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The old woman worked her way up the well worn tower steps to the rampart. Her footsteps were heavy, and a congested cough slowed her steps further as she leaned against the wall in spasm. Sundown was near and she wanted to view her lands, as they lay now, peaceful and unmolested.
Gold and crimson leaves on the trees spoke of the cold to come, while her people finished their day's work to tend to their hearth and homes. Ersila loved this hour. The way the light played upon her fields of golden wheat, or warmed the sheaves of green grass to release the earthy smell of growing things. How the sun's last rays toyed with the granite keep, first winking grey to blue, to violet, and finally an inky black.
She had sworn an oath to this land, to its people. A Queen's oath. Stewardship of it, her life's dedication, her duty. Same as every Queen before her.
Soon, the acrid smoke of pitch and mortar, mixed with the screams and stench of disemboweled and broken bodies, threatened to overtake the countryside. She closed her eyes a moment to dispel the image. War.
That time had not come... not yet...
Day after day she prayed for a miracle. A solution, something, anything, except turning her granddaughter over to a tyrant such as Uglais.
No, Melinda would be dead within a handful of years, if not sooner, if she did. Uglais had long wanted to possess Melinda, both for her beauty, but mostly for her fertile lands. She would be used as a brood mare, tossed away after the king's pursuit of an heir was satisfied, and the monies from her lands would finance his follies.
"Gentle lady be not alarmed, I am here." The voice intruded, whispered so softly, it felt as if it emanated from within her.
The wisp appeared from the shadows. Amorphous, and feminine in aspect, this being visited her many times over the years... her companion, Odine.
Where Odine, and the other companions came from, Ersila didn't know. It seemed they had always been attached to the land, and the mostly to the matriarchal side of her family. They rarely interacted with anyone else of the human world, unless warranted.
From remembrance, this particular companion had bonded itself to her. Impeccable with her timing, Odine's appearance should not have been the surprise it was. The shade always lent Ersila aid and service in times of trouble and indecision, or the simple act of solace in times of sorrow.
Odine had been asked to intercede with the companions, and see if they would join Ersila's army. Her heart dared a twinge of possibility, and where possibility lay, there was hope.
"Odine, forgive, I had broken faith that you would return! I apologize. Admonish me, say what you will, but please, may I have their answer?"
"The Earth itself lends a solution for the -dilemma- placed before you. The earth decided it will keep your grandaughter, and your people safe... for a sacrifice."
"Sac-sacrifice? I don't understand, what is meant by this? A sacrifice? Odine - there are certain lines I will not cross!" Protested Ersila, horrified.
"Be calm, my lady." Odine rushed to assure her. "Your people, and granddaughter will be safe. What is asked is you gift your right to the throne to Melinda. Perform the ceremony. Let her take the oath, and allow Melinda to become Queen."
"The Earth will rise to protect its Queen, Ersila. It will swallow Uglais, and his army, whole. They will not get through."
After deep consideration, Ersila, quietly inquired. "I have yet to speak with Melinda about the Monarch's Oath, do I have the Earth's permission to do so?"
"It is already being done by her companion, Reina, my Lady."
"I see." An underlying hurt, coated Ersila's answer.
"I had faith in your answer, Ersila. I pray I did not offend? The Oath must pass freely, between you." Came Odine's gentle reply.
Ersila shook her head, "No Odine, you didn't offend. I thank you for your intercession. My gratitude is boundless. I do have one request if you will, we can discuss it while we gather the priest."
*******
Dawn found Ersila and Melinda with palms cut, and knuckles deep in the rich soil, an acorn planted between them. Ersila removed her hands and left Melinda's in place.
Melinda spoke the words of power, and the land awakened to her touch. A tender shoot grew between her fingers. A smile touched Melinda's eyes, and gleamed with delight that the earth accepted and recognized her, her grandmother shed a single tear of regret.
Shortly before sundown, Ersila once again wearily climbed the steps of the tower. This time her step was lighter, but she felt... drained. The events of the day had steadily tired her, and with a fierce hug, Ersila left her granddaughter to revel in her newfound magic.
The transference was almost complete. Melinda wouldn't have agreed, if she understood the full truth. Ersila rested on a crenellation, and quietly gazed at the sky and waited.
