Paths of Rain
Chapter 1
What had compelled me to venture out into drenching rain...? That was a question only the gods could answer. Nonetheless, there I was, out on my borrowed, dark brown mare, rain beating down all around me. For some reason, I had not brought my hat thus trails of rain ran down my face. Water dripped from my nose, tickling me. No matter how many times I wiped the water away, it seemed to keep coming down: never ending.
It was foolish to go out into that weather but at that moment, I didn't mind. Being out in the thundering rain reminded me of home...and somehow that lightened my spirits. I thought of the good times with Oria when I was young. My thoughts then drifted to the day Bran had come back from Athanarel with Nimiar...and the Marquis. Yes...I remembered that day well...I remembered the shock...the resentment...the anger...and another emotion that I hadn't been able to distinguish. Then, when he had mentioned the letter, indirectly, I had felt almost unbearable distrust. And I continued to feel that every time I saw him.
Shevraeth was a man I couldn't figure out. His court mask kept me from viewing his emotions...though I sometimes doubted that he had any. And this frustrated me. I didn't know if I could trust him or not... It was discomforting that he knew my motives; that my face could be read easily by him. But I didn't dare seek him out to speak with him...the prospect terrified me.
But why? I didn't know...
Time passed without my acknowledgment and when I had been looking up at the dark sky as I plodded along, the rain had splashed into my eye, disrupting my thoughts. I had still been thinking about a rather unsavory topic: Shevraeth.
He was...perplexing...he was hard to decipher...and I hated it. I couldn't read his face and his gestures were too oblique to determine their meaning.
All of my thoughts lead back to the single question: why could I not speak with him? What could come of it?
For a long while I argued with my deep thoughts and in the end I came up with a result that both eased by heart and induced fear at the same time: I would have a talk with my "enemy."
-
It was impossible. I would never be able to talk with him. I had no courage. It was hopeless.
I lay in bed; a small ray of moonlight creeping thought the window. I had tried to fall asleep over a candle ago. But it had been a fruitless attempt. My thoughts continually returned to the sole fact that I had promised myself that I would speak with Shevraeth and try to sort out our differences; I would try and come to peace with him.
The fighting of my heart and mind was what kept me awake. My mind was insisting that nothing bad could occur from just talking while my heart resisted setting foot near him at all. It was too frustrating. My thoughts and feelings battled for a while longer until I finally drifted off to sleep. I did this with a single thought running through my mind: I must do it. An opportunity will be missed if I don't. I will speak with him.
-
I was running down a dark hallway in Athanarel. No candlelight prevented the shadows from grasping at me. I glanced back quickly to see a dark shape tracking me stealth-fully. I began to run faster but I knew he would catch me anyway.
I turned down a very dark side hallway sharply in hopes of losing him. But it did not work. I had paused after my turn and it had given the stranger enough time to catch up and snatch me. My wrists were grasped lightly but in a vice grip and my back was pressed against the cold wall of the hallway.
The stranger's hooded face ducked down to become level with mine. Ferocious red eyes bored into mine from the dark shadows of the hood. The man...no, creature...grinned at me. Sharp yellowing teeth shown out. My cry was caught in my throat. I began to struggle as the man transformed into someone taller. Red lightened into silver-gray. The hood fell back to reveal long yellow hair.
Shevraeth.
A drawling voice murmured, "Mel...you made a terrible decision..."
-
I jolted out of bed, nearly bashing my head into Mora's. I glanced around, assuring myself that I was fine and in my room. Safe.
"Are you alright, my lady?" ask Mora, looking worried.
I shook my head lightly to clear my thoughts and replied, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Mora."
Mora nodded politely and hurried off down the servant's stairway.
-
"What are your plans for today, Mel?" asked Nee as we sipped tea in her parlor, sitting on cushions.
I thought about whether I should tell Nee about my decision to go speak with Shevraeth. I decided against it. It was a personal thing. Between Shevraeth and I. That thought made me shiver. "I'm not sure just yet."
Nee looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Well, would you like to come out riding with Bran and I? A few others from Court would be there as well. You would have fun, I promise."
I knew Shevraeth would be there. It was another ride like the one that Bran and Nee had gone out on when Bran had forgotten my Name Day. But perhaps it would present an easier way to converse with Shevraeth...
"That sounds very nice. I'd love to come!" I replied. Nee looked surprised, yet delighted that I wanted to go. I honestly hadn't the faintest clue why she had invited me.
"We'll be leaving at next time change," Nee informed me. We sat and talked for a while longer until Bran burst in to ask Nee if she was read to go.
"I invited Mel to come along with us this morning and she has agreed. We will be along in a moment." Bran looked surprised for a moment, just as Nee had, but then he grinned.
"I'll wait for you two outside then." With that, he turned and walked out.
"I'll get into my riding gear and meet you back here in a minute, alright?" I asked Nee. She nodded and called for Ilvet.
I hurried back to my room to find Mora coming up the servant's stairway. She noticed me and curtsied. I blushed, still uncomfortable about having a personal servant. I pulled on my tunic and my riding boots. I was going to put away my morning gown but Mora plucked it from my hands and said, "I'll take care of that my lady, you go ahead." I thanked her and grabbed my riding hat. I met up with Nee and Bran and together we headed down to the courtyard where horses had been arranged.
Upon reaching the mounts, I surveyed the crowd. Lady Trishe and Lady Renna were there along with a few others. Those others included Shevraeth. My stomach flipped but I forced myself to produce a polite smile.
"How wonderful of you to join us!" exclaimed Lady Trishe when she spotted me with Bran and Nee.
All I could do was to smile politely.
All the riders mounted their horses and we headed off towards the woods. The same woods I had been riding in when I had been thinking about the past and Shevraeth. My thoughts on that rainy night had led to my decision about Shevraeth.
We rode slowly, the riding party having divided into little groups to talk. I was riding with Bran, Nee, Savona, and Shevraeth. Rather an odd group when you thought about it but Bran was friends with Shevraeth and Savona stuck with Shevraeth. One of those confusing social circles. Bran was currently telling some wild story while Nee and Savona laughed. This brought my eyes to Shevraeth. He didn't seem to be paying attention. His gaze was set on the trees far ahead. It was very uncharacteristic of him. Usually he kept his court mask of polite attentiveness on. Perhaps I was wrong about him. Perhaps there was more to this man than met the eye.
-
"I heard you were planning a little riding competition, Renna," commented Deric when the group had stopped to have a small brunch in a small valley.
Renna gave him an mock-angry glare, then grinned, "That was supposed to be a surprise until the invitations were sent out but since you brought it up, I'll mention it." Then she addressed the group, "I will be hosting a small horse racing competition next week if the weather is reasonable. Anyone is allowed to compete but I regret to announce that there are no prizes." The horse lovers of the group all smiled and began talked quietly.
Bran tapped me on the shoulder, "Will you be competing sister?"
"But of course!" I told him. Then jokingly I added, "And I will be victorious!" Bran laughed at that.
"Don't be so sure" murmured a smooth voice from behind me. I turned quickly to find myself looking up at Shevraeth. His eyes danced with laughter. I then flushed crimson, remembering our race to Lumm and the bet I had lost.
"You'll have some tough competition I see," commented Bran, grinning at the exchange between Shevraeth and myself.
"Indeed," I said, concurring with Bran's observation.
Just then, my bravery fell somewhat and one sarcastic thought raced across my mind: what a great way to embarrass myself in front of Shevraeth once more!
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10.24.2004. Conversation between Mel/Nee/Bran edited.