Chapter 1 ~ Passing Over
I sat on Litoos Ridge, staring out into the distance. The grace and beauty of the Alrei Mountains had always had a certain calming effect on me. Equipped with the stunning brilliance of Lake Suntli, nothing could compare to its magnificence. My frayed, silver dress billowed in the blowing wind and the amethysts and emeralds embedded in my necklace sparkled in the setting, golden sun. Soon darkness would settle upon the land of Kre and the blood red moon, Surtoiyus, would rise. The dusk chillness set in quickly, sending shivers from the base of my spine to the tips of my wings. It wouldn’t be long before I heard my sister, Litwia, calling my name from down the mountain, in our village, Danelod.
She had been named after our grandmother and rightfully so. She looked just like her with her blazing red hair and matching eyes. I was named for the warrior who had been assigned to our town. Giova, as I recall from the stories my older brother, Mardo, had recited so many times when I was a child, was also the name of another warrior. She was much more honourable than the soldier sent to baby-sit us. Legends say she was a powerful being with golden, black tipped wings – which those who possessed were considered very powerful. Now that I think of it, that might be why Prince Halko had sent for my family and me the moment I was born. Everyone in the village either had the special wings or were family to those who did. That was why our population was so small. There were only about twelve of us. All the others were immediate kin.
Anyway, Giova the Warrior had been the only one great enough to actually capture the entire Kantelso Herd. Although it might not sound so great to you that someone caught a bunch of Pegasi, in our world, this act was highly regarded. That and serving in the military. In fact, the only ways to become an adult and citizen is to nab either a Pegasus or unicorn and present it to the Prince or join the service. Just like my mother, I wanted to do both. I haven’t yet, but I will.
A snort from above snapped me out of my trance. I glanced up, eyes wide, to find one such creature grazing. The soft muzzle of the winged horse chomped at the lush, green grass. My first thought was ‘Holy Surtoiyus! A Pegasus!’ but no. It wasn’t a Pegasus. A crystal horn protruded from its forehead, parting its forelock. I’d never seen anything like it. Pegasus AND unicorn? How can this be? I’ve never heard of such a thing. This would make me go down in history for sure if I caught it! I thought excitedly. (As you can tell, making history was the best thing you could do for your family.)
I crept slowly toward the beast, keeping low to the ground. I was almost within reaching distance when I heard Litwia shout my name.
The mythical horse’s head snapped up, spotted me, and it sprang into the sky.
“Darn it!” I pouted, sending an angry look towards Danelod.
“Giova!” my sister called again.
“Coming!” I yelled back. I punched the ground, got up, brushed myself off, and took off, heading home.
“Giova, where have you been?” my grandmother hissed as I trotted in thirty minutes later.
“Up on Litoos Ridge, Mee-ma,” I answered.
“Again? Girl, you need to get your head out of the clouds and into your work!” Mee-ma nagged, (which I found quite ironic seeing as how we lived so high up the mountain that our entire village was engulfed by the red and gold clouds) “There are much more important things to be done than daydreaming on some hill all day!”
I sighed, “I was looking for a Pegasus or unicorn.”
“Oh, well, in that case, never mind. We’ve already had supper but there are some leftovers in the cupboard if you’re hungry.”
I shrugged off her dismay and walked over to the wooden cabinet directly above our air powered stove.
I ate my cold dinner of bread and berries alone and in silence. Dad hadn’t come home from work in the pastures yet, Mee-ma and Mama were tucking in my younger twin brothers, Dartu and Jod, and little sister, Kes, and Litwia and Mardo were arguing over who had caught the better Pegasus in the living room.
While listening to the argument and pretending to be a jury, I made the decision to go back out that night and look for that um, Pegasus, Unicorn, Pegacorn? No. Unipeg? No. Unisus! Yeah, right…
“Hello, Giova,” Daddy greeted me with a kiss on the head as he walked in, his heavy, leather work boots clunking on the stone floor with each step.
“Hey, Daddy,” I said back, turning away from my meal, “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“What is it called when you cross a unicorn with a Pegasus?”
“Am I supposed to say ‘I don’t know, what?’ then get told a corny punch line or is this a serious question?” he asked, looking confused.
“It’s a serious question.”
