|
|
|
Escape to Aesop
The moonlight sky was slowly fading into dawn, the long blades of grass parted and then joined one another again, the trees leaves bustled their skirts against the early morning breeze. Birds opened one eye to the dew and chirruped sweet melodies of groggy awakening. They danced along the grass, and settled only to be disturbed by a speeding figure. She ran and ran to the North, passing the lake now dried and useless, it's deep and dark secrets exposed for the world to see. Saphira wanted to stop and mourn her life, but she carried on in fear of her life and prophecy. The whole world as she knew it was caving in on her by pointless death and destruction, tears dragged back into the distance by the sheer force of velocity which she ran, her green cloak whipped the wind, strands of hair escaped and flew with her cloak, mud spat her yellow shoes, they crept up her legs and were stuck firmly. But she ran not caring but to meet someone to take her of this desolate island. The terrain changed to dusty and sandy, perfect for immense speed. She was close to Aesop she could see the barricades yonder the bridge she approached. She stopped moments before she laid a foot on the creaking bridge, she stretched her arm out and leaned on the bridge support, she studied the bridge carefully. It stretched across the gorge, the sky reflected in the water about 1000 leagues down, saphira swallowed her fears, sure the bridge could support her weight, but right now she was unsure, the rope looked like it would break if a butterfly breathed on it. But nevertheless she would rather risk her life than be taken into darkness and destroy peoples happiness. She took one step forwards and then another, picking up her speed as much as she dared, suddenly the bridge jolted her whole body was nearly thrown of the bridge, she teetered towards the edge. The ropes were breaking. She struggled but at last she stood up and ran, right near the edge near the city, her hands outstretched. The bridge snapped. Saphira fell. Her scream echoed in the gorge and faded into the echoes. She hung on the edge near the city, her strength slowly faded, this was the end she realized, her fingers slipping off the edge, her feet meeting nothing but air, memories flashing in her eyes, tears flowing freely. Then she fell.
Strong hands grasped her arms, holding her reassuringly, Saphira knew her life again was spared and death left empty handed for now. She looked up, her hood still hiding her twitching ears, but off her face enough to see her rescuers face. He held onto her and smiled, he hauled her up beside him, He was square-jawed, clean-shaven, brown hair like a scarecrow down his face, it stopped just touching his shoulders, a big grin, brown eyes that sparkled with mischievous playfulness. He was about eighteen or nineteen, tall and slightly tanned, he wore a white shirt open showing a muscular chest and arms, 3/4 length brown pants now slightly dusty with sand and brown hide shoes wrapped round his feet. Saphira stood up and opened her mouth to whisper a thanks, but her knees buckled and she collapsed in his arms, he looked down at her with great understanding and lifted her up into both his arms without any effort involved.
"Don't worry," He said, his voice warm and mellow like a hot chocolate bubbling on a stove, "I know a place where you can rest for a bit, I'll take you there don't worry." He smiled and carried to her the gate, it opened, moaning slightly, It revealed a small village on a cliff, over the sea. The dawn smiled with open arms welcoming Saphira to protection and happiness, which Saphira knew was deceiving but wished that it was true. The stranger carried her to the pub, Saphira gazed at the tall, delapetated, old building, it had a warm presence even from the outside, an old sign creaked overhead, boasting of it name, "The Open Arms", it had a picture of an elve which arms open in acceptance. Saphira snuggled deeper in the boy's arms and closed her eyes, she fell asleep almost inspontaniously. He looked down in his arms of the sleeping beauty, her peacefulness warmed him slightly, suddenly her hood slipped off, her hair tumbled out, her elven ears exposed to his eyes, he nearly dropped her with shock, she didn't stir but carried on with her slumber. He stopped struggling to think of what to do, he walked up the steps the pub door opened, an roly-poly man nodded to this boy with the girl in his arms, the mans kind face dropped into a look of amazement at the sleeping elve, he looked warily around him and indicated for them to get in quickly, they ran in and shut the door fast.
Saphira's eyes flickered open, she was on a bed, her cloak lay on the floor with her bag of things, she panicked had that boy seen her elven heritage? She rustled the sheets to stand up and froze, a heated argument rose outside her door, she crept to the door and placed her ear against the oak door, she knew she shouldn't be eavesdropping but she needed to know if it was about her or the souls of darkness trying to get her. Two men were arguing outside her door one sounded like her rescuer and the other sounded like a fierce warrior, or a really scary fat man.