This time she wasn't surprised when Odine came,
And they walked into the night...
Gold and crimson leaves on the trees spoke of the cold to come, while her people finished their day's work to tend to their hearth and homes. Ersila loved this hour. The way the light played upon her fields of golden wheat, or warmed the sheaves of green grass to release the earthy smell of growing things. How the sun's last rays toyed with the granite keep, first winking grey to blue, to violet, and finally an inky black.
She had sworn an oath to this land, to its people. A Queen's oath. Stewardship of it, her life's dedication, her duty. Same as every Queen before her.
Soon, the acrid smoke of pitch and mortar, mixed with the screams and stench of disemboweled and broken bodies, threatened to overtake the countryside. She closed her eyes a moment to dispel the image. War.
That time had not come... not yet...
Day after day she prayed for a miracle. A solution, something, anything, except turning her granddaughter over to a tyrant such as Uglais.
No, Melinda would be dead within a handful of years, if not sooner, if she did. Uglais had long wanted to possess Melinda, both for her beauty, but mostly for her fertile lands. She would be used as a brood mare, tossed away after the king's pursuit of an heir was satisfied, and the monies from her lands would finance his follies.
"Gentle lady be not alarmed, I am here." The voice intruded, whispered so softly, it felt as if it emanated from within her.
The wisp appeared from the shadows. Amorphous, and feminine in aspect, this being visited her many times over the years... her companion, Odine.
Where Odine, and the other companions came from, Ersila didn't know. It seemed they had always been attached to the land, and the mostly to the matriarchal side of her family. They rarely interacted with anyone else of the human world, unless warranted.
From remembrance, this particular companion had bonded itself to her. Impeccable with her timing, Odine's appearance should not have been the surprise it was. The shade always lent Ersila aid and service in times of trouble and indecision, or the simple act of solace in times of sorrow.
Odine had been asked to intercede with the companions, and see if they would join Ersila's army. Her heart dared a twinge of possibility, and where possibility lay, there was hope.
"Odine, forgive, I had broken faith that you would return! I apologize. Admonish me, say what you will, but please, may I have their answer?"
"The Earth itself lends a solution for the -dilemma- placed before you. The earth decided it will keep your grandaughter, and your people safe... for a sacrifice."
"Sac-sacrifice? I don't understand, what is meant by this? A sacrifice? Odine - there are certain lines I will not cross!" Protested Ersila, horrified.
"Be calm, my lady." Odine rushed to assure her. "Your people, and granddaughter will be safe. What is asked is you gift your right to the throne to Melinda. Perform the ceremony. Let her take the oath, and allow Melinda to become Queen."
"The Earth will rise to protect its Queen, Ersila. It will swallow Uglais, and his army, whole. They will not get through."
After deep consideration, Ersila, quietly inquired. "I have yet to speak with Melinda about the Monarch's Oath, do I have the Earth's permission to do so?"
"It is already being done by her companion, Reina, my Lady."
"I see." An underlying hurt, coated Ersila's answer.
"I had faith in your answer, Ersila. I pray I did not offend? The Oath must pass freely, between you." Came Odine's gentle reply.
Ersila shook her head, "No Odine, you didn't offend. I thank you for your intercession. My gratitude is boundless. I do have one request if you will, we can discuss it while we gather the priest."
*******
Dawn found Ersila and Melinda with palms cut, and knuckles deep in the rich soil, an acorn planted between them. Ersila removed her hands and left Melinda's in place.
Melinda spoke the words of power, and the land awakened to her touch. A tender shoot grew between her fingers. A smile touched Melinda's eyes, and gleamed with delight that the earth accepted and recognized her, her grandmother shed a single tear of regret.
Shortly before sundown, Ersila once again wearily climbed the steps of the tower. This time her step was lighter, but she felt... drained. The events of the day had steadily tired her, and with a fierce hug, Ersila left her granddaughter to revel in her newfound magic.
The transference was almost complete. Melinda wouldn't have agreed, if she understood the full truth. Ersila rested on a crenellation, and quietly gazed at the sky and waited.
This time she wasn't surprised when Odine came,
And they walked into the night...
