+Amethyst Lockette+ Entry04

The rays of daylight beamed through the vine-embellished window panes. Eias tip-toed through the guest room with a glazed, wooded platter with two pieces of large bread, two small bowls of mixed almonds, two glasses of milk, and a tiny dipping bowl of butter with a knife beside it. She carefully placed it down on the desk that was set up in front of the windows at the center. Eias brushed her hands at her side and flinched as she nearly forgot put the napkins on the plate and she proceeded to do so. Chess and Cher slept peacefully and moved a bit when Eias finally reached the doorway. Once she passed through Cher whispered and rubbed the slumber overwhelming her.
       "Eias?" she sat up and stretched. Eias turned slightly and greeted them to the morning daylight. Cher blinked and widened her eyes and Chess slowly did the same. They both looked at the breakfast made for them and they gazed at each other grinning. As soon as they thanked Eias for making them food, their stomach growled and they looked at the food desperately and snatched the breads and ate after buttering. Eias giggled at their hunger and covered her smile with her hands, trying not to be rude. Cher had noticed this and nodded her head, showing that she didn't mind.
        Reading their expressions carefully, Chess squinted her eyes in suspicion and gulped down the bread with milk and shook her head. "Hey, Eias? How long have you and Uruvvion've known each other?" "Well," she began, "He doesn't really talk to anybody in the Magic Teachings, or anyone else in the village much, but only I and Adan, mostly Adan, have gotten something out of him." "Where's his house?" "Chess!!" Cher elbowed her friend harshly, warning her of her rudeness. Chess continued, "What?? We're in a frickin' hamlet!" "This village is not small!" "Both of you please..." Eias coughed and cleared her throat, "My grandfather, the elder, wishes to speak with you in the Hall of Ancient; get dressed." As she ended her sentence, she opened her hands and neatly folded dresses and leggings appeared in her arms. She placed them all in one arm and cupped out hand and leather a pair shoes appeared in hand.
      Only Chess was amazed by this and Cher took them from Eias for fewer struggles. "I'm taking this one!" Cher said happily, waving the clothing over her head. She, then, tossed the other clothes at Chess. Eias lead them to a special bathing room. It wasn't far down the village paths outside, so they walked to their leisure. The inside of the bathing room was in the format of a public bath house shower, only currents of water was bursting through the white marble walls and were activated when the thick leaves blocking them were moved. Cher and Chess played with them a bit as they bathed.
      "That was fun!" Cher said fully clothed afterwards as did Chess. Chess shrugged. "No it wasn't! That water busted in my face like a geyser!" "Hee hee, that's because you moved the whole leaf aside." "Shut up!" "Good day," the elder interrupted. The girls quickly grew silent and curtsied. "Good day," they said in unison. The Hall of the Ancient was a dome-like room with strange wordings along the walls following pictures . The ceiling was a giant transparent window with web-like window panes and frames. There was a table that exteneded across the room made of white marble and seemed like a long pedestal.
      "Please, sit. We have much to discuss," the elder remarked. They sat down and Cher sat up while Chess leaned with her arms on the table. Eias sat beside the elder and whispered something inaudible in his ear and he nodded as she backed away. "I'll get to that soon, dear. Anyways, we have been wondering this for a long time and just yesterday we recieved an Oracle of the Givings." "Oracle of the Givings?" Cher asked intentively. "Yes. It was a vague reading, but we all believed that the Oracle was mentioning the Ancient of Prophecy--where a human, an elf, a dwarf, a faery, a pixie, a dragon, and a royal must journey to the center of this world to purify it." "Purify what? Is something corrupting this world?" Chess asked, puzzled with this information. "Well, you see, and as Cher might figure, there is another dimension besides this one where veils, nordeins, and Creatures of the Dark reside. Each thousands of years their world becomes to merge with this one."
     "And this world shall be enveloped in darkness and disappear to nothingness..." Cher had added. Eias nodded quietly. "How do you know, Cher?" Chess asked. Cher smiled mischeviously. "I read the story on the wall, silly goose." "Virgin mouth." "Transvest." "Ahem," the elder continued, "We would have to test to see if this is true, though. There have been errors of the wrong Chosens reaching here." Chess and Cher stared blankly at each other and stared back at the elder and Eias. "Also, the Chosen of elven lineage has been suspended for quite some time, so..." Eias paused and bit her lip. She began to turn paler and paler. Cher curved her brows up. "Something wrong?" "No, it's just that fiance` hasn't been feeling well at all and--" "They can worry about that later, dear, we have serious things to talkk about."