"Eldor what are you thinking she can't come with us she might have been chased by HIEM himself"," the fat man stopped and Saphira heard him shudder, "Eldor you cant just find some babe off the street, yeah she is an elve, but there is something about her which seems cursed."
"But Captain," Eldor, her rescuer, sounded desperate, Saphira's heart went out to him, she wanted to be by his side even though she hardly knew him, but she stayed listening intently her legs giving in to a cramp, "How can you stand there and say that she doesn't deserve to come, why it is like saying i don't belong with our crew, and you know i practically built that crew, i don't care, she can stay with me, either she comes with us or I'll go. And what if she is the on we have searched for....." There was an awkward silence broken by the clanging and buzz of the crowd awakening outside.
Finally the other man said, "Fine you win, but Ruby ain't gonna be happy, she is smittened with you and you better not destroy her with this new girl."
He started to walk off his footsteps echoed in the hallway, Saphira heard him sigh and stop, "Listen we leave soon, you better hurry, oh and don't tell Shade about her, he'll be all over her like a fly to honey, after all she is an elven babe and him being one of her kind, well you know." He walked off, leaving Eldor alone outside the door.
The door latch twitched and Saphira sped to the bed, the door opened and Saphira snapped her eyes shut, her head spinning, another elve, she had never seen another elve except her parents, the servants were all puppets made by magic, she was betrothed to a boy but hadn't seen him, and apparently he disappeared four years ago leaving no connection to whom he might be. Through her half closed eyes she saw Eldor silhouette smiling at her, he leaned forward and brushed strands of hair off her porcelain face. She pretended to stir, and he sat on the bed next to her staring at her radiance, she flickered her eyes open, long eyelashes batting her cheekbones.
"Morning," he said, " How are you? You gave me a scare before when you nearly fell. Oh I'm sorry i don't know your name, I'm Eldor, Saviour of outlaws and you are?"
He leant back yawning his arms stretching above his head, Saphira sat up next to him, yawning after Eldor had finished, "I'm Saphira," she said jumping softly off the bed, she round and faced him and sigh heavily she felt like she could trust him to tell him her prophecy, "The elven prophecy to defeat HIEM, but not that it makes sense, i don't know what to do except to get off this small island to far away lands."
She looked him and he sighed and scratched the back of his scarecrow head, he looked up at her and met her eyes, " I guess the Captain was right," he paused and looked at his feet, Saphira could see him looking sheepish, she knew what was coming next, he sighed and looked back at her, "Well i think you should come with us, we leave in an hour, i mean you don't have to. But we, i mean, i can help you." He stopped and was grinning stupidly, it made Saphira feel like smiling to, but her mouth remained tightly firm, she didn't whisper a reply, her head jerked a simple yes. Eldor grinned wider and his eyes grew brighter.
"Well get your cloak on we're going. I'm already late!" Saphira hastily grabbed her cloak and bag, and was pulled out the room by Eldor.
The room was empty, stuffy musty air lingered. The Sapphire stone lay forgotten on the floor, it's golden snake coils glinted as though alive, the curtain parted, blue smoke faded away, a figure of a small child with a tall mages hat shuffled forwards, he stopped before the stone and shook his head, small black hands picked it up delicately and placed it in pockets of the long cloak. He studied the room and sighed, "I'm getting to old for this." And disappeared in a nod of it's head.
Saphira laughed loud, her voice tinkled, "She's beautiful." She laughed and ran across the wooden docks leaving Eldor behind, the ship was magnificent, large wooden masts carved with delicate patterns, they looked slightly elven, the ship itself was sleek and made of Red-worn, a rare tree only found in the far northern hemisphere of the world. Eldor caught up with her, pulling her cloak over her exposed ears, he patted her on the head and grabbed her small, soft hands,
"Stay with me, and keep that cloak on until we leave these shores, then I'll introduce you to the crew."
He squeezed her hand reassuringly, they walked on the ship hand in hand. The deck swayed gently Saphira felt eyes staring she squirmed uneasily, she leaned closer to Eldor, breathing in his fragrance, it made her feel calm and her heart beat slow down to a flutter. Eldor stopped, Saphira heard his chest thumping loudly, she kept her head down, her cheeks flushed rose pink, some hair feel out of her hood, her hands tight on his arm,
" Don't be scared." he whispered under his breath, "They are all really nice, you'll like 'em especially my girl, Captain, oh and Shade, he's one of your kind.
