Ever since that afternoon, questions clouded Kismet’s mind. What are Undine, or even Cathera for that matter? What is a blood sister? Did she have a blood sister? If so, where has she been all these years? Was she dead? How did she suddenly appear in Delphi’s bath?
Soon after Delphi fell asleep, Kismet found herself gazing into the blue shimmering waters of Rokan’s Holy Fountain. In her studies, she learned the fountain existed even before the Empire began 990 years ago. The fountain didn’t have its polished stone tiers, or its large stone base. Instead, it was only the large, mystical statue of an Undine, sitting on rocks that seemed to grow out of the earth.
The polished stone face of the Undine gazed at Kismet with large pupil-less eyes. Her face tilted to the left, as if sympathetic, with a sad, but loving smile. Her face and body were hauntingly realistic. Even the stone had a subtle tint of blue to it, with a texture reminiscent of Aria and Melody’s body. It even looked moist, maybe even a little bit slick and scaly, but it was stone to the touch. The statue sat casually on it’s rocky perch, its tail bent in front of her and tilted to the side, as if she were sitting on a chair. A long river of rocky hair cascaded down her back, reaching the floor. The hair on her right was brushed behind her ear, while the left fell gently over her chest. The Undine’s elbows were bent near the waist, her palms upward and cupped together to make an open bowl, as if offering something, and from it overflowed an abundance of water. It still puzzled the Catheran where the water even came from, and how it always seemed so clean. The fountain never stopped running, and the water seemed to form from the Undine’s hands itself. Enough water flows from the fountain that it is channeled into a special water tank. The water is reserved for watering the garden, along with drinking water and baths for royalty only.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”
Kismet spun around to find King Marcus and General Raze standing at the entrance of the gardens. Marcus walked along the stone path that led straight to the fountain and stood by her side, gazing up at the Undine, while Raze stood a respectful distance beside him. The king’s voice seemed softer than usual. “To think this fountain was here even before the Rokan Empire began. Even after all these years, there isn’t a single sign of age or vandalism.”
Marcus slid his hand along the rim of the fountain’s base. The exterior of the base was faded and stained, while the inside looked clean and preserved. “Legend has it that a boy from the Lokem tribe, or so it was called at that time, set out east to explore with a group of his people. They traveled through Jastor’s Pass, and across the Rokan River, settling here at Rokan. Every day, the boy would go to the river to gather water, or to wash the village’s clothes. At that river, he met a lone Undine. The two quickly became close friends, and they would visit each other every day. But a year later, the summer was long and harsh. The river almost completely dried up, and was in dire need of water. People were starting to die of thirst. They dug in search of water, but were unable to find any. All the nearby ponds had nearly dried up, and there hadn’t been any rain for several months. Not knowing what to do, they prayed to the heavens for rain and built this statue as a sign of fealty to the water goddess, Vesi, but no rain came.”
The king looked back up at the Undine’s sad smile, as though he were touched by her expression. “One day, when all hope seemed lost, the boy went to the river. The Undine hadn’t visited him ever since the river had gotten so low, but that day was different. The Undine was there. He ran down to meet her at the shallow water. She said to him ‘The summer has run long, and I care too much for you to watch you and your family die. Thank you for your great friendship. This is my gift to you.’ And with that she took his hands in hers. Water surrounded them, and when the water had dispersed, she was gone, leaving a glorious blue gem in his hands. He realized what had happened, and he cried, but he would not let her sacrifice go to waste. He took the blue gem to the statue they had built in the center of their village and placed it in the Undine’s cupped hands. The gem seemed to fade into her hands and give the stone a blue color, and water began to flow, up until this very day.”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Dining With the Guard (Part 2), Scene v1
Next: Dye, Scene v1
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Holy Fountain, Scene v1
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dining With the Guard (Part 2), Scene v1
Nakita tore a piece of meat from the fowl with her teeth. She didn’t blame her friend for losing interest in such ordinary things. After all, she was the same. The responsibilities that followed being a member of the Royal Guard was certainly Nakita’s least favorite part. She wished she could devote her time to her research, protecting Lydia, and working alongside Raze. “It doesn’t take a genius to realize it. You’re always more interested in the research you’re overseeing for the Queen, or—Agh!” With a small squishy crunch, she winced.
