For Mellie... who's always so patient even when i'm lazy in posting. just for that, two long chapters today! Yay!
III
Luna?s bright light shined through the quartered window of the room. It filtered across the wooden floor, and spread onto the small bed, it?s rays softly framing the figure on the bed. The figure stirred in the light, and moaned as she motioned to get up, using her hands to rub out the remaining sleep in her blue eyes.
Anemone blinked several times as her world came into focus. She sat up abruptly, instantly regretting it as her head spun with the action. In her mind, she had still believed herself to be outside, on the grass with the cool breeze, but in her current state, it only gave further proof that her earlier experience was a dream.
Everything, from talking heglings to the talk about far away places, had been a perfectly imagined figment of her mind.
Slowly, she pulled the blankets off of herself and got out of bed, walking to the door. She cautiously opened it and walked through, heading down the stairs of the eerily quiet cottage. There was not even the comfortingly familiar sound of Jane?s creaking rocking chair to give evidence that someone was inside. Yet as she entered the sitting room, she found everybody of the household save for her two oldest brothers, patiently waiting for her.
?So, she awakens,? Jane drawled out slowly, ?Did you sleep well??
Anemone did not like the tone in her voice, but replied with a nod despite her feelings. She did not wish to exchange unpleasant words with her nursemaid at the moment.
Jane scowled slightly, ?Surprising enough, considering that you-?
John stood up and approached his daughter while sending a look to Jane that cut her speech short. He placed his hands on Anemone?s shoulders, somewhat warily.
Anemone sent a bright smile his way, but was rewarded with a sad one of his own. John motioned towards Adam, who obediently came to him.
?Adam,? John said, ?I want you and you and your brothers to start your chores behind the cottage. Leave me to talk to your sister.?
Anemone blinked at him, her blue eyes asking silent questions.
Without a word, Judas, Tobijah and Adam walked out, Adam?s eyes sending a sympathetic message to his only sister before leaving the cottage.
There was a long silence in the sitting room. Anemone stared into her father?s shady eyes, and Jane watched them with thinning patience. With a huff, she steeped forward.
?Tell her, John,? she urged, although a tiny bit of annoyance crept in.
John sighed, ?Anemone, we?ve decided-? he corrected himself with a stern look from Jane, ?I?ve decided that from now on, you are going to confide your time here with Jane, and Missus Alleby will be by periodically to measure you for dresses.?
Anemone frowned, ?What??
John took another deep breath, ?You are no longer a child, Anney. You are a young woman and must behave as such. You spend far too much time frolicking about with your brothers and it will stop. Now.?
Anemone did not hide the anger in her voice, ?Are you forbidding me from spending my time with my only brothers??
Jane stepped in to John?s defense, ?If you wish to perceive it as such. From now on, you are not to leave the cottage except for errands and outside chores.?
Emotion flickered in the young girl?s eyes, ?You did this, Momma Jane??
Jane did not answer her as she sat in a chair and began to knit, deft fingers working masterfully with the needles: twist, slip, pull, tighten.
?Why?? Anemone asked, heartbroken. How had her nursemaid turn on her like that?
A thick tenseness entered the air around them, and John made the motion to speak, his voice raspy as he cleared his throat, ?Anney, don?t you want to make a suitable wife for Timothy??
The young girl blinked, and even Jane looked up in surprise.
?Timothy, John? Isn?t he the bread maker?s son??
John nodded hesitantly, ?Timothy?s father came to me a few evenings ago in his son?s behalf to ask for my daughter?s hand in marriage.?
?Why did you not tell me of this?? Jane spat, not bothering to hide the anger behind her words. How dare he keep something from her!
?I did not plan on saying yes,? he replied, ?But now, I?ve changed my mind.?
A look of absolute shock and betrayal came over Anemone?s face. Her cold fingers clenched into fists at her sides, and her body began to shake as she tried her hardest not to lash out at her father, ?You are giving me over to? Timothy to marry? I don?t even know him papa! How could you do this to me??
?It?s for the best, Anney. Try to understand-?
?I understand, papa! You take away my freedom and plan to give me away!?
?No Anney-? John began, but Jane stopped him with her hand.
Anemone pursed her lips tightly, ?Go on, papa. Finish what you were saying, do not let Jane stop you.?
