It was well past dusk by the time I made it to the woods. With a pounding heart and hesitation I entered the trees, for the place of my solace was barely recognizable with the long shadows filtering all around me. A fear grew inside me like none other that I had experienced before, and I didn't know if it was from the news of an imminent husband, or from having never stayed in my forests through the night. With a heavy heart I reached one of my haunts, and sat myself beside a lazy creek to think. Should I go through with the choice that had been made for me? A powerful figure...I didn't know who the councilwoman had spoke of, and no such figures that I knew of could come to mind. But even if he would turn out to be a kind husband, I could not imagine that a wife who was not allowed to choose her own husband would be allowed the freedom that I craved. But if I couldn't accept this destiny, could I really run away from it? I looked around at the woods. The trees that I knew so well in the daylight now seemed to be sinister strangers. Could I even spend one night here by myself? I had little on me for protection, and I would have to rely on my wind crafting if I was to run afoul of some creature. And yet, even while my fear of the night grew, the stronger my conviction became that I could not face this strange husband until I had had some more time to get used to the idea. I made up my mind to stay out until morning, and then reevaluate my feelings then.
I shivered and adjusted my hood tighter around my shoulders. The noise of the town was receding from my mind, and slowly in its wake came the clarity of my craft. A chill breeze was flowing across the creek, and with half a thought I turned it to a warm caress. I let my instincts take over as I listened to the night air, full of secrets. Suddenly, as though it had been there all along and I had just noticed it, a warm wind drifted across my face from deeper into the woods. On it came the scent of cloves and bark, and something old like a well-worn parchment. Before I realized it I had taken several steps toward the heart of the wood. The wind whispered past my ear, breathing of promises as it caressed my neck. The longer I listened and the farther I walked, the stronger the voice on the wind became. A small part of me in the back of my mind screamed out, but the voice was seductive and the scents were fogging the rest of my thoughts. My protesting voice grew dimmer while the dark of the woods pressed in on me. The wind from the heart of the wood invaded me completely, and I took no notice when I lost my footing and fell into the thick undergrowth of moss.
~~~~~
There was no indication for how long I slept. I could not wake up immediately, but instead swam just beneath the surface of my consciousness indefinitely. Around me there were voices, feminine and musical, but muddled by my half sleep so that I could not determine what they said. The scent of cloves was strong.
It could have been days, or hours, that I listened to the voices around me, trying to hear their words. I experienced a numbness, and could feel neither frustration nor fear at my predicament, only a calm waiting. I remained this way until I heard the voices fall to a hush, and then felt a warm palm laid upon my cheek. At once I awakened, and all of the coma-repressed feelings came upon me in a rush.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
a short story to get me started, part 1
I have never had a lot of faith in myself, until tonight. I was born into my power, the power of air, where as others were born into greater things. Fire powers, water powers, I sat cowed in my village while the others could command the deadliest of elements with ease. I was mocked; what could I do? Generate a nice, cooling breeze for the real crafters, the ones who made the village turn. To be one of the air was very uncommon. Some said that it was a rare gift, an honor. I just felt outnumbered and alone.
I found a solace in the woods. I could escaped the sneers of the fire and water ones in the cool moss, squishing under my body as I lay under the damp, green canopy. Everything felt alive, and some days I had half a mind not to return the the village at night. I could deter a chilling wind with ease, encourage it to warm instead, but I suppose I was afraid of whatever dangers might be in the forest. So I slipped back home, ate a quiet meal with my distant parents, and fell asleep feeling more alone than I was in the woods.
Several years passed much the same, morning chores followed by forest wanderings. My parents let me, for they didn't really know what else to do with me. The afternoons were typically reserved for lessons of your craft, but I was the only one of air in the village, so the afternoons were my own. It was easy enough to teach myself. Out in the forest, there was not the incessant underlying chatter of the village, and I could listen to the voice of the wind without difficulty. My understanding and grasp of my craft was good, but I didn't really appreciate what I could be capable of. I severely underestimated the power that could be carried in the wind.