Raze cringed empathetically. “Ow. That didn’t sound good. You alright?”
The witch prodded at the inside of her cheek with her finger. Just as she expected. Bleeding. “Damn it. The last one just healed too.”
The Silver Guard couldn’t help but laugh. “I keep telling you to stop talking while you’re eating, and to slow down. It’s not like your food is going to run away, you know.”
Nakita never really knew why she always laughed at her, but since she only saw Raze laugh with at most a handful of other people, she always felt touched. She found herself feeling warm, and a little flushed. “Anyway, as I was saying, she said she didn’t know much about what Hazalin was planning, since he was always away. But she did say he was chasing a fantasy.”
“A fantasy?”
“The Hidden Valley.”
For once, Raze looked confused. “Commander Hazalin, the pride and glory of the Kival, abandoned his position as one of the Five Commanders of Lokem for something like that?”
It was Nakita’s turn to be confused. “You actually believe her?”
“She’s young, and spent much of her life as a house keeper. Let’s face it. Your… methods have broken down stronger people. I doubt lying even crossed her mind. The question is, if what she said really is true, why is he placing his hopes on a fairytale?”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Dining With the Guard, Scene v1
Next: The Holy Fountain, Scene v1
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dining With the Guard, Scene v1
The smell of roasted quail and broiled vegetables, topped with thick brown gravy, made Nakita’s mouth water like a stray dog at a butcher's shop. There it sat, on a cart to the side of the table of which the three of them usually ate their late dinners, conversed, and worked on paperwork. Tonight, Devin and Raze left the head of the table open for her, while they sat across from each other on either side. The ornate silver chair, reserved for the Silver Hand, was set aside as it usually was. Raze never did enjoy alienating herself from them more than she had to. She always sat in the same red-cushioned chairs as everyone else. They had only just begun eating, prodding at their first quails between replies.
Nakita helped herself to a large plate of food. She felt their eyes on her as she took her seat. “What?”
“I swear. What would normally make people sick to their stomach only makes yours grow larger,” commented Raze.
The mage poured herself a glass of sweetened water and shrugged. “What can I say?” she said with a mouth full of food.
“The worst part of the job…though I’m sure Nakita would beg to differ,” commented Devin with a hint of disgust on his face. He set down his knife and fork. “And now I’ve lost my appetite. Would it kill you to take a bath after, or at least change into some clean clothes? You smell horrible and there’s blood all over you.”
“I was hungry,” she mumbled with her mouth full.
Devin sighed. “Well, I hope you didn’t put the girl through hell for nothing.”
“Of course not. What do you take me for, a monster?”
“Sometimes.”
Raze chuckled. “So, what did you find out?”
Nakita took a big gulp of water before picking at a piece of meat stuck between her teeth. “Turns out the furlicker was right. There is a person named Kain.” She shoved a couple pieces of broiled cucumbers into her mouth, chewing noisily while she spoke. “Seems it’s mainly him and Hazalin leading the Kival, but Hazalin’s been back and forth between Lokem and Rokan a few months now, so Kain has been organizing most of the stuff in Rokan.”
“Did she know any of his plans?” asked Devin, paying little mind to her lack of manners. Three years ago, when she first joined them at the table, she minded her manners, but as the years went by, she grew more comfortable eating with them, and proper etiquette soon became a thing of the past.
Nakita nodded, guzzling down the last half of her glass. Despite how much she was speaking, her plate was quickly disappearing. She counted with her fingers while she repeated the things she learned. “Yeah. Turns out she’s his younger sister. The three abducted children are being held in the Tanglewoods, at one of their camps. A lot of the food they’ve stolen should also be there. They were also planning to raid the silos at Levan in on the seventh. And she was supposed to meet him back at a cavern along the cliff side east of the Narrow Falls.”
