| Castle In The Woods Written By Sorka Robinton |
| this is a different version of Beauty and the Beast...its very different, as the summary says. ~~~~~~~~~~` The young mother smiled down at the tiny figure in her arms. It wrinkled its little face, the sparkling green eyes shining as it wiggled. She tickled its nose with a red, velvety rose, taking care not to scratch her baby with the thorns. "I'm so lucky to have you," she whispered, feeling the truth in those words wringing her heart out like a washrag. Almost on reflex, her shadowed eyes moved and gazed softly on the empty chair next to the bed. This little one was something to remember her husband by, something she could keep even if he was gone. Her breath quickened as memory bloomed in her mind. Colloren, smiling cheerfully, before the great pale bird had decended and swept him in its wings. It had left in its wake a single smooth feather...and Colloren was gone. She had never, could never tell a single soul about that moment. After all, who would believe her? Sighing, for she sorely missed his gentle laughter, his warm tenor voice gliding through the cottage, she brushed the wispy hair away from her daughter's face. Standing almost fiercely, determined to live her life, she lovingly placed the child in the carved cradle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` "Mother!" the girl cried. The woman, now older by sixteen years, looked up from her washing. "Yes, Lianah?" Her slender hands, though worked red through hard living, paused over the soapsuds. Excitedly, the girl bounded through the doorway. "Oh, Mother! The villagers say there's a beautiful bird flying above the great oak! All silky and pearly, they say!" Her smile was brilliant as Lianah imagined the sight. "Johnlin says its maybe as long as my hair!" She smiled at the thought, fingering her knee length, flame colored braid. Her emerald eyes darkened with worry as her mother leaned hard against the heavy basin, fear lining her elegant face. "Mother?" The woman, her blue eyes murky with pain and half-forgotton sadness, bit her lip. Was she crazy? There was absolutely nothing wrong...nothing at all. After all these years, surely memory had played tricks on her aging mind. She could not even be certain there was a bird in the woods that day, not anymore. Thus she felt no more worry as she waved her daughter on, towards the village and the unknown danger. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The crowd of villagers gathered by the great oak, whispering and shuffling their leather clad feet. Impatiently waiting for a sight of the novelty, Lianah joined the group just as the excitement reached its climax. And then, it appeared. They gasped as the bird appeared seemingly out of nowhere, effortlessly gliding down through the branches. Opening its pearly beak, it uttered a lyrical cry, arranging its opal feathers in a comely fashion. "Bless the gods!" Johnlin whispered in Lianah's ear. "Lia, its so pretty, ain't it?" Regarding the creature for a moment, the girl hesitated. "It...oh, i don't know!" Several words flew into her mind. Imperial. Arrogant. None seemed to cover the subtle cruelty in the golden eye. The jaunty tilt of its head, the assumed prima-donna attitude...the effect was of a domineering monarch, passively approaching its unworthy subjects. It met her eyes by a chance tilt of its head. The original glossy glow in its eyes flared silver twice before it left her gaze. But the encounter had left Lianah breathless with irrational fear. "Lia!" Johnlin shook her. "Are you all right? There's your mam, over there." Turning her head, Lianah caught a glimpse of her mother's grey blonde hair before the woman turned and ran desperately away. "Mother?" Lia pulled away from her friend and sprinted down the path, holding her cumbersome skirts away from her speeding feet. Behind her, the simple villagers cried out with delight as the bird took flight, winging into the air with majestic grace. They did not follow either Lianah or her mother. A crashing in the woods indicated her mother's location. Tracking her down with the loud snapping of twigs, Lianah was just able to grasp Mother's arm before the bird overtook her and landed on her frail shoulders. Her mother screamed, a wild, uncomprehendable sound. The gleaming wings fluttered twice before its shimmer enveloped the woman and drew her into its feathery breast. Lianah fell to her knees, grabbing the golden foot of the bird. "You killed my dam!" she cried, beating its frantic wings with her remaining fist. The creature pecked at her arms, but she refused to let go. Some stubborn instinct surfaced through her grief, and murmured to hold on. Lianah was not one to give up, even under normal circumstances, so she naturally clung to the metallic claw. Then, in an unexpected move, the bird launched itself into the crystalline spring air, and she had no choice but to hold on as tight as she could. ~~~~~~~~~~~ The bird flew over what seemed like miles of woodsland