At the tone of her voice, John raged, ?Don?t you dare disrespect Jane!?
John?s only daughter stood still as for the first time in her life, he yelled at her. Angry tears welled in her eyes.
?Are you with her too, papa? She is nor will ever be my mother, so why does she have such a strong hold on you? Why is it that nothing I do will ever be enough for her? I am Anna?s child, not Anna. I can only be me, but she does not see that.?
Blue eyes turned to look at Jane, ?Do you hate who I am so much? Does who I am upset you so to the point that you want to take away my freedom, and give me off to the first boy who asks? Do you really hate me??
Jane looked at the girl silently with hardened eyes and did not respond, but her look told the young girl all she needed to know.
Anemone choked back a sob, ?Well then you should at least hope that I am generous enough to return the compliment.?
Giving her last hurt filled stare, the young beauty stormed out of the cottage, heading into the fields of long grass that lay behind her family?s residence.
She had no idea where she was heading, but as long as it got her far away from Eber, what did she care?
The swift sounds of sharp blades against the dry stalks of grass were repeatedly heard as the three young men worked hard on their morning chores.
?Why is it that the other boys in the village never offer a hand at this?? Adam grumbled.
Tobijah scoffed, ?They are off on their own adventures in the woods or-?
?Chasing females,? Judas admitted bluntly, ?Don?t you remember what Seth and Jeremiah used to do??
?Ah, yes. I must be getting older by the minute, older than father even. I cannot remember a single thing correctly.?
A cool breeze brushed across their sweaty figures, and Tobijah squinted against the dust that swept up to catch a glimpse of a distant figure. He smiled slyly as he recognized the person.
?Guess who it is!? he commented loudly, ?Doesn?t that lady look familiar??
His two brothers paused in their works to look at what he saw.
?Anney?? Adam exclaimed, surprised.
?What?s our sister up to now?? Judas wondered aloud, ?I thought there were new rules she was to follow.?
?Anney! Anney, come back here!?
The three young men looked towards their cottage as their father stood in the doorway, calling to their sister.
?Apparently, she did not like what they had to say.? Judas finished dryly.
Adam hastily put down his scythe, ?I will go bring her back.?
?Don?t tell me you?re leaving us to tend to all this??
Adam waved off Tobijah?s remarks and began a slow jog to catch up to his sister who was steadily walking further into the fields.
?Anney!? he called, ?Hold on, Anney!?
He was slightly perturbed as the young woman ignored him, continuing to walk, and forcing him to run in order to stop her.
He stopped right in front of her, hoping that she would stop if he blocked her path.
?Anney, I-?
Cutting him off with a glare, she rushed around him, effectively foiling his attempts, but Adam was not swayed so easily. As she walked around him, he reached forward to grab her forearm, halting her movements.
Anemone struggled against her brother?s grip, but it was firm. He wasn?t going to let go. She silently cursed his superior strength.
?Let me be, Adam!? she bit out.
He shook his head, ?Now that would be against my purpose.? His eyes caught sight of a nearby log and he pulled his sister towards it, ?Come now, let?s talk.?
Huffing, Anemone sat on the log, inches away from Adam. She knew any attempt to run away would be futile at the moment so she did not bother to try anything... yet.
?Why the angry face, Anney? I?ve done nothing to you.?
She scowled, ?How do I know that? I don?t seem to know anybody anymore.?
He sighed, ?What are you squawking about??
?Jane! Papa! Everybody! Nobody wants my happiness, they continually try to take it away!?
?Anney, don?t be mistaken. You think nobody wants your happiness the way you want it.?
She blinked, ?What do you mean??
Adam placed a hand on her shoulder, ?Anney, father and Jane want you to be happy. The way you describe happiness will never get you far, and you will possibly never gain it.?
?Is it that shameful to want adventure? To want to spend time with my brothers? To not want to stay in the house all day??
?Anney? nobody can change that. A woman?s place is in the home, you can?t escape that.?
Her eyes flashed, ?I will.?
?Don?t you want to get married respectfully??
She shrugged, ?It never bothered me before, but what choice do I have now? Papa wants to give me up to Timothy!?
?But-?
?And Jane, she controls papa, Adam! She made him take away my freedom, I know she did!?