“Well, honey, I believe it’s called a Vireia. Why?”
“No reason. Just curious, that’s all.” I turned back to my meal.
“Um, do you think I could go on a hunt tonight?” I blurted, thinking out loud.
“Aren’t you a bit young to go out alone?” he asked, smirking at the thought like it was too ridiculous to even consider.
“I’m fifteen, Dad,” I groaned, “And Litwia was fourteen when she went on her first night hunt by herself.”
“Well, you aren’t your sister. And I don’t recall authorizing her to go on a night hunt when she was fourteen.”
“I know I’m not. I’m just saying that you can’t let one girl go at a certain age and not let the other,” I debated, pleading my case, “Oh, and Mama let her go, by the way.”
“Fine, you’ve made your point,” he gave in after thinking it through for a minute.
“Oh, thank you, Daddy!” I jumped up and hugged him tightly.
“But I have to make sure you have all of your supplies before you set a single wing out of this house.” (Parents. They have to make up some sort of rule, so they don’t look irresponsible.) Oh, well, at least I get to go!
After almost an hour of packing, unloading the contents of my bag for Dad to check and make sure I had everything, then repacking four times, I was finally given the reluctant okay to leave.
The porch light wasn’t turned off until I was well out of sight. When it was, the world around me went black, except for the red shadows reflecting off of Surtoiyus. Since it was almost the tenth hour, the aquatic moon, Lifwent, was just beginning to peak above the horizon. The black moon, Antjor, wouldn’t show its face until the fifteenth hour.
Thankfully, it was almost the cold season in Kre, so the thirty-two hour days were mostly consumed by night. That left me with more time to hunt for the Vireia. I wandered up past Litoos Ridge, taking more time in the dark than I had earlier that day when it was bright from the golden and green suns, Justweh and Orthon.
Deciding that I was well enough away from the village that I couldn’t be seen, (flying without special permission from the Prince was forbidden) I took off into the air, my wings fluttering in the freezing air currents of the northern mountains. Once I reached the neighbouring peak, I landed on the rocky mountainside with an unpractised, rough landing. I rolled to eased the impact, pulling in my wings, so that any stray twigs or sharp rocks couldn’t puncture the fragile membranes. Unfortunately, even that couldn’t prevent me from ending up with a few cuts and bruises on my bare arms. I got up and brushed myself off, then looked around. I had never been on any other mountain before.
Vivid blue leaves grew on golden barked trees, wild purple, black, and red star-shaped, nocturnal flowers were in full bloom, and streams of pinkish water flowed together to form a great river, about a mile wide. Steam was rising off of the surface of the glistening liquid, giving the atmosphere a moist feeling. It was quite different because it wasn’t a sticky wet. It was more comforting, relaxing even. Being the headstrong young girl that I was, I stripped off my pack, deerskin coat, and vine-sewn wrap, and dove in.
The water was heavenly and had a peaceful, cinnamon scent to it. I swam around in it for a bit, then just floated for a while. It was like the hot springs at Prince Halko’s castle, Litwia and I had got in trouble for swimming in a few years back.
The river was so lovely that I started to doze off. When I opened my eyes and looked toward the shore, my pack, wrap, and coat were nowhere to be found. I dove under the water and sped off to land. Once out, I began my search. I didn’t get two steps away from the river before I noticed something strange: my clothes weren’t wet! The water must have had something in it that prevented it from absorbing into cloth because my skin and hair were drenched. I rubbed my dress against my body, drying off, then continued to look for my stuff.
I searched and searched for the bank were I left my things, but it was hopeless. My supplies were gone and so was my hope of finding my way back.
While trying to find my belongings, I think I must have made a wrong turn or something because it was the next night and I still hadn’t found it. Instead of wandering around in the dark again, I decided to sleep in a tree that night. It was rather uncomfortable but at least I was off of my throbbing feet, which each and every inch of them were covered in blisters. My poor wings had taken a nasty beating that day as well. They were sprinkled with small tares and wounds, curtesy of some clingy branches. Needless to say, it was all quite painful.
I awoke the next morning to the sound of chomping grass. What in the world? I thought, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. It was the Vireia again. Since it ran away so quickly last time, all I had noticed was the wings and horn, instead of the whole thing.
