Hello again beloved readers! I'm super sorry it's taken me so incredibly long to update. This story is still in progress and I am still working out a lot of the kinks in later chapters before I upload them, which is why it takes me so long. I try and make sure that each chapter I post is of good quality before it gets posted, so I appreciate your patience for those of you who have just followed, and have been following for a while now. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I will update another one soon! I promise.
Enjoy! Reviews are always appreciated!
Chapter 13: Hourglass
A single drop of water fell in the deafening silence with a thunderous 'tunk' onto the cold, hard ground. It woke a little girl that was so small and skinny, she could easily be mistaken for a toddler. Another drop sounded, and the little girl lifted her head off her mother's shoulder batting her eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them. She moved her curly, ash brown locks out of her face and yawned, stretching her tiny arms above her head. Another 'tunk.' The little girl was now awake and finally figured out what had awoken her.
"Mama! I think it's raining! The water is dripping again!" She cried. Her little voice was muted by the thick, cement walls. The small girl scurried to the wet spot of dirt and lay down with her mouth open as a water droplet fell on her, tickling her cheek. She repositioned her head slightly and the droplets began splashing right in the center of her tongue, cooling the parched skin upon contact. After five drops had accumulated in her mouth, she swallowed the small amount of liquid and went to wake her mother.
"Mama! There's water!" the little girl jostled the woman, but she remained asleep. "Mama! Come on! You need to wake up! You need water!" she shook her mother's arm harder but only managed to wake the sleeping toddler in her arms. He did not cry. He merely looked at her with weak, tired eyes. "Come on, Ian! It's raining outside!" The tiny girl hoisted her little brother up as best she could, and helped him walk to the spot where she laid earlier. After making sure he was in the right position to drink water, she went back to her mother.
"Mama!" She said as loudly as her little voice could. "Ian is awake too! Now you can wake up!" She took her mother's face in her tiny little hands and gave her head a good shake.
Her mother's head slumped to the side when the little girl let go. She lay motionless except the gradual ascent and descent of her chest caused by her steady breathing. Quite miffed, the little girl firmly planted her little fists on her hips. She glared at her mother a moment. The next thing she did was the one sure way of waking her mother up. She was even told by her mother to do it if she would not wake up by other means. The girl pulled her hand back and stretched her fingers out. "Mama!" She yelled in a last stitch effort to rouse her.
Still nothing.
"Ghmmm! Fine!" She growled. With all the strength and speed she could muster, she brought her hand down her mother's cheek with surprising force for her frail-looking body. The woman jerked her head up and looked around frantically, still disoriented from being awakened. "What! Please, don't hurt my children!" The woman blinked a few times and looked around her and finally saw her daughter staring at her with her hands on her hips.
"Anastassia. What is going on? Did you just slap me?" she touched her hand to her stinging cheek.
Anastassia immediately dropped her hands to her side, and looked at the floor, completely relinquishing her authoritarian air. "Yes, Mama. I'm sorry, but you wouldn't wake up, and there's water dripping from the ceiling, so I did what you told me to do." She said apologetically.
Anya sighed in relief and patted her daughter on the head. "Good girl. Thank you."
Anastassia flashed a toothy, cock-eyed grin quite pleased with herself, despite having slapped her mother. "Well, c'mon Mama. You need some water. Do you need help up?"
Anya let out a small chuckle that morphed into a relentless cough. Her lungs and throat burned as the cough continued. The woman had sincerely believed that if not for her children, this accursed sickness would have taken her weeks ago; but she had to keep fighting for their sake. After the cough subsided, she finally spoke, her voice hoarse. "Oh my little bell, no I will be alright. I'll get there eventually. You go drink some while I'm on my way over."
Anastassia furrowed her brows and frowned at her mother, knowing full well how weak she was due to her hunger and illness. Despite her mother's request, Anastassia held out her hand. "I might not be strong mama, but at least hold my hand so you know you're not alone."
