Beginning Again

Aeralia begins her journey.

A sleepless night gave way to daybreak.  I had spent much of the night tossing and turning and doing everything except sleeping.  Now the sun was rising, and I shouldered my pack and put on riding pants.  Lynya, it’s time to leave, I said to the white bundle at my feet. 

            Her eyes snapped open at once.  Oh, goody!  I smiled and ran quietly out of my room, Lynya close behind.

            Together, we walked quietly out of the castle and outside.  I breathed in the still air, letting it out with a soft sigh.  When we reached the stables, Colin was waiting patiently with Alonwyn, who was already saddled.  Alonwyn was tossing his head and snorting.  I thanked Colin, who merely smiled and slipped back into the stable. 

I mounted Alonwyn easily.  I noticed that the saddle was not the one I usually used.  This one was of a better make and more comfortable.  In addition, this saddle had a platform with slightly up tilted edges instead of a horn.  I was puzzled at what to do with it, but then Lynya jumped into it.  She curled up and purred at me.  I smiled.  Father and Mother had thought of everything.

            I was nervous, but at the same time thrilled.  When I was young, I was content with our castle and the grounds surrounding it.  As I got older, however, I began to wonder what the world beyond held for me.  I knew that when Father was only a little older than me, he had set out to explore his kingdom.  I believed that this journey had been responsible for a large part of his wisdom and justness. 

            Thinking about Father recalled our most recent conversation to my mind;

“Aeralia, much of this journey must be on your own.  But I will give you such help as I can.  First, take this mirror.”  He had handed me a small mirror, about the size of my hand.  It was bordered by an ornate pattern carved out of silver. 

“It will serve you well, and it will not break easily.  You must learn to work it by yourself.  Next, your longbow has served you well, but now you must leave it behind, for it is getting old.  In its stead, I offer you this bow and quiver.”  I gladly accepted the beautiful bow and the quiver that went with it.  The curve of the wood was perfect and the grain was perfectly smooth.  The quiver was filled with two dozen swan-fletched arrows.              “And last, but not least,” He continued, “I give you my blessing.”

Mother had also given me her blessing, and her necklace.  The necklace was silver and bore the symbol of Aestarlin, a many rayed star with a phoenix inside the middle.

I was wearing that same necklace now, as Alonwyn moved down the well-worn path through Cariza Forest at a steady gallop.  I knew that speed wasn’t particularly needed, as I was wearing a weathered brown traveling cloak.  With the hood pulled over my head, my face was hidden and I could travel unrecognized.

I was no longer the refined Princess of Aestarlin.  I could be whoever I wanted to be.  Now I wouldn’t have to dance with every noble young man that asked for a dance.  I could do whatever I wanted!  For now I was setting out on yet another stage of my life.  I was starting over.  A new day was come; the past days were not forgotten, but they were left behind in my home of more than fifteen years.  I caught one last glimpse of Castle Elyorn before turning Alowwyn about. 

I planned to go through Cariza Forest; I knew its layout well.  I wouldn’t get lost, but pursuers might.  Lynya looked at me with sparkling eyes and said with much anticipation, Lady, we now begin again.  A new dawn has broken.  Much lies ahead

Author's Note

Constructive criticism and compliments gladly accepted.