It was a mare with a beautifully sloping crest sporting a black mane. Her colouring was of a tricoloured Paint Horse and her features were those of an Arabian. Brilliant shades of black and chestnut were outlined by random white splotches and sprouting from her dock was a graceful raven tail. She grazed peacefully, without a care in the land. Even her ears were relaxed, not bothering to twist toward any approaching sounds. My heart fluttered at the sight of her as the desire to claim her as my own soared. I wanted nothing more than to ride her, if only for a minute. I continued to watch her, waiting for my chance. Any chance. Of course, I had no idea what exact that chance would be but I was sure I’d know it when it arrived.
Or maybe not. No sooner had I blinked, she was gone, fading out in the sky. I’d missed my chance, which had flown away with her. Oh well, I sighed, maybe next time.
Two days later, I still hadn’t found my things or a way back the Danelod. Fed up with travelling along the pink, cinnamon scented river, I took a leap of faith and left the shore behind, taking to the woods. It was then I wished I’d done that sooner, since I hadn’t even walked ten feet away before I found a road with wheel, hoof, paw, and footprints embedded into the soil. It was cleverly hidden by the dense brush, so I could see why I hadn’t noticed it. Still, it was pretty pathetic if you ask me.
Farther up the path, I could see a group of people standing in a small circle in deep discussion. I debated for a few seconds on whether I should go ask them for help or not and quickly picked the obvious answer: Duh!
“Excuse me, sir,” I said quietly, tapping on the shoulder of one of the four men. They all wore fancy clothes and snooty scowls, which made me nervous.
“What do you what?” he snapped, spinning around. His blonde hair twirled in the air and falling back into place, framing an ugly face, equipped with a huge, pointed nose that kind of flipped up at the tip. The sight made me silently giggle.
“Um, I’m new around here and I was just wondering if you could tell me where I am,” I explained.
“Kraque, doesn’t she look a bit like the princess?” another man with gray hair and an equally big, though this time crooked, nose asked the first one, looking over his shoulder at me. His large, dark green eyes matched the rest of his face and gave me the shivers.
“Yes, she does. Just with black hair instead of red. What does that have to do with anything?” Kraque wrinkled his brow, giving the guy that look Litwia gives Mardo when he says something stupid, random, or both.
“Weeell,” he began, still eying me, “she could serve as a replacement.”
“Yes, Prince Kaipo hasn’t met her yet, so he’d never know the difference!” a blackish haired man piped up. Unlike the others, he had a small, fat face with a button nose and beady, deep blue eyes. He kind of reminded me of a snowman with his round body, round head, and pale skin.
“What’s your name, girl?” Kraque questioned.
I hesitated. I didn’t like the stares they were giving me.
“G-Giova,” I stuttered finally.
“Wrong answer,” the gray haired man sneered, “Your name is Aklema. You are the princess of Ondio. Your father is Kawmu, your mother is Jasmarie, and you are coming with us.”
The fourth guy, who had been waiting patiently and watching the scene play out, suddenly sprang forward, grabbing me by the arm. The other three joined in, pinning my arms to my sides.
“Wait! What are you doing?” I screamed. I kicked and thrashed, but to no avail. I was too small to come close to fending off even just one of them.
After being dragged through the woods by four stupid men, I was exhausted from the constant struggling and wishing something would happen to give me an edge. Of course, once I was thrown into a room and the door was locked behind me, I new that edge wasn’t coming.
My dungeon was much more cheerful than those ones you hear about all the time. Unfortunately, just because it was more cheerful, doesn’t mean it wasn’t creepier.
Pink, frilly pillows and an equally pink and frilly blanket covered the queen-sized bed, white curtains, trimmed with lace, shaded the windows, and a light pink paint was slathered onto the walls. Too tired to care, I wanted to fall into the bed, but didn’t have the strength to make it. Instead, I collapsed into the chair at an oak desk. I closed my eyes for a second, allowing my head to stop spinning, then took a look at the desktop.
