Forever Graced With Light

Khalib describes his first encounter with Amaede

It was a cool fall evening a twelve years ago, and he could remember the smell of pumpkin spices in the air from nearby villagers. He and his family were traveling around the borders of the dark kingdom as a lesson in his kingdoms geography, and possible locations to seek shelter during the day. They were nearing the borders of the light kingdom castle, and his family rested for the day in the forest where it was dark and quiet. He was up first before his entire family that evening, and he decided to take a tiny walk to observe the area. Careful to avoid the remaining sunlight of the day he played around like it was a battlefield avoiding the light bombs that would pierce through the trees. He laughed as he jumped against trees to rebound around the light, and he saw some bushes and jumped right over them. He grinned at his jumping skills, but then realized that he ran right onto a main road. He looked down one side of the road, and saw a bridge off in the distance with a stream running under it. He looked down the other side of the road, and saw the trail disappear off into the distance. He looked back towards the bridge and sighed knowing that it was too light over there for him to see the stream, but he shrugged and walked over anyways. As he approached the bridge, he stopped just at the edge of the shade of the tree so he could see stream. 

There were dozens of flowers planted near the entrance to the bridge. He smiled delighted to see them in the daylight for the first time knowing what a rarity it is to see a flower in his kingdom. With these small gifts that nature provides, he always wished that he could live amongst people in the daylight. So many colors, so many experiences he could have, and to have that sense of rejuvenation to the sun that he has heard people experiencing in religion books and it made him envious towards the light kingdom, and even the halfa kingdom.

He looked down the opposite side of the road hearing the distant clatter of horses and a carriage. He gasped seeing soldiers following along side the carriage on horses, and he quickly ran into the trees, and into a shadier spot in case if he would be caught he could make an escape. He crouched down, and saw the horses stop just close by enough to him on the road. He froze as he saw the guards opening the doors, and he saw King Amur standing inside the carriage, and he climbed down, and the boy could tell he was royal by the glow of his skin. As the king made his way down to the ground he held his hands up and a little girl of glowing hair jumped and was caught by Amur. The girl giggled as the Amur set her down. He rubbed his eyes noticing that is was the princess, Amaede, and he couldn’t believe it. She looked very much like her father, golden hair, the royal glow, a slightly angular face, and deep blue eyes. The boy slowly felt his heart flutter when the girl looked towards his direction, and that moment on he was hooked to her. The boy bit his lip trying to withhold his blushing as he felt himself fall head over heels for her.

“My dear Amaede, is this where you left your doll?” Amur knelt down and asked his daughter. He placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, and smiled lovingly.

“Yes Daddy, I was playing out here during our picnic yesterday, and I forgot to grab her. I hope she is ok!” She said worried holding onto her father tightly. Her eyes began to tear up as she rubbed her eyes with her hand. 

“Well go check and see ok? She should still be out there I bet, but be quick ok? Night is approaching and we don’t want to be caught out here ok?” the king reassured and asked her. He stood up giving her the clear to venture off.

Amaede simply nodded as she walked towards the boy looking for her doll.

The boy gasped and looked around him, and saw the doll nestled up against the tree. It was a cute doll, pink dress, long golden hair, and it looked like it could’ve been a toy version of the princess. He turned around, and saw on the ground two little pearl shoes, and he slowly looked up seeing the little girl right in front of him. He gasped again as he quickly crawled back away from her. He felt a slight burn on his skin to her presence.

“Don’t worry I won’t hurt you!” The little girl said and smiled sweetly. “Have you seen my doll? Her name is Esmerelda and she has golden hair like me?” She asked again and her blue eyes pierced right into the boys heart. Khalib stared right back at her realizing this was the first direct eye contact he has ever made with someone of the opposite element. She smiled in a way that automatically determined that they were friends, and it just soothed him. He closed his eyes and barely stuttered out, “sh-h-she is a-at th-the tree!” He looked around hoping there weren’t any guards nearby. He tried to not wince to her natural glow.