before alighting on a stone wall. Lianah, her eyes tightly shut, carefully unlidded them as her feet touched the cold grey stone. The height made her breath quicken for a moment before the bird pushed her off with a negligant sniff. Staring up at the cruel creature, Lianah tried to ease her throbbing head. The bird preened, its feathers more brilliant than before. Looking up the path, Lianah gulped. A deep grey stone castle loomed in front of her, casting shadows through the soft green grass. Taking a timid step, the girl tried to control her shaking hands. Ever so slowly, she approached the heavy wooden door. "Is anyone there?" Placing her slender palms on the polished wood, Lianah gave a gentle nudge. It didn't move. Slapping the shining hard surface, she swore under her breath. "Well," she grumbled to the doorway, trying to keep her quivering voice steady, "if you're going to play it that way..." Backing up a step, she heaved herself at the stuck door. As she collided painfully with the ancient wood, it creaked open just enough to allow her slender body to pass. The inky dark absorbed Lianah like a blanket. She could not see her hands, nor her dress or body. Standing still, absolutely nothing was visible. A strike of a match, and a single candle flared and was held aloft. The flickering flame was lifted up two illuminated two brown eyes. "Who's there?" a boyish voice called out, angry. Lianah jumped back as the light was thrust in her face. Once the holder, a boy around her age, had seen the sight of her face, he gasped and stepped back jerkily. "The Byrd?" he whispered, his face turning deathly pale as he furtively glanced around. A lantern was brought out, and hastily lit. The room brightened instantly, showing the two figures standing in the center of a grand ballroom. She stared at the person in front of her. Quite young, but yet...seemingly old. Golden brown hair kicked long strands into his lean face, drifting its fine strands into his dark eyes. His cinnemon eyes were sad, filled with grief and disappointment, she noticed, as he stared wonderingly. The bird appeared behind her, to the astonishment and anger of the boy. Grabbing her arm and pushing her onto the ground, he yelled "Get away from her, you demon!" before throwing a heavy vase at the hovering bird. It easily avoided the blow, sniffing distainfully as it shattered. It left the room, leaving the two alone. Lianah stood up. "Are you okay?" she offered a hand to the supine boy. He took it and unfolded his body. In all, he was at least a head taller than her. "Are you alright?" he asked, an unreadable expression on his face. "I'm Terrin," he added quickly. "Lianah," she replied, hastily curtsying to the well dressed young man. Uncomfortable, for she was all too aware of his weathy abode and her humble peasants garmets, she truly wished to return to her village. "Where am I, good sir, and how can I get back to Willowsfield?" He bit at his lip. "You cannot leave." He sat down hard on a velvet couch and buried his face in his hands. "You're stuck here for the rest of your mortal life. However long that be." "What?" she cried, shock opening her eyes wide. Shaking the thought out of her head, Lia's mind stubbornly refused to accept that fate. She ran to open the door, to the now closed gates. Pulling hard at the silver metal, it didn't budge. "No!" she shrieked. Throwing her skirts over her arm, she attempted climbing, but the bars were too slippery smooth. Terrin stood behind her, tugging on her skirt, pleading with her to stop. Panicking, she ran unfruitfully around the entire perimeter of the Castle, which was quite big. The boy, following faithfully the whole time, begged "It's true, i have been trying for so long, Lianah. Don't hurt yourself!" She had turned her green eyes, both hopeful and hopeless at the same time, to his face and adknowledged the advice, but continued to run and attempt climbing. It was several hours since they had met in the Great Ballroom, and she trudged wearily back to the circle of couches. "I told you," he muttered. Lianah shook her head wildly, afraid to believe the truth that loomed before her very eyes. Breathing hard, she turned and ran. "Please, Master," she gasped. "It isn't true!" His sorrowful tenor drifted after her. "If you want, the second door on the left of the hall is lovely." She didn't answer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wildly, Lianah ran around the darkened castle. Had she been in another mood or situation, she would have seen and appreciated the rich surroundings. Room after room was filled with treasures and heirlooms! "Please, there has to be a way out!" she cried breathlessly to herself. Nearly exhausted with fear and her exertions, Lia collapsed on a marble floor, striking her head on the hard stone. Her emerald eyes fluttered twice before all was dark. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Lianah?" A warm voice called her, breaking through the mist in her mind. Something warm supported her shoulders, propped her head above the uncomfortable hard surface. She opened first one eye, then the other. Hovering above her was an amazingly handsome boy, his dark eyes dreadfully worried. He touched her forehead with two fingers. A shiver swept through her frame at the contact, and she longed for his touch again. Smiling up at him, the girl gazed wistfully at his blessed features. "Are you all right?" She gasped as he touched a sore spot on the side of her temple. He grimaced, then placed a cool wet rag on the pain. "Where am..." she slowly said, but memories were slowly seeping back into her mind. Sitting up frantically, she swung around to see the ballroom. A cry of anguish burst from her rosy lips. "It wasn't a dream?" she wailed. Attempting to stand and then run, her head swam and she merely tipped over again onto her knees. "Please..." she begged. "Let me go home." Irrationally, she held out her hand pleadingly before she collapsed back into his lap. ~~~~~~~~~~ Terrin sighed. With one swift movement, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the room on the left. Stepping carefully onto the thick ivory and gold carpet, he gently placed her on the rose silk bed. He was ashamed of himself, for the way he acted towards her. Terse, stern, and uncompassionate. After all, she had just lost her mother and learned of her forced inprisonment...after all that, didn't she deserve kindness? It was just...he never expected to see another human in his entire life. After all, he had been secluded in this empty castle for what, maybe two hundred years? Simply thinking about his unending fate, he wanted to weep. He blocked it fiercely out of his mind. He sat on the edge of the bed, his heart heavy. Turning to his sleeping charge, Terrin paused. Curled quietly on the fine silk, the girl lay in full and gentle beauty. Her long hair, spilling loose over her shoulder, was a glowing golden fire. From her long lashes closed over creamy cheeks to her soft lips, he longed to reach out to Lianah but resisted. Barely. Watching her, he could forget all his sorrows, the pain that abominable Byrd caused him every time it took flight to drink a pure soul. Leaning over, he stroked a stray curl away from her angelic face. "Sleep well, my Beauty." Drawing the silken quilt over her quiet form, he plucked a golden rose from a nearby crystal vase. Tenderly tucking its thornless stem behind her ear, Terrin drank in one more glance before silently slipping out the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lianah woke, feeling her cheek against the softest cloth she had ever felt. Sitting warily, her gaze fell on a gorgeous room. Silk? Silver? All this, for a simple peasant girl? Standing and leaving the bed, she wandered through the carved door, shaking out her creased homespun skirts. Her head was still quite dizzy, and ached with a hollow throbbing. However, she was hungry! Following a delicious scent, she carefully crept down the stairs and into a small kitchen. Terrin looked up. "You're awake. How do you feel?" He stirred a pot, simmering at the hearth. Rolling up his silk sleeves, he stirred the fire gently. Shy, he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. "What has happened, sir?" she asked bluntly, instantly regretting the sharpness in her voice. She fingered her pendant, a thin locket of silver her mother had given her as a child. He looked away. "As i said before, it is impossible to leave." He hated himself for being the one to impart this knowledge unto her. The fear and longing in her emerald eyes betrayed her true fright, no matter how valient she schooled her features to be. "Never?" Her creamy voice trailed off into a whisper. Lost, Lianah stood there for several moments. "Forever?" she asked, childlike, before realizing that there was nothing at home for her. Her mother was dead, she reminded herself, before snapping back to herself. "Well," she said briskly, covering up her emotions, "You should sit, and I serve. You have to be a Lord, at least." Her slender hands gestured to his fine clothing, scarlet brocade with winking gold embroideries along his white silk shirt. He shook his head, laughing. "Me, a Lord?" he grinned. "No, I just adopted the clothing style that was more indigenous to this place. I came," he said with some reluctance, "from a small village north of this forest." Accepting the bowl of steaming stew that she had ladled, he sat at the small wooden table with her. Lianah looked up, eager for a good story. "Then...if you are not the Lord...then who is? And why are you here?" Subtly, Terrin's good humor dropped. "The Byrd brought me here when I was seventeen, one hundred and ninety nine years ago." He paused for thought, his goldenbrown eyes calculating. "Yes, that's right I think." Her green eyes wide, Lia shook her head in shock. "Thats impossible! You would be ancient!" In her own mind, she wondered if that was the reason he looked old and yet young. "I have not aged during my stay here." "I'm a bit confused