A jar of peacock feather pens, a few notebooks, and a folded letter were arranged neatly on the wood. Given my curious nature, I opened the letter and began to read the tiny, neat handwriting:
Dearest Father,
I am sorry but I just couldn’t marry Prince Kaipo. I know tradition states that once I turn nineteen, I must marry the prince of your choosing but I don’t think he is right for me. By the time you read this, I will be either in Heaven or Hell. You mustn’t blame yourself, Father, you could never hope to understand that I could never marry a prince. It is not meant to be. I am sorry that I couldn’t be the daughter you wanted me to be but this is who I am and nothing is ever going to change that. Maybe you will have better luck with Keeli, Madlin, or Nanalie. I shall see you in Heaven.
Love,
Aklema
It continued on, describing some memories they’d shared.
So this is why they wanted me, I realized, the princess had committed suicide. I shuddered to think about how horrible you would have to feel to want to take your own life. I just couldn’t grasp that concept. Suicide isn’t the way to go, no matter how hard things get. It only causes trouble and grief for those left behind. And I’m not saying this just because. No, I know from experience. I would still have a cousin if he hadn’t killed himself.
My internal ranting was then interrupted by the click of the lock.
“I hope you find these accommodations to your liking, m’ lady,” a man said, walking in. He was wearing a long, floor length cloak (with sea green wings with white tips protruding out of the back), a bunch of rings, and a jewel encrusted crown…. Wait! Crown?
This must be the father, King Kawmu, I thought, still eyeing the headpiece. His eyes were red and puffy, like he’d been crying. And judging by how his hands were shaking, he was still processing. The dull, dark green eyes had a glazed look of shock in then. Poor guy. He wanted to be father right now, but was forced into pushing those feelings aside, all because he’s the king.
“I am most sorry that you have been rushed here so quickly and have only an hour to get ready for the ceremony, but I’m afraid my daughter’s death has shaken us all up a bit,” the king explained. I stared, dumbstruck, at him, my jaw hanging. “Now then, I’ll send some maids up to help you into your dress and one of my advisors to fill you in. In the mean time, please make yourself at home.”
Almost as quickly as he came, the king left, locking the door behind him.
I turned back to the desk, trying to put things together in my mind. Princess dead, didn’t want to marry someone, king, ceremony… my thoughts raced. Wait!
“I am getting married?” I asked aloud, very confused.
“That’s right, Princess Aklema,” answered a maid as she shuffled in with two others, carrying a lovely white dress, tiara, and heals.
The first two were short, young women, probably in their mid twenties, with shoulder length blonde hair and bright green eyes. They had matching red, silver tipped wings that fluttered slightly. An older, gray haired woman with dark, dull brown eyes and a bored but fierce expression, followed them in, locking the door behind her. Her tattered, solid black wings where folded against her back and her eyes flitted over me as if she were sizing me up.
I pulled in a shaky breath as the twin maids unfolded the wedding dress. It was beautiful, there was no doubt, but I didn’t really want to be the one to put it on. Lace edged and low cut, the gown had obviously cost an arm and a leg by my own family’s standards, but probably only a fingernail clipping by the king’s. The lower half was thick from the four layers of fabric and could have been used as Kevlar. But the top was but a thin sheet of silk, covered by tiny diamonds. It was the kind of dress I would have imagined myself wearing when I was little and throwing pretend weddings with my girlfriends. Of course, this was real and instead of us forcing one of the village boys into a ratty tux and to stand under a clumsily made arch, it was me who was being forced into a dress and to exchange vows with some prince I’ve never met. Not to mention, I also have to spend the rest of my life with this guy as well.
“As I’m sure you already know,” the gray haired woman began, as I was ushered behind a screen, “the princess decided to take her life last night (gasp from maids) as an attempt to avoid getting married. Why she would want to give up such an honour as serving her kingdom during its time of need is beyond me, but I guess every family has its black sheep.
“Anyway, you will be escorted to the chapel at fourteen thirty for the ceremony. After which you will go with Prince Kaipo to the courtyard where a carriage will be waiting to take the two of you to the town forum for the reception.”
I really didn’t know what to think of this. I wanted to scream, but then I wanted to cry. It was all a bit confusing, but then again, it’s not every day you find out you’re going to be getting married against your will. I just stared off into space, while the maids helped me into the dress, trying to make some sense of everything.
Someone knocked at the door and the gray haired woman went to unlock it.