?I do believe you can blame yourself for that.?
Anemone stopped talking to look at her brother, ?What do you mean??
?Well, how else was she to react after last night??
A confused look spread over her features, ??last night??
?Yes. Anney, you go too far with things. We all thought you were asleep-?
?I was!?
Adam looked at her chidingly, ?Yes. Outside you were.?
She paused, ?Outside??
?That?s where we found you. Behind the cottage, you were on the ground, asleep. Jane was furious. She was already upset that you wouldn?t join us for dinner, and then think of all that could have happened to you??
"What do you mean?"
The look he sent her was nothing short of condescending, "The Woods of Eber are not as peaceful as they seem from the protection of our village. We were worried about you."
Anemone bit her lip, ?I thought??
?Thought what??
She didn?t answer him. Had it all been a dream? It hadn?t been according to Adam. But that meant?
?There is a powerful force that wishes you dead. You need to leave Rem!?
That meant that the little hegling?s words were true!
She grasped at her skirts. Perhaps she had gone too far with Jane. Her presumptuousness had cost her more than her father?s trust. It had cost her the freedom she longed for.
Her mind spun. What had the creature said... what had he told her to do?
?In the middle of the river valley, there is a special type of flower. It grows only by the riverbed, and there is only one place by the Jaunting River where you will find them. Look for the Emerald Lilies, they will lead you to what you seek in the riverbed.?
Jaunting River!
She leapt up from the log, catching Adam in surprise.
?What is it Anney??
?I need to go to the Jaunting River.?
She headed down the path away from the cottage.
?Aren?t you going to return home?? Adam called.
?I have something that I have to do.?
Adam got up, and rushed next to her side, ?What??
?I thought last night was a dream? but it wasn?t.? she stopped, ?I was told I had to leave Rem.?
?Leave Rem? You can?t do that! Nobody here can! Hold on... who told you this?"
She glanced at her brother sorrowfully, ?If I told you, you?d think me insane.?
?Well let me come with you then. I can say I tried to bring your stubborn arse back.?
Smiling at him gratefully, she headed in the direction she was facing. They walked down the path at a fast pace. Adam continuously fell a step behind Anemone, but she didn?t notice.
They passed the fields and soon were nearing the woods. The river came into view on their right, its waters rolling rhythmically downstream, into the woods and lands beyond.
?What are you looking for around here anyway?? Adam questioned.
Anemone ignored him, ?How far does this river go??
?It reaches all around Rem.?
She frowned, ?There is only one spot where the flowers grow. How am I supposed to know where that is??
?Flowers??
She looked at him with a determined look, ?Emerald lilies. Possum said I had to find them.? She sighed and began to walk towards the river?s edge, ?Come on, lets not waste-?
Adam grasped her arm, ?Anney, what in the world are you talking about? Who is this Possum? Do I have reason to believe he's dangerous??
?Adam?? she let out a deep breath, ?It?s difficult to explain. Trust me, brother, please.?
He gave her a stern look and released her, ?What flowers are you looking for??
She smiled at him and began to descend the small hill to walk towards the riverbed, ?He called them Emerald Lilies, but I don?t know where on the riverbed to find them.?
?What do they look like??
?I don?t know. There is only one spot by the river where they grow.?
Adam gazed across the long stretch of grass that lay next to the river. There were several different flowers that grew, in all colors: red, blue, and orange, and yellow, and green?
He paused. Green flowers?
He remembered seeing them once around the area they currently stood. Yes, the flowers were small, and their petals held a shimmering light green color. He never remembered seeing another type of flower like it.
?Anney, I think I may know where this flower of yours is.?
Blue eyes looked at him in surprise, ?Really??
He picked up her hand in his, ?Yes, but we?ll have to run.?
She grinned, ?Let?s go.?
He led her in a jog along the riverside; mindful of the dress she wore. She panted slightly as they went, making slight sound of discomfort when her dress caught at her ankles and caused her to stumble. Adam slowed his pace to suit her, but did not relinquish his hold. Soon they fell upon the widest point of the river, and he stopped.
Anemone fell upon her knees onto the grass, taking in deep gulps of air.
Adam raised an eyebrow at her, ?It was not that bad.?
