The Story Hands
Chapter 4
As Felicity and I came closer to the tribe people, I couldn't help but feel afraid. Who knows what these people are capable of?
Light blossomed brightly in the sky, as the travelers approached the 'Story Hand Tribe.' Grass crunched underneath Adele's brown, deteriorating boots, her hair blowing slightly in the wind. Everything implied that all would be well, usually weather could predict such conditions… And yet the prejudices Adele possessed prevented her from believing the weather.
Felicity's gait was bouncy, her delight evident even in her walking. Adele thought this impossible for an older person; but she looked like a kid in a candy shop. Doing her best to watch the older woman, and not the scandalous tribe people, she hissed, "Fe-Felicity… This isn't exactly…" She couldn't resist a quick glance at them, "…They aren't exactly… Umm… Dangerous, right?" As her words were spoken, Adele felt her heart race.
The older woman chuckled, her violet eyes twinkling, "I should hope not. If that was the case, you could certainly blame me for having the misfortune of you being dragged here, and placed in danger."
Adele scowled, and turned her attention towards the greenery. This land truly did possess a beauty she had never seen before in her life. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but worry. I wonder if it was a mistake to come here… If Claudia knew… She drew in a breath, her body erecting itself, No. I made the decision, and I shan't worry what anyone else thinks or says about it.
All too soon, the duo reached the top of the hill; they reached the home of The Story Hand Tribe. The horrendous people gathered around the newcomers, whispering, chanting, shouting, laughing…
Cowering beside Felicity and averting her eyes, Adele listened as Felicity spoke aloud, her voice cracked with age.
"Where is Modrain?" She sounded intense, her voice filling the tribe, her eyes hard.
Every person slowly, rhythmically, raised solemn hands and pointed towards a mud plastered hut. It was the largest of the other huts, towering above them; though, not majestically. A muddy structure could hardly be a glorious sight.
Felicity, grabbing Adele, shouldered her way through the crowd, not pausing to greet anyone. Though, they all seemed to know the old woman's name. Adele couldn't help but wonder at how bizarre this fact was.
While being dragged, the youth had finally gave up the idea of this nonsense being a dream. For it was far to implausible to possibly think the experience a dream any more. So, what is it?
She hardly had time to ponder this question, for Adele, dragged by Felicity, was being forced through the grassy, and rather itchy, entrance into the hut.
The inside was more of a surprise than anything else in this place. Somehow, and rather whimsically, the ceiling seemed to be around fifty feet in the air! The room was a massive, round structure. The floor, though slightly dusty, was plastered with stone tiles; these decorated in an elegant, and aged, pattern. In the precise center of the room, stood a pillar. The pillar only rose about five feet in the air, and sitting upon it was a luxurious purple stone. Steps, with a marble gloss to them, arose all around it… Leading up to the pillar, and providing easy access to the stone.
Beside this sight, stood a man. The man was dressed as all of the others, half naked, to poor Adele's horror. Though, he had an array of raven feathers that rested atop his head; almost forming the shape of a crown.
"Modrain." Felicity sounded extremely serious, and she approached the man. She did something like a curtsy, and then continued speaking. "I have brought the one you requested."
The Raven Man, as Adele decided to nick-name him, turned towards her. He did a sweeping glance, and then resumed looking at Felicity as he spoke. "She hardly seems capable of what needs to be done. Are you sure this is the one?"
Responding in great respect, Felicity nodded, "Yes. None of the other villagers were even worth a passing glance." She gave an irritated look towards Adele before continuing, "Though she is stubborn and has much to learn. I suggest that you give her all of the abilities immediately."
Adele was content to listen, understanding that she would get farther in understanding her surroundings if she did. Modrain responded in disapproval to Felicity's statement, "That hardly seems logical."
"I can already tell that this girl will learn her lessons in no other way but the hard one." Adele felt a bubble of fury rise up, but she swallowed it and listened in good humor to the rest of the conversation.
"Then I shall trust your decision." He examined Felicity coldly, "I certainly hope, for your sake and the girl's, that this works." Not waiting for a response, he turned and directly addressed Adele. "Come here."
Adele responded, in a frosty confidence she was amazed to have, "I do not do bidding for anyone but myself." She smiled and added, "Although I shall compromise. You must tell me what is going on in order for me to do such a thing."
Modrain sighed, and cast an understanding gaze at Felicity, before continuing. "As you wish." He gave her a devious smile, and continued, "You are not an ordinary peasant anymore. No, you have a heroic future ahead of you."
"I did not ask for descriptions of my future, I want to know what is happening here . Stop beating around the bush!" Adele hardly believed what he was saying. She was an ordinary peasant, nothing more, nothing less. She did know that she was in a strange place, knowing why was far more important than improbable thoughts.
Modrain, with a slight smile, responded, "Once again, as you wish. I am sure you are aware that you are currently in The Story Hand Tribe -"
"Of course!" Her patience was far from plenty; Adele only wanted Modrain to explain what was going on. It couldn't be that hard.
The strange man shook his head in disapproval, "I demand your respect, in payment for my answers." Adele was silent, and, taking this as a silent agreement, Modrain continued, "Several generations ago, Raydolia went into a war with another country. This country went by the name of Aspolsh. As you may know, your country won…" the Raven Man sighed as he murmured, "The blood-shed part. I'm afraid to say… the war is far from over."
Trying to process this information, Adele whispered, "That doesn't make any sense though. This was so long ago! We have settled peace with their people already! Why bring this up now?"
Modrain's next words were disturbing. "It is a false peace, faked by a series of corrupt leaders. Already, they plot the demise of your country."
Doing her best to both believe the man and understand, Adele questioned him, "How? What could they do to us besides make another war? If they do that, we are highly capable of defeating them." Of course, she hardly knew what she was talking about, but Adele, being a strong hearted personality, didn't care. She would believe herself unless proven wrong.
Modrain shook his head. "So you say. And so they know. But their people are of a grudging, vengeful race. They plot to destroy you… And they know exactly how to do it."
Entranced by the story, so Adele perceived it as one, she whispered, "How…?" At the same time, she was still unable to fully believe anything the man spoke.
Wasting no time in continuing, the strange man's voice continued, "Long ago, all of the countries in this part of the world united -"
"This is the only part of the world!"
Modrain shook his head and grinned, "So young, so foolish. Anyway, the countries united together and tried to form an alliance to claim the rest of the world as their own. They were highly intelligent, and quite possibly would have been able to do so. Until, that is, a hero arose to save the world from their hungry claws…" He drew in a breath, examined the transfixed face of Adele and continued, "He relied on an ancient myth, that of the Power Creatures, and used them to defeat the countries in the wrong."
Adele blinked, and cocked her head to the side, "What is the myth of the… Power Creatures?"
Looking overwhelmed, and irritated, Modrain snapped, "Never mind! I do not have enough time to tell you things you should already know!" Composing himself, he continued his explanation. "Today, members of the Aspolsh society, aided by the monarch, have begun to search for the Awakening Caves. Each cave summons a different Power Creature," Modrain playfully added, "Although you should already know that."
It was several moments before Adele spoke again. Her mind, racing with chaotic thoughts, slowly began to consider what was to happen. There is no way that this could be possible! It's so… Unfathomable… And so, in the end, she decided that the whole story was unbelievable, and the man was a liar.
"Let's pretend I do believe your 'story…'" Adele announced, "What would I be able to do about this…situation?"
Refusing to comment on the maid's disbelief, Modrain responded, "That is the part where you need to come here. Immediately."
Rolling her eyes, Adele decided to play along, though she was unsure as to why she was willing to do so. Perhaps, she longed to believe it… To believe she was the only help. Perhaps, she longed for more of this attention. She did live a lonely life.
She walked until she stood beside Felicity and Modrain, "Okay. I've done that. Now what?" Making her voice sound indifferent, Adele examined the sages.
Felicity surprisingly jumped in, not allowing Modrain's answer, "I'll take it from here, sir." Turning to the teenager, she announced, "Alright, are you absolutely sure that you are willing to take on the burden of your people?"
Adele shrugged, amusing herself with playing along, "Of course. I am very greatly obliged to do this task."
Once again, the sarcasm was ignored, as Felicity continued. "Do you believe yourself ready to hold the power, the skills, of The Story Hand Tribe?"
"Sure." Adele's lack of enthusiasm and concern was evident, but she hardly cared.
Moldrain whispered, for Felicity's ears alone, "She isn't ready! If she isn't who we are looking for, the stone will kill her!"
Felicity shrugged, and continued, "Then place both of your hands upon the stone and receive your power."
Well, they have been nice to me. And, this certainly was an entertaining experience. Most unlike my daily chores; I may as well humor them.
Adele reached out her hands, slowly, carefully… The moment they touched the cool and glassy surface of the stone, a blinding light burst throughout the room. Adele cried out, her voice mingling with the light, her scream echoing into the blinded space.
As the light faded, Adele's legs crippled beneath her. She shrunk to the floor.
So, thanks to Iliana11! Comments: I just started a forum... In the Fairy Tale section (what else). It's called The Untold Fairy Tales. It's story telling, not talking. We can all learn to write better together! So, go check it out! You may have fun!
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