Maerad ran outside the white city gates and waited impatiently as the figure along the horizon grew, its black form duplicating itself into many shadows. Furrowing her eyebrows, Maerad contemplated who would be traveling with him, shielding her eyes with a small hand as she attempted to visualize the company.
The meet.It was only then that she considered waiting for Cadvan inside the school, where she would not be subject to the harsh gazes of the first bards.
Several minutes later, bards cantered proudly past her without so much as a nod, their faces shielded against her welcome. She recognized a few faces, from the very first time she had been received in Innail, those who had refuted Cadvan's claim of her being the chosen one. She instantly felt an old rebuke rise in her stomach, its claws grappling at her mind, "My how I have proved them wrong," it snickered as they rode by on their noble steeds. "How I will prove them wrong."
She returned her focus on Cadvan, who had slowed Darsor to a steady walk during her thoughtful interlude. She couldn't discourage the smile that enveloped her face as he stopped Darsor in the middle of the gravel road. Still avoiding her gaze, he pushed the dark hair from his deep blue eyes, dismounted and led Darsor onward.
It was if he hadn't seen her, as if she did not even exist. Her heart contracted within her chest, feeling as if a slowly inserted blade crept up under her ribs. She watched as he continued to walk away, her heart following after him. Finally, a few yards away, Cadvan came to a halt.
Turning slowly, his gaze met Maerad's. "Are you coming?" he asked politely, trying to hide the smile creeping onto his face.
Maerad felt like slapping him, for being cruel enough to ignore her. Instead, she jogged up to him, throwing her arms around him tightly as he laughed. "I had to see your reaction, Maerad. Especially after watching the glares you sent the other bards," he said, bring his arms around her.
"Don't do it again, Cadvan," Maerad scolded, still holding him tight.
"I missed you, Maerad," he whispered in a calm voice, causing her to jump slightly in his embrace. She had forgotten how close she was to him, so caught up in the disbelief that he had returned safely.
She did not answer him; she didn't need to. It was apparent through her actions just how much she had longed to see him again. She pulled herself away, kissing his cheek before turning her attention to Darsor. Has he treated you well? She inquired.
Darsor nickered, laughing at her question. Yes, he has.
"You look nice," Cadvan said, as she ran her hand along Darsor's sweaty coat, stopping as he finished speaking.
She suddenly felt uncomfortable, wishing he hadn't said anything to her to break the peaceful moment. He had often complimented her, but the tone of his voice made fear within her rise to the surface, and she felt an instinct within her telling her to leave.
"We should head inside," she offered, her red cheeks giving her embarrassment away.
As if sensing her discomfort, Cadvan cleared his throat. "Yes, we should. I have something for you," he said, reaching into he pack to reveal a leather package.
Maerad saw the bag and immediately thought of the fortuneteller she had met in the market. She contemplated telling Cadvan, but she figured he would ask questions, questions she did not feel like answering. Instead, she took the package from him. "Shall I open it now?" she asked, nearly drowning after catching a glimpse of his blue eyes that seemed as deep as the Lamarsen.
"No, you should wait. Wait until you go to get ready for tonight, then you may open it," he answered her, traveling towards the gate.
Maerad nodded, and followed him. She was glad he had returned and enjoyed their silent companionship as they re-entered the school's sanctuary.
She set the package down on a small cherry side table located in the corner of her bedroom, carefully untying the twine that held the soft leather in place. Unfastening it, she found a folded piece of paper set atop an exquisite gown, its brilliant gray-blue hue striking against the brown wrapping it had been stored in.
She paused briefly, brushing her hands across the note. She wondered what he had written, as she set it aside to lift the folded garment carefully, letting it fall down towards the floorboards. The fabric poured from her hands as liquid from a stream, the soft material plush beneath her hands as it floated gracefully to the floor in a heap of velvet.
She quickly changed, admiring its scooped neck edged with narrow silver trim. The sleeveless dress splits high under the arm and the delicate silver brocade trimmed beautifully with beaded embroidery for the upper sleeves astonished her; she couldn't believe how well it fit her for such a form fitting gown, its silky under dress caressing her skin as she spun around quickly, basking in its beauty.
Unable to purge the intoxicating emotions coursing through her veins, she remained smiling, reaching for the letter as she sat on the bedside. The paper had been worn, most likely from the travel and use, the edges creased worn. Upon opening it, she was surprised with a poem, written with such beautiful letters she could hardly read it, for her lack of skill.
In the storm
Stands the fire lily
tumultuous waves
of destruction abound her
Yet tall is the fire lily
strong in the face
Of the sensed doom around her
And she does not bow down
Pure is the lily
In the compost earth
growing eternal strength
in the nights that so hurt
I saw not that fair maiden
She was so far away
But I longed to protect her
To say the words I could not say
So I send her my words now
And my poets heart
To she that shall save us
From the overwhelming dark
Be Strong little flower
Your heart will guide true
For in all my days of wandering
I am glad I've found you.
-Cadvan
Scanning it several times, Maerad felt her face grow hot with an unknown feeling. She had at first thought it embarrassment, soon quenched with a reminder of Cadvan's friendship. So he had not written to her; it no longer bothered her. His compliment outside the gates fought its way into her mind, as she went over the serious tone Cadvan carried as he had spoke it. Maerad was not entirely sure what to think of the letter, or of his words, and she decided to accept it as merely a token of his kind heart.
"What does he feel? Better yet, what do I feel? Alone, I find it easier to think of him. When he is near me, I feel I can hardly speak. It feels…strange, wrong even... I am not sure I can return the feelings he may have for me," she drifted into thought as she walked down the stairs towards the great hall.
