But your highness we've looked everywhere if she was in the castle we'd have found her by now" a woman complained
"Lies!!" She yelled "I know my niece she can be really tricky and maybe this damn castle is helping her! You know as well as I do that it only bends to her will! But nevertheless I don't care find her and bring her to me! If you can't find her here then go into the kingdom and look for her. Close all the boarders if you have to! Just make sure you find her before anyone does NOW"
"But your majesty we can't close up our boarders you know what today is. If we do that the people might get mad and rally against us" the woman reasoned
"I don't give a f**k if they get mad just do as I say"
"Look Cia I've got a better idea"the woman said taking a gentler approach and sitting beside her on the bed. "I'll have the holy knights stationed at the boarders doubled and the people will be searched thoroughly before being allowed to pass. I'll even go there myself and join in the search that way we'll make sure she doesn't leave while still observing our people's traditions".
The queen just sat there for a while looking at the ginger head she'd grown to trust. The only person who she knew wouldn't stab her if given a knife and the power to do so. Amara has been her friend since childhood they had both loathed her sister together plotting ways to disgrace or sometimes put her into trouble. It had just been harmless loathing till the day her sister awakened her special skill that was the day it had gone from loathe to full grown intoxicating jealousy. Her sister was just being married off to the kingdom of Harmonica but since she was getting married to the second son and she was the first daughter tradition demands that she rule her kingdom and her husband rule beside her. Making her the queen and her husband king. Morticia will never forget her sisters coronation day. She stood in front of the whole kingdom hands linked with her husbands and ready for the crown to be placed on her head when all of a sudden the castle began to shake. Their mom was the current castle keeper at that time she tried everything she could to put the castle at ease but it was like it no longer listed to her voice or heeded her command. And then all of a sudden her sister walked up to one of the castles pillars and began whispering words in a hushed tone words only she could hear. Everyone watched in awe as the castle slowly began to quiet and soon everything was at a stand still. Her sister had tamed it! The Solaris had chosen her! Now she was truly the next ruler. Nothing had infuriated her more than seeing her sister being showered with the whole admiration from the crowd it was almost as if she'd faded to the background and all that was left was her sister and the cheering crowd.
"Cia? Earth to Cia" Amara's voice woke her up from her memories and she finally spoke
"Fine Amara I'll let you handle this one. Only because I trust you"
"Great I better get going bye"and with that Amara was gone and the door shut softly behind her.
Meanwhile at the boarders Mirelha found herself staring at a multitude of people. This was the first time in forever she'd stepped foot outside the castle walls and the cool breeze that lapped against her face made her feel a whole different level of freedom one she was determined to grab with both hands. The whole place was in chaos and it seemed like the people were anxious about something, scared even. But no matter what she was going to go ahead with her plan. So running on a new surge of energy she walked up to a total stranger her hair covered and her eyes hid perfectly under the hood she spoke.
"Uhmmm... sir? Could you by any chance give me a lift? I need to cross the boarders to the River of Tears"
"..."
"Did you hear me?" There still was no reply. She was sure she walked up to a person so why was there no reply? Did she address them wrong?. Unsure what to do she slowly and cautiously lifted her hood to have a good look at the person but who she saw was a complete stranger. One she'd never seen before in Solarel. He had raven black hair and an aura so powerful it shrouded and covered him like his own clothing but for some reason she was not intimidated by it and she's intimidated by pretty much anything when she was at the castle. His skin was so pale that under the bright sun it could be compared to snow and his eyes reminded her of the starless night sky.
"Do you often take lifts from strangers?" The mysterious man asked his head tilted a little low to be able to see under her hood.
"No I just-" she stopped herself before she could expose anything that could trigger or pique this handsome strangers curiosity. Bailey had once told her on one of her crying sessions that no matter the face of the situation she should never reveal her true intentions to anybody he said 'once people notice your clueless or innocent they'll take advantage of you. So no matter what Mire never let anyone read you like a book'
"Look my ride's a little late and I just need help getting across the boarder. And no I don't usually take lifts from strangers but I trust your reasonable and will keep your hands to yourself"she responded her demeanour changing to one of feigned arrogance and regality.
The man just stood staring for a couple of minutes a look of utter amusement sprawled across his face. Then finally he agreed something unrecognisable flashing in his eyes as he stepped back for her adding "make sure to keep that pretty little face hidden we wouldn't want those sparkling eyes of yours to attract a lot of attention now would we?"
Mirelha nearly leapt out of her own skin. Did she raise the hood a little to high? No way. She was sure her eyes were well hidden. So how did he know her eyes sparkle?
They rode on a two sitter wagon. With her face carefully hidden behind her hood and her body hidden behind his. Once they reached the long line awaiting search the man spoke to her again attempting to start a conversation with her
"Since I'm helping you I should at least know what your running from"he said as a matter of fact and that made her freeze on the spot, but she wasn't going to falter. Something told her if she did in front of this stranger she was going to regret it.
"Whose running?" She replied maintaining her calm and collected stance
"Oh c'mon sunshine I can read you like a book"
"Really?" The nonchalance in her voice not giving how much his statements bothered her "how so?"
