Chapter four~
Four years later
"And the Princess Silvea Blanche Chastity of the Phalogn line in the mighty kingdom of Fendel, daughter of Queen Minerva Serenity Ahgigi and King Victor Phalogn is present here today in noble cause of duty and love."
Cel stood frozen, unable to move as she watched her beloved sister walk slowly toward the priest. There she was, wearing a spledid blue Telrenaise wedding gown made of fine silk and covered in exquisite jewels and embroidery. Her curly black locks and stunningly beautiful fair face were hidden beneath the silver veil. The day seemed almost unreal, as if Cel would wake up soon and discover the entire long, formal ceremony was but a dream.
Feeling the pinch of her white corset, however, Cel knew that it was too true. The day of Silvea's wedding had finally come, and the only friend left in her life was leaving her. The itchy gown was pressed against her skin in the heat of the summer day.
"Marriage is an important step in life," the priest continued when Silvea reached Prince Zachiriah's side. Cel immediately stopped listening and instead focused on the sunlight across the stone floor of the temple. Would Silvea miss her? She said she would, but what if she forgot about her? She'd be too busy with all her new royal duties; what if she didn't have enough time to visit?
Specks of dust swirled around in the sunlight. Cel focused on one of them, watching as it danced in the air. Once Silvea left, they'd focus on her next. Maximillian had come to the wedding--next they'd introduce her to him as soon as they could. She was only eleven, but in five years she'd be walking down the aisle for her own wedding.
Now that Silvea was marrying Prince Zachiriah, there were the new deals. For instance, once King Victor died, Queen Minerva would give up her crown and Fendel would become part of Telren. The fendes money system would cease to exist in favor of the tels money system. Trade deals with the kingdom of Cordor would be terminated. These were the reasons of Silvea's marriage, the most important event in the history of Fendel.
Cel's marriage would be purely to stop feuds among the landlords and nobles. By marrying Maxmillian, she would be a sign to show that the family of Count Harold of Vezeld was in favor with the monarchy. It would be a large wedding, of course, but not even half the size of Silvea's.
Now her eyes wandered around the decorated temple. The huge windows were thrown open to allow light into the large area. Fresh coats of paint had been added to the stone walls, turning them white and blue. Everything was white and blue, Telren's national colors. It made the temple seem even more everdecorated and stifling than usual. Alternating drapes of white and blue hung from the windows, white and blue rugs covered the wooden floors, even the altar was draped in white and blue. Of course, the priests wore their traditional robes of gold and white, but with added embroidery of blue. All the people present, mostly nobles of the Fendel court and close family, were wearing white with blue embroidery. Silvea's wedding gown was the exact shade of blue as everything else: a sheer, pale color that allowed light to pass through. In fact, the gown looked as if it was made of the same fabric as the curtains...
A movement forced Cel to pay attention to the wedding scene once more. Silvea and Prince Zachiriah shared a quick kiss before turning to the attending nobles. Slowly, they walked down the aisle together, looking like the best-suited couple in the world. Prince Zachiriah looked like the powerful king he was destined to become, his steps long and powerful. With her veil lifted, all could see Silvea's famous beauty and her queenly dignity.
Taking her cue from Adriella across the room, Cel lifted her skirts and followed the married pair out of the temple.
"This is Maximillian of Veseld. Maximillian, meet her majesty Princess Icelynai Bianca of the Phalogn line, adopted daughtor of King Victor," Count Harold announced.
Maximillian wasn't bad-looking, Cel had to admit. He was three years older than her and a head taller, but she would grow soon. He was heavily muscled with the common hairstyle of the Fendel nobles, his light brown hair swept in curls around his tanned face, giving him a rather angelic look.
"Your beauty prevails, Princess Icelynai," Maximillian said politely, bending over to kiss her hand. His voice was quiet and gentle. Cel sniffed gently. He smelled nice, like apricots. Maybe this betrothal thing wouldn't be so bad after all. She returned his greeting with a timid smile.
"I'm afraid Cel hasn't spoken a word for the past four years. We're not quite sure why," Queen Minerva said after a sip of wine. Cel glared at her fiercely.
"Would you care to join me in a dance?" Maximillian asked. Quickly, Cel shook her head and sat on a plush seat near the wall.
"She doesn't like to dance either," Queen Minerva added. "Don't mind her. She's rather invisible around here. Just sits in the gardens all day, or stares out of her window. Barely eats, barely moves even."
"In the past year, she's been even more remote. See, Cel and Silvea have always been very close. Silvea always took care of Cel, especially since she stopped talking. Cel doesn't have any other friends. Now that Silvea's moving away and getting married, though, we're not quite sure what will happen to her," King Victor commented.
"Mmmm. Well, no need to worry any more about that. My Maximillian would take marvelous care of her, isn't that right?" Count Harold boomed.
"Of course," Maxmillian said, his voice now stronger and louder. "Why, my hunting dogs would be more than enough to entertain her. Maybe she might even watch my hunting party in the winter!"
Cel stood abruptly and gasped. Dogs? Winter? She quivered in excitement. To be allowed back into the snow! To dance around and play in the cold winter air!
Quickly she grasped Maximillian's arm and beamed up at him, nodding her head vigorously. Count Harold chuckled.
"You see? My son knows how to please a lady."
Queen Minerva made a face and snapped her fingers for more wine.
"Eh. She shouldn't be out in the snow. The winter air's not good with her. Especially in her bad health," Queen Minerva said.
"Ah, yes," said King Victor. "She's sickly, Cel is. Strange that she didn't used to be this sick. Cel used to be the healthiest one of use
all.....That is, until about four years ago. Then, in the springtime she always came around with colds and pnemonia. In the summer, she always
had a fever and delusions. We don't allow her to go outside very often any more. Wouldn't want her to catch a disease."
Cel panicked. Here they were again, forbidding her to go outdoors! She turned to Maximillian and pleaded with him through her eyes. He had to help her!
"Very true. We wouldn't want the princess to die," Maximillian agreed.
What? What happened to her knight in shining armour?
At once, she pushed away his arm and turned abruptly, walking quickly away from him. Instantly, Maximillian reached out for her and
straightened his tunic.
"But, of course, the princess's happiness should be considered. If she wishes it, perhaps that is what is best for her," he said quickly.
Queen Minerva and King Victor shared a look.
"Cel is eleven years old. She doesn't know what's best for her," Queen Minerva snapped. King Victor nodded and stood.
"Quite right. Now, let's end this silly debate and dance! A waltz please!" he called to the performing musicians. Instantly, a lively
tune filled the air and the talking nobles paired off. Taking Queen Minerva's arm, they led the first dance.
