Stupid

Oothus awoke as the sun peaked between the curtains which hung around his bed. The beams of light cut through the small part in the lush red velvet fabric. He pushed the heals of his hands against his eyes trying desperately to wipe the sleep away. Head throbbing as if from a long night of festivities, he could hear people on the other side of the curtains scurrying around preparing his room for his awakening.

The wash basin had likely been placed out hours ago, and he heard the sounds of fresh warm water being poured into the basin. Magwin would have his head when he finally arrived at training. Shaking his head he remembered the day before.

"Stupid!" he mumbled under his breath as he furrowed his eyebrows.

"Sire?" came a timid voice from the other side of the curtains. "Is that you?"

"Of course it's me you dolt." Oothus spat as he pushed the curtains aside. His feet touched the cold stone as he stood from the bed. Looking up he saw a young boy in front of him, head now bowed in sullen shame for being reprimanded.

"I'm sorry." Oothus apologized, "I did not mean to be short with you. My night was less than fare." With his hand he reached up to his neck trying to squeeze the tension out of it. Whatever had transpired the day before there was no need to take it out on the people who served him with such dedication.

The boy busied himself helping Oothus prepare for the day. The two worked in tandem as they had done for practically all the child's life. The boy had come to him when he was still but a babe, but had served him well even at six years of age. Though there relationship had never evolved to anything more than court protocol would allow, Oothus felt a kinship with this young man. Barthus was more than just a servant to him. Over the past seven years Barthus had become like a brother to him.

As the two continued their daily morning dance, Oothus let his mind wander to the fields. Images flickered through his mind. He remembered how the fabric of her dress flowing around her legs as she crested the hill. Her eyes had been such a deep shade of violet with lashes as long as any he had ever seen before. With each blink of her lids she had been peering into his soul.

Only a coward would have gotten on his horse and ridden away from a woman! He had to follow her, he reasoned with himself. However, curiosity had played just as much role in Oothus following Roane. He had read many stories about the people of Faere, and heard many tales told around the fire. Drawing left by court artisans had be a part of his regular studies growing up, but he had never encountered anyone from Faere himself. He had so many curiosities that he wanted answers for. Further, she had been the most beautiful creature he had seen in his entire life. Even now his heart began to palpitate as he thought of the curves she clearly had but seemingly refused to accentuate. It was as if she had no idea how beautiful she actually was, which Oothus was not accustomed to.

"Idiot!" he cursed aloud without realizing it. His fingers immediately moving to his eyes and pressing them inward toward the center of his brain, as if this action would wipe the images from his mind.

"Sorry Sire?" once again came the timid voice of Barthus as he strapped a belt around Oothus' waist.

"Oh," he paused, "nothing Barthus… carry on."

It must have been some form of manipulation, he reasoned with himself again. She had been the princess.. THE PRINCESS! The minute Roane had revealed that she was a member of the royal family, every instinct he had kicked in. Oothus knew that if he could take her captive it would be a horrific blow to the royal kingdom of Faere. All Faere people would be plunged into a state of shock and despair. This would force the battles to begin again, but not before Azure had the time to strike. This was the opportunity he waited for his entire life. Once and for all Azure would have the chance to conquer Faere and defeat their rivals. Oothus would be a hero and a worthy future king. It was a perfect plan, orchestrated in his mind just as Magwin would have planned it, he was certain. Not only would he be a hero among his people but he would finally gain the respect from his father that he had so longed for. There would be no doubt that Oothus was prepared to take the thrown and carry on the legacy as grand king of Azure when the time came to pass on the thrown.

Oothus, however, had not calculated the winds interference. How was I to know she had forged a friendship with the winds themselves! He knew of great flashes of light that would blind a man before he could draw his sword. Stories of the various powers of Faere had reached the court documents as well as campfires around the kingdom. The Faere people had many great powers. Some could manipulate a mans mind and make him think he was in dire peril when he was merely standing in a field of flowers. Some could move objects without setting a finger on them.