A day came when I was to gather with the other girls of my age in the village and be introduced to a council that would find us husbands. I dreaded this day fiercely. I didn't know what would become of my freedom, my days in the wood, or if I would be treated well. Even if my hand was not offered for in the long run, I did not look forward to spending the day with the other girls. They had never included me, had always said cruel things about my odd appearance, and not just behind my back. The appearance of my people was determined by their craft. The water girls had dark hair and features, sensual and dangerous, like the bottom of the ocean. The fire girls were marked by their red hair, and their sharp brown and amber eyes. Their tongues were known to cut without care. I stood out among these dark and flashy colors, with my too-pale skin and my white hair. I had always felt that the reason for my missing color was a steady disappearance, and one day I would fade out completely. My eyes, however, were unlike the rest of me; piercingly clear gray, like the color of the sky at the onset of the autumn storms. They unsettled the rest of the villagers, and I spent a lot of time adverting my gaze.
The day of the council dawned hot and stagnant. As I stood in the town square in the growing light with the other girls, I was at war with myself. It occurred to me that I could better ensure my freedom by appearing obstinate and ugly, thus discouraging interested suitors. However, I was loathe to add more items to the list that set me apart from the others. I could already hear the hissing jeers and giggles from the girls around me who were growing bored with standing around. I was grateful, at least, for the breeze that I could add to the air around me, and save myself the sticky sweat that the day was fast heralding. Several of my peers had began to squirm in discomfort.
The introductions began. Our names were already on a roster, and we were called in alphabetical order in categories according to our craft. I had not been surprised to learn that I would be called last. Everyone had to introduce themselves, and everyone was required to stay until the end in case further questions were needed. The square offered little shade, and the day grew hotter as the hours passed. The girls were received in a circle at the far end, and sat in front of the council interview style for an average of twenty minutes. I drew a length of plain cloth around my head to protect my fair skin from the sun, stirred a comfortable breeze, and waited for my turn. My stress ebbed as I got to watch the process repeat itself over several hours, and by the time that it was my turn, I felt ready enough. I had decided to represent my personality as honestly as I could, and hope for the best.
The afternoon sun hung heavy in the sky. The last girl was called by name, approached the circle, and had her turn. As she walked away, I waited for my name to be called. Minutes passed with a long silence from the council, and the murmurs began to start. Everyone was aware that I was supposed to be the last. I felt my stomach shrivel on itself in sudden trepidation, not knowing what the pause was for. I watched the council intently. They seemed to be arguing amongst themselves, some heatedly while others glanced away awkwardly. As the murmurs around me reached a peak, I could take it no longer and made my way through the crowd to the circle with more or less a straight spine. Silence spread out from me like the ripples on a lake. As the council ceased their low debate and turned to address me, I could feel the press of the judgmental eyes behind me. I lowered my makeshift hood as the elderly woman in the center of the council cleared her throat. She began to speak, and her voice stuttered while some of her peers shuffled awkwardly, others staring at me with something akin to scorn and unease.
"My dear, you have been bestowed a g-great honor." She cleared her throat again and pressed on. "Early this morning, a p-powerful figure approached this council, a-and has offered for your hand. We have b-been instructed to exclude you from our list, and inform you that h-he will come for you tonight. You are not to r-resist this offer. You are encouraged to look on your g-good fortune with pride and happiness. An interview will not be necessary."
A buzzing filled my head, chatter was beginning again and it was clouding my ability to hear clearly. I desperately craved the cool solitude of the moss and the trees. Her words made no sense to me.
"What do you mean?" I asked hastily. "Who has offered for me? I don't get a choice? Who is this man?" My breathing came quicker, I felt all hopes of freedom being washed away and the council was beginning to pack up and dismiss the crowd. They had an air of wanting to be quickly off. "Wait! You can't just leave like this! Please tell me what's going on!"
But my cries were useless. The chatter was growing. I felt my head growing light as the council hurried away, the crowd was breaking up to gossip in smaller throngs, and I could feel several hateful glances aimed in my direction. Without further thought, I drew up my hood and ran for the woods of my solace. The wind gave aid to my flight.
I found a solace in the woods. I could escaped the sneers of the fire and water ones in the cool moss, squishing under my body as I lay under the damp, green canopy. Everything felt alive, and some days I had half a mind not to return the the village at night. I could deter a chilling wind with ease, encourage it to warm instead, but I suppose I was afraid of whatever dangers might be in the forest. So I slipped back home, ate a quiet meal with my distant parents, and fell asleep feeling more alone than I was in the woods.
