Chapter 2: Painful Memories

Flashback

It’s dark in my parents’ room. A frightful storm rages outside. Lightning splits the sky and thunder shakes the building. I open the door to their room just a crack. I heard someone outside my window, so I go to tell my parents. I start towards their bed but stop dead in my tracks. A figure is standing at the foot of their bed. The intruder’s back is turned to me. They are mumbling words in a different language I don’t understand. A swirling stream of purple and black emanates from them, falling towards my parents. I know this to be Dark Magyk and run towards the intruder.

 

I jump on them and they utter a quiet shriek. I know this intruder to be a woman now. They fall back from my weight and land on top of me. I let go and gasp. The air has left my lungs and I lay there for a few moments. The woman turns to me and raises a lightning shaped silver dagger. The hilt of it glints as a lightning bolt strikes near the window. I see two rubies glow on the handle. I recognize the small design engraved in the blade. There is only one Rolyk that uses jagged blades, rubies and a lightning crest.

 

“Queen Yatrise? Why?” I whisper. “How do you know Dark Magyk?”

 

“I’ve always known how. My, how you’ve grown, my dearest daughter!” she coos warmly.

 

“But… why would you kill… wait. Did you call me your daughter? Don’t lie, you evil woman! You’re killing my parents! You’re not my mother, she is!” I cry out indignantly, throwing a finger towards the people lying dead on the bed.

 

“No, sweetie. How do you think you got your straight black hair? Surely not from the people of this kingdom! Everyone here has curly blonde hair. Yes, your grandparents were dark haired. My parents were dark haired. Please, sweetheart, you must know the truth now!” she soothed.

 

“But why? Why would you abandon me?” I rise to my feet, angry tears streaming down my face.

“I didn’t want to, dear, but once the people of Tyrilic found out I could use Dark Magyk they began to look to you as a threat. They would’ve killed you, my baby, but I faked your death. I told them you had drowned in a swamp you had made. You were only a year old.” Her deep purple eyes held much sorrow.

“I don’t remember that. You’re lying!” I close my eyes and shake my head, black hair falling in my face.

 

“I know, sweetie, I know. You were so young. I’m not lying, but I’m sorry I had to leave you. I didn’t want to see you killed. Please forgive me!” She begs me, stepping closer. “My, how beautiful you’ve grown! I’ve heard of your adventures with Magyk. You’re much smarter and stronger than anyone alive now.” She compliments me, stepping close enough to place a hand on my right shoulder. I’m too shocked to move away.

 

“But why would you kill Mother and Father? Or rather, King Tyral and Queen Sintara?”

 

“They were going to have you killed. Have you wondered why there have been more and more guards everywhere you go?”

 

“They told me it was because they heard rumors of a band of assassins.”

“No, my dear. They were waiting for you to slip up so they could be rid of you. I’m sorry.” She hugs me close. She smells of Lavender.

 

“Oh.” Is all I mutter before collapsing to the ground in tears. I bury my face in my hands and I feel Queen Yatrise sink next to me. She pulls me closer and I soak her shoulder with my crying.

 

“There, there. I’m sorry it took 15 years of struggle for you to know, but now you do. Now you know who you are! Come home, sweetie, with me.” She lifts my chin to her and I look into her eyes. We look so much alike with purple eyes and long, straight, black hair.

 

“I… I want to, but will the people of Tyrilic accept me? And what of Kryton? This Rolyk needs someone to rule.” I wonder aloud as she gently wipes away my tears with her thumbs.

 

“Of course they will! I've proven that Dark Magyk is not as bad as they say. And the Kryton Cryunsel would never allow you to rule on your own. The Cryunsel will take care of the Rolyk. It’s their job. So, will you come home?” she holds me by my shoulders at arm’s length.

 

“Utique.” I bow my head slightly. “And I’m sorry beforehand for being formal with you. I’ve known them to be my parents, so it will be hard to see you as my mother.”

 

“Yes, yes, of course! I don’t expect you to call me Mother anytime soon. Please, take your time! I understand completely, my daughter.” She smiles at me and hugs me close. “Now, let’s away, shall we?”

 

“Utique… Mother.” I smile slightly, testing the name on my tongue.

 

            She hums happily and walks toward the window. She jumps out and I suppress a shriek as I run to the window and see her rise on a dark cloud. She holds out her hand to me. I cautiously reach towards it and stand on the window sill. I grasp the edges of the window with both hands, ready to jump down to her. She’s standing there, holding her arms out, ready to catch me, when I get tugged backward.

 

“Ryku!” Yatrise screams.

 

“Moth-” my call is cut off.

 

One of the guards, a Captain, has gagged me and used a Bonding spell. He pulls me backwards, towards the door. I struggle to escape, but the Energy ropes tighten around my throat. He yanks me up by my hair and forces my hands farther behind my back. A muffled shout is cut off by a Silence spell. One guard runs to the window and another to the bed.