Anya looked up at her daughter with admiration. She fought back tears that threatened to form. No, she would not cry when neither her four-year-old daughter, nor her two-year-old son would. Anya smiled and took her daughter's hand. She did not put any weight on her daughter's hand, just simply held it as Anastassia had said. She was able to bring herself up onto her knees, where she paused briefly, trying to stabilize herself. Anastassia held her hand tighter, and rubbed it in gentle encouragement. Anya steeled herself as she released her daughter's hand to push against the wall for leverage until she staggered all the way up to her feet. Anastassia didn't move until her mother stood up completely. She then offered her hand again.
"You were right." Anya said as she took her daughter's hand. "It is easier to get up when someone is there to hold your hand." The two shared a smile and Anastassia lead her mother to the dripping water.
Ian was still laying down under the water, now letting it splash onto his nose and on his face, giggling each time it did. "Ian! Stop that! That's drinking water!" Anastassia scolded, putting her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest.
Anya let out a raspy laugh. "Little bell, it's fine. He's just enjoying a small bath for his face. That's worth using water for, isn't it?"
The small girl's pride deflated immediately. "I guess you're right, mama."
"I'm always right." Anya laughed, but then coughed again.
Anastassia frowned and then took her mother's hand and had her stand beneath the tiny dripping shower. "Mama, you should drink some water now. Ian and I already had some, now it's your turn."
"Well, it seems like you all have found your water rations for the day, so it looks like I won't have to be providing them." A distinct voice rang menacingly throughout the cellar. The family turned and saw the tall, slender woman stalking toward their cell. Anastassia scowled at the gaunt woman and grasped her mother's hand tighter. Ian immediately sat up and then crawled behind his mother's legs.
Anya steeled herself for her children's sake. "Vasilia, please. You know we can't go more than two days without water. Maybe I could, but my children cannot. If nothing else, bring them water and food."
Vasilia turned up her nose as if smelling sour milk. "It's disgusting when people beg. But worry not. I have no intention of decreasing your rations today. As a matter of fact, I am feeling rather generous. Vlad!" she spat.
A man who was about the size of a small house entered the underground cellar, having to duck his head so he didn't scrape it on the ceiling. "Da, milady?" his voice was as gruff and deep, intimidating as his form. Anya flinched. She never quite got used to hearing him speak, as he did so very seldomly.
"Go and get these peasants their food and water rations for today." Vasilia hummed, still looking down at them from behind her nose. Vlad merely nodded and turned to go back up the stairs of the cellar. "Oh and Vlad? Bring this wretch some medicine. I can't have her dying before Birk gets back, or he'll think it's my fault."
Vlad nodded again and plodded back up the stairs. Anya let out the breath she didn't realized she had been holding.
"Don't mistake this for kindness. I am merely keeping my end of the bargain I made with your husband. I keep you alive, and he gets me the amulet." Vasilia stepped toward them, her eyes glowing with black malevolence. "So don't you go and die. The food given to each of you is a perfect portion to keep each of you alive. If you don't eat it… well, let's just say hunger will be the last thing you'll have to think about. Oh, but don't worry. I'll make sure you're able to see your dear Birk again. But it's all up to you to determine how long you have with him after I release you. Ponyat'?"
Anya would have swallowed hard if her throat weren't so dry; she nodded once not daring to speak again.
"Good. Eat up, now." A deep chuckle emanated from Vasilia's throat as an ethereal cloud of smoky purple rose from her feet, then swirled around and engulfed her body as she vanished into the air.
Anya felt her daughter's grip on her hand tighten. She turned her attention toward the child and almost immediately, Anya's heart sunk. Anastassia's lip curled up toward her nose in a snarl, while her eyebrows were being pulled closer to one another by the second. Anya knew that look. She had seen the same expression on many times on Birk before he sobered up. Rage, dread, hatred: these were all things a young child should never have to experience, let alone while being locked inside a jail cell.