Maximillian extended his elbow toward Cel, smiling confidently.
"I know you don't like to dance, Princess Icelynai, but might you make an exception this time? For me?"
She glared at him. Dance? No. She would dance with him if he couldconvince her parents to allow her to finally go outdoors in the winter, but only then. If he couldn't? He was a coward, then.
She spun on her heel and headed toward the royal gardens. Cel needed to be alone and think.
The stone bench beneath her felt cool as she stared up at the lemon tree. The rippling of the fountain nearby was soothing, and the gentle hum of voices far away combined with escaping traces of music was relaxing. Every day since Laich had left, she'd come to this bench to
think.
It had been four years since she'd experience the joys of wintertime. Since the threat from her stepmother, Queen Minerva had forbidden Cel to leave the castle or go outdoors when there was snow. Always the excuse had been that Cel would grow ill. Ill? Cel had never been ill before, not until the day she tried to sneak out. Ah, then the pnemonia struck. After that, everytime she tried to venture outdoors in the winter, disease after disease bombarded her.
Now, though, Maximillian seemed like a savior to her. What had he said? 'Maybe she might even watch my hunting party in the winter!' Oh, to be outside and breathe cold air! To feel the snowflakes land in her hair and on her skin! Still, he was too quick to follow her parents' orders. Most likely, he wouldn't allow her to go outdoors if they told him she couldn't, so he wasn't an option.
Silvea had left her. Gone. To Telren with Prince Zachiriah. It was like a pain in her side. After Cel lost her voice, Silvea was the only one who would speak to her. After Laich left, Silvea was the only friend she had. Now she had none.
As she watched a wind sweep up leaves and throw them over the castle wall, a new thought struck her. Maybe she could run away! Cel stood excitedly. Telren was Fendel's northwestern neighbor. It wasn't that far away. All she would have to do would be to follow the Phanzel Road to Meyretz City where she could ride along with the annual traders' caravan across the Teynal Mountains into Telren. From there, the caravan traveled directly to Bleye, the capital city of Telren.
Oh, then she could live with Silvea! She could pass as one of Silvea's ladies-in-waiting! It would solve all of her problems. Cel would
finally be away from her awful stepmother, live with Silvea again, she wouldn't have to worry about the troubles attached to being a royal, even being an adopted royal, and she would finally be able to experience true winter again. Perfect.
The only problem was that the annual caravan didn't travel until late spring next year. So, Cel would have to wait. During the year, she
would plan out the details of her trip. Now, her only problem was how to deal with Maximillian.
Cel frowned and sat down on the edge of the fountain. She needed to think further.
Chapter Five~
Cel tossed in her bed all night, unable to sleep, always thinking of her escape. Everyone was indoors, celebrating the wedding. Nobody would notice if she escaped now!! Still, she would have trouble sneaking past the guards, and how was she to reach the kitchen unnoticed? She needed supplies for the long road.
*Besides,* she scolded herself, *you said you'd leave NEXT year!*
Yet no matter how she tried to turn her mind away from it, she kept thinking about escaping. This night seemed too perfect a chance to pass up. Finally, Cel climbed out of bed, decided. She would change her plans and escape tonight. Once she reached Meyretz City, she could work as a maid or other servant until springtime so that nobody could find her, should anyone come looking.
Cel threw on a plain robe and raced down the hallway. Fortunately, no one noticed. Taking the servants' stairs to the lower levels, she reached the storage rooms without any alarm. The large iron doors stood before her, staring menacingly back, shutting her out.
"I know, I know already!" a servant boy yelled over his shoulder. Muttering, he opened the doors and darted inside. Moments later her reappeared with a large sack over his shoulder, hurrying down the narrow corridor.
The careless and hurried boy had left the doors open. Almost giddily, Cel slipped inside. It was a huge room filled with jars, barrels, and sacks. She spotted one sack with a large hole in the bottom. Grinning, she tore the along edges of the sacks. Removing her robe, she slipped the sack over her plain white nightgown instead. It was so large that it reached to the ground.
Cel grabbed cut loafs of bread, two jars of cut vegetables, a jar of wine, and wrapped them in her robe. Now she was ready. Cel slipped out of the storage room as quickly as she slid in. A servant boy stared back at her. Cel pushed a finger to her lips and pleaded with her eyes.
"What are you doing here, majesty?" the servant boy whispered. Cel shook her head and raced down the corridor. She dimly remembered a servants' exit out the side of the castle. She heard no shouting behind her, so she was sure that the boy hadn't alerted anyone yet. Ducking into a corner, she threw her weight against the wall and it opened for her with a loud creak.
Taking a deep breath, Cel knew that she was outside and allowed herself a smile. She noted the position of the guards and watched them carefully. The two closest guards were deep in conversation. Cel raced to the outside wall and pressed herself against it, hiding herself in its shadows. She heard a note of alarm from the guards and cursed herself for being spotted. There was no use in sneaking out now. Cel ran openly out to the drawbridge and flung herself into the moat.
Swimming to the bottom, she held herself there by pulling on to the water plants. With the nighttime and the murky water, even if a guard dived in after her, he would never see her, much less find her. So she waited for what seemed to be hours. When she finally ran out of air, she swam along the bottom as far as she could before swimming to the top.
After inhaling deeply, she saw that she had swam quite far from her diving spot. Therefore, no one noticed her emerge from the water. Grinning, she climged out on the other bank and ran for the woods close by. She quickly climbed up a tree and waited.
She watched a guard dive into the water after her, more guards arrive at the scene. After she was sure that no one had noticed her escape into the forest, she climbed down and removed her slippers, adding it to her other provisions. Then she stole through the forest with the stars as her guide. Even as she grew tired, Cel knew that she couldn't travel by day time or else she would be recognized. Still, she was too tired to travel further this evening, so she stopped at a small stream, drank deeply, and smeared a little mud on her face and in her hair. It would help with her disguise.
Then climbing up a rather inviting tree, she curled into its branches and fell asleep.
Queen Minerva was furious the next morning when a maid informed her that Cel was missing. She immediately retreated to her mirror and glared fiercely at it.
"Mirror Mirror here before me, show me where Cel might be," she chanted. Her reflection smiled and vanished, in its place was the picture of a road weaving through the forest. Queen Minerva laughed. "Simple girl, running away? Oh, to go to Silvea, now are we? Along the Phanzel Road. Ha! Did you think I would not find you??"