He flashed a little smirk before replying "I know when someone is lying or hiding things. Especially from me" he paused before adding "you can call it my super power. The same way some people here in Solarel and other parts of Angelara are able to wield and manipulate magic"
Mirelha couldn't help but notice the way he referred to Solarel as though he did not also live there. She knew it was best to keep her distance at stranger level but this was her first time outside and her curiosity got the better of her. "Are you not from around here?"
"Careful sunshine curiosity killed the cat" he replied turning to look in her direction before continuing his speech "if you want something you should give to get"
"What do you mean."
"I mean tell me what your running from and I'll tell you where I'm from"
"Are you always this curious about strangers?" She asked not masking her frustration
"Your one to talk" he answered clearly entertained by her frustration "But no I usually mind my business"
"So what changed?" She asked curtly
"You" his answer was so short and shocking to Mirelha that she couldn't help but mumble "wh- what?"
"Everything about you piques my interest. Your something I've never seen. And I'm sure you know your not like everyone here in Angelara. You don't belong here."
"Well to bad Solarel is my home. So I do belong here" There was an underlying tinge of uncertainty laced in her words. It was so faint that it was barely noticeable to someone who wasn't looking out for it- but this mysterious stranger was definitely looking out for it.
"Sure sunshine. Let's keep lying to ourselves"
"I'm. Not. Lying" she hated how much this man saw through her like a polished see through glass. It was almost like he truly had a super power.
Their discussion was soon cut short as they approached the front of the line. With trembling hands she unconsciously gripped the hem of her robe wrinkling the sides as she squeezed tighter in a futile attempt to calm her jittery nerves. But that little action didn't go unnoticed.
" I'm gonna need you to lower your hood miss" one of the knights situated at the boarders asked moving closer towards her. Under the hood she was a quivering mess. Her breath hitched and her grip tightened. She knew by now her aunt would be looking for her all round the castle and once she found out she was gone the boarders would be closed until she was found.
She knew this was going to happen. That she was going to still have to jump one more hurdle the most difficult of them all. She had an alibi ready to go but that still didn't make it easier for her. And with a pair of prying eyes boring holes through her hood she couldn't help but falter a little in her resolve. This mystery man had proven that he could truly read her like a book. But she'd come too far it was now or never she had to go through with this no matter who was staring at her. And so with her resolve steeled she took a deep breath.
"Uhmm... miss I said-" the guard was cut short just as his hands where about to grab the edges of her hoodie her voice rang out a wide contrast from how she felt inside.
"Don't you dare lay those filthy hands on me" her voice carried a wave of authority and power the kind that commands respect and reverence. "Do you know who I am?"
"I'm sorry miss but I'm under instructions. Unless it's the queen herself I'm authorised to search everyone" the guard replied unfazed by her words
"Really? What would you do if I told you that I could make even your queen bow to me?" The knight just stared at her hooded figure as though she had spoken blasphemy and snorted
"Yeah right. This would go a lot faster if you just let me search you. Unless you have something to hide" the guard sounded irritated, angry even at the words Mirelha had uttered about the queen and in a fit of suppressed rage he reached out and flung back her hood revealing her shimmering white lustrous hair and sparkling eyes. Everyone present was left speechless at her look and appearance but something else seemed to strike the perplexed figure sitting beside her. And within an instant he flung the hoodie back over her head gripped the reigns of his horse and began riding away at super human speed. It was not until they had crossed over to the boarders of the River of Tears did he finally stop the wagon and slowed down.
"What the hell was that for I could've handled that situation on my own!!!" Mirelha barked she was furious that this uncultured stranger just sped off. Now she was going to be the talk of the entire town. And sooner rather than later her auntie will catch wind of the fact that she was headed to the River of Tears. All her plans were ruined. "You caused a scene back there! In case you haven't noticed the people of Solarel aren't very big on minding their own business and by now news of my whereabouts would have reached the palace!" She was furious but underneath that she was also scared. Scared of what her auntie was going to do to her once she finds her again. She was sure this time she'll die of the pain.
"Look sunshine, you were screwed either way so what's the big deal?" The man asked his stance relaxed and casual
"The big deal is that I had a plan and your part of that plan was just to bring me here!"
"So what were you planning to do? huh?"
"I was going to-" she paused for a few minutes before continuing in a completely different train of thought " you know what how 'bout I show you" she needed to let off steam and it's been a whole day since she'd channeled magical energy so she knew sooner or later she'll have to find a way to let it out. So in seconds her hair seemed to have gained extra light and was now giving off an ethereal glow. Her eyes were closed so she couldn't see the light show going on around her. Her intention was just to blast out with all the excess magical energy building up inside her but instead she ended up unconsciously commanding the River of Tears. The River lit up so bright it was nearly blinding and bathing everything else in it's majestic glow.
At one corner a figure just stood beyond stupefied at the show he was currently witnessing he had never seen one being - human for that matter command such reactions from the River. I mean he knew this girl was a piece of work when he first saw her but now he was sure there was more to her than he gave her credit for. And one thing was sure he was going to use whatever power she possessed to break free from this bondage that held him on the other side of this world.