"Mama." Anastassia finally broke the silence. "Come on. You need water." Her voice was devoid of all joy and happiness, the things that earned her the nickname, 'little bell.'
Anya turned her face toward the ceiling. Please. I beg you. Bring Birk home soon. I don't care how you do it, just get him here so he can save us. I do not know how much longer we can last.
"Mama." Anastassia tugged violently on her mother's hand, bringing her out of her little prayer. "Right." Anya sighed, but then nodded and allowed her daughter to lead her back to the dripping fountain.
The family sat around the water droplets taking turns holding out their hands until they were full enough to sip from. There was enough water dripping from the ceiling now, that a sputtering column of water flowed into their palms, filling them rather quickly. A few minutes later, heavy footsteps came from the stairs, indicating Vlad's return, as well as the arrival of food. Vlad slid a tray with three portions of bread, one larger than the other two, thinly sliced meat, and apples underneath the cellar bars and glared at Anya, silently commanding her to eat her portion. There were also three little capsules placed on a cloth.
Vlad pointed to the capsules. "You get two. Children get half. A precaution. Eat." Said the massive man. Silence hung in the air like a thick fog until he disappeared up above the stairs.
Each family member took a piece of bread and broke it up into tiny pieces, as they ate trying to make it last for as long as possible. Anya took two of the capsules and cut the third in half and gave it one to each of her children, washing the bitter tasting chalk down with water. They savored their meat and apples as well as they continued taking turns with the water, which also helped them pace themselves while eating. While Ian was waiting patiently for his tiny palms to fill, Anya noticed Anastassia glaring with contempt at the cellar stairs. She could only imagine what was going through the child's mind. Anastassia clenched her jaw and silently snarled, "Mama, that lady is evil."
Anya remained silent.
"I wish she was dead. Then Papa could come back, and we could all go home together."
Anya fully understood why her daughter would say something so morbid, but what was unnerving was that she knew full well the gravity of what she was saying. Not entirely pleased with the fact that her four-year-old already had the capacity to harbor true hatred for someone, Anya chose her words carefully. "I know, little bell. I wish we could go home too."
At the end of a long hallway sat an enormous, stone door. Emblazoned on it was the outline of a massive, pelican-like bird that had large talons instead of webbed feet. Truly an inspiring creature whether for fear or strength: the cikavac. Two small rubies created its eyes, which penetrated fear into the hearts of all but one whom the great bird deemed worthy. Its wings were fully unfurled; its talons outstretched in a further display of its overwhelming power. The corridor was so deathly silent that even Vasilia's ghostly footfalls could be heard patting the ground as she glided across the marble floor. She stopped in front of the door, and gazed up at the ruby eyes in admiration.
"Placere, magna potestate dantis desiderio, aperta ad potens amicus." She chanted asking for entrance.
"Salve, amice. Votum est mandatum meum." The ruby eyes flashed with each syllable as a deep rumbling voice spoke and welcomed her into its realm. A loud crack sounded as the door opened enough for her to walk through. Vasilia bowed her head in thanks and entered the large double doors. Once inside, she waved her hand and chanted, "Gratias tibi. Nunc ex aliis, claudunt." The doors shut themselves, sealing her away from all others.
"Certo, domina." This time it was not the door that answered respectfully, but a living version of the large emblazoned bird. Though not as large as the engraving on the door, it's size was still formidable and it was perched in front of the large arched window on the north side of the room.
"Zeleny, you are much too kind to me." Vasilia cooed as she approached the massive avian creature. She stroked the dark decorative feathers atop his head and the bird leaned into her touch.
"Only the kindest of words for you, milady." His low growling voice reverberated throughout the chamber as Vasilia continued petting his head and long beak.
"Now Zeleny, would you be so kind as inform me of Birk's activities?" she asked, giving him one final scratch on the top of his head.
"Of course, milady." Zeleny ruffled his feathers then stretched out his wings, which dwarfed Vasilia's height by at least four feet, then resumed his relaxed position. "Birk spoke privately to the queen of Enchancia. I believe he intends to bring the princess here so that you can take the amulet for yourself."