Devin grabbed his glass to take a sip, smirking with satisfaction. “What a lucky find. We need to move quickly before the Kival wise up and relocate. I’ll go send out send out the troops.” He downed his glass before leaving the room.
Raze leaned back, uninterested. Nakita knew that face. Standard problems like the raids and ransom provided little interest for the General. Fortunately, for her, Devin is more than willing to take care of those issues, as if they had some sort of mutual agreement. But the Telanian witch didn’t question Isella without Raze in mind. “You want to know what Hazalin is planning, don’t you?”
The General crossed her arms with a sly smirk. “Is it that obvious?”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Worlds Apart (Part 2), Scene v1
Next: Dining With the Guard (Part 2), Scene v1
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Worlds Apart (Part 2), Scene v1
Whoops, I forgot where the other post ended. This post will be short, but I promise to follow up with a full-length one soon!
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Kismet’s eyes grew wide. The room was dark and reeked of blood and urine, but there was no doubt to who was chained inside the interrogation cell. “I’ve told you everything I know. Please…no more… I swear, that’s all I know!” she cried through agonizing sobs.
Kismet stepped up to the cell bars. Isella’s pleads became more desperate with every approaching step, her sobs more hysterical. Who could have possibly deserved this? Her eyes, wide with fear, were no longer black, but instead a lifeless grey. Blood trailed from the right side of her mouth, which was swollen and bruised. Her clothes, torn and bloodied in several places, revealed large gashes, cuts, and punctures. Crippled fingers contorted hideously from her left hand, nail-less. The flesh of her right hand and arm was bubbled with burns sliced open raw. No one deserved this. No one. It was too cruel. It was not a miracle she was still alive. It was a living hell.
Kismet could do nothing but stare, horrorstruck. There was no doubt in her mind who had done this. She had witnessed the extent of what it took to satisfy the sadistic witch. A rough hand yanked the Catheran out of the room, slamming the door shut. The warden threw Kismet toward the entrance. “What the hell do you think you’re doing going in there? Get out of here and go back to licking the Princess.” She left the dungeon behind her. If only she could leave behind what she saw, as well.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Worlds Apart, Scene v1
Next: Dining With the Guard, Scene v1
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Worlds Apart, Scene v1
“K-Kismet?!”
Kismet spun around to find Delphi cowering at the shallow end of the bath. The princess’ face lit up. Beaming with excitement, she ran toward her furry friend. “Kismet!”
Delphi ran faster than her feet could tread through deeper side of the bath. Before she knew it, she found herself falling forward into the milky water. Kismet laughed as Delphi popped back on her feet, spitting, with her face scrunched up.
Kismet waded up to Delphi and helped wipe her face. Delphi laughed awkwardly, her face as red as an apple. “You scared me, you know! You just…came out of no where! How…or when did you even get in here?” she asked, after calming down a bit.
“I…don’t know,” she answered, looking around Delphi’s bathing chambers, still in disbelief. She took off her plated chest piece and band of throwing knives, setting them to the side of the bath. “Last I knew I was at least a two-days-walk south of here.”
“Hah, very funny.” The princess hugged Kismet tightly, nuzzling her cheek against the Catheran’s chest. Kismet embraced her, stroking her hair. Delphi closed her eyes and rocked Kismet back and forth. “Whatever. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
Kismet buried her nose into Delphi’s hair, breathing in the sweet scent of Jasmine. It had been too long since she had last seen the young princess. She felt her entire body relax as the fragrance filled her. Finally, she was home. “I missed you too.”
She gave Delphi a big lick on the cheek. They walked back over to the shallow end of the bath and sat down in the milky water. It was warm and soothing, rising up to their shoulders. Looking at the water, it was the first time Kismet noticed the blue shimmer of the milky water. But the water they drink, the water in the town ponds and pools, the water in troughs, even some of the streams and lakes she had seen, they didn’t shimmer in the same way.
