Legend of the Lady of the Lake
The Great Weiss Shark
Deep within the heart of Forever Fall forest is a lake that can grant a wish to those that overcome its trials. Many were drawn to its shores, eager to prove their mettle and see their deepest desires come true. Most never return, and the unfortunate few that do are forever broken.
Ruby stopped her quill and looked up from her journal, wondering why the man suddenly went silent. He stared into his ale, lost in thought.
"Mister?"
"Why are you asking about that lake?"
"Just some rumours," Ruby lied.
"You some sorta scholar from the capital then?" he asked. "You're readin' and writing like one."
"Hah, nope!" Ruby laughed. "I taught myself so I could help around the farm."
"What's that all about then?" he pointed to the journal.
"Just keeping record for home."
"Then you better emphasize that warning," he grumbled. "Don't go lookin' for that damn lake."
Ruby tilted her head. "Why?"
"Just don't."
"Okaaay," Ruby said, snapping the journal shut. "Thanks for the story."
She grabbed her rucksack and left the man to his drink. With a pack full of fresh supplies, Ruby skipped out of the tavern and the town itself, following a trail only she knew. She walked and walked until the forest turned from a lush verdant to a deep vermilion. The ancient trees gave way as Ruby went deeper, opening the forest up to her until she broke through and set foot upon a moonlit meadow. The air in here was much colder, like a late autumn chill just before winter set in. Ruby wrapped her cloak tighter around herself and headed towards a tent in the distance next to a lake.
"Finally home!" she exclaimed as she threw herself into her makeshift bed and breathed in the musky dirt-covered fur. She patted out the dust and quickly took off her boots as well as all the clothes that could weigh her down.
A light layer of snow had fallen and covered the ground during the few minutes Ruby took to undress. She stepped into the water and blindly waded out until a hand grabbed her arm, stopping her from taking another step. The chill of the water vanished as did any fear Ruby had of falling into the water's depths.
"We meet again," Ruby said.
"That we do, and again you foolishly set foot in my waters. What reason do you have now?"
"I missed you."
"You'll catch your death."
"I'll be okay, Weiss," Ruby insisted.
"Ruby…"
"Hey now, our time's limited," Ruby said, pulling away to lead Weiss closer to shore.
When they reached the edge of the water, Ruby gave Weiss' hand a reassuring squeeze before running off to rummage through her rucksack. She pulled out a basket and a wineskin filled with the tavern's best red wine. Ruby rushed back to the water's edge and plopped herself down with the basket on her lap. Weiss sat in front of her and watched.
"You're going to love this," Ruby said as she handed Weiss a roast beef and cheese sandwich.
Weiss accepted the gift, her petite hands making the sandwich seem much larger. She went at it from different angles trying to find the best spot to take her first bite.
"C'mon, Weiss, any day now!" Ruby playfully huffed.
"Okay, okay—oh, oh wow! This is absolutely divine!" Weiss moaned after taking her first birdlike bite. She offered the sandwich to Ruby and waited for her opinion.
Ruby took a much larger bite and, after savouring the juicy meat, nodded in agreement. "The tavern said this being their best seller."
"I can see why," Weiss said, taking another bite. "Did you hear any more stories?"
"Of course." Ruby dug into the basket and pulled out another sandwich.
"Is that one different?"
Ruby nodded. "It's turkey."
Weiss took a bite of the turkey sandwich and compared it to the roast beef. She didn't mind it, but the roast beef reigned supreme.
"So, what insane story did you hear about me this time?" Weiss asked, plucking a grape out from the basket and popping it into her mouth.
"I only heard one today, but it was kind of watered down," Ruby answered. "Nothing about you at all, just some people coming here and never coming back."
"Disappointing," Weiss frowned.
"That's what I thought too!"
"My tale used to strike fear in the hearts of man—the savage siren that lured brave and powerful men to their watery graves."
"I don't know what's so scary about you though," Ruby laughed with her mouthful. "Even if you were part fish with the scales, gills, and all, I'd still think you'd be beautiful."
Weiss had striking blue eyes that seemed to glow under the moonlight. And with long white hair and a gown made from the finest silks imaginable, Weiss was like the most brilliant star plucked straight from the heavens and given human form. She made Ruby's heart sing with just a word, and her smile made all thought impossible.
But Weiss wasn't satisfied with Ruby's glib remark.
"You could be sitting on the bones of a fool that drowned," she said, pointing to the dirt below.
It was rather lumpy and uncomfortable for a shoreline so close to the water, but it could just as easily be a large stone. The centre of the lake, however, was a different story.
"I have killed many people, Ruby," Weiss said, haunted by her past.
"But you said it yourself, the idiot drowned."
"He drowned trying to get to me!"
"Well, that's his fault for not heeding your warnings," Ruby argued. "When I first found you, you kept warning me not to step closer because the water was deeper than it looked. I listened and here I am months later."
Weiss paused mid-bite, her eyes slowly widening. "Months…? Has it really been months?"