"Man the sails," a women's voice yelled, Saphira's head snapped up, the sun glared in her eyes, "Eldor!" a women ran up, she was skinny and curvy, forget-me-not eyes, stern big blue lips, skin pale as moonlight with swirly patterns of mystic numerals, sea-green hair that cascaded down her back. She wore soft padded white plimsolls, white 3/4 length pants, ragged and torn with wear, a faded blue vest top hung on her chest. She ran and jumped on Eldor, Saphira stepped shyly to the side, Eldor and this water nymph hugged passionately, they kissed lips hungry for each other, Saphira stood there felling awkward thinking if they would ever come back for air, she smiled at her small joke. they finally broke apart, side-side, their hands entwined like ivy. Eldor looked at Saphira flushed and a bit sheepish.
" Who's this new pet you found Eldor hunny?" The girl spoke up her voice loud and echoing, she eyed Saphira with a look of suspicion and wariness, Saphira felt her hairs on her neck prickling as this women sized her up. Saphira looked up her eyes meeting those soft forget-me-not eyes twinge with a bit of roughness, the nymph grinned, her lips sparking like sunlight caught on the sea:
"Oh ain't she a sweetheart," the nymph let go of Eldor's hand and walked up to Saphira looking at her face to face, those few seconds of awkward silence, her eyes boring into Saphira's trying to glimpse the essence of her soul, her eyes lit up and she stood beside Saphira, her arm circle around Saphira's shoulder. Saphira felt a bit strange stood there with the women's arm round her, as Eldor stood there glancing at her and the women.
Eldor spoke up hands shoved deep in his pants pockets, " Err," Saphira this is Ruby, She's a water nymph of the fairy glade, Ruby this is Saphira, She's, erm, how could i put it."
He hesitated, his hand raised and scratched the back of his head, he looked at Ruby and his eyes met Saphira's, in their minds they knew what the other wanted to say, Saphira nodded slightly, his eyes sparkled and he grinned silently.
" Ruby, Saphira's one of Shade's kind. She's the one, the prophecy."
Ruby grew silent, her gripped tightened on Saphira's shoulders. Saphira's ears twitched under the cloak, danger was coming, her fingers automatically went to her chest, ready to feel the familiar chain attached to the stone. But there was nothing in between the folds of fabric, she panicked her heart fluttered and leapt to her throat, her breathing grew heavy. Eldor saw the panic drain her face and he kneeled down and looked up at her porcelain face, he took one of her hands in hers and searched her eyes;
"It's gone, it's at the Inn." Saphira squirmed away from the protection of the lover's, she ran across the deck, darting among the crew. "OW!" She crashed onto floor on top of a black haired boy with elven ears, his eyes were white with a lightning bolt through each pupil, he was incredibly handsome, tall and rugged. He looked forlorn as if something precious had been taken and would never be replaced to him. He sat up with Saphira still on top off him, he wore all black, 3/4 length pants and shirt, cramped with chains, a sword, white with a flash of steel were of elven design, his black hair longer than Eldor's. He gripped her wrists and pried her body off his, he didn't smile, he didn't even look at her, he nodded and walked off, leaving Saphira stunned.
The ship jerked, they were going, but Saphira needed that stone, she heard Eldor's voice shouting her name, she stood up and ran to the edge of the ship and jumped onto the dock, without a glance behind her. Eldor shouted her name, but she ran back into the village of Aesop, probably leaving her only chance of freedom far behind.
She ended up in the twisted back-allies running towards the towns square, "PST," whispered a voice behind her, "Over here." She headed towards some crates next to an old fish shop near the cliff, a small figure stepped out and bowed it's little head at her, it's eyes illuminating red even though daylight was pure.
"Little child of darkness." Saphira whispered she knelt down on the dry grass and looked at the small figure face to face.
" Yes, that is whom i am," he produced Saphira's stone out of the blue and placed it in her yearning hands, " Now Listen child, the witch of the glade wasn't kidding, take better care of that stone, it's very important. Behind this crate you will see a sword with a cover, guard that. And only you can use it until you find the prince of the elves and discover your true power, those of royal elven blood can touch it." He took two steps towards the cliff and turned to face her. " The nightmares are here, don't get caught this time." He disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Saphira stood up and moved the crate aside, and sure enough there was the sword, she tied it to her waist with the belt attached to the swords cover, the stone vibrated on her chest, they were here and this time there was no escape, was there?