“Ms. Lasia, the princess needs to be ready in five minutes,” a boy informed her. His red eyes kept darting over to me with a hint of regret flashing through them. He nervously ran his hand though his already messy blonde hair.
“Thank you, Vayt, we’ll be ready,” she answered the boy. I twitched a smile to him as the door closed and was relocked.
Once I was dressed, Ms. Lasia (at least I think that what the kid had called her) opened the door and we were met by five soldiers in full armour. I couldn’t even tell what colour their wings were, since they had steel plates covering them as well. I was guessing that they were sent as my escort and the fact that they circled around us as soon as we were out of the room told me that I was right. They led me through the castle’s winding passages, which, in my opinion, really needed a good scrubbing. Hey, maybe that’s the first thing I’ll do once I’m married! Although, I’ll most likely have to order someone else to do it for me. Princesses probably have much more important work to do than washing corridors all day. Then again, I’ve never been a princess before, so I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Who knows, maybe I’m supposed to just stand around and look pretty all day?
“Here we are,” one of the guards said gruffly as we reached a tall set of double doors. They were solid red oak with large brass handles to serve as the doorknobs. The chamber that we were in was high-ceilinged and bleak. The walls were pretty much bare with a torch or two thrown in every few feet and gray. Not even a dirt stain or anything else to add some other colour, no, just gray.
A faint music began to play inside and the doors, slowly, were pushed open. My heart began to beat even faster as one of the maids pulled down a veil, whispering a quick ‘good luck,’ and stepping into the chapel to take her seat with the others.
There were a lot of people there! And by a lot I mean like a hundred, maybe more. They all turned, every eye on me, and every mouth silent as they stood. At the end of the long aisle I could see my soon to be husband. Prince Kaipo was tall, maybe six foot, with dark hair and, I believe, dark eyes as well. He was cute, there was no doubt, but was more eye candy guy, not husband guy. I felt a tear rush down my cheek as I began to walk. My hands shook and I gripped the bouquet of white lilies even tighter, trying to steady myself.
This is it, I thought, there’s no escaping now! I was terrified. I couldn’t get married! Not now, not to him. No way! Another tear slipped from my eye and I passed the first pew and then one more and another, until they were flowing steadily. I didn’t want to do this, but I knew if I tried to run guards would be waiting for me at the doors. But would they really try something with all these people watching? I knew I couldn’t risk it, so I just kept walking. Half way there… just keep walking, just keep walking. I could see the prince clearly know. He was smiling, obviously nervous himself, but not for the same reasons. He wanted this, I was sure. He looked like a good guy, but even so I was fifteen, I couldn’t get married! Maybe he’d notice that I was four years younger than the girl he was supposed to be making his vow to. Maybe… hopefully. I was at the stairs now. I was so close I could see the sweat forming on Prince Kaipo’s brow. I could see the scared smile clearly on his face and the nervous flittering of his navy blue eyes. Only a few more steps now. I could see his hands shaking. The hands that would soon be holding my own. My heart was beating wildly and the tears were rolling faster. A sob caught in my throat and I was suddenly thankful for the veil covering my face. He was taking my hand now and I would stop walking in a matter of seconds. I could break free right now, announce that the princess, the real one, was dead in front of all these people right here, right now. I could tell everyone how I’d been kidnapped to serve in her place, but I knew I wouldn’t. These were her loved ones, here from all over to celebrate this happy day with her and her new husband. Who was I to take that away? A lowly peasant girl with special wings that would soon have to be dyed to match Aklema’s. I had nothing ahead of me. My life wouldn’t leave Danelod and I knew that. Aklema was a princess and was about to become a queen. I must do this for her, for her family.
The priest was speaking now, welcoming everyone, reading from his Bible. It was then that I wondered what religion they were, what religion I was now. It was stupid, I know, but I would have to know if there were any customs I had to follow, any rules I couldn’t break. I was Seventh Day Adventist. We didn’t really have any marital customs besides being faithful to your spouse.
“Does anyone have any reason that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest asked the crowd. Yeah, I do! I wanted to say, but instead just closed my eyes and waited.
“Yeah, that’s not the princess!” a voice rang out. My eyes snapped open as a murmur ran through the congregation. The veil was lifted off of my face and the prince stared at me, disbelief written plainly in his features.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to him, “I didn’t want to do this.”