She turned her head to glare at him, ?Next time do not go so fast.?
?Peck, peck, peck. You?re just like a hen, Anney.?
Anney glanced at the grass, and she caught sight of a small green flower amidst the darker green blades. She picked it up gingerly.
It was a bright green, and it?s petals folded backwards against its vase structure. It angled sideways on the stem, and smelled fresh, like the river water. Luna?s light glistened against its shiny petals, and it felt soft to her fingers.
Blue eyes looked towards the river, and there was an entire arrangement of the flowers in a single line that stretched behind her and right up to the riverbed.
Regaining her strength, she pushed herself up and walked to the river, taking off her shoes in the process.
?Anney, don?t!?
Without thinking, she placed her feet in the frigid water and shivered slightly. Her hands delved into the river as she bent down, and her dress began to moisten.
Adam came to her side as she searched, ?Now what are you looking for??
She didn?t answer him as her hands continued their perusal of the water. They brushed against something smooth and she foolishly pulled them back in surprise, and began looking through the ripples she?d created on the surface.
As the water began to gently lap against her figure, she looked at the rocks below in the clear depths.
Anemone blinked as an object in the rocks glimmered in the light it caught for a split second before it was hidden again.
Her hands reached down again, this time she grimaced as her nails dug into the mud, in attempt to grasp the unknown object.
The more earth she moved from around the object, the larger it seemed. It was a case of some kind, she could feel it, but each time she went to grab it, it slipped from her grasp.
She turned to her bewildered brother, ?Help me, please.?
Adam sighed and rolled his sleeve up before reaching down to pull out the item his sister seemed so eager to find.
He plucked it out of it?s muddy surrounding with ease in comparison to Anemone?s attempts.
It was a case, a small treasure box. It was miniature version of the chest the tax collectors used.
?This is what you had to find?? Adam said, disappointedly. He looked over at her, ?I?d suggest you get out before you catch cold.?
The young woman?s eyes widened as she realized she?d succeeded in completely submersing half of herself in the water. Her dress was a large billowy shroud in its depths. She stood hesitantly, and the fabric clung to her hips and legs heavily.
?I will need a bath,? she muttered dryly.
?Yes, and you will also need a new set of ears once Jane is through with you.?
She winced at the thought. ?I?ll deal with it when the time comes.?
?So what is in this?? he asked, referring to the box.
?I don?t know, open it.?
He tried, pulling on the lid, but it didn?t open. Frowning, he inspected it for a lock, and when he found none, tried again with the same result. He shook it angrily.
?Here, let me try?? Anemone took the box, and without so much as an effort, the lid lifted easily under her touch. She shrugged impishly at her brother?s wide-eyed look.
Inside the box was completely dry despite its past underwater state. A long chained piece of jewelry lay in it, and she picked it up, amazed.
?An amulet?? she paused, ?Adam, is this an amulet??
He looked at it, ?It?s a necklace. That?s all I can say for certain.?
On the chain hung a large oval sapphire, and as she looked at it, it mirrored her image. Holding the necklace out between two fingers, she slowly eased it over her head and onto her neck.
A girlish giggle threatened to escape her as she longed to look at her reflection in the river, ?How do I look Adam??
He smiled at his sister?s antics, ?You look fine. Now hurry up so we can get back to the village. I?m sure you?ll catch cold if you don?t change your clothes.?
?I?m-? a sneeze interrupted her protest, ?-fine.?
?I?ll have none of that.? He pointed back towards the dirt road, ?Get moving.?
She did, obediently, and he followed.
The wind blew against them from behind, causing the young woman to shiver in her wet clothes. But the odd thing was, she didn?t shiver from the cold. Her skin tingled with a sudden awareness of the world around her. A almost imperceptible flicker pricked at the edge of her consciousness... a cretain... feeling.
Something was wrong.
Jane tapped her foot impatiently as she stood in the sitting room, facing the cottage door. A scowl marred her aging features and her brow frowned.
John returned into the cottage, a worried look on his face.
?Have you got her?? she asked impatiently.
?No. Adam went after her and then they walked further down the path.?
?You mean to tell me you did not go after her??
John looked at the woman sternly, ?If I had, she would have began to run.?
?You are her father, John-?
