CHAPTER TWO
The Announcement
I smiled, leaning my head against the trunk of the weeping willow. I fiddled with the dried grass I had gathered, weaving it together. The breeze drifted across my face, and bits of sunlight slipped through the curtain of the willow’s branches and danced before my eyelids. I rested my weaving in the lap of my dress and curled my legs up and under me. Through gaps in the branches I could see all of the little village I called home. It’s cobblestone and dirt roads, the King’s castle, and the trading square. It was plain, for a village of it’s size, and quiet. Then beyond that lay farm after farm much like our own. Some days, I would strain my eyes to see what lay beyond it, but I never could see far enough. My mind knew that there was something there, but my eyes never could see. I sighed and rested the palms of my hand on the ground. The second they touched the dirt, my vision disappeared. I gasped. What had happened? I wanted to scream but was in too much of a shock. Where had my sight gone? Then tunnels and channels filled my vision, accompanied by images of roots weaving in and out through the soil. A scene of tunnels dug by little animals, accompanied by a little white rabbit and her baby’s navigating through one to get out of their home, replaced the outside world. I tried to push further, deeper into the soil, it was like I was sinking into the earth. The sound of clanging bells, and whispers, shouting even, assaulted my ears. Blurred images of what might be people filled my mind. My head started to get dizzy, my ears starting to ring. An unbearable pain in my head took over my thoughts.
I wrenched my mind away. Gasping, I looked around, relieved to find that my vision was back to normal. The clanging, whispering, and dizziness had instantly disappearing, no hint of the migraine left. I was sprawled on my stomach, my face pressed to the ground. I realized that I must have passed out from lack of sleep the previous night. I hadn’t even found rest after the nightmare I had had. I sucked in a deep breath and carefully stood up, wiping my very pale hands on my skirt.
“Ellasis, would you mind helping me with our meal? Chani went to the market, and we only have a few moments until Peter and Katherine arrive!” Trina called, her voice echoing through the yard to where I stood. I darted to the house with the speed of wind, my skin tingling with excitement. I slipped through the door, and down the hall, where I found Trina in the kitchen, standing over a pot of boiling water her face mere centimeters from the surface. Her black hair was tied up in a loose knot on the top of her head, and the steam from the pot, made loose strands stick to the back of her neck.
“Will you cook the potatoes? Then see to setting out the tableware?” She asked pointing to the second boiling pot, swiping the sweat off her brow.
“Of course,” and with the speed of practiced hands my fingers stripped away the skins of the potatoes. It wasn’t long before they were placed in the water and cooking. I had just finished folding the last of the cloth napkins when I heard the doors open. My heart skipped.
"Mother? Ellasis?" Kathy called out. I ran to the doors, finding Kathy and Peter standing in the entry. I threw herself into Peter's arms.
“You’ve arrived! I almost don't believe it!" I said.
“Peter! Katherine!” I heard Trina say from behind her. Peter twirled me around before resting my feet back on solid ground.
“I am here, and so are you! How is my favorite little cousin? I've missed you!" Peter said.
"Only little cousin, and I'm very well now that you're home. I'd be better if your apprenticeship allowed you to come home once in a while, or at very least visit me in the infirmary. You'd think Mr. High and Mighty Chief Captain of the guard could manage himself without needing an oversize buffoon trailing after him wherever he wonders." I said. Peter laughed.
"It's Mr. High and mighty oversize buffoon, Ms. High and mighty little cousin." She laughed.
"Look how different you are!" She said. "You’re skin is so much darker! You're hair, it must be multiple shades lighter, and I’m absolutely positive you've grown since I last saw you. Either that or I-" A series of loud coughs alerted them to a third figure standing just inside the door.
"Oh. Aron...you're here," Trina said, her arms still half wrapped around Kathy. Aron came to stand behind Kathy. He placed one hand on her neck and the other on her shoulder. Trina took a few steps back. Aron's brown, bead like, eyes-which were so close together they nearly touched his nose-swept the room. They landed on me, and traced the curves of my figure. I stepped closer to Peter.
"It's so special to have you here. I'm so glad you feel comfortable enough to arrive unannounced any day you please, as if you were a member of the family."
"And so it begins," Peter whispered to me.
"I suppose you may come in as well. If you must, you may take a seat," Trina said. Kathy pressed her hands together.
