24 - The Ties That Bind
Elisa was laying on the grass, the water lapping at the shore of Turtle Pond as Belvedere Castle rose in the distance. The leaves were changing, with riotous colors of oranges, reds and yellows against the clear blue sky. The sun, not blazing hot with summer heat, but a gentle warmth that aided her sense of peace.
As she lay there, in the distance a sound caught her attention.
Was that someone crying?
Elisa sat up, shielding her eyes from the sunlight and spotted a child on the bank of Turtle Pond's small island. It was a small, tree-covered island, where turtles would go to sun themselves and how the pond had gotten its name.
Unfortunately, it was an island. If Elisa needed to get to the girl, she'd be swimming for it.
Elisa walked down the thin stretch of rocky shoreline, towards the narrowest point between the park and the island.
"Hey," Elisa called out to the crying child. "Do you need help?"
The girl, small in frame with bouncing ringlets, and wearing a white lacy dress that reminded Elisa of old fashioned china dolls, knelt on the shore of the small island. She didn't answer Elisa's call, but continued to sob.
Elisa continued running to get closer, scanning to see if someone had rowed to the island and may be injured.
"Hello?" Elisa called out, raising her voice to be heard. "Do you need help? Are you hurt?"
The girl looked up, the vivid blue-green of her eyes almost appearing to glow, even in the daytime.
"I didn't mean to do it," she cried out.
"That's okay," Elisa said, still trying to find the best place to cross. She might have to bring the girl back across, so she needed to find the shortest and easiest route. "Whatever is wrong, we'll fix it. I'll help you."
"I don't know if you can," the girl said, sniffling. "You haven't gathered all you need yet. You will, though."
Elisa slowed, frowning. Before her eyes, the girl stood and seemed to age to a teenager.
"You will need all of your allies," the teen said, standing straight, her long golden hair moving in the breeze. "I have done all I can to bring them to you, but in the end, it is up to you to repair what was broken."
Elisa frowned at her. "What was broken?"
The teen smiled sadly, and began walking parallel to Elisa. She was on the island's bank, Elisa on the park's bank. "I did not know what my decision would release into the world, but that is a story for another time. For now, you must help to repair what has been broken. Choices that others have made in their lives will ultimately impact yours and what you must do to save this place." She stopped walking, raising her face to the sun, and in doing so, she seemed to age once more into an adult. Her hair wound up onto her head, woven through with bands of gold with jeweled accents. Her dress melted into a…
Was that a toga?
"The sun is so warm. I had nearly forgotten," she murmured, lowering her head so that her intense eyes met Elisa's once more. "Help those around you, Elisa Maza, to repair the familial bonds that have been torn asunder by their decisions. Do not let their pasts affect their futures so much so that they will be unable to help. Look." The woman looked to the horizon and pointed.
Elisa turned and spotted a large bank of roiling black clouds. "What is that?"
"Not what," the woman said, lowering her arm, "but, rather, who. All will be revealed in time, but for now, help your allies. Keep them close, for you will need them all. Each has a special gift, a talent that will only add to your defenses."
"Who are you?" Elisa blurted out.
The woman smiled, sadly. "In due time," she said, then waved a hand and both she and the familiar landscape were gone.