John held up his hand, ?Please, Jane. I believe right now we have to find my daughter.?
Jane?s mouth tightened, but she nodded in agreement.
?Now I?ve had Tobijah and Judas keep on the look out for them, and I?m sure they will return soon. Adam would not let Anney go so easily.?
Jane nodded again, ?So I will be in here, waiting??
John sighed, ?Would you rather wait outside with us??
Her determined eyes told him all he needed to know. Despite her hardened fa?ade, he knew she felt just as guilty as he did. He held her hand, and began to lead her outside.
Just as they left the cottage, the one next to theirs burst into a bright orange flame.
Anemone paused in her steps and looked ahead sharply. It took Adam a few steps before he realized his sister was not next to him.
?What?s wrong, Anney??
The wind whipped around wildly, and the air smelled faintly of burnt wood.
?Can?t you feel it, Adam??
?Feel what??
?That? danger.?
?You?re not making any sense again, Anney. What are you talking about??
She did not answer as she began to sprint down the path, not stopping until she could see the village in the horizon.
Adam looked at the large orange flames that danced into the air.
A roar caused their attention to change to the sky, where a large red beast with a swinging tail hovered, its enormous wings spread out as fire erupted from its mouth, attaching to everything in the village. Its red-scaled body gleamed in Luna?s white light like precious jewels, and they could plainly see the taut muscles twitch and flex, as if warning of its great strength and power.
?Come on, father will need our help.? Adam stated suddenly, recovering from his shock before his sister could hers.
They ran silently towards their cottage and almost were able to go inside before it burst into flames.
The villager?s screams could be plainly heard, and Anemone could see the burning bodies of many she knew.
The heat of the fires caused her to cough and wipe her tearing eyes. Adam pulled her along, in attempt to keep her from seeing the death around her.
?Father has got to be around here somewhere??
The village was completely engulfed in flames, not even the water well remained. Thick smoke permeated the vicinity, was visibility that they had of Eber was quickly fading away.
?Papa!? Anemone cried as she caught sight of him helping another villager out of the beast?s path of carnage.
?Anney!? he called back, a joyful smile coming over his strained features.
They met halfway, in a hug.
?I?m sorry, papa,? the young woman started, ?I didn?t realize-?
He shushed her with his finger, ?Apologies can be saved for later. Right now I need to get you and your brother out of here.?
?We?ll be fine with you, father,? Adam stated.
?It?s coming back!? one villager shouted.
Sure enough, the beast was no longer hovering in the sky. It circled the village once.
?Anney, why are you all wet?? her father questioned, leading them out of the middle of the burning village. He grimaced at the moist feeling he recieved when he grabbed her arm.
It amazed her that he could ask such pointless questions when there were bigger things to deal with.
?Look at what?s around her neck, father. She found it after digging in the river.?
John fingered the necklace curiously, ?What is this??
Anemone opened her mouth to speak, but the shrieks of the villagers interrupted them.
?What is it?? Adam queried out loud.
John shook his head, ?It appeared out of nowhere. No one knows where the beast is from.?
The said beast flew low, gliding towards their position. Wings spread wide and cutting through the wind with a sharp whistle, it seemed unstopable, so powerful...
John held his daughter tightly, ?Don?t be afraid, Anney.?
She buried her head in the folds of his hunting shirt, ?Where is everybody else??
?They are safe, away from the village, in the fields. Look, you can see them over there.?
They fell to the ground suddenly as it soared over them with a hard gust of wind.
?Father, let?s go join them.? Adam suggested.
John nodded in agreement, ?Can you keep up, Anney??
She nodded slowly, her blue eyes watery and wide.
?Then lets go!?
They sprang forward, in an attempt to reach the safety of the place where the rest of their family was.
As her brother and her father kept a steady running pace, she slowed, her legs not being able to keep up with their long strides, but still she pressed on. The necklace began to weigh heavily upon her neck, and her hair flowed behind her.
Eber Village still was burning. Flames licked the unburned cottages, and embers rose to swirl with the black smoke.
The beast had turned around, and was returning to the village, more fire being shot out its mouth. One large black eye looked down, and Anemone?s figure filled its irises as it began to descend.