"Mother, the food smells amazing, and admittedly I’m famished," Kathy said.
"Oh yes, of course. You poor thing. Let's get you some proper food." Trina said, and lead the group to the dining table. After everyone was seated, a quick prayer was said, and all had begun to eat, Kathy spoke.
"I am sure you have all been wondering what I've gathered all of us together for..." Kathy began.
"Go on," Trina said.
"Well," Kathy glanced at Aron. "I'm getting married, in a little less than a month, and naturally as my family all of you are invited," With a loud clang, Trina’s fork fell out of her hand. Oh dear.
“To whom?”
“To Aron, mother.”
“You’re expecting aren't you? If you are, you do not have to marry; not him.” Silence. My mouth bobbed open and closed. I had better let them alone for a few moments. I stood.
"Peter, perhaps we might…"
"I wholeheartedly agree," We slipped around Trina and out the back door, where we sat on the door ledge. I traced the places where the concrete was cracked and deteriorated, and stared at my reflection in a puddle beside me. Extraordinarily plain were the only words I could think of to describe myself. With my muddy brown hair, very dim blue eyes, and pale, pasty, skin, I felt as if even that were almost too generous. I sighed, and swiped at the water.
“How is Kalina doing?” I asked.
“She’s been behaving strangely lately.”
“You mean behaving as if she were in love with you.”
“Perhaps.”
“Honestly Peter, I pity any woman you court. If you continue the way you do, there won’t be a single girl in this kingdom who’s heart is left intact. One would think you kept a collection of their hearts in masonry on your mantelpiece.”
“Not masonry, ebony boxes with velvet lining." Peter said with a smile.
"A genuine prince," Ellasis rolled her eyes.
"The captain has decided to make me his second in command..." Ellasis clapped her hands to her mouth.
"Peter, this is-how could you not tell me sooner?"
"It just happened yesterday, I wanted to tell you in person.”
"I can't believe this, the kingdom will be so much safer with you there."
"This is what I've worked so hard for all this time, and It's a very substantial pay. Mother, Chani and you will be able to live better than you ever have. You won't have to work anymore if you don't want to, none of you will."
"Forget about the money, this is what you've always wanted," Peter looked down at his hands.
"I just wish you three hadn't had to struggle so much. I can't imagine how many extra shifts she worked to be able to afford dinner, and you to be able to even be here.”
"Peter, we're doing well enough. They just recently made me an official nurse at the palace infirmary, so there’s a little more money, we've been doing well, really."
"They only just barely made you a nurse? You are the best healer they have!" Peter said. I shrugged.
"I don't mind, I'm there for the people. Besides, if I were higher up there would be more attention on me, and I don't believe I'd be able to do as much good."
"Are you still going dow
n to the dungeons and healing some of the prisoners?"
"Only the ones treated unfairly for their crimes, but yes."
"I wish you wouldn't."
"I know, I'm being careful. There’s a passageway I found that keeps me hidden."
"Ellasis, Peter!"
"Looks like the interrogation is over." Peter said.
We walked into the living room where we found Kathy tucked into Aron's side on the sofa, and Trina sitting across from them in the ratted arm chair.
“You’re alive! What luck, no one has ever survived one of mother's famous interrogations,” Peter said. Aron's eyes narrowed.
“He’s joking, ignore him. You’ll get used to it after a while.” I said.
“No sense of humor that one.” Peter commented, and jabbed a thumb in my direction. “She likes to ruin all the fun.”
“I’m just being nice. Much nicer than you’re being in case you were wondering.” I said, her hands in the air in surrender.
“I wasn’t wondering actually,” Peter said. I rolled her eyes.
“Now Ellasis, it’s no fault of Peter’s that Aron can’t appreciate a well told joke,” mother said with a smile.
“You both are terrible,” I turned to Aron. “Ignore them, that just means they are starting to like you.”
“And that’s my family. Peter and mother will stick you with their barbs, and Ellasis will suffocate you with her sweetness,” Kathy said.
“I resent that! I smother not suffocate,” I said.
“Oh forgive me, smother it is.” Kathy said, and laughed. “Sorry about them, they're all a little out of their minds. I am the only one who hasn't succumbed to their ways,” she said, and curled deeper into his side.