  The little girl turned around and clapped seeing the doll. “I missed you!” She said to the doll and hugged her tightly. “You have to tell me everything that you did while I was gone! I expect a full report by the time we get back home!” She scolded her doll as she turned back to the boy. “You saved the day! Now how do I address my dolls savior?” She asked the boy and leaned forward closely to him observing the strange looking boy. Her necklace that depicted of an angel dangled off her chest as she smiled. Amaede could see his near porcelain skin, short black hair, and golden eyes the boy possessed and not realizing that he was a boy who belonged in the dark kingdom. She just thought she made a cute new friend.

The boy swallowed slowly to contain his composure, as he replied, “my name is Khalib.” He couldn’t let his eyes break his gaze towards her, and he finished, “take good care of Esmerelda ok?” 

“Of course! Hey Daddy!” Amaede yelled and smiled. “Come here!” She said and beckoned him over.

Khalib froze not knowing what to do, and knowing very well that this king hunts people like him who are out of their territory. He looked around figuring a way out, and he saw her turn around. He never tried a invisibility charm yet, but he closed his eyes and stuck out his hand. He saw the black smoke collect around him, and he gasped seeing as the smoke dissipating and his body was no longer there. He saw Amaede turn around and tilt her head confused.

“Hey! Where did you go Khalib? My father just wanted to say thank you too!” Amaede called out to him. 

Amur grabbed his daughter’s hand, and asked, “did you make a new friend Amaede?” He smiled and looked down at her. Thinking of nothing more but one of her imaginary friends she has frequently.

“No I saw him! And now he is gone! I don’t understand! I know that I saw the little boy named Khalib!” She said pointing at the spot where he was still sitting at too frustrated to move.

“I see well it’s getting late we should get going home ok,” Amur said not thinking of anything out of the ordinary, and began guiding her back to the carriage.

“Ok!” She said and followed him, carrying Esmeralda in her other hand.

Khalib watched the princess and her father climb into the carriage of gold and pearl. He watched the carriage depart over the bridge and he faded back into shape, and felt sleepy. 

“Khalib!” he heard a familiar voice.

He turned his head quickly and stood up realizing what time it was.

“KHALIB WHERE ARE YOU!” the voice of his father yelled louder.

Khalib ran to return to his family thinking about his encounter with that beautiful girl. She was so gentle. So kind. So opposite to most of the folk of his kingdom. He didn’t know what to think of his pretty much fatal attraction towards her. He wanted to keep his little light safe. Away from prying eyes of whomsoever sees of her with ill thoughts. Unfortunately, for those thoughts he would have to keep to himself for as long as he shall live.

Years later, as his power grew, he was able to finally see the princess again by watching her sleep on very few and far in between nights when the moon as at it’s weakest glow. Sometimes he was as bold as to come on more powerful nights when the moon would be at it’s fullest. He watched her grow, but he also watched her failing power over the Shadow’s curse. Even being the Prince of the Night he couldn’t prevent Juru’s everlasting grip.

Reviews

[jjwilbourne]

I enjoyed this very much. I found the actions of the children to be very believable. I'm coming to understand the world of the characters at a nice rate. The learning curve isn't too steep so far and this makes it very readable. I would cut down on the use of the word "ok" if possible. Not that its very unrealistic (especially when talking to a young child) but it has a real world zing to it. This is just a preference of mine. So you may want to disregard this advice if you don't agree.
I'm not sure if you're head hoping intentially because I'm not sure if you're intending this story to be in 3rd person limited or unlimited. As I stated in my last review, I liked the idea of it being in unlimited. If you're continuing this intentially, you could fill out this chapter a bit more by taking advantage of this narration style by protraying the feelings, thoughts and intentions of the king and princess a little more while still focusing on Khlib.
If you intend it to be in 3rd person limited, that's okay too but you will need to go through and make sure you're not POV hoping to avoid confusion and give a stronger sense of consistancy.
My 2 cents.
Stoked on reading more!