The Catheran shook the thought out of her head. She held Delphi in her arms as the young princess leaned against her. “Sorry I was gone for so long. A lot of things have happened,” she said, her cheek against the top of Delphi’s head. “How are your studies coming along?”
Delphi sighed heavily, lightly whipping her arm with Kismet’s tail. “I don’t want to talk about it. It’s stupid. Why do I have to remember every single law, and the names and backgrounds of so many different people? It’s impossible!”
“You’ll remember it all eventually. It’s a lot of stuff to learn, you can’t expect to learn it all right away.”
“I know. I just wish Mother would stop yelling at me. It’s not my fault I can’t learn things as fast as Lydia...Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it. You went to Lokem didn’t you? What was it like? Did you get to see their mines and quarries?”
It never ceased to amaze Kismet how quickly Delphi would cheer up whenever she thought about the world outside of the castle. Fortunately, she knew little of the ugliness. “Nah. Those are more West. We only visited Koln for the delivery. After that we came back to the capital.”
“I read it was the fourth largest city in Lokem, and has Lokem’s largest inn.”
Kismet nodded. “Yep. And we got to stay in it too. It was pretty nice, but of course the owner didn’t like me very much.”
Delphi frowned, gently rubbing the soft arms that wrapped under her chest. “It’s like that over there too?”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I guess it’s because they weren’t as affected by the invasion as Rokan was. But, guess what! I was in Kelta earlier today.”
“Kelta? Isn’t that a three-days walk from here?”
“It sure is. You’ll never guess what happened.” Kismet stood them up and led her to the stool that sat a few feet from the bath. “I saw an Undine.”
“An Undine?!” she shouted in disbelief.
“A real Undine. She was young, maybe only ten or twelve in human years, but she was pretty.” Kismet dipped a washcloth into the bucket of warm water that sat on a heating plate. She began washing off the milky water that left Delphi’s skin silky smooth.
Her skin was a light delicate peach. It was difficult to spot the subtle tan lines around her neck and arms that she gets from spending a lot of her free time in the gardens, or on the wall. The princess’ skin was soft and clean, from an entirely different world than Isella’s, who was tanned and calloused. Kismet told Delphi of her unbelievable encounter with Aria, and how she mysteriously appeared in the bath, as they finished bathing.
While the young princess went to her night lessons, Kismet decided to pay Isella a visit. Walking toward the dungeon, she passed by Nakita who paid no mind to her and whistled an upbeat tune with a look of content on her face. Kismet descended the stone steps. The warden sighed with irritation behind his book when the Catheran walked by. Kismet walked toward the rear to Isella’s cell, but she wasn’t there. The cell door was open, but where would they take her?
She felt uneasy, remembering the look on Nakita’s face. Kismet had never seen that look on her face before. All she ever heard was that the prodigy ice mage was never satisfied, always irritated, and a sadist. The Catheran looked at the reinforced door at the end of the cells. A wave of dread flowed throughout her body as she stepped up to it. She cracked open the door, peeking inside. Several knives, blades, needles, whips, and other weapons lined the walls. Sharp tools, as well as blunt, sat on shelves, along with prods and torches. Choked sobs escaped from the crack of the door. Kismet opened the door wider to a strained voice, pleading. “Please…no more…please…”
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Blood Sister, Scene v1
Next: Worlds Apart (Part 2), Scene v1
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Blood Sister, Scene v1
I decided to make this post a little longer, because it fit better that way!
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Aria eyed Kismet curiously, only just noticing her unusual attire. “Why are you wearing those clothes?”
Kismet looked at her, puzzled. “Aren’t those human clothes?” she asked.
The Catheran nodded. “I was raised in the capital a bit north of here. Why?”
A flash of disbelief crossed Aria’s face. Her voice grew coarser as she raised her voice. “What? But…how could you? They killed the Cathera and hunt them down like they’re animals, and capture my sisters! And they keep killing so many animals, and draining the water, and cutting down all the trees…”
“I don’t know. All I remember was waking up along the Rokan riverbed. The royal family found me there and took me in.”
