| Voices on the Wind |
| She heard the wind moan her name. It was a long mournful sound. She heard it again. The sound vibrated in the walls. The wind cried out in pain. “Isabella,” it whispered, “Isabella, please come.” She awoke with a start. Her skin glistened with sweat. Isabella looked around in the pitch black of her room, straining to hear her name again. Nothing. Silence. She slowly threw back the covers and got out of bed. She put on a robe and went outside. The salty sea air filled her lungs. Isabella opened her mouth to taste it. The air had a strange metallic taste and when it reached the tongue, one could feel all the life energy of the sea fill her bones. The full and luminous moon cast a silvery light on the earth below it. The green expanse of trees and hills seemed to take on a life of its own. Although the night was beautiful, something was a bit off. The moonlight seemed to shine differently. Something had happened. Something was wrong. She couldn’t figure out why she felt that way, only that something in the air made her shiver uncontrollably and it wasn’t the cold. Isabella listened intently one more time, hoping to hear the wind speak to her again but it said nothing. She went back to bed in silent resignation and let the comforting warmth of sleep wash over her. Just before she had fallen into the velvety darkness of unconsciousness, the wind cried out again, “Isabella!” it whispered in her ear. By then, it was too late. Isabella was fast asleep. The morning proved to be a glorious one. The sun shined brightly and there wasn’t a single cloud. A few rays peeked through the curtains and fell upon her face. Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up in bed. All the events of the night before were forgotten, lost in a web of dreams. She awoke completely at ease. Slowly, she got out of bed and got dressed. Just as she finished putting on her clothes, she heard a clamor outside her window. She peered out only to see her brother, Gabriel, shouting at a strange man. Isabella looked intently at the stranger. He had dark auburn hair and deep brown eyes. Although his face was weary from traveling and he bore a scowl, he was quite attractive and she could already see many fair maidens come to gaze at him. She grinned to herself. He seemed quite annoyed at this sudden attention but not as much as Gabriel who wasn’t used to other men taking the ladies’ affections. Sighing to herself, she made her way downstairs. Isabella could already here her mother bustling about, preparing for the stranger’s stay. Isabella was used to this, having lived in an inn all her life. In the eighteen years she has lived there, she has met many interesting people. At one time, a whole caravan of gypsies stayed and regaled everyone with tales of their travels and adventures. |