 

“Sir! No one’s out there. Only the Princess was in here.” The guard by the window announces.

 

“Sir… they’re dead.” The guard by the bed reports.

 

“Dead? Are you sure there’s no one else here?” The Captain asks, doubtful.

 

“Utique, sir.” They agree in unison.

“Then everything points to the Princess. I’m doubtful she murdered her own parents, but as no one else is here she must stand trial in front of the Cryunsel. Take her to the dungeon and arrange the King and Queen’s funerals.” The commander orders, handing me to the guard closest to him. He exits the room, his red officer’s cape billowing behind him. The storm outside has subsided, but the storm in my heart has only begun.

 

            After the traditional mourning week after a person’s death, there is a funeral procession, at night, from the dead person’s home to the ocean. Their body is placed on a small rowboat with a ceramic mask of their likeness and a few things they enjoyed in life; mostly food and pictures were given to them, as well as small trinkets and keepsakes. Then the boat would be sailed out a little while and an archer would shoot a flaming arrow. Then the people would watch for a little before leaving the deceased person’s family to mourn their loss by light of the fire. Once the fire subsides, the family returns home and mourns another week. Traditionally, friends would bring food and supplies to the family as they would not leave the house.

 

            For the Royal family, the process is different. There is a long procession through town to the ocean. However, the Royals are buried in the catacombs. Only the blood of a Royal could open the doors to the burial halls. The bodies are placed in decorated coffins, covered with pictures of their accomplishments. I am at the head of the procession, just in front of the coffins, surrounded by prison guards. I’m wearing a long white mourning dress. The loose sleeves and high neckline help to hide the chains that tie me. The guard in charge of me, my Elite Guard Kyrin, is nice. He puts a Silence spell on me, so my chains don’t rattle. The people of Kryton don’t yet know what happened. The rumors are that an assassin snuck in and killed them. No one knows of the trial I’m to have tomorrow.

 

In the coffins, I hear silver goblets and special jewelry rattling. My parents are buried with their most prized possessions, to take with them to the afterlife. They wear ceramic masks, painted to look like their faces. The coffins have no lids. My mother is dressed in a long, loose purple dress. It has a low V-shaped neckline and loose sleeves. A white sash around her waist compliments her pearl necklace and crystal tiara. She wears a little bit of rose lip gloss to make her look more alive.

 

My father is dressed in a black long sleeve shirt and a purple vest. He wears brown leather pants. His family ring is missing from its place on his right hand. His ring will be passed on to the next male heir, and my mother’s is to be passed on to the next female heir. They are used as wedding rings, as well.

 

As the only remaining Royal, I prick my finger and dot the blood on the wall next to the door. It’s a sacrifice to the gods for protecting the catacombs. The blood also serves to keep the Protection Magyk strong. Blood sacrifices are not allowed anymore because they are Blood Magyk, which is forbidden. However, there is no Magyk stronger than Blood Magyk, so the Royals of long ago decided to keep the spell, in order to protect the dead.

 

Once I offer my blood, the doors carve themselves into the stony hill and slide open silently. I walk into the damp hallway and walk down the slight ramp. It falls slightly before spiraling downward, towards the earth’s center. Shelves are carved into the walls of the stone to hold the coffins. The stone path is 10 feet wide, enough room for a coffin and two rows of guards to carry it.

 

 I walk along in determined silence. My bare feet make no sound, but I can hear the shoes of the two guards stepping in sync behind me. There are 12 guards behind them, 6 carrying each coffin. There is little sound in this city of bones besides the guards stepping in unison and the slight twinkle of the items in my parents’ coffins. The center column of stone glows a luminous light blue from the moss on the stone. I stare in awe and wonder at the old coffins, wondering what secrets and mysteries they hold.

 

Trailed by the guards, I lead the way to my parents’ final resting places. My mind is swirling and I feel sick. A nauseous confusion has set in and it won’t go away. I stumble and one of the watch guards catches me. My chains don’t rattle because of the Silence spell he cast on me. However, I can’t speak, either, so I mouth “Thank you, Kyrin” and clasp my hands together and bow. He’s on duty, so he can’t break out of formation to return my thanks.

 

Instead, he nods slightly and smiles a big grin when the other guard isn’t watching. He’s only an Apprentice, so he must be on his best behavior to prove himself worthy of being promoted to my personal guard when I come of age. His beautiful face instantly changes to an expressionless one as the other guard looks at him. Lieutenant Apyri is very strict about rules, and even more so with Apprentices. She says it’s so they learn the proper way of things before they disregard minor technicalities.