Aria gave her a furrowed brow. The gloss of her scales was beginning to fade. “What about your blood sister? She lives with the humans too?”
“My…blood sister?” The only person who came to Kismet’s mind that can even relate was Delphi, but there was definitely no relation by blood.
The young Undine’s voice was strained and weakening. “Your blood sister. The one who received you from Terra’s embrace…and swore to raise you and watch over you.”
Kismet knew nothing of having a blood sister, much less even seen a Catheran in all her life. Sometimes she even wondered if any Cathera survived the genocide that resulted from the invasion eleven years ago. Even if she did have a blood sister who did survive, did she simply abandon Kismet? “I…don’t know. I’ve never seen or even heard of another Catheran. Do only Cathera have blood sisters, or do Undine—”
Aria cringed and gripped her chest, which heaved laboriously up and down. The coarse sound of her breaths clawed at Kismet’s ears. “Aria? Aria? We need to hurry and find you some water. Are you sure it’s this way?”
The young water spirit couldn’t reply between her agonizing wheezes for air. Kismet quickened her pace, running through the trees as quick as she could, frantically looking left and right for signs of water. The sky was painted orange by the setting sun. Aria’s arm dangled lifelessly at her side as her consciousness slipped away.
As the sky turned red, a shimmering blue pond peeked from between the trees. Aria’s had stopped breathing, but Kismet wasn’t about to give up. Waist deep in the pond, she lowered the Undine.
The water enveloped her scaled body, restoring its moisture, but she still did not breathe. The Catheran watched with hopeful eyes, taking the child’s hand in hers. The warmth was gone. “Aria…” she whispered into the cool autumn air.
Apart from the gentle ripples, the pond was dead silent. Aria’s still body floated in the pond, her youthful face peeking out the surface. Kismet took the Undine’s arms and crossed them over her body. She brushed the water spirit’s smooth black hair to the side and caressed her face softly. “I’m sorry, Aria…”
A shadow formed at the bottom of the pond in front of them. Kismet stepped back, warily watching it swim around her. The silhouette looped back under Aria, and emerged from the water. The Catheran watched, speechless, as an Undine who looked like a mature Aria took the young water spirit into her arms. “Aria…what happened to you?” she said in a sad voice, stroking Aria’s hair.
The Undine had the same jet-black hair and dark eyes as Aria, but her body appeared to be similar to that of a twenty-year-old human. She gazed at the young Undine with sad black eyes. She lifted a slender left arm to her mouth and bit deeply into her own flesh. She held Aria up with her right arm. Her dark blue blood trickled from her fingertips into Aria’s mouth. As the bleeding began slowing down, Aria choked violently. With a tender smile, the Undine embraced the young water spirit.
Aria regained herself, opening her eyes wearily. “Melody…?”
“I swear. You always make me worry.”
Aria embraced Melody, sobbing. “I’m sorry. I—I—.”
“You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.” She looked up at Kismet. “Thank you, Sister, for saving Aria from those humans. I’m Melody, Aria’s blood sister.”
“Kismet,” the Catheran replied, still in disbelief at what had just happened.
Melody lowered Aria back into the water. Kismet still couldn’t help but notice how similar the two of them looked, as if they were twin sisters, but of different age. “Thank you, Sister Kismet. I was afraid I would never see her again. A group of humans captured one of our sisters only a few days ago, but we can no longer feel her essence. I thought there weren’t any more Cathera in this region, but luckily you came along and saved our precious Aria.”
Aria swam up to Kismet and gave her a warm hug. “Thank you for saving me from those humans. I wish I had something I could give you.” She hesitated for a moment, looking back at Melody. Melody nodded at her, waving her hand back and forth through the water in front of her. Aria turned back to Kismet. “You live with the Rokan Royal Family, right? Let me help you go back.”
“How?”
Aria extended a hand. “Take my hand and follow me. Walk, don’t swim.”
Curiously, Kismet held onto the Undine’s hand. Melody waved at her with a smile. “Let’s meet again, Sister.”