    "We don't mind. Let's hear it, Eias," Cher insisted and got up from her seat and approached Eias, whose eyes were now swelled with pink. "Um... um---" "They must not know." the elder cut her off. Chess grew impatient, seeing that the elder was hiding something from his own grandchild; his only it seemed. She followed the trail of Cher and crossed her arms agressively. "What are you not gonna tell us, man? Where's Uruvvion? You took him out or something?" "Cheshire` Anne Li!" Cher shouted. Chess ignored her. "What'd you do?" "You will take the test and if you pass--" "Answer the goddamned question!!!!" Cher began to follow her words and wondeer the same thing. The thought of what might've happened to those who had helped them get out of that dark, cold pithole would be painful.
    "I've read the story, so it doesn't matter at the moment if one of us is the Chosen of Humans; take us to him. Take us to Uruvvion." The elder paused and shook his head. "What if I am the Chosen? Don't take chances for your sake and the rest of the world, elder--" "Fine!" he said boisterously and nodded the girls to follow him. He went to a wall near the corner and took his cane and boobed at it. The energy from the cane came in earthly colors and spread through the walls like blood flowing in veins. The wall moved carefully on its own and shifted to the ceiling afterwards. He went down the stairwell that was old, but still strong. It was laced up with vines and leaves. They followed the elder dowstairs and made not a sound nor argued. Then there was a bad odor... like the dead...
     "Is this some kind of crypt?" Chess covered her nose and covered mouth. Cher wasn't bothered by the smell, but where it was coming from. The deeper they went, the scarier it was going to be. Cobwebs scanned across the corners of the spiral, sinking stairwell. Light had barely reachd in or out, but Chess soon took out her flaslight once it was completely dark. At the bottom the floor was flat and they walked forward. Four guards were against the wall holding lanterns with fireflies in them. They saluted to the elder, but quickly went back to their natural posture after seeing the elder's mien. The guard opened the metalic door and stepped in to light the room. Within the room, there was a startled gasp.
     "Uruvvion?!" Cher held her arms to her chest and felt her stomach blow. Uruvvion was chained to an rusting iron post. His shirt was torn and he looked as if he was lashed--lashed up until now. Chess approached him, now unafraid of the smell and how bloody Uruvvion was. "H-How long did this go on?" Cher stammered. "Early this morning..." Eias trembled. Cher frowned even more and became disaapointed. "Y-You knew about this?! And you, his fiance`, didn't do a thing about it?!" Eias got on her knees and sobbed, knowing how shameful it was to do nothing at all. The elder cleared his throat and approached Uruvvion and lifted his chin to face each other. Cher flinched, trying to compress her anger. "You were leaving the village and tried to bring Adan into it, weren't you? Scum like you don't belong in this village!"
     "What did he do to deserve this?" Cher stood and glared at the elder defiantly. "I lost all respect for you when it was still growing..." "Cher, calm down," Eias patted her shoulders. Cher shrugged off her hands and walked up to the elder. "Where did you plan to go, hm? Back to your mother?" the elder bluntly said to Uruvvion. He turned his head away, jerking his chin from the elder's hand. "What did he do?" Cher asked again, more loudly this time. The elder looked at his feet and made no eye contact nor confrontation to Cher. "You are to take the test--" "I will, but you didn't answer my question..." the elder sighed and started over. "I will speak about this upstairs, I promise." then he left through the door. He left the three girls alone with a battered Uruvvion.
     Cher knelt down to him closely and carefully. "Are you-- no, that'd be an awkward and obvious question. I don't even have wrapping bandages or iodine."
Chess walked to Cher and slipped a small bottle of iodine and a thick roll of wrapping bandages that was four inches thick. Eias winced and walked over. "I'll do it." "It doesn't matter. I'm doing it. Plus, I can't tolerate the dark anyhow." "Just don't touch me..." Uruvvion turned away from Cher. "It's no use anyway, you're hurt. Were you really trying to run away?"
     Uruvvion slowly glanced at Cher. 'I forgot how intense his eyes looked...' she thought as her heart throbbed faster and faster and her face lit up. She quickly shook her head and opened the iodine. All was quiet. It was such a capricious morning; at one moment, they were amzed by the surroundings, but now it's dark and cold like the desert. Wind silently blew through the stoney room. It was dark with a torch in the corner, and the iron pole was the the center of the room, which was twelve feet wide and twelve feet high. "You didn't answer my question," Cher broke the silence and Uruvvion looked up to her again, only his eyes seemed a bit dim and his face was completely pale and emotionless.
    Eias sighed regretfully and came over to him, but was turned away. "I'm your fiance`! You can't keep refusing me like this!" "Especially in this state, so stop whining," Chess added and Eias became quiet again and meekishly stood back. Cher used an unused napkin from her breakfast plate and placed some iodine on it and pressed it against Uruvvion's heavily scarred back. He inhaled sharply and barely even moved. His eyes were shut tightly, but he did not even jerk back or complained.