here," Lianah remarked frankly. "I don't know what exactly happened...could you please help me?" He grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Well, you had hung on to the Byrd, and it had to come home before it became too drowsy to fly." He paused, and skirted the fact that the Byrd was full from its meal, which had been her mother's soul. Continuing, his voice rippled with amusement. "Then you stumbled into the hall, and we met." Throwing up her hands in mock denial, Lianah giggled. "This is a bit too much for me right now! Living forever? A magical bird?" At the thought of the cruel creature, her face dropped, her mother's last shriek echoing through her head. Tears threatened to well up from her heart, and she did not think she had the spirit to hold them back this time. Immediately sensing her discomfort, Terrin reached for her hand. "Lianah..." Bowing her head, the girl's red hair cascaded over her face like a shield. The boy grasped her hand in his. "What happened to you today?" he asked gently. One hot tear tricked down her ivory nose. "My village thought it was a good omen!" she cried out, "a boon for spring harvests!" Stifling a sob, she clung to his warm hand. "But it ate my mother instead. And i grabbed it and it dropped me in the courtyard." Looking up into his dark eyes, she saw her own reflections mirrored all too clearly. His eyes were not focused quite on her, but at something far in the distance. "Terrin?" He shook himself awake again and knelt next to her. "Why are you here?" Swallowing, the boy bit his lip hard. "I suppose the same thing, really. My father was taken by Byrd, and I suppose it wanted someone else in its home..." he trailed off, gesturing to the palace. "It only takes those of pure heart, and I'm safe from that fate. Hatred for that terrible creature has clouded my soul at the edges." He grinned wryly up at her, but sadness welled up in his face quickly. Ever motherly, Lianah wiped his eyes briskly with her napkin before squeezing and releasing his hand. "And the pain never ends?" she asked softly. He shook his head. The sadness intensified in his eyes, and he turned his head away. "Terrin? What is the Byrd?" Her gentle voice floated over the air as mildly as a summer breeze, but he flinched anyway. Shoulders slumped, the boy's posture crumpled where he knelt at her knee. He shook his head fiercely, unable to tell her. Biting her lip, Lianah wished he could tell her, release his hidden pain. The time will come, someday, she promised herself. One day, he will trust me... Suddenly aware of the terrors he must have experienced, the girl nearly hung her head in shame. "Acting like a silly ninny," she muttered, "letting someone see me cry, and then whilst he might be feeling just as awful. What would Mother say!" Forgetting that she had spoken aloud, Lianah looked up to see Terrin watching her carefully. "Why," he asked, "do you let no one see you cry?" His voice was surprised, as if weeping showed no shame. Brushing the last of the salty drops from her eyes, Lia grinned. "I suppose I'm just stubborn. I just didn't, not as a small girl, and I didn't think i would start now!" Her head suddenly ached fiercely, not a simple dull throb anymore, and she brought her hand up to her forehead in pain. "Your head?" he asked, purposeful now. At her nod, the boy sighed again and stood, picking her up with him. "Stop squirming now," he said, slightly irritable, "I shouldn't have let you come down here anyway. You still have a nasty bump." "Willow bark," the girl murmered, remembering her lessons with the local healer. "And a poultice of..." her voice trailed off. Feeling merciful sleep cloud her pain, the girl sighed and went limp in his arms. Terrin barely managed to stifle his amorous emotions as, while she slept, Lianah threw her head back and clung to his shoulder. Those lips, parted slightly, were tempting after all. When he placed her gently on a golden velvet couch, she continued to hold tightly on to his wrist. "Dont go," she murmered, talking in her sleep. Standing and staring out the window, a gilded prison, he replied silently, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere." After all, his two hundred years were nearly up...unless Lianah somehow was the one way he could escape the Byrd's terrible curse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Waking, Lianah sat up. "Terrin?" She blushed slightly as she saw her hand around his warm wrist. Stirring, the boy looked up. "Wha?" he mumbled groggily. Sitting up from the floor, he stretched. "How are you feeling?" "I'm fine." Standing, he stretched again. "Good." Also rising, the girl tried to straighten and smooth her wrinkled skirts. He chuckled at her antics, shaking his head. Would he ever understand girls? He couldn't one hundred and ninety nine years ago, and he never would know why clothes was important. "There are a few wardrobes in your room, there may be something in there you like." "Thank you," Lianah said, trying to hide her shock. Few wardrobes? She only had four dresses at home... She ran upstairs, shuffling her creased skirts as Terrin watched, amused. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lianah stood in front of the open closets, amazed. Four wardrobes! Four? Rummaging through velvet, silk, and brocade gowns, she couldn't find a single simple dress. "The likes of me cannot wear this, its too fine for a peasant girl!" Well, half an hour later there was still nothing plain, so she just decided to choose a pretty dress. Still a gown, but pretty. After all, Terrin was always dressed in fine clothes, so she might as well... ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Aaagh." Terrin flopped back down on the couch once Lia had left. He just couldn't admit to her that he was dead tired, not sleeping for three nights waiting for the Byrd to come home. Sleeepppp... "Terrin," Lianah stood over him, smugly grinning at his fatigue. "It's my turn to make supper." He just lay there, completely stunned. The girl, who was very pretty dressed in rough homespun, was downright lovely in a velvet green gown. The gold ties at wrist, bodice, and waist accented her graceful movements and slender frame. The neckline was a bit low...not that it was bad... She blushed at his shock, and embarrassment blossomed in his face when he realized he was staring plainly. "Im...not tired..." he mumbled, turning his red face away to the pillow. "Up in a sec..." "I can manage." Plumping up a cushion, she placed it behind his head and went into the kitchen. He could hear her humming and sashaying around the small kitchen contentedly. Well, after seeing her Terrin just couldn't go back to sleep. He lay there, thinking, until she returned with a tray of soup, crusty rolls, and something in a covered bowl that smelled fantastic, which turned out to be a steaming apple pie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They sat there, full and happy. Rain, pouring down the windows in streams, pattered down audibly onto the stone walkway outside. "Well," Terrin said, "since it's raining, would you like to see the inside of this palace?" He gestured to the story below, visible from their dining room table on the balcony. She perked up instantly. "There's more?" Her emerald eyes lit up in excitement at the prospects of investigating. "That would be wonderful!" Wandering around the sumptuous castle, Terrin showed Lia all the treasures and hidden rooms. Passing through seemingly thousands of guest rooms, sitting rooms, powder rooms, bathing rooms, a grand library, and yet another ballroom, Lianah's country-bred eyes were spinning with wonderment. And, the best part was, the sorrow in Terrin's eyes seemed to diminish as he gleefully ran around with her until the early hours of dawn. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They stood on the grand staircase, surveying everything under them. "And this is your room," he pointed, his finger tracing the small ivory and rose hall that held her gorgeous chamber. That was her new home? Yes, her new home, and it already felt like home, too. This was food for thought. She had already accepted her mother's untimely death, and was welcoming this kind boy's friendship as naturally as she breathed. And even more strange was the slow acceptance of her imprisonment, although her mind whispered evilly that she was just content to share this mystical palace with a handsome young man. Lianah shoved her thoughts into the back of her mind and instead looked down, leaning over the polished oak railing. "There? Where do you live?" "Over there, three halls down from yours," the boy pointed to a gold and scarlet decorated area. "If you ever need anything after nightfall, knock on the fourth door down, I use that room for sleeping." "Ah." Suddenly, the girl turned to the window and the sunlight streaming through the clear glass. "It stopped raining!" "There are some interesting things outside. Lets go?" "It's dawn, and the sun is rising! How can you be so...untired?" he laughed, feeling drowsy. Giggling, Lia shrugged. "I just am!" Determined not to show his fatigue, Terrin followed her outside to watch the sunrise...and explore the vast palace grounds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lianah stretched, exhausted from her 36 hour tour of the palace. Her mind felt like corn mush, yet...she was exhilarated. This place was fantastic, with acres of gardens and fields that seemingly managed themselves. Maybe having a magic home wouldn't be so bad, after all. Besides cooking and washing dishes, everything else seemed to take care of itself. No dusting, churning, washing, or even apprentice healer work! Slipping into a silk nightgown, its soft cloth making her shiver with delight, Lia reached for a heavy silk shawl. The clothes were another perk, and their elegance was more overwhelming than Lianah had ever imagined. Everything possible, from riding clothes to gowns, undergarmets to jewelry. Lia had already exchanged the worn cotton