 

I continue walking, unsteadily, down the ramp. It’s been carved a little past the previous coffins so that new ones can be placed without having to wait long to carve out a shelf. Once my parents’ final funeral ceremony is done, authorized miners will wait a week before carving out more space past my parents’ coffins. Guards will watch them to make sure they don’t vandalize the treasures of past Royals. There is enough space for 6 more coffins past the previous one. I stop at the last one, my grandmother’s, and utter a quick prayer before walking past the two shelves that will be my parents’.

Nana, please help me. I’m lost and confused. I don’t know what to do now. Please help me and guide me. Please, I beg you to show me what to do. You’ve always helped me before, and I ask this final thing of you. Please, Nana. Please!

 

            I stand and watch, tearfully, as the guards slide my father’s coffin into the wall. Only the end of his death box shows, facing out to the hall. A Hearing rune and Prayer Star decorate the end of it. Once the guards are done sliding his coffin into the wall, they salute his coffin while I recite the death prayer.

 

“May the gods watch over you and protect your soul on your journey to their lands. May their Fyr fuel your spirit to keep watch over the living. May their Ayr grant you travel across the world. May their Watyr  fuel your people. May their Erth grant you a place to rest. Go swiftly and peacefully. Nemka.

           

We do the same with my mother’s coffin. Once we finish, the guards leave me to mourn for an hour, as is tradition. However, because I am considered a “dangerous criminal” at least one guard must watch me, and as my personal guard, Kyrin is not allowed to leave my side. All the guards but Kyrin leave, walking back through the spiraling catacombs. Once they are out of sight and earshot, I crumple to the floor and burst into tears. Kyrin breaks his bearing and drops next to me. He places an arm around my shoulders and I lean into him, wrinkling a fistful of my dress in my left hand.

 

“Shh, shh. It’ll be okay.” He coos quietly.

 

“But how do you know? Everyone believes it was me!” I sob pitifully.

 

“Hey. Don’t doubt yourself. I know it wasn’t you, and I’ll stand up for you in the Cryunsel tomorrow. Don’t worry.” He lifts my face to his and we stare into each other’s eyes. “I’ll make it all go away. Please, don’t be sad. It breaks my heart.”

 

His face is so beautiful. I can’t help but stare. My heart flutters in my chest like the doves Father had captured for me as a child. My mind is swirling as I look into his emerald eyes.

 

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just…” I break off in another fit of tears and hiccups. My thoughts are swirling and my head hurts. “I have a headache, now. Stupid me!” I mutter.

“No, you’re not stupid! Here, I’ll make it better.” He comforts me by hugging me close. “Do you feel better, now?”

           

My head still hurts, but I manage to nod. He smiles and pulls me closer. I snuggle deeper into his purple Elite Guardsman uniform and fall asleep. I’m woken up by him standing, gently lifting me with him. He cradles me in his arms and I smile slightly, leaning my head against his shoulder. It’s foggy but I hear a few things of his conversation. I think Lieutenant Apyri has come to say my mourning time is up.

 

“Time’s up, Your Majesty.” She says haughtily.

 

“She’s asleep. I’ll carry her.” Kyrin informs her.

 

“Fine, but she still has a trial tomorrow, sad or not.” Apyri barks. “Now come. Take her straight to the dungeon. You’ll keep watch, as her personal guard. I’ll bring lunch when we get to the castle, and dinner later.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

            He starts up the tunnel and carries me through town. People stare, but Apyri assures them I simply fell asleep in my despair. They shake their heads and smile slightly in pity. I just close my eyes and fall asleep again. I don’t wake up until we get to the castle. He pushes the door to my bedroom open quietly and starts towards the bed.

 

“No, no, no. She’s a criminal. She stays in the dungeon until the trial.” Apyri’s voice rings out behind us.

 

“But she’s asleep. And she’s the Princess. Well, Arch-Princess, now.” Kyrin protests.

 

“No talking back to your commander! She’s a prisoner, and therefore, I order you to put her in the dungeon!” Apyri’s frustration and anger is dripping off her words.

 

“Yes, ma’am.” Kyrin submits. He carries me down to the main floor of the castle, and even further below. We go far underground, to the deepest cells where the worst prisoners are kept. The Rolyk is very peaceful, so any criminals are often kept in the town’s jail for minor crimes, and only for a few days at most. Despite my sleepiness, I can sense where we are and I know we are where the worst of the worst criminals are kept. He sets me down gently on the broken-down bedding.

 

“Ry? May I ask you something?”

 

“Sure. Anything.”

 

“Do you love me?”

 

I sit up slightly and open my eyes more. I see his whole face; his curly blonde hair slicked back, his emerald eyes full of doubt, and his golden skin shiny with sweat. His hand, holding mine ever so gently, shakes with nervousness. I can tell that he’s going to lose what little courage he has if I don’t say something soon.

 

“Ky? Can I say something crazy?”

 

“Anything.” His voice cracks with that one word, and I say the one craziest word I may ever say.

Author's Note

Here's my flashback...