Queen Minerva quickly ordered all the soldiers to ride along the Phanzel road and retrieve Cel before nightfall. For all her confidence, she was frightened that Cel might not be found before nightfall. The silencing spell she had cast on Cel only worked while Cel was within a hundred yards of the castle. Once Cel passed a hundred yards, she was free to speak. Cel was the only one in the land who knew anything of Queen Minerva's magic doings. If she spoke...well, then Queen Minerva would have to face King Victor. She shuddered.
She ordered the servant men to travel along with the guards for a higher chance of finding Cel.
Silvea read the letter in alarm. She waved the tired messager away, dismissing him for much-needed rest.
"Ah, what has my sister gotten herself into this time?" She shook her head. "And now I won't be there to look after her." Zachiriah placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure they will find her. If not, at least she will come here. She will be fine," he said warmly. Silvea smiled up at him.
"Oh, I know, but I can't help worrying. What if she gets lost and can't find her way here? I always was the worrier--Cel was the one who did things without thinking about them first. I suppose this is another one of her impulses." She looked sadly around the Telrenaise throne room. It seemed so foreign, every inch of it. One day away and she was already homesick. Silvea ran a hand across the windowsil. If Cel were here, she would have decorated it with twigs. Blue and white ones, too. It was such a peculiar habit, painting twigs and decorating windows with them. Everyone at court thought it was hideous, but Silvea had secretly liked them.
"You miss her," Zachiriah said quietly. Silvea forced a tired smile.
"You're so observant. Yes, I miss her. It's strange, though. Cel was always strange. She's always been bright, extremely intelligent for her age, but there's this extremely childlike quality about her, sensitive, innocent and vulnerable. It made me want to protect her." Silvea laughed and traced the painting on the wall. "I always protected her. She was more like my child than like my sister..."
She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"What am I doing? I should be answering Mother's message! You there! Send for a new messanger and a fresh horse!"
"We could always send back her messenger," Zachiriah pointed out. Silvea shook her head.
"Let him have his rest. Ah, here is a new messenger," she said as a new man walked into the room. "Messenger! Ride to Fendel! Deliver this message to the Queen Minerva, who is at the Aza Castle: 'I will alert you if Cel reaches Telren. We shall have everyone living along the border alerted immediately. Lovingly, your daughter Silvea.' Now go. A horse is waiting for you in the stables."
The man bowed and left swiftly. Zachiriah frowned.
"How will we alert everyone along the border?" he wondered aloud. Silvea looked at him in surprise.
"Why, we send messengers to every village along it, of course! That is how we handle problems in Fendel. Pray tell, how are things like this handled in Telren?"
He shook his head and smiled.
"You have much to learn, my lovely princess," he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it. Silvea blushed.
Chapter Six~
The unmistakable sound of horses woke Cel from her sleep. Peering through the thick branches, she could see the castle guards riding down the Phanzel Road. She was immediately grateful for her previous insight of not having traveled down the path. She grinned at the fact that they had not brought along hunting dogs, but she sobered quickly. If they did not find her today, they would most likely bring hunting dogs for their second search. After they rode past, she quickly climbed down from the tree and dropped lightly into the stream. Cel swiftly covered herself in mud, leaving no place untouched. Climbing out of the water, she noticed a nearby berry bush, ripe from the summer. After sampling a few and decided that she did not like their taste, she added the berries to the mud. For good measure, she attached leaves and twigs as well. Wandering along the stream, she picked up odd assortments of fragrant flowers and added it to her collection. By the time she arrived back at the same tree, she thoroughly reeked. Smiling at her good work, she treated herself to a quick meal by the stream.
*Even the hunting dogs won't be able to sniff me out now* Cel thought happily to herself as she chewed her bread. Looking at her mud-caked feet, another thought struck her--what if they followed her footsteps?? Looking around, she saw her muddy footprints all along the banks of the stream and curse her stupidity.
Cel jumped into the shallow stream and walked in it downriver. The cool water felt soothing and she longed to bathe in it. Still, she sensibly did not and continued to walk. She stopped only once to eat and walked all day long. She prayed that the stream would lead her to Meyretz City, though Cel began to grow doubtful as it ran increasingly further from Phanzel road. At last, nightfall arrived. Though commpletely weary now, she still dared not rest for the night. Instead, she sat down in the middle of the stream and rested briefly. As she did, the mud and debris on her skin washed away. Watching it float down the river, she made no movement to stand. She saw the situation in a new light and instead leaned back into the water, washing off all the collected mud. As she emerged, she knew that she was very safe for now. In the stream, no dog could follow her scent and no man could track her footsteps. Yet she knew that this trick would only work for a short time, as they would soon realize that she was following the stream rather than the road. So, Cel racked her mind for a new plan.
As she thought, she ran her fingers over the smooth, flat rocks on which she sat. Absentmindedly, she picked up a large one and ran over its smooth edges. As she held the cold stone to her face, she closed her eyes and willed an idea to appear. Try as she might, her mind wandered to other things, such as Silvea. Cel recalled a strange painting at the wedding temple, a Telrenaise painting. It featured ancient Telrenaise women wearing strange shoes atop blocks of wood. She opened her eyes abruptly and stared at the stone. With her free hand, she tore off the edge of her nightgown and tied the stone to the bottom of her slipper. She did the same to the other, with a different slipper and beamed at her work. Now she ambled out of the river and tried her new slippers. At first she constantly fell, but soon worked to gain her balance. Walking with the new slippers, she looked over her shoulder at her footprints. They faintly resembled those of a deers, only thicker and much deeper. She would have laughed if she had a voice to laugh with. Thus Cel walked through the forest, moving away from the stream and wearing her new slippers, knowing that no one would know to follow her by her footprints for they were not hers. At last dawn arrived and she climbed up a giant oak to sleep through the day, hiding in its generous leaves.
"Mirror Mirror before me, show me where Cel might be," Queen Minerva screamed when the men reported to her that Cel was not on the Phanzel Road. This time, the mirror showed her a small creek instead of the Phanzel Road. Queen Minerva fumed and knocked over a vase.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT STREAM THAT IS?? How do I tell it apart from all the other possible MILLION little ones running all over the forest??" She glared and the mirror showed her the length of the creek, how it ended in a large pond beside a meadow filled with huts. Queen Minerva clutched the edges of her chair. "Oh...that little imbecile is cleverer than I thought. Walking in the river...of COURSE it's the perfect plan! No footprints left behind whatsoever. Well, tomorrow they'll search the river and they'll find her! I'll make her sorry she was ever born!"
The image on the mirror faded away to show only Queen Minerva sitting in a highly adorned chair. She drummed her fingers on the glass table and looked toward the king's nightly goblet.
"I don't need HIM meddling around, it will just make things harder for me. So, tonight the king shall sleep very well indeed. And when he wakes up, he will want to punish Cel for his horrid nightmares." Queen Minerva stood and admired herself in the mirror. "Ah, Minerva dear, you are too perfect."
Cel slept soundly through the day and walked half the following night, following the stars northward. Finally she arrived to the point in the forest where the trees grew extremely thick overhead and the branches interlocked. They blocked the sky and the moonlight. She shivered as a cold wind blew by.
*Wait!* Cel thought suddenly. *It's summer! And I don't remember ever hearing about this forest being so large...*
"Don't move and you don't get hurt," a voice said behind her. A cold blade was pressed against the back of her neck. Cel threw up her hands in surrender.
"Why are you here?" asked a woman who stepped out from behind a tree. The woman was short and sturdy, wearing skintight dark green attire that showed her rippling muscles.
Cel shrugged. She couldn't speak, so how was she to answer the question? A person behind her grabbed her arms and skillfully tied them behind her back. The blade was removed.
"Well, she won't run now," a man said, walking around to face her, obviously the one who had bound her. "Why are you in these parts of the wood, all alone?"
"By the gods, ya two, she's just a child! She's obviously lost, and here you are treatin' her like some spy," a new voice piped. The voice belonged to a middle aged woman who descended down from the tree with experienced ease. She smiled warmly at Cel. "Don't mind Millen and Jewellee, they young and suspicious o' eveyone. I'm Ranita, an' I know an innocent youngster when I see one."
"Well, she COULD be a spy," grumbled Millen. "After all, those strange slippers look suspicious enough." Ranita frowned.
"Well, I admit they ARE a bit different. Care to explain them, dear? Oh, an' I didn't quite get your name."
Cel stared down at the slippers and kicked them off to avoid further interrogation. One stone hit Millen in the shin and he yelped. Then, glaring at her, he slapped Cel across the face. In reflex, Cel opened her mouth to cry out, but of course no sound came.
"Millen!" hissed Ranita. "Control yaself!" Carefully, she eyed Cel in a calculating gaze. At once, realization dawned on her face. "Why, the younglin' is mute! That would explain some!"
Laughing, Ranita cut Cel's bond and clapsed the girl's arm, leading her through the forest.
"Millen and Jewellee are lookouts--they is supposed to look out for trespassers. Now, dear, I know you weren't trespassin'. Were ya lost?" she asked. Cel glanced over her shoulder and saw Millen and Jewellee climb up different trees and disappear. Looking back to Ranita, she nodded.
"Ah, so ya WERE lost! Well, whatcha doing in the wood in the first place? Gatherin' food? No, I didn't think so. Didja leave the road an' then get lost? Ah, no. Ya don't look like that sort either. Hmmm...were you travelin' through with a group then ya got separated? No either? I thinkin' ya not gonna tell me what really happened, hmm? Now, I not sayin' ya LYING to me or somethin', but I'm sure ya got reasons for not tellin' me, right?"
Cel nodded vigorously, and Ranita grinned.
"Ah, poor thing. I'm guessin' you want a place to stay for a spell, hmm? How'd ya like it if...if ya was to stay with me, ol' Ranita?" Ranita asked seriously. Cel's eyes widened and she smiled. Ranita chuckled and gestured to the tree. "Well, here is where I live. Now, don't go pullin' that disappointed face on ol' Ranita--ya haven't even seen it yet!"
So saying, Ranita climbed up the tree in the blink of an eye. Cel followed less quickly, slipping oftentimes, but still managing to climb it. It was a plane tree, with a thick truck and thick branches that extended horizontally to interlock with the branches of the surrounding trees, which were very similar. When she finally stuck her head above the branches, she almost let go in shock. Here in the saftey of the trees, there was an entire village! Small homes were built in every tree, above the layer of leaves and branches, and because of the way the branches interlocked, one could walk from home to home. Even better was the fact that the secret village could not be seen from the ground because of the unique, thick layer of leaves and branches beneath.
"Ingenious, isn't it?" Ranita said proudly. "We build it in the fashion of the Elvish. O' course, none of us ever met any elves, but the folktales have it that some of the ancient elves used to build their cities like this, hidden in forests where nobody could ever find 'em. So, when we ran away, we decided to build up here, like that so that the King and his merry soldiers couldn't catch us." Cel looked at her sharply. Ranita grinned crookedly. "We're thieves, all of us. An' here we can't talk loud, so it's a good thing ya mute! Now, here, into my home!"
It was a small, one-room home build out of wood, mud, and stones. The roof was thatched from leaves and twigs. There were two small windows, though they didn't let in light. Inside the room was a small table and stool as well as a tiny mattress against a wall. There was no real floor--the branches that the home was built on made up the floor.
"Now, sorry it's so dark here, but we can't have candles or fire, else the whole forest go up in flames one day a fool messes up. I'll go get you a mattress soon enough. Until then, would ya mind terribly sleepin' on the floor? There's a good lass. Now, we better go see the Council. I'll tell 'em that ya a runaway who's stayin' with us. Now don't go lookin' so alarmed, they won't do anythin' to ya. I just gotta let 'em know so they know to get food for ya too. See, around here, we gather food every day. Mushrooms, fruits, and the like. Now, what name do ya want me to go report?"
Cel shrugged. It didn't matter what name they called her. She had no idea how long she was going to stay with Ranita, but for now she would be safe. Cel would leave as soon as it grew dangerous again, so the time of stay was unknown. It really didn't matter what they chose to call her.
"Ya don't care what name people call ya by? Why, what if I was to go callin' ya Whitey, after your pale skin? Yeah, that's pale skin alright, never seen skin as pale as yours. I wager you don't go outdoors often, hmm? I didn't think so. Why, that skin's so pale it almost glows!" Ranita chuckled. "Skin pale as milk, white as snow. Ha! Snow white!"
Cel glanced up sharply at the crude term. An impish look growing across her aging face, Ranita stepped outside, wagging a finger at Cel.
"'Snow White!' Ah, that's what I'll call you then!" she called teasingly. Cel stared after her in shock. Slowly, a smile lit up her face. Perhaps she could make this her new home. Ranita was kind, and she would be safe and well fed. She was living outdoors, and for the first time in a long time, she'd be free of her stepmother. Sending letters at Meyretz City, she'd at least be able to write to Silvea. Nobody here would stop her from visiting Silvea occasionaly either. Yes, Cel thought contently. This place could do well as her new home.
Four years later
"And the Princess Silvea Blanche Chastity of the Phalogn line in the mighty kingdom of Fendel, daughter of Queen Minerva Serenity Ahgigi and King Victor Phalogn is present here today in noble cause of duty and love."
Cel stood frozen, unable to move as she watched her beloved sister walk slowly toward the priest. There she was, wearing a spledid blue Telrenaise wedding gown made of fine silk and covered in exquisite jewels and embroidery. Her curly black locks and stunningly beautiful fair face were hidden beneath the silver veil. The day seemed almost unreal, as if Cel would wake up soon and discover the entire long, formal ceremony was but a dream.
Feeling the pinch of her white corset, however, Cel knew that it was too true. The day of Silvea's wedding had finally come, and the only friend left in her life was leaving her. The itchy gown was pressed against her skin in the heat of the summer day.
"Marriage is an important step in life," the priest continued when Silvea reached Prince Zachiriah's side. Cel immediately stopped listening and instead focused on the sunlight across the stone floor of the temple. Would Silvea miss her? She said she would, but what if she forgot about her? She'd be too busy with all her new royal duties; what if she didn't have enough time to visit?
Specks of dust swirled around in the sunlight. Cel focused on one of them, watching as it danced in the air. Once Silvea left, they'd focus on her next. Maximillian had come to the wedding--next they'd introduce her to him as soon as they could. She was only eleven, but in five years she'd be walking down the aisle for her own wedding.
Now that Silvea was marrying Prince Zachiriah, there were the new deals. For instance, once King Victor died, Queen Minerva would give up her crown and Fendel would become part of Telren. The fendes money system would cease to exist in favor of the tels money system. Trade deals with the kingdom of Cordor would be terminated. These were the reasons of Silvea's marriage, the most important event in the history of Fendel.
Cel's marriage would be purely to stop feuds among the landlords and nobles. By marrying Maxmillian, she would be a sign to show that the family of Count Harold of Vezeld was in favor with the monarchy. It would be a large wedding, of course, but not even half the size of Silvea's.
Now her eyes wandered around the decorated temple. The huge windows were thrown open to allow light into the large area. Fresh coats of paint had been added to the stone walls, turning them white and blue. Everything was white and blue, Telren's national colors. It made the temple seem even more everdecorated and stifling than usual. Alternating drapes of white and blue hung from the windows, white and blue rugs covered the wooden floors, even the altar was draped in white and blue. Of course, the priests wore their traditional robes of gold and white, but with added embroidery of blue. All the people present, mostly nobles of the Fendel court and close family, were wearing white with blue embroidery. Silvea's wedding gown was the exact shade of blue as everything else: a sheer, pale color that allowed light to pass through. In fact, the gown looked as if it was made of the same fabric as the curtains...
A movement forced Cel to pay attention to the wedding scene once more. Silvea and Prince Zachiriah shared a quick kiss before turning to the attending nobles. Slowly, they walked down the aisle together, looking like the best-suited couple in the world. Prince Zachiriah looked like the powerful king he was destined to become, his steps long and powerful. With her veil lifted, all could see Silvea's famous beauty and her queenly dignity.
Taking her cue from Adriella across the room, Cel lifted her skirts and followed the married pair out of the temple.
"This is Maximillian of Veseld. Maximillian, meet her majesty Princess Icelynai Bianca of the Phalogn line, adopted daughtor of King Victor," Count Harold announced.
Maximillian wasn't bad-looking, Cel had to admit. He was three years older than her and a head taller, but she would grow soon. He was heavily muscled with the common hairstyle of the Fendel nobles, his light brown hair swept in curls around his tanned face, giving him a rather angelic look.
"Your beauty prevails, Princess Icelynai," Maximillian said politely, bending over to kiss her hand. His voice was quiet and gentle. Cel sniffed gently. He smelled nice, like apricots. Maybe this betrothal thing wouldn't be so bad after all. She returned his greeting with a timid smile.
"I'm afraid Cel hasn't spoken a word for the past four years. We're not quite sure why," Queen Minerva said after a sip of wine. Cel glared at her fiercely.
"Would you care to join me in a dance?" Maximillian asked. Quickly, Cel shook her head and sat on a plush seat near the wall.
"She doesn't like to dance either," Queen Minerva added. "Don't mind her. She's rather invisible around here. Just sits in the gardens all day, or stares out of her window. Barely eats, barely moves even."
"In the past year, she's been even more remote. See, Cel and Silvea have always been very close. Silvea always took care of Cel, especially since she stopped talking. Cel doesn't have any other friends. Now that Silvea's moving away and getting married, though, we're not quite sure what will happen to her," King Victor commented.
"Mmmm. Well, no need to worry any more about that. My Maximillian would take marvelous care of her, isn't that right?" Count Harold boomed.
"Of course," Maxmillian said, his voice now stronger and louder. "Why, my hunting dogs would be more than enough to entertain her. Maybe she might even watch my hunting party in the winter!"
Cel stood abruptly and gasped. Dogs? Winter? She quivered in excitement. To be allowed back into the snow! To dance around and play in the cold winter air!
Quickly she grasped Maximillian's arm and beamed up at him, nodding her head vigorously. Count Harold chuckled.
"You see? My son knows how to please a lady."
Queen Minerva made a face and snapped her fingers for more wine.
"Eh. She shouldn't be out in the snow. The winter air's not good with her. Especially in her bad health," Queen Minerva said.
"Ah, yes," said King Victor. "She's sickly, Cel is. Strange that she didn't used to be this sick. Cel used to be the healthiest one of use
all.....That is, until about four years ago. Then, in the springtime she always came around with colds and pnemonia. In the summer, she always
had a fever and delusions. We don't allow her to go outside very often any more. Wouldn't want her to catch a disease."
Cel panicked. Here they were again, forbidding her to go outdoors! She turned to Maximillian and pleaded with him through her eyes. He had to help her!
"Very true. We wouldn't want the princess to die," Maximillian agreed.
What? What happened to her knight in shining armour?
At once, she pushed away his arm and turned abruptly, walking quickly away from him. Instantly, Maximillian reached out for her and
straightened his tunic.
"But, of course, the princess's happiness should be considered. If she wishes it, perhaps that is what is best for her," he said quickly.
Queen Minerva and King Victor shared a look.
"Cel is eleven years old. She doesn't know what's best for her," Queen Minerva snapped. King Victor nodded and stood.
"Quite right. Now, let's end this silly debate and dance! A waltz please!" he called to the performing musicians. Instantly, a lively
tune filled the air and the talking nobles paired off. Taking Queen Minerva's arm, they led the first dance.