                                 -_Cher's POV_-

       He didn't even move when I placed the iodine tainted napkin upon his back. I was surprised at first, but was also scared and more worried then when I saw him like this. I had a strange feeling when Chess, Adan, Uruvvion, and I walked throught that dry cave. His hand was cold when I held it. It didn't feel like something caused by natural weather, for it felt cold like a corspe. Perhaps he was used to this pain. I can't say that I pity him, but I do. I don't want to say that I sympathize him, but I do.
      His fiance` was really pretty, whcih I both hated and admired. It felt like rivalry, but for what? I'm not fighting especially for a boy I don't know. "I guess that should do it," I said, finishing the wrapping of bandages across his chest, back and shoulders. He was very muscular, but not the greasy-muscular or perfect-guy muscular; just in between. I shook my head, trying to focus and backed away. There was still a lump in my throat for all that's happened. I still can't believe all this happened. I know what to do in another dimension; being in the most unexpected places, but blood in your face I was unprepared.
     "You still didn't answer my question. Did you really run away, and for what?" I remembered and pursed my lips, waiting for an answer. He did not. I slowly crossed my arms and sighed, looking at my feet. "It's fine then," I said, "Answer me when you really want to, and thank you for bringing me here." I really meant that. I always thought that there will always be a bright side to all bad things. And so I thought maybe just by meeting him something will start.

                              -POV TERMINATED-

       Once they were upstairs and through the doorway, the elder closed the door. In the Hall of Ancients were tall old men with decorative robes and wands. One of them stepped up and knelt down. "We shall begin the test, human child," he said, "I--no, we shall tell you our names if you are true to the Oracle of the Giving." Cher and Chess nodded and was pulled away from the long, marble table by Eias and against the wall. The table vanished into ashes and scattered to the air. The room appeared more wider than usual. The elder stepped in and spoke out. "Now the Oracle of Choice shall begin. We shall see that one of you is the chosen." As soon as he finished his sentence, one of the old men dashed to the center and recited an incantation. Cher hesitated as she heard his words:

               :[Cylia thastaer, pali ail si caer os paerelol...]:

   "Chess! Move! It's a fire spell!" Cher shouted and Chess followed her to escape its range of infinity. Fire balls slid from the mage's hand and stretched towards the frantic girls. "Ouch!" Chess shook her hand, which now had a large brown spot on her pale skin that covered he palm completely. Cher began to worry. 'This is worse than the dark,' she thought. Icicles began to form under them and Cher dragged Chess to roll over to the side. The ice crystals grew out of the ground like stalagmites and grew larger and larger over their heads. Cher tripped onto her back in fear and scrambled to get back on her feet. She quickly palm struck the icicle growing under her, which worked effectively.
    "Alright, humans!" the old man exclaimed and a large stream of flame in the shape of a dragon lowered to the girls. It was inevitable; the dragon curled up too close to them. Eias stood at the elder's side, silent. She closed her eyes, knowing what would become fo them. Cher felt burns eating at her skin even though the dragon's flames weren't close. 'Please don't hurt Chess! Please!' she pleaded in her thoughts and knelt down, folding her hands. Then she had heard the singing of faeries. She had heard the song before and thought that it might do her some pacification or have her friend live.

         ~: Sholaes, ei mystaes sosti :~
              [Winter; a somber time]

         ~: Ai'jh thia sai si, ail mestaes :~
             [I'll fly to thee in summer]

         ~: Sholaes, ei mystaes sosti :~
             [Winter; a somber time]

         ~: Ei madael sosti shi taeli :~
             [A sadden time we cleanse]

         ~: Thi thys o air byli iadyl saeri shol... :~
             [Free for you is voice upon these wings...]
              

      Cher kept her posture, thinking she might die, but kept the serene melody in mind. She, then noticed that the air was not too hot anymore. She opened her eyes slowly and widened themm, seeing that the hell-engulfing serpent was gone. She turned to Chess and her face was pale, but not of the thought of death but what emitted from her companion. Cher walked over to Chess and asked her what had happened. Chess shook her head to clear her thoughts and sat up from laying. She could not find words, but tried anyways. "Y-You sang beautifully and then it echoed the room and-- this huge crafty cirlce and lights and the dragon just disappeared and--" "Slow down..." "Look at your hair...!"
    Cher was still confused and felt her hair. It felt warm and wavy then it was before. She noticed that it inched a bit from her neck and touched her spine. Chess took out her compact and the mirror faced Cher. Cher gasped at the sight. Her hair floated and draped on her shoulders. Silver and gold traced in her hair radiantly. Her eyes were blue and golden at the iris. She sat back and turned to the mages who bowed down and Eias and the elder did also.
    "Chosen of the Humans have reached us!" he lifted his head and bowed again.
So it was Cher who was Chosen. Chess hugged her and congradulated her. The elder peeked and saw. He flew to his feet and ran towards Chess and grabbed her arm angrily. "Bow! You are in the presence of a Messiah!" "She's my friend, it's fine elder." Eias approached and curtsied. The others chattered with glee and laughed heartily. Cher smiled, but knew that there was still something to do and something to say and what she'd have to hear...