She ran into the village square, the market bustled with activity, Saphira's eyes scanned the area, her cloak blew wildly in the sudden breeze, someone screamed, everyone panicked, the crowd parted just enough for Saphira to see the souls of darkness pin down a screaming young girl, there jaws parted ready to give her to kiss of death, Saphira saw her little face screaming, while the crowd stood round helpless. The girl's mother crying hysterically, held back by many locals, no one would help, all paralyzed with fear.
"STOP!" Saphira shouted, there eyes darted in her direction, the soul's of darkness loosened their grip on the child, the child escaped to her mothers arms. But no one noticed the escapee, there eyes pinned on Saphira.
" You leave them alone, it's me you want!" she ripped off her cloak, her hair flew wild and free, storm clouds gathered, rolls of thunder growled with anger, the wind howled striking chords with the soul's of darkness, the crowd stopped as if someone had paused time, their whispered murmurs drowning the howling. "Elve!" They whispered, the soul's of darkness glided closer, their claws swiping thin air, Saphira's heart pounded, it echoed in her ears. The people stared as they knew Saphira would meet her death, she ran towards the cliff, the darkness snatched at her heels grasping her shadow. She was at the edge, a ship came into view it was Eldors ship, she had no choice; a life of darkness or jumping to her watery grave. Their jaws met her face and she jumped.
Eldor was stood in the mast thinking of Saphira when he saw her figure cornered on the cliff, she jumped into the water below, "NO!" he yelled gripping onto a large coil of rope, his eyes searched frantically for her figure emerging from the fierce waves, the rain whipped at his face, his hair wet and matted against his forehead, but still he held on. Saphira burst out sputtering and swam helplessly against the waves. The souls of darkness dived, there bodies transformed into the "alsevia mara" the sirens horror, like the worst nightmare of a mermaid, their bodies sleek and glistening with tails which whipped the waves, faces drawn like skulls and eyes empty with no emotion. Hands webbed with talons sharp enough to slice dragons scales. Saphira swam fast her energy fading and black dots appeared in her eyes a spell on a whisper on the edge of her tongue.
Eldor wrapped the rope round his leg, and backed up as much as he could, his hand gripped the rope and he jumped. He swung off the mast over the crew, his feet skimmed the waves and he reached out for Saphira. Her hand feebly reached out for his and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the alsevia mara grasp, they screeched disappointed, they'd have to return empty handed to their master again. Eldor pulled Saphira's unconscious body close to him, her body limp and wet against his, she was light but her skin was soft as feathers, her lips brushed his neck slightly, he imagined those lips kissing him in return of her life, but what was he thinking he had a girl. But for those few seconds he imagined his life with her, the passion they'd share," However," he thought," This is only lust, i love Ruby. I have a mission to do, and Shade...." They swerved back to the deck of the ship, and tumbled on the wood. Ruby ran towards him and caressed his head, tending his casualties and cooing like a dove. The elven boy ran to Saphira, he tested her pulse, her chest stopped. He gave her mouth to mouth, she spluttered coughing up sea water, her eye lashes batted her cheeks her bright blue eyes sparked with life. He nodded his eyes reflecting her image and began to walk off,
"Shade, what are you doing? Get back there pick her up and take her to her room."
" That scary voice sounded like the one which argued with Eldor back in Aesop." realized Saphira.
A burly fat man appeared from behind the mast, he looked like a grown dwarf, he had big brown boots with auburn pants tucked inside them, a big brown jacket lined with fur couldn't hide his large posture. His face was largely covered by a big bushy greying beard, and a pilots hat cramped on top of his head.
"Now, Shade and i mean it." Shade sighed and shook his head, he turned to Saphira, kneeled by Saphira side, he placed his arms carefully behind her head and under her legs, she wrapped her arms round his neck and he stood up, he looked at the Captain and Eldor and nodded, He walked to the cabins, Saphira caught a glimpse of Eldor, his eyes looked a bit different, a twinge of jealousy ran through him. She longed to hugged him and thank him for saving her life, again. She wanted to be where Ruby was and caress him as she was. But what was she thinking, Eldor loved Ruby, and plus she was an elve, elves are meant to like only elves, Shade carried her through a darkened corridor, maybe, maybe she'll grow to love Shade." But why won't he looked at me?" she wondered. He took her through a mazes of corridors and stopped at a door, the door was lined with maple leaves carved into the wood, "It's an elven room," she thought, and the door opened. The room was lined with soft fabrics, the drawers, wardrobe and dresser were carved with great detail, the floor lined with a plush rug, and a four poster bed enriched with Muslims' and goose feathers. Shade stood her up and supported her into the room, he sat her on a chair near the porthole stain-glassed window.
