| |
AESURNU’S RETURN FROM her stent as a Chreuthecal was widely celebrated. She was one of the most desirable women in the village and she had yet to decide on a mate. For almost a year no weddings took place as many of the men wanted Aesurnu as a bride and were willing to marry only after she had made her decision. This made many of the women impatient. Some of them had even gone to other villages looking for mates. Isasemu had traveled a great distance to find her husband Enash. He came from an Eastern land full of mystery and magic called Emoroka. He was said to have the powers to control the very ground one walked upon. When he first laid eyes on Aesurnu, he knew that she was destined to be his. He secretly visited her many times after he first saw her and pledged his love to her. Aesurnu refused his offer to be his mistress, but Enash saw no other way.
Aesurnu longed to be with the mysterious Enash. Moreover, the more she longed to be with him the fewer weddings were taking place while the men waited on Aesurnu. The women of the town convinced Isasemu to allow Enash to take Aesurnu as a second wife, a tradition that had long died out in the village since Lye-Ashe arrived, as there was no need to try to replace the lost children anymore with multiple wives.
Enash and Aesurnu wed and had a daughter named Isri. Isri was a child born to parents who never had their parents pledge their allegiance to Lye-Ashe. Because of this, she developed her powers differently. She was also rumored to have inherited some of the mystical powers her father had.
The morning sun peeked through the large bay windows of Isri’s room. It glinted off the gold-laced covers that Isri snuggled under in her downy bed. Lavish things surrounded her, a benefit of being the daughter of the ruling queen and resident Raelisuir. Her long red hair flowed down her pillow as she tossed and turned in her sleep. Sweat dripped down her brow. Her dreams were troubled with a woman following her around. The woman was saying something about Ialo. Ialo? Why would she dream of a dead city? She must have been studying too many ancient histories in her Raelisuir lessons. She was only sixteen and she had no interest in staying in Cerynian or being the Raelisuir. She wanted to become a queen of a far-off city. Her father had promised her she could and already had several prospective princes lined up from his homeland. So, why was everyone on her about becoming Raelisuir if they knew she wasn’t going to stay here?
Cerynian had grown from a small village to a lavish town complete with a caste system. The town prospered from gold found in the sacred mountains. The people, once hard farmers, were becoming soft on the easy living that the gold had brought them. Perhaps that is why Isri, a daughter of decadence, wanted nothing more than to marry a rich prince in a faraway kingdom. She longed for the adventure of a place faraway.
But today she was having crazy dreams and feelings that she needed to visit some ruined village to the west; a failed attempt at life without an immortal patron. She stretched and climbed out of her bed hoping that a good breakfast of honey and milk would clear these ill feelings. She did not have time to bother with any dreams that did not deal with exotic princes.
She would soon meet a prince from her father’s town and decide if this prince was the “one” or not. In the last week, she had met over forty princes and none of them was to her liking. Her father had hoped that someone from his old town would perhaps change her mind. Prince Est’it was one of the wealthiest and most handsome princes yet. He was rumored to have very strong magical abilities and Enash was sure his daughter would at least consider this prince seriously.
Isri finished her breakfast and dressed in a simple lace outfit that showed off all her best qualities before heading out to her garden for a walk. While she was staring into her oversized golden mirror, she began hearing a voice.
“Your destiny is to the west. Not the east. You must free them. You are the only one that is not bound to her. Come to Ialo.” The haunting voice echoed through Isri’s mind.
Isri shook the voice off and walked down the grand marble staircase to the main part of the manner she shared with her family. Her father was already in the main greeting room awaiting Est’it and his council.
“Good morning Isri. Are you ready to meet Prince Est’it?” Enash asked his daughter with a warm smile.
“Yes, father. I have prepared a wonderful itinerary of viewing the gardens and other such areas that would perhaps show the good prince how viable a relationship with Cerynian would be.” Isri answered her father with a smile.
“Very good dear one; however, might I add that you should allow Est’it to go to places he may desire to explore.”
“The prince knows of areas of interest?”
“Yes, Isri, the prince is a great study of ancient architecture and civilization. He is also quite vested in the magic of his lands and desires to study powerful areas of magic in places like Ialo.”
“Oh, father, I wish you had not said that. It makes him sound like such a bore. Do you wish me to marry Est’it because he would be so intrigued by the position of Raelisuir that he would encourage me to take the appointment?”
Enash stopped in his tracks. He had not thought of that specifically, but now that his daughter had brought it up it was a very good idea. He let out a jovial laugh. “Oh, my little one you are so bright. You think of schemes that no one would think of. I had not thought of that, but that is a good idea. Perhaps I should go ahead and say you will marry him.” Enash teased his daughter. “Will you at least give him a chance?”
“I shall give him a chance, but if he is as boring as you are making him sound I seriously doubt I will end up marrying him.” Isri sneered and made a face back at her father. Then the royal trumpet sounded. Isri held her breath hoping upon all belief that this prince would not be boring.
Prince Est’it entered with a large entourage of guards, mages, and various noblemen. He was a tall young man with stunning chiseled features and dark auburn hair not unlike Isri’s father Enash. His eyes were the most unusual shade of green. He was dressed in finely crafted armor and to his side he carried a large grimoire. Upon seeing the prince Isri’s demeanor changed. She perked up knowing that he was at least a sculpted individual. She just hoped his demeanor would match his packaging.
The prince walked up to Isri and bowed a low courtesy while grasping her hands. His words were honey smooth as he spoke to his possible future bride. “Isri, jewel of Cerynian, I am at your disposal for this afternoon.”
Isri’s hand began to shake. She was in trouble. He was very charming. He had a way about him. She choked back the nervousness that was cracking in her voice. “Prince Est’it, it is a great pleasure to meet you. I had an itinerary planned, but my father has noted that you are already well versed in the layout of our lands. Perhaps there is something or somewhere you would like most to visit with me today?”
Est’it grinned from ear to ear to reveal a mouth full of perfectly white teeth. They practically gleamed while he spoke. “My dear Isri, I had no idea that you would make such an offer. However, there is one place among all others available in this part of the world that I have always dreamed of visiting and studying. Ialo.”
Isri’s stomach sank. Did he just mention Ialo? Was it not weird enough that she had some desire to go there herself this morning? Could things get any stranger on this day of days? But how could she refuse this enchanting person before her? Her mind sped to the future; a future of him. He was so intoxicating. Her lips moved before her mind was able to stop them. “I too would like to visit Ialo. As a matter of fact, I was going to do so later this week for my Raelisuir studies, but now is as good a time as any.”
“Splendid. My entourage awaits our journey my princess. You will also have to tell me more about your Raelisuir studies.” Smoothly encouraged Est’it.