She found Cadvan leaning against a doorframe, laughing as a group of bards sang a drinking song, their hands shooting up into the air at the climax of their vocalizations. He seemed relaxed, more in his element than usual, the white scar on his left cheek less noticeable. Maerad gracefully walked down the steps, meanwhile tracing his face with her eyes. He seemed regal, a first bard himself even, enough so that Maerad briefly saw him as more than just her friend before ushering the thought from her mind.
Clearing her throat, she caught his attention. He turned his head quickly to meet her soft gaze. For a moment, Maerad was sure she had glimpsed something within his eyes, an emotion he had not shown before, but it disappeared quickly and Maerad wondered if it had ever been there.
"Good evening," he greeted her, smiling brightly.
"Good evening," she replied, standing awkwardly before him as he took in her entire form, observing the dress. "Thank you," she spoke after a few moments, wishing the uneasiness of his penetrating gaze. "It is more than I could have asked for," she ended modestly.
"It looks beautiful on you. I dare say you look even more like Lady Ardina!" he exclaimed, offering an arm. He didn't seem to noticed her rosy cheeks.
"Have I missed the meal?" she wondered.
"All you have missed is the idle banter of politics over a few glasses of wine mingled with a few plates of food," he began as they entered the noisy hall. "If you wish to eat something, there is still plenty."
"No, I'm not really hungry," Maerad said truthfully, still feeling a bit odd.
"Good, then we shall join in on the festivities!" he said, removing his arm and placing it on her back to urge her forward.
"I tell you, he has the dark in him!" Lidea laughed, a woman who had been discussing her son's antics. "He runs about the house wreaking havoc. What I put right, he topples over, as soon as I turn my back!" she explained, taking another sip of wine. "What's worse is that Nelon encourages him!" she said, slapping her husband playfully on his arm, evoking a laugh from the other bards.
"Perhaps you should be more understanding," Cadvan butted in, causing a silence to sweep across the room. "He is only a child; A son at that! Must we forget how we acted when we were children?" he smiled, exciting another buzzed laugh from the audience collected around them.
Maerad admired him for his thoughtful words, for his infinite wisdom. It seemed to her that he would be a great father, and a man of great passion and understanding for whomever he decided to marry. She then looked inwardly, the thought of being a mother- the thought of such an intimacy frightening her, although the idea of child did not. She continued pondering the idea as she listened to the banter of the others.
"AH! Other round! 'Ere we go!" a man yelled, beginning another rhythm on the drum he played as the other musicians joined in.
Wine. Ale. Good spirits. That was the overall feeling lingering in the room as the night dragged on, the only words Maerad could use to describe the event. The air was heavy with alcohol, and laughter- everyone was enjoying themselves.
There were a few men sitting at a low cut table, struggling to remain upright on their shaky stools in a competitive arm wrestling competition that no one seemed to be winning.
Opposite the boastful men lay another table, fashioned into a game board, each bard throwing a pair of dice in an insane gamble of luck that they might get the only pair snake eyes.
The entire bustling room sent thrills down Maerad's spine as she took her first sip of wine in days, allowing the taste to linger on her palette as she swallowed it slowly in an attempt to remember its crisp taste. She was unable to comprehend such happiness, how these bards were able to forget the struggle of survival against such a vast darkness that crept as a great wave, climbing over the green lands and above the hills towards them in a single great motion to obliterate light.
A handful of bards danced wildly before her, throwing their arms about in drunken abandon, as the rapidly increasing music came to an end, causing her to take heart. She thought of dancing- Cadvan had made his rounds, visiting all of the bards he knew as the music continued playing, and she wouldn't have to worry about anyone noticing her lack of dance abilities.
She finished off the goblet of wine, turning to set the glass down before seeing Cadvan before her.
"Come on," Cadvan offered, reaching for her hand
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Come with me!" he repeated, grabbing her arm to pull her up.
"Wha- Cadvan, Cadvan wait," she pleaded as they entered the dance. He paused slightly, not entirely sure of his actions.
She watched the other couples dancing madly across the room, and thought of how close they would have to be. She began to tremble as a fear rose in her throat. "I- I can't do this," she admitted, shaking her head.
"We're going to have to get a little closer. Like this," he said gently, pulling her closer to him, wrapping an arm around her waist careful not to frighten her.
She thought of a thousand no's crept their way into her mind, screaming at her to stop. But she didn't want to be afraid. It was only a dance. Once again watching the others, she looked back at Cadvan. "I don't know the steps!" she said quickly, excitement building in her voice.
"Neither do I just go with it!" he laughed, beginning to dance in a fast paced waltz around the room.
She closed her eyes, as she squealed in excitement, focusing on keeping her feet from under his. "Don't think!" he exclaimed.
Laughing together, the other bards began to yell in tune to the music, slapping their knees to the rhythm of the rising beat of the melody, "Bum bum bum!" a young man yelled, as he plucked chords on his lyre at a frantic rate.
Grabbing her hands, Cadvan leaned back slightly and began spinning around in a circle, causing her to become hysterical, "Cadvan! No!" she laughed, as the room spun into a blur, everything becoming a blend of sickness as the song came to an end and Cadvan stopped.
Losing her balance, she listened to the cheers of the other bards, reaching for Cadvan as she steadied herself in his arms. "I haven't done that since I was a child!" she told him, her eyes wide with joy, remembering a memory long in the past.
He said nothing, and simply held her close, until she regained control of herself and she pulled away.
"Shall we have another go?" Maerad asked, wanting to continue dancing although she was sweating from the effort exhorted to keep pace with him.
She noticed his face morph into one of puzzlement as he noticed something behind her, but it was replaced in an instant with a quick smile. "Yes, of course," he said, shaking his head. Maerad wondered what he had seen to cause alarm, but shrugged it off as they continued to enjoy the rest of their evening. Cadvan, on the other hand, kept a watchful eye.