The ground shook as the beast landed behind her and she could hear Jane?s shriek. Anemone pushed harder into the tall grass, and tripped on a wayward rock.
Trembling, she got up, and attempted to run again.
?Hurry up, Anney!? Adam yelled from in front of her.
The wet dress proved to cause her to run slower, and she tried to gain a quicker pace, The fabric wrapped around her legs and she tripped again. With a determined grunt, the young girl pushed herself up and ran again, the sounds of hard, hot breathing echoing behind her. Her hair stood on end, and she reached out, hopeful that she would make it. Her fingers stretched before those of her fathers, a mere brush was all it would take for her to get to safety, but it wasn?t long before something strong and sharp wrapped around her middle tightly. From the folds of her dress, an Emerald Lily fell to the ground in a silent, but weighty, heap.
Smoke streamed from the beast?s nostrils. It flapped its wings and slowly began to ascend into the sky. Anemone could feel her stomach drop as its wings caused huge gusts of air to roll over the field.
?Anney!?
John reached for her again, but she was already being hoisted away from the ground.
?Papa!? was her reply as its talons wrapped around her tighter.
She reached out with her hand, and his fingers brushed hers only for a short while as she was lifted into the sky. She turned and could see the disbelieving looks of shock on the rest of her family?s faces. Adam stood below, tightly gripping the green flower she had left behind. Her screams resonated as she was taken away... away from the only place she'd ever known...
When the screams had subsided, nausea filled her as the beast flew higher, the tormented sounds of the villagers below becoming fainter with each flap of its wings. It roared in something akin to a shout of triumph and power. The sharp nails poked into her skin painfully, and her hair covered her face so she could not see.
She felt the air around her cut into her arms and revealed legs at the speed of flight. Small tears formed in her eyes, and she tried not to think about the remains of her village in flames.
She would not be able to apologize to her father or Jane, or even play games with her brothers again. All because she couldn?t run fast enough.
She was thankful however that the beast had ignored her family and gone after her instead; sparing five of the lives she loved most.
Her dirty hands rolled into fists and she attempted to beat the claws that held her captive.
?Put me down!? came her weak command. The beast snorted in amusement and continued its business.
It flew for several minutes; in what direction Anemone could not tell. It knew where it was going, and to her relief, seemed heartily disinterested in eating her.
The wind whistled as something shot into the air. Anemone blinked... and arrow? She could remember the sounds from when she watched her brother's practise. But who would be firing at such a monster?
The animal moved quickly as to dodge whatever it was. Growling in annoyance, it began to descend, heading towards the ground once more.
The wind whistled repeatedly, and her captor proceeded to flip, jump, twist and turn as it continued to head down to the ground below.
?Watch out!? someone from below cried.
Anemone groaned and finally lifted her hands up to push her tangled hair away from her eyes. Heat blasted her face as the beast let a line of fire spew from its mouth, directed towards the men below them. A thin sheen of sweat adorned her forehead, and she grimaced at the sight of her soot-covered arms.
Staring below, she could see a small band of men with their bows posed perfectly. A man in front of dropped down the sword he held. They let loose their arrows, and the beast tried to dodge them again, but one managed to scrape the hard scales of its shoulder.
Fear crept in her as the beast?s head turned toward the men, with a look of absolute anger as it growled low.
Flapping its wings, it ascended once more, higher. White clouds blinded Anemone, and her breath caught as her captor flipped, then began to dive down in a glide towards the ground.
She closed her eyes tightly as they headed to the ground, her nerves long since frazzled. The dragon swooped down low upon the men, and its tail knocked over the small barricades they had set up.
More arrows shot up, and one managed to hit the beast in its scraped shoulder. In surprise, its talons let go of the young woman, and she fell towards the ground freely.
It was not a long drop, but to her it felt like forever. It felt like she was falling in a peaceful abyss, even the wind around her seemed to dull as she held on to the strange sensation.
Her eyes opened to catch sight of the fleeing creature above her, its figure growing smaller as she fell.
Her eyes closed again serenely as she awaited her end.
Strong arms caught her, and her body suddenly was no longer falling. She suddenly felt heavy... and solid... and alive.
She opened one eye, then another and blinked rapidly.
Anemone found herself staring into worried brown eyes.
At the Sun's Golden Light 3/?
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