“What did you do?” he roared, “What did you do with my fiancé?”
“I’m sorry,” I repeated as my headpiece was ripped from my head and someone grabbed my wrist.
“An impostor!” a man announced. It was the king. “She must have killed the princess to take her throne!”
“No!” I cried, trying to pull away.
The people were in an uproar now, shouting threats and suggestions of what should happen to me. King Kawmu pushed my toward someone.
“Take her to the dungeons to await judgement!” he commanded.
I looked up to my captor. It was the same boy from Aklema’s room. Silently, I pleaded with him.
“Move!” he ordered, dragging me to the door. Everyone parted as we passed, shouting curses to me.
Once out of the chapel the blonde boy leaned in close and whispered, “Follow me.”
He led me up some stairs and down a hallway before we heard someone behind us.
“Wait, where’d they go?” a voice demanded.
“This way!” the boy said, pulling me into a room.
It was a guest room by the look of it. There was a queen sized bed pushed against a light blue wall with sky blue blankets and pillows. A black dresser was against the left wall and a door, leading out onto a balcony, was to our right.
“Down here!” the voice called, “They went this way!”
“Come on!” he hissed, rushing to the door.
“Wait, I don’t even know you,” I snapped, “Why should I trust you?”
“With all do respect, ma’am, if I wanted you dead like everyone else, I could just hand you off to those guards out there.”
“Good point,” I responded, following him out the door and to the edge of the balcony, “But shouldn’t I at least know your name?”
“It’s Vayt.”
“Oh, that’s right,” I said, remembering that Ms. Lasia had called him that.
“And since I’m sure you’re not really Princess Aklema, who exactly are you?”
I hesitated, not really sure whether or not I should trust him with my real name. “Giova,” I said finally, deciding that, at least for now, I would put some faith in him.
“Nice name,” he smiled, flipping over the edge and sliding down a column. I paused, then slid down after him, landing hard on my feet beside Vayt, and staggering a little.
“You alright?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good, let’s go.”
I was led across the courtyard, down another flight of stairs, and through a high iron wrought gate that opened up to a vast and beautiful garden. It had flowers of all shapes, colours, and sizes, some oak trees, and fifteen foot high wall surrounding the perimeter. Contrary to my belief, the floral rows didn’t form a maze. It was actually very organized, but in an interesting and creative way.
Vayt took my hand and sped to the far end of the rows, pulling me behind a thick tree to catch a quick breath.
“Alright, I have to ask. Why are you helping me?” I questioned.
“I couldn’t just let them kill you for something you didn’t do. Especially not after they kidnapped you. That wouldn’t be very fair now would it?” Vayt panted.
“No, it wouldn’t. Now, how are we going to get out of here?”
“Oh, that’s the easy part. We’re just going to climb this tree and it hangs over the wall. Of course it’s still quite a drop. But if we survive that, then we’ll just run a couple yards and we’re home free,” he smirked.
“Yeah, that’s comforting,” I rolled my eyes then ran them up the tree. It was about twenty five, maybe thirty feet tall by my rough estimate. All the way up, it seemed to have quite a few sturdy branches.
“I think they went into the garden!” the same voice from inside called to his companions.
“Shall we?” Vayt suggested, offering me a lift.
“We shall,” I grinned, accepting his offer, and grabbing a branch.
Once up I turned to help my new friend, only to find that he’d already gotten up on his own. I didn’t ask how he did. I didn’t really want to know. Glancing up, I reached for another branch and began to climb. We’d already covered almost ten feet by the time the soldiers arrived at the oak and got enough sense to look up.
“There they are!” one shouted and pointed. Instead of using the guns at their sides and shooting us down, they decided to climb up after us.
“Hey, Vayt, I just thought about something,” I called.
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Why don’t we just fly out of here?”
“Because it’s against the-“ he started, “Good point.”
Scrambling out to the edge of the branch and just before it broke, I spread my wings and took to the air. As I gained altitude, I glanced down to find Vayt flying up to me on navy blue wings with gold tips. Instead of membranes like mine, however, his were feathered.
“Come on!” he yelled, grabbing my hand and soaring over the wall, leaving the guards to shout curse words at us in their confusion.
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