cord of her necklace for a silver chain she had discovered in one of the six jewel boxes on her mahogany dresser. She was humming to herself in euphoria when she saw the great opal bird perched at her open window. Its golden eyes met hers mockingly. "Oh my God," she whispered, just before a flood of visions overwhelmed her. A child screaming in fear, its chubby hands waving before it was swept up. Countless young men and ladies, sobbing in anguish as they ran from the bird. People in all kinds of dress, age, and coloring, with only fear as their common feature. The last figure in the birds eyes was Lia's mother, her face a mask of horror as she tripped and fell to her knees. A sob escaped Lianah's lips, and she staggered backwards with the intensity of the visions the bird had showed her. "Get away from me!" she gasped, trying to make her voice work. If only she could scream, then maybe Terrin could hear her! With a easy swipe of its opalescent wings, the Bird was in the air. "Dear God!" she screamed. "Get away from me!" She felt a slight consolation as Terrin's voice echoed through the hall. "Lianah? LIA!?" Scrambling away, she tore out of her room and into the hallway. Half crazy but remembering the way to Terrin's room, she found the door open with him standing in the light. "Lianah?" he asked, just as the bird winged into sight. "What...?" Dragging her into the room, he slammed the oaken door between the evil creature and themselves. But, the bird simply flew through the heavy wood as if it were air. Alighting on a chair, it arrogantly regarded the two cowering mortals. "Don't worry," the boy murmered into her ear, holding her tightly. "It won't hurt you, it's just trying to frighten us. Truly it is still full from the latest soul. It only feeds once a year." With one more distainful glance, the bird flew off once more and disappeared, leaving Lianah sobbing on the floor, her mother's face etched painfully in her mind. "Lia!" The boy grasped the crying girl, shock and fear blooming on his face. Greatly concerned, he spun her around in his arms so he could look into her face. "Lia, look at me!" Terrin patted her back, feeling horribly inept. How could he comfort her? He knew what the Byrd's look could do to a person. After all, he had experienced it himself, but was alone in his delirium and misery. She shook her head. "I can't believe what just happened!" she said, entirely lost, confused by both grief and fatigue. Clinging to the front of his white silk shirt, she continued to shudder, remembering the horrible gaze of the bird. Her face changed, from her pain-stricken expression, to an increasingly childish innocence, to an eeriely joyful look. "Lia..." She began to laugh, obviously too far gone in tiredness and hysteria. "Oh, Terrin," she giggled, her eyes shining with some strange inner light. "What would i do without you?" Twining her arms around his neck, the half-crazed girl drew him closer for a kiss. He stifled a gasp as her lips slid over his, their silky touch caressing. For a moment, he tightened his arms around her, drinking in the sensation. He was missing so much in life, holed up in an empty palace! Returning her affection, he marveled at the emotions bubbling up from his hidden soul. His first kiss. She threw her head back, laughing wildly. Staring, the boy returned to his senses. Lianah was still in another world, not knowing what was actually happening. She was obviously not herself, the real Lia wasn't so blatently...seductive. Lia deserved better than this, and he needed to get a hold on himself. Did he really want it to be like this? When he confessed his feelings, he wished to be in full control of himself...and for her to be willing with both her mind and body, instead of being only half-aware. "Lia," Terrin began sternly, angry at himself, "You're going to bed now. You're too exhausted and...and you need rest." Terrin avoided the subject of the bird, but picked the girl up and wrapped her in a heavy quilt. Lianah stirred as he gently placed her on the bed. "What's wrong?" she inquired, holding onto his hands. "Mother made some of her famous biscuits. And its so pretty with all the flowers, don't you think?" She gestured to the empty air, to bright blooms only she could see. Gently pulling away, Terrin shook his head. "No, sweet, you have to rest now," he whispered. "G'night." And sleep well, love. She fell into a deep sleep, her face relaxing. For a long while, Terrin watched her, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. She had the face -and soul- of an angel. Oh, Lianah! his mind cried out to her. I wish i could be like you, courageous, strong willed, kind...He wished he could tell her everything...but knew he would never have the nerve. Curling up on a spare couch, he breathed a few last words before drifting off to sleep. "I love you..