Vasilia thought for a moment and hummed to herself. "Not a terrible idea. No… The opposite, in fact, I believe that would be ideal. If I can get that little printsessa to give me the amulet herself, I would have no problem unlocking its true powers."
Zeleny folded his wings, resuming his relaxed position on his perch. The perch was about as high as Vasilia's upper thigh, and the massive bird was eye level with her when he rested his head on his body, diminishing his long neck. "However, I believe that, unless Birk plans on kidnapping printsessa, his plan will not work. Birk's former wife has much power over the king."
Vasilia sighed, feigning distress. "Oh dear, that is a problem isn't it?"
Zeleny let out a gruff chuckle and was about to respond, but Vasilia suddenly stiffened. "What is it milady?" asked the bird.
Vasilia glanced around the chamber. She then went to the window stuck her hand out feeling the icy wind. "The wind has just changed. I believe the time is coming more quickly than we anticipated. That amulet is the key to our success. We must get it."
Zeleny shifted his weight on his perch. "What do you propose we do, milady?"
Vasilia paced back towards the middle of the room then stopped. She folded her hands and turned back to her familiar. "We give Birk three days. If he's not back by evening on the third day, we take matters into our own hands." Vasilia turned and walked over to a large mirror on the west wall, framed in ornately crafted gold. She slid her spindly white pointer finger up the center of the mirror. Her image began to ripple and distort as the solid surface morphed into a silvery pool swirling inside the frame. Vasilia stuck her hand into the mirror and pulled out a perfectly round opalescent orb. The silvery liquid of the mirror dripped off the orb and back into the mirror until only the shimmering opal was left. She caressed the orb and then drew a series of symbols, each one of them lighting up like warm candlelight.
Vasilia waited. The orb began to clear and inside, and she saw the image of Birk, looking quite pathetic and rather disheveled. Small twigs stuck in his curly mop, his eyes red and face swollen. Vasilia raised one of her thin, dark eyebrows. "Well, don't you look positively dreadful?"
Birk groaned as the picture shook. "Since when have you cared about how I'm fairing?"
"You're right. I don't. I have much more pressing matters to be concerned with. My plans need to be accelerated immediately. Things are moving faster than I anticipated. I must have that amulet within three days time."
Birk's eyes widened. "Three days! The trip alone takes two by pegasus!"
"I am well aware of that fact. You just remember the reason I sent you there in the first place. You are there to get that amulet for me. Any other motives you have while you are in Enchancia are meaningless to me. Get the amulet. Bring it back to me. You mustn't keep your family waiting." She flashed him a wicked smile before waving her hand over the orb, causing it to return to its original clouded, opalescent state. Vasilia returned the orb to the mirror, letting it sink into the silver pool, and then turned back to her avian familiar.
"Zeleny. Continue watching him. If he does not have the amulet by sunset on the third day, I wish you to bring it to me whether it's around that child's neck or not."
"Your wish is my command." Replied the cikavac. Bowing his head, he unfurled his giant wings and took off out of the large window with one powerful flap making Vasilia's gown flitter in the strong gust. She stepped up to the windowsill and watched Zeleny disappear behind the horizon, far faster than any pegasus ever could.
She gazed at the shining stars, her eyes narrowed to beady slits in her face as the night air whipped her with unseen freezing blades. She could feel the vengeful aura already floating in on the wind, taunting her. Her lip curled up in a menacing smile. "It's cute how you try and scare me. I am still fully here while you are still nothing but a wafting breeze. I assure you, when you return, you will be no match for me."
Translations:
Placere, magna potestate dantis desiderio, aperta ad potens amicus: Please, great wish granter, open for your powerful friend.
Salve, amice. Votum est mandatum meum: Welcome, friend. Your wish is my command.
Gratias tibi. Nunc ex aliis, claudunt: Thank you. Now to all others, close.
Certo, domina: Of course, milady.