Aria slowly led her toward the center of the pond. Kismet hesitantly walked after her, the water raising above her waist, then above her chest. She took one last glimpse of the sky. The sun had set, and darkness was setting in. The pond seemed to glow a magnificent crystal blue in the night. Her vision became clouded as the water rose above her head. She followed Aria deeper into the water, until she felt the Undine’s hand let go. Kismet continued walking, her hand searching for Aria’s but she could not find it. As she kept walking, she felt the water’s surface lower beneath her ears, then beneath her eyes. She walked out until she stood waist-deep in water, staring out wide-eyed in confusion. The polished stone walls, the lamp-lit room, the smell of milk and flower extract mixed with the pure waters from Rokan's Holy Fountain…it all seemed so familiar.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Aria, Scene v1
Next: Worlds Apart, Scene v1
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Aria, Scene v1
Kismet rushed down the hillside.
Dirt and loose brush clung to the Undine’s moist, scaly body. Her head darted back and forth in shock and confusion. Panic crept over her as the sun beat down on her drying body, and nothing but land was in sight. Her hastened breaths slowed as she caught sight of Kismet approaching her. “P-Please help me, Sister!”
Kismet knelt beside the water spirit, checking for any serious wounds. A long gash ran down the side of her tail, along with a few minor cuts and scrapes. Dark blue blood seeped from the open wound. Kismet unraveled the spare bandages from around her feet and began applying it to the young Undine. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine now. I won’t let them take you away.”
Kismet held the trembling child in her arms. She purred gently, trying to calm the sobbing young Undine. Despite living in the water, her body emitted a soothing warmth. Although she appeared no older than twelve, from head to tail, she was only two heads shorter than the Catheran.
Kismet eyed the fallen bandits warily. “My name’s Kismet, what’s yours?”
The young water spirit wiped her tears with the back of her webbed hand. Her soft voice was strained from all of the screaming. “Aria.”
One of the swordsmen groaned. Kismet looked out over the horizon, spotting a patch of trees to the east. She hoisted up Aria and carried her through the tall grass. “We need to get away from here before they come after you again.”
Aria clung tightly to her rescuer’s chest piece, as she jogged swiftly across the plains. With the sun beating down from overhead, the plains grew hot with all the grass trapping in the heat. Aria’s body began to dry when they neared the wooded area, her breaths becoming dry heaves. “It hurts…I need…water.”
Kismet set the young water spirit on the ground. With every breath, she could hear Aria’s throat and lungs scratch. Her skin was beginning to crack, and her scales grew rough. Her eyes stared helplessly at Kismet, full of fear. The Catheran unfastened the canteen from her waist and popped the lid open. She brushed the Undine’s hair aside before gently tipping the water into her mouth. “Sorry, I don’t have very much. We need to hurry and find a lake or river.”
After Aria drank half of the canteen, Kismet took off her cloak and folded it. She poured all but a gulp’s worth over the folded cloth, being careful not to lose a single drop. With it, she wrapped Aria before picking her up again. The Undine sighed in relief, pulling the wet cloak around her tightly. “Thank you, Sister.”
Kismet gave Aria the rest of the water before picking her up again. She quickened her pace toward the wooded area ahead. The Undine relaxed a bit once they left the baking plains, but the cloak that wrapped her body had already dried. She pointed between the trees. “Over there.”
The Catheran followed the child’s finger, slightly puzzled. “What’s over there?”
“Water,” she replied with confidence.
“Are you sure?”
Aria nodded. The coarse sound in her voice was returning. “I can feel it, just like how Cathera can feel nature.”
Feel nature. Kismet had heard of feeling and appreciating nature from songs and literature, but she never understood what they meant. Could they feel nature? Being a Catheran, could she feel nature, as Aria had said? Indeed, she always did yearn to leave the city and wander around outdoors, but she always assumed it was due to her less-than-favorable relations with the residents in the castle and military. And was it not normal to love nature’s beauty?
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Rocky Plains, Scene v1
Next: Blood Sister, Scene v1