"Thank you, thank all of you." Saphira held his hand and, bowed her head. "Eno Carte," Saphira let his hand go and looked up at his amazing eyes. Shade looked away, and his eyes slowly lingered back to hers, his lips parted and out poured a babble of languages unknown to Saphira, Saphira sat there confused, Shade breathed heavily as if a huge weight was placed on his shoulders;
" Sorry i forgot you weren't brought up in Alviia Gratvia, i haven't seen another elve for four years." Shade sighed, his voice sounded like music in Saphira's ears, the compassion of someone lost reflected in his voice.
" Shade," she whispered," I thank you, i am Saphira, Eldor probably told you who i am, but Shade please tell me, why are you so sad?"
His eyes glazed over, " I...........I..........I can't tell you!"
He darted to the door, his hand stretched out to turn the handle, he paused and looked behind at her, his gaze locked on her eyes, electricity tingled through her body.
" Your stuff has been put away in the drawers, there are some clothes which have been put away in the wardrobe, they are elven i hope they are to your taste." he stopped and faced the door and opened it, he stood in the door frame and turned to face her, their eyes locked again he broke away and stared at the floor, " I'll sent some one to bring you dinner, there is some food on the desk, there is a door next to your bed, in there is a bathroom, it is of the finest quality man can do I'm afraid," he paused and bowed, " I will see you soon, please take this time to prepare yourself to meet the crew and get changed." He turned his back to her and walked off without a backwards glance, his footsteps heavy as the door swung softly back into place, Saphira sat in the silence, the soft sighs of the calming sea.
She stood up the ship swayed slowly under her shoes. Slipping her feet out of the mud-ridden shoes she tip-toed her delicate toes towards the mirror on the dresser, she unclipped her hair and shook it, a mane of bracken curls tumbled with one another, she undid the belt of the sword and placed it on the dresser, she fumbled with the buttons of her clothes, and slipped daintily out of them leaving them on the floor in a heap next to the shoes. Naked as the day she was born, she opened the door to the bathroom it gleamed at her, there was a pool of some enchantment lay in the middle of the bathroom, she had seen these before she had one at home, they were like small pools of water which were always fresh and gleaming, they would never spill and always felt fresh to the skin, it kept the softness and beauty without using any ointments or spells. Saphira sank into the water feeling the purity caress her skin, she dunk her head under and swam, spinning round under the water her hair swirled round, the stone reflecting the waters sun glint hung round her neck. she surfaced her feet lazily skimming the base, her hair floating on the surface, she feel free and safe on this ship with the people she had met. But Saphira felt that there was secrets which were hidden in everyone's desires and memories.
She clambered gracefully out of the pool and wrapped the soft towel around her, covering her elegant frame, shaking as much water out of her mane of curls she sighed with satisfaction and wandered back to the other room, shoving on fresh underwear she opened the wardrobe door and gasped at the beauty of the garments, she delicately rummaged among the clothes and felt the fabrics of soft silks, Muslims' and elven cotton, she pulled out a dress, it was knee length and was the colour of Ruby's eyes, it was short sleeved and was embroidered with flowers. The towel dropped to floor as Saphira pulled on the dress, it hugged her and the fabric felt silky smooth on her skin. She found a pair of blue sandals with ribbon to tie around the legs, she slipped them on and wrapped the ribbon with care. She tousled her hair with the towel until it was reverently dry, she brushed it with the brush from the dresser, her hair gleamed with captured sunbeams. She smiled at her reflection, and turned to head out of the door, but she paused and looked at the sword hidden in it's sheath, she stepped towards it and studied the detail, she trailed her fingers along the design until her hand gripped the handle, she slowly took it out off its sheath, it felt like liquid in her hand, the silver handle was entwined with silver ivy leaves, it had a stone set in the middle like her stone but this was darker and more sophisticated, the actual blade was steel and sharp, it gleamed with hunger for battle and the dragon scratched into the blade shimmered as though alive. She swung it with ease and it whistled around her, she became one with the sword and her body twisted with more grace and ease than a warm summers breeze. She stopped her breathing grew heavy, she placed it back in its sheath and placed it on her waist. She staggered and fell on the bed, her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep in the silence of the sea.
 Saphira Moonlily · Thu Nov 23, 2006 @ 07:25am · 1 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
