Hello there, wondrous people! I hope you all had a fantastic week, and have an even better weekend. Just a few things like always:
1. Thank you so much for your reviews! I have to say, your responses have blown me away. The only way I can make this story the best it can be is through your honesty and encouragement, so really, you're invaluable to me (praise and suggestions). Between writing Atmosphere, and reading your reviews, I'm having SO much fun. Also, thanks for well-wishing me on my school work. I have one more week of exam-hell, and then it's winter break! *wiggles excitedly*
2. You know how when the aglet comes off it's really hard to lace your shoes, and even though the laces are still functional, they're just not as good as they could be? Well, let's just say that SunflowerFran is my aglet.
3. This is the last chapter of "Part I: Lyrebird." Stay tuned for "Part II: Pigeon" and the introduction of our lovely male counterpart.
Lastly ... Enjoy!
Lyrebird: a large Australian songbird, the male of which has a long, lyre-shaped tail and is noted for his remarkable song and display ~
Part I: Lyrebird
Chapter 7
It is midday when they reach the port. Bella drags her feet, exhausted because she was hardly able to sleep the night before. A constant nervousness accompanies this exhaustion as she anticipates what she'll have to endure in the foreseeable future. She knows that just one mistake could create a host of complications that she'd be wholly unprepared to resolve. In moments such as these, she is baffled to think about how she could be expected to save the nations; she is practically a babe to the outside world and has no experience whatsoever. As her thoughts begin to overwhelm her, Bella takes a shuddering breath and forces herself to focus on the here and now. She can do nothing more than be in the present.
From behind her hood, she darts her eyes back and forth, taking in everything she can about her surroundings. Her lack of wings and shackled limbs leave herentirely defenseless, and awkwardly, cause her to be slightly unbalanced. As she and Jasper approach the ramp that leads to the prisoner's vessel, a guardsman orders them to halt. He speaks to Jasper in Forxian, his words a quick string of broken sounds. Even after having spent about four weeks in this nation, Bella can only pick up phrases here and there.
"Whitlock," the man greets jovially, "Haven't seen you around here in a while. I thought you gave up on the bounty-hunter calling."
"You know me, I can't stay away from the thrill of it," Jasper replies drily. His dead tone draws a laugh from the guardsman, and Bella is envious of his naturally charming demeanor.
"What's her name?" the guard asks.
"She hasn't got an official one," Jasper answers, "You know how it is with these types."
"Ah," the guardsman peeks under Bella's hood, "She's a looker. What could a small thing like you do to get on this ship?"
"She's a squatter," Jasper answers again, so Bella doesn't have to speak. "Homelessness is her crime. That's why I'm taking her to the moon. Maybe she has a chance there."
"If she survives the trip," the guardsman mumbles under his breath, "Small thing like that on this ship is fair game for some dirty bastards-,"
"She'll be fine," Jasper interrupts. His interjection sounds more like reassurance for Bella, rather than for the guardsman.
Bella's anxiety spikes as they enter the vessel. The stench of body odor fills her nostrils, and it takes everything in her not to vomit on the filthy wooden floor. She reminds herself that this is necessary. She would have no believable reason to work as castle staff unless she was an individual with no identity. Jasper had informed her that the Cullens are significantly involved with the issues of the people, and once a month, they hold informal court hearings in which King Felix gives direct orders for action. While the crime of 'squatting' gives Jasper motive to present Bella before the court, the disguise of 'homeless' gives Bella reason to have no traceable documentation; she has no past. If their plan works, then Bella will be accepted into the royal establishment where she can keep close tabs on the Cullen family.
But first, she needs to survive the voyage.
"This is where we separate, Bella," Jasper lowers his head so he can hold her gaze, "Again, I give you my sincerest apologies for what you are about to endure, but they will not allow me to stay with you in the prisoners' quarters. However, you must promise me something."
Bella releases a shaky breath, "What?"
"If someone harasses you, defend yourself," Jasper says firmly, "No matter what it takes. Promise me that."
Bella hesitates, but then nods.
The guardsman leads her down a set of rickety steps to the lowest level of the ship. Even given her short stature, she has to duck underneath the entryway. The stench that greets her is a thousand fold more unpleasant than the one she had experienced on deck. Her eyes burn and water while she uses one shackled hand to block her nose. It is of no help.
"I must leave you here," the guardsman says, the apprehension plain in his voice. With a sigh, he leads her to a corner where several other women are chained. "If these vessels were bigger, we'd have the room to separate you. Prost'o st'an to alo."
What did he say? Bella panics.