Likewise, Faere people came in many shapes and sizes. Some were as small as your finger, and some as large as the mountains themselves. Elves, dwarves, pixies, and giants all with unique magical powers and all followers of the Fairy king and queen of Faere. The Royal family, he knew, was of the Fairy race. Their powers were vast and diverse making them unpredictable. This was the only reason he could think of for why Azure had not crushed the delicate creatures decades ago. Oothus knew they could shrink to be as small as a honey bee and hide among you without your knowledge, which is how he believed Roane was able to sneak up on him in the first place. He had calculated every possibility before he drew his sword, so he thought. However, what he had not counted on was the whirlwind. He knew that Fairies did not have power of the elements. Nature was the holder of it's own destiny. The Goddess of wind, not to mention the Goddesses of fire, earth and water would bow to no one and had refused to take sides in the war when it first began. If there was a friendship forming between the elements and the people of Faere he needed to make sure he warned Magwin.

As Oothus lay flat on his back looking up at the Fairy princess, his cheeks burned with embarrassment at being bested yet again by a woman. She was of course no regular woman and was a spitfire to say the least. Dusting himself off he conceded to sit on the open grass and satisfy his curiosity. The more she talked to him, the more relaxed and let down his guard. Soon his shoulders were completely relaxed and she appeared as nothing more to him than a young lady sitting in the field. With no one around for miles to view them Oothus began let himself enjoy the encounter. They talked of random travels, and herbs. He found out that Roane had been a master potion maker and soon came to learn of her vast love for her grandmother. Both were carful not to bring up the war and the political differences that they had been born into. That's when it happened.

"You’re a strong, independent and well traveled young man. You must have dreams. Tell me Oothus, what do you want to make of your life?" Her voice was like music. He had become increasingly intoxicated by it as they spoke. Even the birds had been drowned out by her melodic conversation.

"One day," he looked off into the distance across the fields as if staring into his very future, "I hope to lead my people as a king who brings peace to the land." His words had been casual and he hadn't realized what had been revealed until looking up he saw the moment of shock then contemplation on her face. The tension immediately returned to his shoulders and his jaw became rigid. A smile ever so slowly crept come across her face and he was certain this had been her plan all along. Now that she had exposed him she was sure to betray him. But this time she would not best him. This time he was prepared for anything she could throw at him. He readied himself by hoisting himself to his feet and bending his knees in a semi crouch. His eyes darted left and right then down again at the woman who had moments ago seems like no threat at all.

Roane was still sitting there staring up at him. Her eyebrows had raised and a crooked smile now adorned her face. She was clearly amused by his actions. Her jesting at his expense infuriated him even more. Is this all but a game to her?

"Are you always this high strung?" a small giggle left her lips. She plucked a sprig of blue mallow from the earth and held the soft petals to her lips. Puckering her lips, she blew. The petals and the seeds of the flower floated on the breeze. He saw her lips mouth an incantation. The faint song floated on the breeze along with the petals. Kaima mellon ilos tyelima fea. As the petals floated toward him and circled in front of his face, the scent of the flower and mixture of the music in his ears inebriated him. He felt the tension begin to leave his arms and he could no longer hold up his sword. He fought the enchantment, but there was no use. Soon he stood there looking down at Roane who still had not moved from her spot.

"You are a good man Oothus." her voice chimed. "I can see that you are in turmoil and there is clearly no use in continuing our encounter. I thank you for your honesty with me and hope that soon our paths will once again cross. You are truly a great man and I believe you shall make a fine king one day. Much to my disappointment, I fear it is time that we said our farewells. As a token of my friendship I give you my scarf and a promise that I shall be here in this field again in one weeks time. I sense that you shall not betray me with this knowledge and hope that we can continue our conversation when you feel as if it is your choice."

With that, Roane stood and walked down the path leading to the next tier. He watched her until she was at the bottom most tier and crossed the line onto the Faere side. The enchantment faded and Oothus felt all the tension from his previous stance slingshot back into him. His body resumed it's battle stance and his neck jarred with the action. He exhaled in a puff of frustration and turned to see his horse grazing in the field behind him. He took one last look at Roane before turning and climbing onto his horse. The sun was low on the horizon and he knew he should be home before dark so he didn't raise an alarm. He rode hard not caring about the branches that whipped against his shoulders and cheeks.

"Stupid!" he curse. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"


Alas, there is no choice for you this day. The story has yet to unfold. Join us next week to find out what happens to Oothus and Roane. You may even meet a new character or two! Thanks for reading.

I am still accepting comments and suggestions of where YOU think the story should go next. Looking forward to hearing from you. Feel free to comment on this blog or email me at librarygoddess2@gmail.com

Translations: Kaima mellon ilos tyelima fea - Peace my friend calm and surrender your soul