Several years passed much the same, morning chores followed by forest wanderings. My parents let me, for they didn't really know what else to do with me. The afternoons were typically reserved for lessons of your craft, but I was the only one of air in the village, so the afternoons were my own. It was easy enough to teach myself. Out in the forest, there was not the incessant underlying chatter of the village, and I could listen to the voice of the wind without difficulty. My understanding and grasp of my craft was good, but I didn't really appreciate what I could be capable of. I severely underestimated the power that could be carried in the wind.
A day came when I was to gather with the other girls of my age in the village and be introduced to a council that would find us husbands. I dreaded this day fiercely. I didn't know what would become of my freedom, my days in the wood, or if I would be treated well. Even if my hand was not offered for in the long run, I did not look forward to spending the day with the other girls. They had never included me, had always said cruel things about my odd appearance, and not just behind my back. The appearance of my people was determined by their craft. The water girls had dark hair and features, sensual and dangerous, like the bottom of the ocean. The fire girls were marked by their red hair, and their sharp brown and amber eyes. Their tongues were known to cut without care. I stood out among these dark and flashy colors, with my too-pale skin and my white hair. I had always felt that the reason for my missing color was a steady disappearance, and one day I would fade out completely. My eyes, however, were unlike the rest of me; piercingly clear gray, like the color of the sky at the onset of the autumn storms. They unsettled the rest of the villagers, and I spent a lot of time adverting my gaze.
The day of the council dawned hot and stagnant. As I stood in the town square in the growing light with the other girls, I was at war with myself. It occurred to me that I could better ensure my freedom by appearing obstinate and ugly, thus discouraging interested suitors. However, I was loathe to add more items to the list that set me apart from the others. I could already hear the hissing jeers and giggles from the girls around me who were growing bored with standing around. I was grateful, at least, for the breeze that I could add to the air around me, and save myself the sticky sweat that the day was fast heralding. Several of my peers had began to squirm in discomfort.
The introductions began. Our names were already on a roster, and we were called in alphabetical order in categories according to our craft. I had not been surprised to learn that I would be called last. Everyone had to introduce themselves, and everyone was required to stay until the end in case further questions were needed. The square offered little shade, and the day grew hotter as the hours passed. The girls were received in a circle at the far end, and sat in front of the council interview style for an average of twenty minutes. I drew a length of plain cloth around my head to protect my fair skin from the sun, stirred a comfortable breeze, and waited for my turn. My stress ebbed as I got to watch the process repeat itself over several hours, and by the time that it was my turn, I felt ready enough. I had decided to represent my personality as honestly as I could, and hope for the best.
The afternoon sun hung heavy in the sky. The last girl was called by name, approached the circle, and had her turn. As she walked away, I waited for my name to be called. Minutes passed with a long silence from the council, and the murmurs began to start. Everyone was aware that I was supposed to be the last. I felt my stomach shrivel on itself in sudden trepidation, not knowing what the pause was for. I watched the council intently. They seemed to be arguing amongst themselves, some heatedly while others glanced away awkwardly. As the murmurs around me reached a peak, I could take it no longer and made my way through the crowd to the circle with more or less a straight spine. Silence spread out from me like the ripples on a lake. As the council ceased their low debate and turned to address me, I could feel the press of the judgmental eyes behind me. I lowered my makeshift hood as the elderly woman in the center of the council cleared her throat. She began to speak, and her voice stuttered while some of her peers shuffled awkwardly, others staring at me with something akin to scorn and unease.
"My dear, you have been bestowed a g-great honor." She cleared her throat again and pressed on. "Early this morning, a p-powerful figure approached this council, a-and has offered for your hand. We have b-been instructed to exclude you from our list, and inform you that h-he will come for you tonight. You are not to r-resist this offer. You are encouraged to look on your g-good fortune with pride and happiness. An interview will not be necessary."
A buzzing filled my head, chatter was beginning again and it was clouding my ability to hear clearly. I desperately craved the cool solitude of the moss and the trees. Her words made no sense to me.
"What do you mean?" I asked hastily. "Who has offered for me? I don't get a choice? Who is this man?" My breathing came quicker, I felt all hopes of freedom being washed away and the council was beginning to pack up and dismiss the crowd. They had an air of wanting to be quickly off. "Wait! You can't just leave like this! Please tell me what's going on!"
But my cries were useless. The chatter was growing. I felt my head growing light as the council hurried away, the crowd was breaking up to gossip in smaller throngs, and I could feel several hateful glances aimed in my direction. Without further thought, I drew up my hood and ran for the woods of my solace. The wind gave aid to my flight.
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