Shin'Tara

Roane smirked as she looked over her shoulder at the curious looking human who had fumbled upon her. As she crested the top of the hill he was glancing at his horse, contemplating whether or not to run away, she chided quietly to herself with a smirk. After a few moments hesitation she saw him untied his horse and follow behind her.

As the top of the hill disappeared before her, she could feel a peace returning to her that only the closeness of Faere could hold. Shin'Tara had been a part of Roane's life for as long as she could remember now. She recalled the many trips to the meadow to gather herbs and flowers. Her Grandmother's elixirs and potions were some of the most sought after in the kingdom. Roane preferred her grandmother's company more than anyone else in Faere. Many days, when she was expected to attend to the kingdom with her parents she would sneak off before dawn leaving her parents no choice but to leave her behind. Later in life when more justification was needed for her absence she would spend many hours coming up with imaginative reasons why she should be allowed to stay behind. "Grandmother will only be around for another few hundred years" was her favorite excuse because it worked every time. She suspected that her parents knew better than to believe her pleas of sentiment, however, they more often than not conceded because it was easier than arguing.

Roane's favorite pass time was daydreaming. She would lay for hours in the open meadows of Faere staring at the skies, willing the clouds to take the shapes that she wished them to take. Some days the clouds would form simple lazy shapes. Some days a more complex creation was in order. Some of her creations resembled great gnomish machines with all sorts of moving and complex parts. Whatever there shape, they were sure to reflect her mood that day. She had been doing this for so long that it was second nature to her. In fact, she didn't even have to look at the clouds anymore for them to shift and dance with her thoughts.

Today however, the skies were clear. The crystal blue ocean above their heads spanned for miles in each direction as the forest opened up into the vast open fields. The area had been called the fields of Shin'Tara because of the series of ridges that segmented each one like a set of gigantic stairs. If you stood at the top you would see each ridge dropping about 20 feet before leveling off and producing yet another unique meadow. Each meadow was strewn with wild flowers and low lying foliage. Further, each bore a unique explosion of colors as if the flower from one tier refused to let their seeds be carried on the wind to another. There were seven distinct tiers with three steps ascending on each side of the fields and joining in perfect union with the last and lowest tier. On one side of the fields lay Azure and on the other side was Faere. For this reason many of the battles that had been fought between Azure and Faere met in this place. Many a valiant Faerie man and woman lost their lives on the soil which in turn transformed their life force to beauty that stretched before them today.

To Roane this was simply the circle of life. One had to die before benefiting another and continuing the circle. As she contemplated the rather awkward human behind her she wondered how the humans had ever been able to take the life of a citizen of Faere. Such simple and clumsy creatures they were. She noticed the awe that splashed across his face when they stepped through the opening in the trees. However, she wasn't naive enough to believe that the fates could only shine toward one side in any battle. She truly didn't believe that one side was wrong and one was right. Every Kingdom, every society, every person, and even every tree, flower and shrub had a dark side and a light side. Each also had the choice of which to let shine. Roane also knew that everything happens for a reason and all one can do is wait to see what is to come, for instance, who was this clumsy man stalking on behind her as if he were leading an entire caravan through the woods, and why had the fates brought him to her today?

Roane led him onto the first tier. She had not often ventured this close to the "human" territory but had coveted the larkspur flowers that so often grew on this tier of the fields. Though this rare plant was not often used to make elixirs or potions she often had warriors ask her for sprigs to place in a pouch at their side. It was once used to heal wounds and when the battles still waged it was used in the field, to kill parasites, which prey especially on those living under difficult conditions. Most importantly, larkspur was believed to protect warriors and ensure that they came home to their families. Bending down she picked up the basket she had been filling.

"Is it custom to ignore a ladies questions where you come from, or are you just rude? Do I need to ask again?" She asked in a flat and matter of fact tone then paused. "What business do you have in Shin'Tara?"

"Excuse my reluctance to share my life story with a sorceress who sneaks up on unsuspecting travelers, that for all I know could be a spy." He said haughtily obviously taken aback by her question. "You hold a dagger to my throat, don't so much as introduce yourself, and walk away expecting me to… to… what is it you are expecting of me exactly?"

"Oh dear," she raised one side of her mouth into a crooked grin and gazed at him, "I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Roane princess of Faere." With this she place her palms together in front of her and pushed the tips toward him as if cutting through the air. Her hands flowed smoothly back toward her chest and rested both upon her heart. This was the standard greeting between citizens of Faere. It symbolized the giving of oneself to the other and receiving their offering back to you and placing it next to your heart. She bowed her head in acknowledgement. She grimaces slighting thinking of what her mother or father would have said if they had been here to witness her outright confession about who she was.

"You are of Royal Blood." they would say, "This is valuable knowledge to anyone wanting to deal a great blow to our kingdom." Of course she knew by "anyone" that they really meant the humans, for everyone in Faere already knew she was the princess. Roane, however, believed in being true and hiding the truth to her was just as bad as lying. If it was the fates wish for her to be discovered then there would surely be a reason for anything that may happen no matter how tragic the outcome may be. This attitude led her to be much more casual than her parents would have liked. It was the source of many battles during her youth. They soon resigned themselves to the fact that their daughter was her own person and there was only so much they could do to protect her. Besides she thought I can sense that there is something more to this young man than I have yet been able to discern. I am not sure of where this path will take me just yet, but it's sure to be an exciting journey. He is a bit rough on the outside, but his eyes tell me more than his voice ever will.

The shock of her introduction visibly registered on the humans face. He appeared to be thinking about something with great dedication. This tempted her once more to delve into his mind to see what he was contemplating so intensely. However, she had promised him and thus respected her commitment. She did, however, set herself to observantly read the signs his body was giving away. His eyebrows furrowed and his eyes narrowed. She could see the beads of sweat begin to form along his temples. The forest had gone silent, and time slowed as if standing still. Her well conditioned ears picked up the slight increase in his heartbeat. His hand twitched at his side for a split second before it grabbed the hilt of his sword.

Instantly she closed her eyes and drew on the powers around her. This poor human was much too easy to predict. The trees at the edge of the clearing began to sway and churn violently as a whirlwind swooped down upon them. Swiftly, it picked up the man and crashed him against a moss covered rock just a little ways into the field. She almost felt sorry for him as he grimace. He was then flattened onto his back by the air around him as it became a dense, invisible mass weighing his shoulders and wrists to the ground. She looked down on him as she approached and he glared at her. She was sure the look was meant to pierce through her very soul, she actually felt a faint shiver casting his gaze aside.

"Do you always use trickery and witchcraft to win your battles?" he spat.

"Trickery? What manner of trickery are you referring to? I simply rely on the friends I have made over the years who graciously answer in my times of need. The wind is very clever you know. She speaks and whispers to you if you are willing to listen. I have been talking since I was a young girl and she owed me a favor." She tilted her head to the side. "Do you always respond to people you meet with such aggression?"

He stared at her, but did not respond.

"Well, are you going to answer my question from earlier or not? If not, then I fear that I have misjudged you and would like to continue my work." She waved her hand over him and the weight on his shoulders and wrists immediately gave way. He sat up and rubbed his wrists as if he had been restrained for days "I believe this is the standard way to bid farewell in your kingdom." leaning forward she offered her hand.

"Oothus," the man spoke.

She smiled, "Oothus? That is a strong name. You must be a great man where you come from." Then sarcastically she said, "was that so hard?"

"Do you always wander off on your own without protection?" Oothus asked. As if forgetting what had just transpired.

She smirked, "Clearly we have not gotten off on the right foot. Let's pretend you didn't stumble up to Shin'Tara like a big oaf and I didn't best you… twice." She held out her hand again. "It's very nice to meet you Oothus."

This time Oothus took her hand. The muscles in his jaw were still visibly tight but his shoulders were relaxing. She sat next to him in the grass and together they surveyed the scene. The fields were in full bloom at this time of year. The tier they occupied was full of purple blooms and deep green leaves. Each tier was a burst of color. The more plain looking blossoms, as Roane thought them to be, were on the Azure side of the field. With each step toward Faere the flowers became more beautiful, more complicated, and more bizarre. All were equally beneficial however, hence her trip to the other side of the fields. Scents of many different flowers wafted toward them on the now calm breeze forming a variable soup of fragrances that danced around their heads. The moment was almost euphoric.

"I'm sorry." came a deep voice from beside her. She was almost startled by the sudden baritone that filled the air. She quite often found it easy to fall into daydream and forget what she was doing just moments before. "I had no right to treat you with such… I mean it's just that..." Another extended pause fell between them. "Are you actually the princess?"

"Why of course I am," she replied. "Clearly it's rather dangerous to go around claiming to be the princess if you are not." She grinned back at him. "Why would anyone take the risk."

He exhaled in frustration. She sensed he was holding something back from her. What would have caused him to attack her upon hearing that she was the princess? He didn't appear to be a blood thirsty brigand out for a reward. His eyes showed a quiet and contemplating nature, yet the frustration registered on his face clearly as she watched his eyebrows twitch.

"Many things in life can be complicated if you let them be. I find though, that if you look at it one segment at a time you can work out how most things come together." She looked over at him. He had turned to gaze out at the fields and was physically calm now. She knew that the fields had just as much to do with his mood change as anything else did, they tended to have that affect on people.

Alas we come to the end of installment two! As before, YOU can directly influence what happens next. All you need to do is comment or email me (librarygoddess2@gmail.com) your choice. Your choices are again listed below.
1. Oothus will reveal his own secret of being a prince.
2. Oothus will excuse himself and return to the castle.
Though a simple choice, both choices will lead to vastly different and exciting outcomes. The next segment will come next Sunday. You will have until Friday to submit your votes to me.