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lianah awoke with a splitting headache. "Not again," she murmured, holding her head gingerly, as she took in her blue and silver surroundings. The dim lights in the room wavered in and out of view as she blinked warily, for her head pounded like a drum. She thrashed out of the confining quilt, slightly panic-stricken at the unfamiliar room. Where was she? Jumping up, her green eyes took in the litter of feathers by the door and Terrin sprawled on a couch, halfway on the velvet cushions but partly on the floor. She supressed a giggle, but stopped when her mind finally registered fully the scene in front of her. "Oh," she exclaimed quietly, replaying yesterday's scenes in her head. She frowned. But everything after the bird left was a blur... Lia stood there, confused, for quite a while before a moving shimmer caught her eye. Swirling around, she saw a large hourglass filled with tiny glowing sapphires the size of strawberry seeds. The drops gleamed luminously in the darkened room, their cut shapes enticing. Wrapping herself in her rose silk shawl, she padded quietly over to the fine table it rested on. Her fingers itched to touch the fine craftsmanship... She just about to reach out and caress the smooth glass when Terrin suddenly leaped up and shouted. "Lia, don't touch that!" Stepping back with a small gasp, her hand withdrew hastily. Still blinking sleep out of his brown eyes, the boy interposed his body between her and the hourglass. "Terrin," Lianah asked, greatly alarmed, "What's wrong? What is that?" Though he smiled wryly, the boy's dark eyes were sad. Turning to stare at the glowing timepiece, he sighed. "Lia, that's my life." "Your life?" Her voice held a mixture of dismay and disbelief. "Yes, it is my life." Pointing, he indicated the sapphires. "Each of those represent a day in which i can live free, and once they are gone..." he trailed off. Turning back to her, Terrin bit his lip. "Remember how i told you before, the bird took me here?" The girl nodded. "It showed me this, all the grains at the top, and...when it ran out I would change into one of them." "One of what?" Lia whispered, though she knew the answer already. "You know, one of it." She shuddered. "But why?" The boy shook his head. "I don't know. I also don't know why it would keep me here for two hundred years, except to watch me suffer." He paused. "The only way for me to escape transformation, which i would despise, is for my soul to become pure again. But then i would be drunk by the bird, so my destiny is still destruction." "But isnt there a way to destroy it?" Lia argued, unwilling to give up. "I mean, a way to kill the bird, or turn the hourglass the other way...?" Staring at it, she whispered to herself, "But there's so little left to fall..." Terrin, however, didn't hear her soft voice. Terrin thought a moment. "There was this book i was reading, many years ago, about folk lore and other mythical creatures..." he said. "I had just begun on the different strains of phoenix when the bird appeared and snatched it out of my hands, and threw it in the fireplace." He grinned. "I did learn a few things, though. Like the bird drinks souls every year, and can fly through doors and walls. I also learned that it keeps its souls behind its eyes, which is why when you look into the bird's eyes, you see their victim's final moments..." Sighing, he sat down on an empty chair. "I was just reading about destruction when the book was taken away, but...the bird can only be killed by death of the Pureblade. That's all I know..." Thinking hard, Lia wondered out loud. "Pureblade...that's strange. Did you search the palace for something that could fit the description?" He nodded. "I even scoured the library for more books, but there are no more." Remembering a remark he had made before, Lia asked, "What is a pure soul?" The boy stood. "Look into this mirror." She obliged and peered into a gleaming silver surface, its border shaped like an unfolding rose. She gasped, for her reflection had a pale aura of silvery shadow around it. "What is that?" "Your soul is pure." His fingertips, seen through the reflection, gently brushed the edge of the glimmering shadow that was her soul, but as she turned his hand withdrew hastily. Terrin had no such aura around him. "Is it hatred that makes a soul...unpure?" she asked softly. He nodded sadly once before assuming a cheerful mood. "You're catching on!" he laughed. Continuing comically, his voice pitched overly low and serious, "Every rule of Nature previously assumed is broken in this castle, deep in the enchanted woods." His humorus stance dissolved as they broke into laughter. "C'mon, lets go outside." The glint in his eye was hopeful, and his face still strained with desperation. He needed a good cheering up, after the depressing discussion they just had. In fact, he always seemed to be depressed... "Wait, I have to change!" Lia said, realizing she was still in her sleeping clothes. "Maybe you sleep in your clothes, but i am in a nightgown." She grinned. "Fine, fine. Meet you outside?" "Definately." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ |