Chapter Seven
Celena came down the stairs of her home, her pace much slower as compared to the day before when Allen had awakened. She had many things on her mind now, however, and not all of them were good. First there were the nasty things mentioned by Horrible Nurse Claudine; Celena had never faced any sort of animosity since her return from her male alter-ego. This alone had made her nervous around the common folk of Asturia, for she had learned, when her mind was well enough to handle such news, of the destruction Dilandau Albatou caused her country.
At first she took the news remarkably well, feeling confident once in her own stead and self that she would remain the girl she had once been. Though, somehow she knew . . . some part of Dilandau was still inside her and manipulating how she thinks and what she likes and does. Her love of swordplay, her wild and spontaneous air. Even she had to admit that she was quite tomboyish, Allen having told her once that she used to love such girlish things like flowers, new dresses and so on. She supposed she still liked flowers, having her own flower bed in their garden. Dresses . . . well, she wore simple gowns with less frills than her mother had ever worn. Then again, styles have changed drastically since ten years ago. Though, if Celena had her choice, she would be most comfortable in a pair of trousers so as to not interfere with her sword training.
She couldn't quite explain her spontaneous nature, however, and she had to think long and hard - beyond the ten year gap of darkness in her memory - if she had ever been so carefree in her actions. Why had she interfered with something so important as Allen and Denevive's duel? Surely she trusted her brother to do what was right and he would have played out the duel long enough to devise a plan, or even feign injury. It would have given them enough time to call the duel to a draw as the flop of a king went good and dead.
Celena suddenly felt her knees ache slightly as she had been standing on the stairs, ready to take the next step down, for a good minute while she lost herself in her thoughts. Promptly pulling her head out of the clouds, she came to the first floor landing and there stood, staring at the doors to the study . . . which were slightly ajar. Her eyebrow arched inquisitively at the sight, knowing that no servants were allowed in that room, she approached the door and pushed it open. It swung with a dull creaking noise and revealed the cramped dusty library. Denevive stood at the back of the room, his back to the door. His long, brown hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, much like it had been the day of the duel.
"Denevive!" she hissed, quickly looking behind her and closing the door before anyone saw or heard her. Denevive spun around, looking even more shaky than usual. Approaching him, her brow still curved in a neat and curious arch, she asked in a suspicious tone, "Why do I always find you around my house in such strange and surprising ways?"
But Denevive ignored her question and held out the puzzle box in his hands. "I'm sorry, Celena. I would have properly rang the bell or knocked but - with your brother awake, I did not want to start any sort of commotion. Besides," he licked his lips and took in a trembling breath, his face filled with a mixture of anxiety and excitement, "I've found something rather fascinating. Remarkable, even."
Celena looked at the oblong box with silver vines of intricate designs around the edges, recognizing it right away. "That's my father's puzzle box!" Her gaze then snapped back up to Denevive's anxious face, "You snitched it!"
"Now, I meant to give it back - sort of. I . . . I usually don't do such things, immoral as they are to steal and trespass but - I can't explain it properly. Something lured me here, something powerful and almost," he laughed slightly, perhaps knowing how insane it would make his statement sound, "magical. I had to, you see . . . borrow this - puzzle box, did you say? Yes, that's what I thought it was too but then I took a closer look and . . . "
"Denevive," Celena began calmly, holding up her hand to halt his rapid speech, "You're not making any sense. Please calmly explain why you're in my brother's study." Her eyes were wide with slight anger but luckily not as livid as Denevive had imagined she would be.
"I told you. I didn't want to alert your brother of my presence around you quite yet. Not sure how he would take it. Uh - where is Sir Allen? Still in bed?"
"If you must know, he's in the bath right now." Replied Celena in a somewhat bitter tone.
"Oh, he's up and about again then? Jolly good! I'll want to speak with him as soon as he's done."
"I - don't think that would be wise." Her brow was furrowed at his prior statement. Honestly, Denevive going to see Allen about a silly little puzzle box that's been in the family since she could remember. Had Denevive lost his senses since the duel as well? Briefly, Celena supposed that must happen when you take a man's arm off with your sword. Nevertheless, there had to be a point to all this. If nothing else, she wanted to know what caused him to possess their property. "Tell me, then. Why did you steal the puzzle box? Find your time up at the palace a bit dull and needed to fidget with a toy, did you?"
"No, not all. Let me explain." He took a breath, bringing the puzzle box up and giving Celena a closer look at the painted silver vines around the onyx surface. "Look in-between the leaves on the vines. It's very small but you can still make it out."
Gullibly taking the bait, Celena craned her neck forward and squinted, staring at the suggested spot on the box. For a moment her eyes widened a bit in surprise and Denevive felt another wave of excitement. His heart then fell when she said, "Runes. How interesting. But what's that got to do with anything?"
"Can't you read what they . . .?" No, of course not, Denevive concluded. Although he wasn't disappointed quite yet. Pursing his lips, his questions continued. "Do you know where your father found this magnificent object?"
"Magnificent indeed." Celena scoffed, "It's just a silly toy."
"Yes, a puzzle box, you said. But - have you ever solved it?" Denevive's eyes suddenly danced, twinkling with an odd light Celena had never seen in a human being before - it was an attractive feature to see in such deep violet irises.
"Well, er . . . No, not really." Stammered the girl, once again captured by Denevive's exotic and handsome features. She hadn't felt that fluttering feeling in her stomach since the first night she'd met the samurai and, she thought happily, perhaps this relationship did mean something more than what Allen had thought it was - puppy love. Snapping out of her brief moment of reverie, Celena looked at the box curiously and then looked to Denevive once more. "Why? Have you solved it?"
Instead of explaining, the samurai decided that actions spoke louder than words. With a light tap of his fingers on the appropriate spots, Denevive held the hand with the box out, as if for inspection. For a moment nothing happened. Then, slowly, but with increasing speed, the box began to fold back on itself. An odd song, the sound of ringing chimes softly filled the air of the study. Pieces of the intricate box shifted their place, trading places with other pieces. Back and forth they moved, over and under each other in a dizzying display of speed and efficiency. Remarkably, the box appeared like the bulb of a rose, blooming in the afternoon sun. The box began to take another recognizable shape, one of a one by one and a half foot board. The intricate carvings fell into place, creating coasts and land masses; Islands and seas, forests and deserts. Within moments, the transformation was complete.
Held lightly in Denevive's hand was a wooden map, delicately engraved with the visage of the world. As if being offered on a platter, a glinting ring and a rolled scroll with a broken seal stood. Denevive smiled as if he had just performed the greatest magic trick the world had ever known.
"What in the name of the gods . . .?" Celena could only stare now, with her mouth hanging open and her stomach making summersaults. It was the most spectacular sight she had ever lay eyes upon and it was something that was under her nose the entire time. Although questions still lingered in her head, she had to struggle to get her voice to work once more, "What does it mean? How did you . . ."
Denevive then became more somber at this question: What does this mean? He had asked himself that as well, having gazed down at the letter with a strange seal depicting the same runes that he saw on the gold coin and in the silver vines of the box. "Read the letter." he suggested softly.
Slowly, Celena reached for the scroll of parchment, the seal having already been broken, and unrolled it. She read:
I can only assume that one of my bloodline has received this letter. The box in which this letter, the ring, and map had traveled in was safely enchanted so that only those of my blood may open it. I implore that this message go to my father in Palas, Asturia. Father, if you are reading this, I must first ask for your forgiveness. I know we did not part in the kindest of means but I hope to have earned your respect with this news: I am successful! My research and thirst for truth have not been in vain. I have discovered the Forgotten Continent. It is such a sight to behold! No human dwells in these lands, for it is protected and hidden from us. The barrier is of a magical means that cloaks the entire continent from human eyes! It is a land of the fey, called Aelyria by those who live here.
Though I would wish to go on about all my wonderful discoveries here in Aelyria, it is not the main purpose for sending this message to you. I send you a warning but I cannot dwell on details, should this letter fall into the wrong hands. I only ask that you come to Aelyria but you must make haste, for I know not when you shall be in danger. All I know is that the event will occur soon, for that is what I'm told by the Elves here in Ki'Santh. I live here now, with the elves, after they told me that great disaster shall befall all the rest of Gaea, but leaving Aelyria unharmed. The map should help you find the course to the continent, and the ring will allow passage through the barrier.
One condition that I must ask of you, Father. You mustn't tell anyone else about the prophecy that I have mentioned, by order of the Council of Ki'Santh. They had to make an exception for me, and an even greater one to allow you, as my family, passage to their homelands. Please do not think ill of them. It is only to protect themselves. I'm sure you understand. Make haste, Father, and prepare everyone well for the journey. Tell my mother, and brothers that I love them and hope to see them soon.
Love,
Regina Viran
"Are you related to this woman? Regina?" asked Celena when she'd finished reading the letter. Looking up again, she saw Denevive's face even more anxious than before.
"I must be. I don't know how but she had mentioned in the letter that only one of her bloodline may open the box. That must be the reason why no one has been able to open it. I could feel it though," his tone softened significantly, almost thinking to himself, "And I felt it. I still can - magic is humming through the entire object. The map, the ring, even that letter."
"Viran . . ." said Celena contemplatively, looking down at the signature of the woman. "I've never heard of them before. This Regina . . . she said it was meant to be sent here, to Palas. What coincidence that it should fall in the hands of someone who lives in the very same place. I will have to ask Allen where my father found this object." She made a bit of a "tsk" noise, shaking her head, "I would know if their was a family by the name of Viran here. My brother made me memorize all the noble families in the upper class district, you know . . ."
"They're gone." said Denevive, even more sober than before. "I've already investigated some history of Palas and its inhabitance. The Viran family was nobility, indeed, but . . ."
"But what, Denevive?" She prodded gently.
"They were all killed . . ."
Celena exclaimed immediately, "What! I've heard no news of any murders around . . ."
"They were killed almost a century ago." Denevive finished calmly. Celena stared again.
"This is making less sense." she said after a moment. "If the entire family line here - never mind in," she checked the letter again, "A - leer - ia? What a strange name . . ."
"It's elven."
"How do you know?"
Denevive shrugged. "I just do. I can't explain it." He set down the wooden board of the map on the table behind him, the golden ring rocking slightly as it was jostled, it's foggy white stone glinting slightly in the dust-filled light.
"Well, how can Regina not know that her family had been killed? She sent this message with the knowledge of something very grave befalling Gaea - surely she would know if her family still lived. And if that is the case - if she had indeed sent this message with the fact that she knew her family was still alive . . . she would have sent it almost one hundred years ago. So, my question is . . . how in the world can you be related to someone who lived one hundred years ago. I mean, you're only . . ." It suddenly occurred to Celena that she had never asked Denevive how old he was. After all, it seemed like such a trifle thing. He looked young enough for her to deem worthy of an escort. Then there was the way Denevive was gazing at her, making her insides churn even more than they had before. "No. No, you couldn't be - no older than . . . how is that possible?" She asked frantically, taking a breath, "Denevive, how old are you?"
Denevive sighed, hanging his head slightly and making his brunette bangs fall over his face. "Celena," he began softly, "I'm almost eighty years old." It broke his heart when he saw her eyes fill with tears, their deep sapphire orbs glistening with moister made her stunningly beautiful. Her silver curls, bobbed slightly as she trembled. His smile was slight and charming, his arms ever gentle as they reached around her and brought her small frame closer to himself. Such a tender embrace, thought Denevive when he felt her arms tighten around him. He closed his eyes, his smile widening a bit.
"You don't have to worry, love." he said softly into her soft hair, "Everything will be fine. My age doesn't matter, Celena. We're both at the same phase of our lives. The elven blood in me makes me live longer. You know the stories, don't you? Elves can live for up to 900 years." Denevive felt Celena jolt slightly as she probably held back a sob. He decided it was for the best that they leave the subject of their age difference alone for a while. "I'm still quite taken with you. And if you feel the same, please give me a chance."
"A chance." she cried, "Of course I'll give you a chance. Denevive, I . . . I don't know what I'm feeling right now but it must be - I think it is but . . ." Denevive pulled back, his small charming smile still on his lips, and gazed down at her tear-streaked face. Celena didn't know what to expect from this awkward moment of silence, before it happened. As gently as they way he touched her face or looked at her, Denevive bent down and kissed her. She could see his face, as her eyes were wide with the suddenness of the action before she quickly shut them.
There they stood in the middle of a stuffy library with nothing but the smell of dust and leather filling the air, their hands joined tightly and their lips locked in a chaste kiss of the most pure and the most enjoyable emotion - true love.