"What did he say?" she asks, in Volturian, to the woman to the left of her. The woman scowls in disgust and turns away from Bella. From the woman in front of her, she receives a look of confusion. Feeling idiotic, she reminds herself that most of these criminals are lower class Forxians, and would most likely not have learned Volturian. If anything, given the ease of travel between Cullenia and Forxx (the Pylae and its border patrol made immigrating into Volturia increasingly difficult), they would speak Cullenian.
Though Jane did her best to teach Bella as much as she could, the other languages of the neighboring nations were not on the syllabus. Her lessons consisted more of Volturian history, mathematics, literature, and Volturian grammar. Bella can remember a time, attempting to teach herself Cullenian, but without any reference, it was nearly impossible. Bella desperately wishes that her sister was here now to help her. Jane has the confidence and intellect to handle a situation such as this. Why had fate been so cruel as to put Bella as the guardian?
She holds back her tears and reaches a hand into her pocket. The chains on the ship are relatively long, so she thankfully has a greater range of movement. Lua pecks at her finger playfully but doesn't make a sound. Bella doesn't know how receptive others will be to a bird being in such close quarters, so her avian friend has to remain hidden in her clothing. Lua alleviates some of her stress but doesn't take away the overall feeling of helplessness that weighs on Bella's shoulders. Suddenly, Jane's voice comes to Bella's mind:
I need you to be strong and courageous.
That's easy to say when you're not in the bowels of a prisoner ship, Bella huffs to herself.
With a sigh, Bella turns to her right. Beside her, a girl who Bella guesses to be around the same age as herself sits with her knees tucked into her chest. Her thick hair is bound back in a braid secured by leather cords, leaving her face vulnerable for wandering eyes. She is small and similar to Bella in shape, but darker in complexion. Her ruby painted lips match the red of her nails, and her garb is only a shade darker in color. Bella is surprised at her grand appearance, not expecting any criminal to be so well presented. Then again, Bella thinks, you are not exactly as you appear, either. It makes Bella wonder where the girl originated from, and why she is in the belly of a prisoner vessel. Bella realizes she has stared too long when the stranger returns her gaze. Unable to stop herself, Bella gasps at the sight of the girl's bright red eyes. She is about to apologize when a neighboring prisoner makes his presence known.
"Puana," the man leers at the girl, labeling her very derogatively in Volturian.
Great, Bella smacks her head against the wall behind her, the one person who speaks Volturian here, and he's vile.
"Hey, I'm speaking to you," he crawls from his spot and crouches right before them. He cannot move any further, but he is still within touching distance. The girl flinches and turns her head away. Bella shifts closer to the woman on her left so that the red-clothed girl can have space to move as well. She watches the man carefully, and pulls her hand from her pocket. The unease and anger that this man makes her feel has her fingers buzzing with energy. She tries to control it, making sure that the current doesn't spread anywhere else.
"Puana," he says again, "I know girls like you –pretty, rich, and stored in the mountains so no one can touch them. Where are your people to protect you now?"
The girl cowers closer to Bella and clutches onto her knees in fear. Bella allows her to draw nearer, refusing to harm the girl with her absorption. Surprisingly, the task is easier than Bella thought it would be. She supposes it is because most of her energy is focused on the man in front of them, and the anger he makes her feel.
"Move away from her," the sound of Bella's voice surprises not only the man in front of her but herself.
Be strong and courageous.
"Move away from her," Bella repeats, "and I won't hurt you."
The man stares at her for a moment, and then laughs, "You? You don't want to get in my way, little girl." He raises a hand and demonstrates how his skin can become coated with a slimy, green substance. Typically, Bella isn't one to make judgments based off abilities, but she does think this repulsive power is fitting for its owner.
"Come here, Puana," the man turns back to the girl.
"Move. Away." Bella warns him.
He laughs once more and reaches out a hand to brush against the ankle of the girl. Her shriek is what triggers Bella to act.
Faster than he can comprehend, the slack of his chains lift from their place of dormancy and wrap around his torso. He is whipped back to his place against the wall, except now, he is several inches higher than before. Bella loses more and more of her temper as he spews curses at her. With one hand, she holds him suspended against the wall, and with the other, she strips his belt from his waist. His pants sag at his ankles, displaying his breeches to the rest of the prisoners. The man desperately tries to reach his ankles, but to no avail. As he screams a particularly offensive word at Bella, she snakes the belt around his neck. She tightens it in increments, allowing the pressure to be uncomfortable at first, and then suffocating.
His shouts are abated.
"Listen to me closely," Bella speaks. Her voice does not sound like her own. Instead of the pleasing ring it normally holds, it is dual-toned and menacing. "If you utter one more word for the rest of this voyage, I will ensure it is the last word your putrid mouth ever speaks. Do you understand me?"