Maximillian extended his elbow toward Cel, smiling confidently.
"I know you don't like to dance, Princess Icelynai, but might you make an exception this time? For me?"
She glared at him. Dance? No. She would dance with him if he couldconvince her parents to allow her to finally go outdoors in the winter, but only then. If he couldn't? He was a coward, then.
She spun on her heel and headed toward the royal gardens. Cel needed to be alone and think.
The stone bench beneath her felt cool as she stared up at the lemon tree. The rippling of the fountain nearby was soothing, and the gentle hum of voices far away combined with escaping traces of music was relaxing. Every day since Laich had left, she'd come to this bench to
think.
It had been four years since she'd experience the joys of wintertime. Since the threat from her stepmother, Queen Minerva had forbidden Cel to leave the castle or go outdoors when there was snow. Always the excuse had been that Cel would grow ill. Ill? Cel had never been ill before, not until the day she tried to sneak out. Ah, then the pnemonia struck. After that, everytime she tried to venture outdoors in the winter, disease after disease bombarded her.
Now, though, Maximillian seemed like a savior to her. What had he said? 'Maybe she might even watch my hunting party in the winter!' Oh, to be outside and breathe cold air! To feel the snowflakes land in her hair and on her skin! Still, he was too quick to follow her parents' orders. Most likely, he wouldn't allow her to go outdoors if they told him she couldn't, so he wasn't an option.
Silvea had left her. Gone. To Telren with Prince Zachiriah. It was like a pain in her side. After Cel lost her voice, Silvea was the only one who would speak to her. After Laich left, Silvea was the only friend she had. Now she had none.
As she watched a wind sweep up leaves and throw them over the castle wall, a new thought struck her. Maybe she could run away! Cel stood excitedly. Telren was Fendel's northwestern neighbor. It wasn't that far away. All she would have to do would be to follow the Phanzel Road to Meyretz City where she could ride along with the annual traders' caravan across the Teynal Mountains into Telren. From there, the caravan traveled directly to Bleye, the capital city of Telren.
Oh, then she could live with Silvea! She could pass as one of Silvea's ladies-in-waiting! It would solve all of her problems. Cel would
finally be away from her awful stepmother, live with Silvea again, she wouldn't have to worry about the troubles attached to being a royal, even being an adopted royal, and she would finally be able to experience true winter again. Perfect.
The only problem was that the annual caravan didn't travel until late spring next year. So, Cel would have to wait. During the year, she
would plan out the details of her trip. Now, her only problem was how to deal with Maximillian.
Cel frowned and sat down on the edge of the fountain. She needed to think further.
Chapter Five~
Cel tossed in her bed all night, unable to sleep, always thinking of her escape. Everyone was indoors, celebrating the wedding. Nobody would notice if she escaped now!! Still, she would have trouble sneaking past the guards, and how was she to reach the kitchen unnoticed? She needed supplies for the long road.
*Besides,* she scolded herself, *you said you'd leave NEXT year!*
Yet no matter how she tried to turn her mind away from it, she kept thinking about escaping. This night seemed too perfect a chance to pass up. Finally, Cel climbed out of bed, decided. She would change her plans and escape tonight. Once she reached Meyretz City, she could work as a maid or other servant until springtime so that nobody could find her, should anyone come looking.
Cel threw on a plain robe and raced down the hallway. Fortunately, no one noticed. Taking the servants' stairs to the lower levels, she reached the storage rooms without any alarm. The large iron doors stood before her, staring menacingly back, shutting her out.
"I know, I know already!" a servant boy yelled over his shoulder. Muttering, he opened the doors and darted inside. Moments later her reappeared with a large sack over his shoulder, hurrying down the narrow corridor.
The careless and hurried boy had left the doors open. Almost giddily, Cel slipped inside. It was a huge room filled with jars, barrels, and sacks. She spotted one sack with a large hole in the bottom. Grinning, she tore the along edges of the sacks. Removing her robe, she slipped the sack over her plain white nightgown instead. It was so large that it reached to the ground.
Cel grabbed cut loafs of bread, two jars of cut vegetables, a jar of wine, and wrapped them in her robe. Now she was ready. Cel slipped out of the storage room as quickly as she slid in. A servant boy stared back at her. Cel pushed a finger to her lips and pleaded with her eyes.
"What are you doing here, majesty?" the servant boy whispered. Cel shook her head and raced down the corridor. She dimly remembered a servants' exit out the side of the castle. She heard no shouting behind her, so she was sure that the boy hadn't alerted anyone yet. Ducking into a corner, she threw her weight against the wall and it opened for her with a loud creak.
Taking a deep breath, Cel knew that she was outside and allowed herself a smile. She noted the position of the guards and watched them carefully. The two closest guards were deep in conversation. Cel raced to the outside wall and pressed herself against it, hiding herself in its shadows. She heard a note of alarm from the guards and cursed herself for being spotted. There was no use in sneaking out now. Cel ran openly out to the drawbridge and flung herself into the moat.
Swimming to the bottom, she held herself there by pulling on to the water plants. With the nighttime and the murky water, even if a guard dived in after her, he would never see her, much less find her. So she waited for what seemed to be hours. When she finally ran out of air, she swam along the bottom as far as she could before swimming to the top.
After inhaling deeply, she saw that she had swam quite far from her diving spot. Therefore, no one noticed her emerge from the water. Grinning, she climged out on the other bank and ran for the woods close by. She quickly climbed up a tree and waited.
She watched a guard dive into the water after her, more guards arrive at the scene. After she was sure that no one had noticed her escape into the forest, she climbed down and removed her slippers, adding it to her other provisions. Then she stole through the forest with the stars as her guide. Even as she grew tired, Cel knew that she couldn't travel by day time or else she would be recognized. Still, she was too tired to travel further this evening, so she stopped at a small stream, drank deeply, and smeared a little mud on her face and in her hair. It would help with her disguise.
Then climbing up a rather inviting tree, she curled into its branches and fell asleep.
Queen Minerva was furious the next morning when a maid informed her that Cel was missing. She immediately retreated to her mirror and glared fiercely at it.
"Mirror Mirror here before me, show me where Cel might be," she chanted. Her reflection smiled and vanished, in its place was the picture of a road weaving through the forest. Queen Minerva laughed. "Simple girl, running away? Oh, to go to Silvea, now are we? Along the Phanzel Road. Ha! Did you think I would not find you??"
