"Bells"

By S.R.C.

Chapter One

Note: So, I'm re-writing it again. And a new chapter is in transit, I pinky swear! Once again, I don't own anything that you recognize, so please don't sue me. Please review.


The wind was quickly picking up speed, whipping her hair in front of her eyes and menacingly causing lapses of distorted vision. Dirty blonde hair caught up in ridiculously long eyelashes was repeatedly pushed out of sharp, hazel eyes that were intensely focused on the gray, cloudy sky. The storm she was watching was still several hours away and was causing a commotion out at sea. The ships in the offing were rocking and bobbing with the choppy water.

From the cliff where Keladry of Mindelan sat, nature flooded her senses. The trees behind her drowned her ears, the salt from the sea ahead stung her dry nasal cavities, and the wind that seemed caressing at first was now biting at her skin and making her eyes water. It had seemed like ages since she had the luxury just to be. To be alone, to be relaxed, to be herself. Her back was nestled on the grass, tickling her neck and lanky appendages. The same grass that had been a rich emerald green just a week before was now dying into a soft, dry gold. Crackling orange leaves danced around her in an intricate cotillion. This was her favorite time of the year, when the end of summer collided with the beginning of autumn. The breath of the air turns cooler, not the boiled atmosphere of the summer. Natures temper would slowly came back down to relax, if only for a few weeks until winters own freezing fury would surface.

When she was a little girl, she and Anders would walk for hours, getting lost in the deep woods of Mindelan, never worrying that they still would have to make it back. It had been their personal goal to be able to navigate those woods without compasses, maps and lifeless mechanicals. Just to know the woods, to be "better woodsmen" Anders had told her.

Or "woods-people", a little Kel would indignantly remind him.

There was this one spot that they would frequent. A small patch of soft grass and weeds along side of a brook that was crystal blue, so clear you could see the greened, algae covered stones on the bottom. There, Anders would tell her stories. With his thick, expressive eyebrows and the famous, pensive hazel eyes that always seemed to hold a secret, he was the ideal storyteller.

"Listen, Kel." He would tell her in a hushed voice, full of mystery. "Can you not here it?"

"Hear what?" Kel said in an equally quite voice.

"The wind, nature. If you just listen close enough, nature will tell you everything. You will never be surprised, Kel. Just learn to listen, watch, and react. Nature is immortal, Kel. Immortal, as well as two-faced and stronger than any god. You will never know whether it's on your side, or the enemies; it does not choose side. That's why you must always pay attention."

"Mama said that Mother Nature would always respect us, though"

Anders sighed, his lesson not going in the direction he planned it to. "No Kel. Nature doesn't care. It is indifferent to mortals."

Anders studied his sister and saw that familiar look of doubt she wore whenever she was about to question something. But before she could even open her mouth to comment, Anders stood up and brushed dried grass off his knees, and gave her a smile. "It's alright, Kel," he held out his hand to help the little girl up. "Just remember to listen, watch and react. You are going to be great someday, Kel." He told her with complete sincerity.

They continued their journey into the forest.

It had been almost twelve years since she sat in that field with Anders. And supposedly she was great. She had friends; so many amazing people that support her and believe in her. She was the second Lady Knight and she had received dozens of noble decorations; decorations of the highest regards that only the most respected veterans received, for her efforts in the last war. Her life wasn't perfect or anything but she was ... content. She enjoyed castle life and having it as her second home. Her friends were at her disposal and there was always something that needed to be done. There was always something to keep her busy and not give her time to think about that void in her life, that couldn't seem to be filled up with anything.

Pushing up with her elbows, she stood up from her lounge and gave a cat like stretch as the wind ruffled her tunic a bit more harshly than before. The white, ugly dog, that had been sitting by his owners heel stood up as abruptly as Kel. Thunder roared in the gray distance and the wind continued to pick up velocity causing the trees and the forest to once again flood her senses.

With one last look to the angry, green sea she turned around and began her trek through the forest to the fortress, whistling for Jump to follow her.


Note: Once again, please review!