He opens his mouth to speak, but Bella tightens the belt. He nods rapidly instead. At that, she releases him, allowing him to drop back into his position on the floor. He scrambles as far from the girls as he can, and completely turns his back to them. Bella keeps her eyes locked on him to ensure that he doesn't lash out unexpectedly, but all he does is tuck his head into his knees.
As the adrenaline rushes out of her, Bella sags against the wall behind her. She had never before lifted a human, or exerted so much of her ability. Her whole body felt sore as if she had lifted him with her hands instead of her mind. The wall behind her proves to be too hard for her to rest her head, and she doesn't have the space to situate it on her knees, so she allows her head to bob as she nods off to sleep. She is so exhausted that she nearly doesn't catch the voice beside her.
"He told us to protect ourselves," a quiet voice sounds from her right.
"What?" Bella turns to the girl in red.
"The guardsman," she repeats timidly, "he told us to protect ourselves … well, each other. I didn't think anyone would take his words into consideration, but you did, even if you didn't understand them. So, thank you."
Bella is still surprised, "You speak Volturian?"
The girl nods, and holds out her hand, "I'm Claire. Claire Young."
Bella stares at the hand for a moment before accepting it, "I'm just Bella."
"Well, Just Bella," Claire gives a small smile at her joke, "I … I don't do well with strangers, as you saw, but … you can lean on my shoulder. I mean, if you'd like?"
Bella wonders how wise it would be to fall asleep on her shoulder, but reasons that the sleeves of Claire's dress would protect her from any wayward absorption. So, without further hesitation, she smiles and says,
"Wake me up if he gives any trouble, okay?"
Claire raises a hand to her mouth to stifle a giggle, "Oh, I don't think he's going to be doing anything for the rest of this voyage."
The rest of the passage is blessedly uneventful. Bella and Claire exchange stories to pass the time, and take turns napping on each other's shoulders. Bella learns that Claire lived in L'Apush, a town located in the far western border of Forxx, and is home to predominantly moonchildren. They live in the mountains, mostly removed and independent from the other Forxians, but still relying on trade and commerce with the capital. Her people are wealthy, as most of them own their own businesses, and pride themselves on the safety of all townsfolk. However, a recent attack on the town by sunchildren radicals had left many devastated. For that reason, Claire committed a petty crime so that she could be taken to Cullen Isle. There, she hoped to secure a job so that she could send money back to her town, and they could slowly begin to rebuild what had been destroyed.
Claire's story had saddened Bella, opening her eyes to the violence that had been getting out of control. She had known that tensions between sunchildren and moonchildren existed since the beginning of time, but she'd never heard of such targeted hostility in recent centuries. Part of her wonders why King Felix hasn't intervened, but the other part of her knows that it is because any obvious attack on any race by a monarch would reap havoc. That's why she knows that Aro is deluded in his plan. He is right in thinking that the sunchildren nationalists will support him, but what he underestimates is the allegiance between many sun and moonchildren. The difficulty is getting these citizens to stand up against a monarch as powerful and maleficent as Aro.
But there are people, those who do not understand the importance of this equilibrium, who look to destroy the foundation of the land. This is why guardians have been placed to ensure balance, so that in the event of disorder the land will persevere.
"When the sunchildren attacked," Bella asks Claire, "Did you fight?"
"Of course we did," Claire answers, her features becoming upset, "We did not just lay down and allow them to -,"
"No," Bella shakes her head, "Did you fight?"
Claire's features relax as she nods, "I know I was helpless here, but when I'm with them … they're my people. You fight for your people."
Bella nods in understanding, and thinks on Claire's words.
Bella can't see the outside, but she can feel it when they reach the land. The nervousness that had been with her at the beginning of her journey returns as she anticipates having to leave the vessel and face the Cullens.
She takes a deep breath and remembers all the words of wisdom that had been given to her up until this point. She couldn't entirely let go of the doubt she had in herself at this moment, but she knew she had to try.
Somewhere deep inside, Bella knows that she is more than Aro's caged bird; the one that existed solely for his entertainment.
She is a guardian.
She is meant to ensure balance amongst the people.
Her people. And she is going to do everything in her power to fight for them.
~End of Part I: Lyrebird~
Terminology
Prost'o st'an to alo –Protect each other / Take care of each other [Forxian]
Puana –Whore [Volturian]
Key Facts
Monthly court hearings –in an effort to reduce incarceration rates and to be more involved with the people, King Felix holds monthly court proceedings in which he hears the pleas of citizens –criminals and innocent alike –and gives direct orders of actions. Every now and then, those who commit petty crimes out of desperation are allowed to work lowly positions in the castle, as an initiative for reformation.
L'Apush – a town located in the far western border of Forxx, and is home to predominantly moonchildren. L'Apush is in the mountains.
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." ~Mother Teresa
~CH