Queen Minerva quickly ordered all the soldiers to ride along the Phanzel road and retrieve Cel before nightfall. For all her confidence, she was frightened that Cel might not be found before nightfall. The silencing spell she had cast on Cel only worked while Cel was within a hundred yards of the castle. Once Cel passed a hundred yards, she was free to speak. Cel was the only one in the land who knew anything of Queen Minerva's magic doings. If she spoke...well, then Queen Minerva would have to face King Victor. She shuddered.
She ordered the servant men to travel along with the guards for a higher chance of finding Cel.
Silvea read the letter in alarm. She waved the tired messager away, dismissing him for much-needed rest.
"Ah, what has my sister gotten herself into this time?" She shook her head. "And now I won't be there to look after her." Zachiriah placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure they will find her. If not, at least she will come here. She will be fine," he said warmly. Silvea smiled up at him.
"Oh, I know, but I can't help worrying. What if she gets lost and can't find her way here? I always was the worrier--Cel was the one who did things without thinking about them first. I suppose this is another one of her impulses." She looked sadly around the Telrenaise throne room. It seemed so foreign, every inch of it. One day away and she was already homesick. Silvea ran a hand across the windowsil. If Cel were here, she would have decorated it with twigs. Blue and white ones, too. It was such a peculiar habit, painting twigs and decorating windows with them. Everyone at court thought it was hideous, but Silvea had secretly liked them.
"You miss her," Zachiriah said quietly. Silvea forced a tired smile.
"You're so observant. Yes, I miss her. It's strange, though. Cel was always strange. She's always been bright, extremely intelligent for her age, but there's this extremely childlike quality about her, sensitive, innocent and vulnerable. It made me want to protect her." Silvea laughed and traced the painting on the wall. "I always protected her. She was more like my child than like my sister..."
She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"What am I doing? I should be answering Mother's message! You there! Send for a new messanger and a fresh horse!"
"We could always send back her messenger," Zachiriah pointed out. Silvea shook her head.
"Let him have his rest. Ah, here is a new messenger," she said as a new man walked into the room. "Messenger! Ride to Fendel! Deliver this message to the Queen Minerva, who is at the Aza Castle: 'I will alert you if Cel reaches Telren. We shall have everyone living along the border alerted immediately. Lovingly, your daughter Silvea.' Now go. A horse is waiting for you in the stables."
The man bowed and left swiftly. Zachiriah frowned.
"How will we alert everyone along the border?" he wondered aloud. Silvea looked at him in surprise.
"Why, we send messengers to every village along it, of course! That is how we handle problems in Fendel. Pray tell, how are things like this handled in Telren?"
He shook his head and smiled.
"You have much to learn, my lovely princess," he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it. Silvea blushed.
Chapter Six~
The unmistakable sound of horses woke Cel from her sleep. Peering through the thick branches, she could see the castle guards riding down the Phanzel Road. She was immediately grateful for her previous insight of not having traveled down the path. She grinned at the fact that they had not brought along hunting dogs, but she sobered quickly. If they did not find her today, they would most likely bring hunting dogs for their second search. After they rode past, she quickly climbed down from the tree and dropped lightly into the stream. Cel swiftly covered herself in mud, leaving no place untouched. Climbing out of the water, she noticed a nearby berry bush, ripe from the summer. After sampling a few and decided that she did not like their taste, she added the berries to the mud. For good measure, she attached leaves and twigs as well. Wandering along the stream, she picked up odd assortments of fragrant flowers and added it to her collection. By the time she arrived back at the same tree, she thoroughly reeked. Smiling at her good work, she treated herself to a quick meal by the stream.
*Even the hunting dogs won't be able to sniff me out now* Cel thought happily to herself as she chewed her bread. Looking at her mud-caked feet, another thought struck her--what if they followed her footsteps?? Looking around, she saw her muddy footprints all along the banks of the stream and curse her stupidity.
Cel jumped into the shallow stream and walked in it downriver. The cool water felt soothing and she longed to bathe in it. Still, she sensibly did not and continued to walk. She stopped only once to eat and walked all day long. She prayed that the stream would lead her to Meyretz City, though Cel began to grow doubtful as it ran increasingly further from Phanzel road. At last, nightfall arrived. Though commpletely weary now, she still dared not rest for the night. Instead, she sat down in the middle of the stream and rested briefly. As she did, the mud and debris on her skin washed away. Watching it float down the river, she made no movement to stand. She saw the situation in a new light and instead leaned back into the water, washing off all the collected mud. As she emerged, she knew that she was very safe for now. In the stream, no dog could follow her scent and no man could track her footsteps. Yet she knew that this trick would only work for a short time, as they would soon realize that she was following the stream rather than the road. So, Cel racked her mind for a new plan.
As she thought, she ran her fingers over the smooth, flat rocks on which she sat. Absentmindedly, she picked up a large one and ran over its smooth edges. As she held the cold stone to her face, she closed her eyes and willed an idea to appear. Try as she might, her mind wandered to other things, such as Silvea. Cel recalled a strange painting at the wedding temple, a Telrenaise painting. It featured ancient Telrenaise women wearing strange shoes atop blocks of wood. She opened her eyes abruptly and stared at the stone. With her free hand, she tore off the edge of her nightgown and tied the stone to the bottom of her slipper. She did the same to the other, with a different slipper and beamed at her work. Now she ambled out of the river and tried her new slippers. At first she constantly fell, but soon worked to gain her balance. Walking with the new slippers, she looked over her shoulder at her footprints. They faintly resembled those of a deers, only thicker and much deeper. She would have laughed if she had a voice to laugh with. Thus Cel walked through the forest, moving away from the stream and wearing her new slippers, knowing that no one would know to follow her by her footprints for they were not hers. At last dawn arrived and she climbed up a giant oak to sleep through the day, hiding in its generous leaves.
"Mirror Mirror before me, show me where Cel might be," Queen Minerva screamed when the men reported to her that Cel was not on the Phanzel Road. This time, the mirror showed her a small creek instead of the Phanzel Road. Queen Minerva fumed and knocked over a vase.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT STREAM THAT IS?? How do I tell it apart from all the other possible MILLION little ones running all over the forest??" She glared and the mirror showed her the length of the creek, how it ended in a large pond beside a meadow filled with huts. Queen Minerva clutched the edges of her chair. "Oh...that little imbecile is cleverer than I thought. Walking in the river...of COURSE it's the perfect plan! No footprints left behind whatsoever. Well, tomorrow they'll search the river and they'll find her! I'll make her sorry she was ever born!"
The image on the mirror faded away to show only Queen Minerva sitting in a highly adorned chair. She drummed her fingers on the glass table and looked toward the king's nightly goblet.