"Months for me, years for them outside."
"Your hair's gotten so long," Weiss murmured, reaching over to brush Ruby's unruly bangs. She put her half-eaten sandwich into the basket and said, "You should make your wish, Ruby."
"Hm?"
"Make your wish and never return."
Ruby swallowed her mouthful to object, but Weiss swiftly cut her off.
"The longer you stay, the more time passes. I don't want your life to waste away like this. Think of your family," she said before wading back into the lake.
Ruby put her sandwich down beside Weiss' and followed her.
Weiss was one with the water and the forest. She was the air Ruby breathed, the gravity that kept her grounded, and the sound thundering in her ears. She was everything to Ruby.
"Make your wish," Weiss commanded.
Ruby lost her footing and fell into the lake. She was being forced out, but Ruby refused to give up. She kicked and clawed at the water trying to reach Weiss. But just as the last of her strength faded, Ruby blindly threw her hand out and felt her fingers brush against a handle. She quickly grabbed it and pulled her body towards it, her head breaching the surface for a second of precious air. But sediment gave way and Ruby was blown back to shore. She coughed and wheezed, her eyes stinging with tears and frustration.
She was so close.
Ruby pulled herself together and wiped the water from her face. She was going to try again. She'd swim harder this time and—Ruby stared at the sword lying next to her. It was a simple weapon without any brandings or jewels, nothing at all like the dozens she'd pulled to sell for supplies.
"How did you get that?!" Weiss angrily roared. "How did you get that?!"
Fearing the lady of the lake's wrath, Ruby scrambled back towards the grass with the sword in hand.
"Weiss, please!" she cried, hoping her voice could cut through her friend's rage.
The water swelled as the wind whipped around them. The guardians had circled the lake and the knight Ruby was most familiar with stood behind her.
"Give that back!" Weiss screamed, her hurried steps following the water as it swallowed the shore.
Ruby gripped the sword tight, blood roaring in her ears.
Weiss was within arm's reach, her once gentle blue eyes were now glowing like the guardians. But just as she was about to grab Ruby, the water ebbed back and dragged Weiss along with it. She crashed to the ground and dug her fingers into the mud, trying to claw herself out of the water, but the lake's pull was too strong.
"I don't want to go back!" she frantically cried. "Grandfather, please!"
The knight stood still.
"Ruby!"
Ruby snapped into action and chased after Weiss.
"I never meant to take the sword!" Ruby screamed as she grabbed Weiss' hand. The water's pull immediately stopped and they both fell into the lake. "My lady, forgive me."
Weiss wiped the water off of her face and said in a tired, empty tone, "I am the lady of this lake and I will grant you any wish you desire."
"I heard all sorts of tales during my journey. I didn't believe any of them… except for yours." Ruby threw the sword back into the lake without hesitation. "Each region had a different take, but they all led back to a lake where a princess had drowned."
"Ruby…"
"I spent years trying to find you. And just as I was about to lose hope, I got lost in the woods. You called out to me." Ruby took Weiss' hands and placed a kiss on both. "You asked about my wish, then yelled when I couldn't answer."
"You could have wished for anything—power or wealth beyond your wildest imagination!"
"But then the lake would've taken me," Ruby said. "The only reason it hasn't is because I value nothing more than you."
"Ruby…"
"I suppose I'll be another one of your guardians someday," Ruby mused aloud, staring back at the knight. "The sword belonged to him, didn't it?"
"My grandfather…" Weiss answered. "He came for me, but it was too late. I had lost my humanity and the control I had over my magic. He offered to stay with me, just like you, but he was old and time moved so swiftly even though this meadow is forever frozen on the night I—"
"He wished to stay with you, didn't he?" Ruby asked, helping Weiss back to the shoreline.
"So did the others," Weiss sighed. "My friends all died in my arms just like you will if you stay."
"I'd be okay with that."
"I can't do it again!" Weiss sobbed. "So go and never look back. Live a long, happy life."
"I can do that here with you!"
"I am begging you to go, Ruby. I am losing more and more of my sanity. I could have easily killed you!"
"But you didn't," Ruby said. "You're in full control! You sped up time so I could come back sooner while keeping the food I brought fresh. The water should also be freezing, but it's not. And the sword—I think you wanted me to find it."
"I-I don't understand what you're saying. I am a prisoner of this lake—I have no control over it."
"You're more powerful than you think, Weiss. Believe in yourself and break free!"
Weiss let out a sardonic chuckle as she stood up and faced her grave. "I will never be free. But even if I did, what will I do? My kingdom is gone, and my name is all but forgotten."
"You have me!" Ruby proclaimed. "I'm not a knight or a wealthy noble, I'm just a farm girl that can read and write. But I'll take care of you, and you know I'll always be true."
The night sky began to warm as the moon bid the forest farewell.
"You do have a wish, don't you?" Weiss murmured as she watched the sunrise for the first time in centuries.
"I do, but it's selfish."
"What is it?"
"You."
