walls were. She sniffled loudly and began to wail. Why had this happened to her? She didn’t deserve this. She was the Favored of Dieses. Nothing horrible would ever happen to her. Dieses would always protect her favorite.
Liessa wiped at snot that trailed from her nose as she heard the scraping of Mezgure claws on the rock bottom. They were coming closer. She slipped as she kept walking through the darkness. She was blind. She couldn’t see anything. She wondered why the Mezgure would try hunting her in here. They only went after easy prey. Perhaps that’s what they thought of her, that she was easy prey. At least entering in this cave would make hunting her more difficult. They had misjudged her. She smiled a little bit to herself for at least annoying them before they ripped her to shreds. Her smile disappeared the instant something brushed past her back. One was close, he could touch her. Her heart raced with new vigor and she began to walk faster. She knew she couldn’t run inside this dark place, but she had to get away.
Her foot stepped onto the air and she fell into a dark chasm. Her skin pulled and tugged violently and she screamed in utter pain as her feathers were ripped from her face, as her scales were torn from her body. Her new, fleshy skin jiggled as the force of gravity pulled her ever further into the darkness.
She vomited up the beans and felt them splatter her face. She screamed and cried at the same time as her body felt like it was being pulled in a million different ways.
A loud smack resounded as she hit bottom.
All was black.