"I don't need HIM meddling around, it will just make things harder for me. So, tonight the king shall sleep very well indeed. And when he wakes up, he will want to punish Cel for his horrid nightmares." Queen Minerva stood and admired herself in the mirror. "Ah, Minerva dear, you are too perfect."
Cel slept soundly through the day and walked half the following night, following the stars northward. Finally she arrived to the point in the forest where the trees grew extremely thick overhead and the branches interlocked. They blocked the sky and the moonlight. She shivered as a cold wind blew by.
*Wait!* Cel thought suddenly. *It's summer! And I don't remember ever hearing about this forest being so large...*
"Don't move and you don't get hurt," a voice said behind her. A cold blade was pressed against the back of her neck. Cel threw up her hands in surrender.
"Why are you here?" asked a woman who stepped out from behind a tree. The woman was short and sturdy, wearing skintight dark green attire that showed her rippling muscles.
Cel shrugged. She couldn't speak, so how was she to answer the question? A person behind her grabbed her arms and skillfully tied them behind her back. The blade was removed.
"Well, she won't run now," a man said, walking around to face her, obviously the one who had bound her. "Why are you in these parts of the wood, all alone?"
"By the gods, ya two, she's just a child! She's obviously lost, and here you are treatin' her like some spy," a new voice piped. The voice belonged to a middle aged woman who descended down from the tree with experienced ease. She smiled warmly at Cel. "Don't mind Millen and Jewellee, they young and suspicious o' eveyone. I'm Ranita, an' I know an innocent youngster when I see one."
"Well, she COULD be a spy," grumbled Millen. "After all, those strange slippers look suspicious enough." Ranita frowned.
"Well, I admit they ARE a bit different. Care to explain them, dear? Oh, an' I didn't quite get your name."
Cel stared down at the slippers and kicked them off to avoid further interrogation. One stone hit Millen in the shin and he yelped. Then, glaring at her, he slapped Cel across the face. In reflex, Cel opened her mouth to cry out, but of course no sound came.
"Millen!" hissed Ranita. "Control yaself!" Carefully, she eyed Cel in a calculating gaze. At once, realization dawned on her face. "Why, the younglin' is mute! That would explain some!"
Laughing, Ranita cut Cel's bond and clapsed the girl's arm, leading her through the forest.
"Millen and Jewellee are lookouts--they is supposed to look out for trespassers. Now, dear, I know you weren't trespassin'. Were ya lost?" she asked. Cel glanced over her shoulder and saw Millen and Jewellee climb up different trees and disappear. Looking back to Ranita, she nodded.
"Ah, so ya WERE lost! Well, whatcha doing in the wood in the first place? Gatherin' food? No, I didn't think so. Didja leave the road an' then get lost? Ah, no. Ya don't look like that sort either. Hmmm...were you travelin' through with a group then ya got separated? No either? I thinkin' ya not gonna tell me what really happened, hmm? Now, I not sayin' ya LYING to me or somethin', but I'm sure ya got reasons for not tellin' me, right?"
Cel nodded vigorously, and Ranita grinned.
"Ah, poor thing. I'm guessin' you want a place to stay for a spell, hmm? How'd ya like it if...if ya was to stay with me, ol' Ranita?" Ranita asked seriously. Cel's eyes widened and she smiled. Ranita chuckled and gestured to the tree. "Well, here is where I live. Now, don't go pullin' that disappointed face on ol' Ranita--ya haven't even seen it yet!"
So saying, Ranita climbed up the tree in the blink of an eye. Cel followed less quickly, slipping oftentimes, but still managing to climb it. It was a plane tree, with a thick truck and thick branches that extended horizontally to interlock with the branches of the surrounding trees, which were very similar. When she finally stuck her head above the branches, she almost let go in shock. Here in the saftey of the trees, there was an entire village! Small homes were built in every tree, above the layer of leaves and branches, and because of the way the branches interlocked, one could walk from home to home. Even better was the fact that the secret village could not be seen from the ground because of the unique, thick layer of leaves and branches beneath.
"Ingenious, isn't it?" Ranita said proudly. "We build it in the fashion of the Elvish. O' course, none of us ever met any elves, but the folktales have it that some of the ancient elves used to build their cities like this, hidden in forests where nobody could ever find 'em. So, when we ran away, we decided to build up here, like that so that the King and his merry soldiers couldn't catch us." Cel looked at her sharply. Ranita grinned crookedly. "We're thieves, all of us. An' here we can't talk loud, so it's a good thing ya mute! Now, here, into my home!"
It was a small, one-room home build out of wood, mud, and stones. The roof was thatched from leaves and twigs. There were two small windows, though they didn't let in light. Inside the room was a small table and stool as well as a tiny mattress against a wall. There was no real floor--the branches that the home was built on made up the floor.
"Now, sorry it's so dark here, but we can't have candles or fire, else the whole forest go up in flames one day a fool messes up. I'll go get you a mattress soon enough. Until then, would ya mind terribly sleepin' on the floor? There's a good lass. Now, we better go see the Council. I'll tell 'em that ya a runaway who's stayin' with us. Now don't go lookin' so alarmed, they won't do anythin' to ya. I just gotta let 'em know so they know to get food for ya too. See, around here, we gather food every day. Mushrooms, fruits, and the like. Now, what name do ya want me to go report?"
Cel shrugged. It didn't matter what name they called her. She had no idea how long she was going to stay with Ranita, but for now she would be safe. Cel would leave as soon as it grew dangerous again, so the time of stay was unknown. It really didn't matter what they chose to call her.
"Ya don't care what name people call ya by? Why, what if I was to go callin' ya Whitey, after your pale skin? Yeah, that's pale skin alright, never seen skin as pale as yours. I wager you don't go outdoors often, hmm? I didn't think so. Why, that skin's so pale it almost glows!" Ranita chuckled. "Skin pale as milk, white as snow. Ha! Snow white!"
Cel glanced up sharply at the crude term. An impish look growing across her aging face, Ranita stepped outside, wagging a finger at Cel.
"'Snow White!' Ah, that's what I'll call you then!" she called teasingly. Cel stared after her in shock. Slowly, a smile lit up her face. Perhaps she could make this her new home. Ranita was kind, and she would be safe and well fed. She was living outdoors, and for the first time in a long time, she'd be free of her stepmother. Sending letters at Meyretz City, she'd at least be able to write to Silvea. Nobody here would stop her from visiting Silvea occasionaly either. Yes, Cel thought contently. This place could do well as her new home.