Desert Mirage-A Million Doors to Eternity
Chapter 2
‘This wasn’t so bad,’ she thought, as she shifted uncomfortably in
her seat, ignoring the numbness that was slowly spreading through her.
‘So this is what it feels, to know your fate. I was going to die anyways
but…’ Setsuna, sensing the girl’s foreboding emotions, reached over,
her eyes caring and gentle as she let her long fingers clasp down around
Serenity’s own hands in a comforting manner.
“It is not death that you have to fear,” Setsuna told her, gently.
“Death is nothing. A body always dies, again and again, but the soul,
the soul will always live on.”
Setsuna’s voice was hypnotic, a gentle breeze in Serenity’s ear.
Setsuna’s speech was a contrast from the previous words she had spoken.
“Your soul will live on, growing anew with the arising day. Death will
never be the end, Serenity; you still have your soul.”
“…is he waiting for me,” Serenity asked, surprised at the question
that randomly jumped into her mind, into the conscious. It was he… he
that she dreamed of. A person she couldn’t touch, she didn’t know, but
knew with all her heart. A person she loved, she hated…someone she could
never do without. A person she bound herself to, only to rip herself away
from him.
But why was she asking this? It was silly of her, for she did not know of
him, this person, this façade that she dreamed of. But Setsuna did.
Setsuna knew of whom she spoke about, who she thought about, who she
dreamt about. Setsuna tighten her grasp on her hand. “He will always
be.”
Serenity closed her eyes, emotions stirring. There were only two words
that seemed appropriate at this almost sacred moment.
“Thank you.”
They spoke no more. A rough voice behind the two interrupted any other
further conversation that they might have had.
“Mistress, your uncle requires your presence at home,” the guard said,
his eyes narrowed at the stranger, hand on his weapon, wary of any danger.
Surprised, Serenity looked up, to see five guards all awaiting her. She
had been so engrossed in her conversation with Setsuna that she hadn’t
even noticed their arrival. So ends another foray into the real world,
Serenity thought. She stood, as did Setsuna.
“I’ve lost all track of time,” Serenity said sheepishly, as she gave
Setsuna a smile. No matter how discreet the guards were being, the people
who milled around the marketplace were already shooting discreet stares
their way. Even though her uncle had always ordered the guards to be as
‘normal’ as possible, they still looked and acted like bodyguards.
And, being the focus of their attention, people naturally wondered who she
was and why a phalanx of guards was escorting her. It was annoying, but
she did know that the situation was immutable, given who she was.
The lead guard’s piercing glare was on Setsuna’s hand, even as the
older woman let Serenity’s smaller hand slip from her own. Her oddly
scarlet eyes were kind as Setsuna regarded Serenity with a smile. “You
are a special soul, princess,” she whispered, audible only to Serenity
and the surrounding guards.
Before the head guard could wonder about Setsuna’s intentions, Setsuna
uttered a small blessing of good fortune for Serenity, and returned to her
shop. Serenity watched her leave before she turned her attention to the
retrieval team. “Let’s leave,” she said, her smile gone. She was
bound to be in for quite a scolding.
***
“I cannot believe that you would put yourself in jeopardy like that,
niece!” The silver-haired man paced in his grand chambers, his face
lined with age, the fading tan of his face reddening slightly with his
agitation. His hands were locked behind his back, his old arms rigid from
worry. He faced the young woman, his green eyes glossy from exertion. “I
realize that you wish for time outside the palace walls, but you know that
danger lurks out there. If anyone were to recognize you, they might try to
harm you while you were outside my protection and care.” He frowned at
Serenity, who was looking quite contrite.
“I am sorry, uncle,” she muttered softly. No matter what, she did
truly regret causing her uncle any amount of worry. He was always so kind
to her, so loving, and she never wished to cause him any distress.
He softened, slightly, and sighed. Bringing his arms up, his cupped his
niece’s face gently. “You know why I worry, Serenity. I regret that
you have to be cooped up in this place, but there is no helping it.”
Serenity sighed and hugged her uncle, her silver hair glistening in the
fading sunlight streaming from the windows. He ran a wrinkled hand through
her long locks and down her back, the man seemingly sensing that Serenity
was torn, emotionally. “I love you,” Serenity said quietly, “uncle,
and I know that you do all of this out of love. But there are times where
I just wish…”
“I know, little one. If only you were allowed the freedom of so many
young people outside the palace walls. You would be free to do so many
things.” He pushed her away, enough so that they could make eye contact.
“This is the burden of your birthright. You are my most capable of
descendants. When I pass-“
She shook her head. “You must not speak of such things. That is bad
luck.” She looked a bit agitated.
He chuckled. “All of us are human, little one, and when my time does
come, I want you to take my place as ruler of this land. You are fair,
loving, and wise, Serenity, and would serve the people with all your
abilities.” His eyes grew sad. “With all the wealth, power, and
privilege, we are ultimately here to serve the people. And that means we
are bound by duty.”
Serenity had heard her uncle speak about this subject many times. Every
time she snuck outside, to be exact. She picked up her uncle’s speech.
“Even the poorest man of the kingdom has more freedom than we, but as
the ruling family of this land, this is our burden, our responsibility. I
know, uncle.”
They shared a sad smile. It was true, that both of them yearned to live
their own lives, not the lives as dictated to them by circumstances of
birth. But Serenity’s uncle, the Sultan, had accepted his fate and done
as he had to. So would Serenity, they both knew, when the time came. And
it saddened them both, to be caught up and trapped.
“If you went out with a proper entourage, it would be much safer for
you.” Before Serenity could sputter her protests, her uncle continued,
“I know, it’s not the same as being alone and anonymous, but it’s
the only way to ensure your protection.”
Serenity didn’t like the thought about being crowded about by her
uncle’s men, but looking at the way her uncle pleaded to her, almost
desperately, she couldn’t help but comply with his wishes. Her uncle was
the Sultan, ruler of an entire kingdom; the last thing he needed was one
more little thing to worry about.
“Yes, uncle,” she murmured, defeated.
Her uncle shot her a large grin and gave her a hefty hug, lifting her up
into the air as if she weighed nothing and he was not nearing sixty. She
giggled in his arms as he swung her around. “Thank you, Serenity. Now
run along darling, I’ll see you again during supper time.”
She complied with his wishes with a salute before departing off, through
the double doors and into the hallways. With a sigh, she contemplated her
new situation. She hoped that her guards wouldn’t cause a ruckus and
scare anyone like the young guard did today when she met Setsuna.
“Serenity!” A new voice interrupted her thoughts, as she gazed up at
the figure. It was her cousin, Dionysus, a young man not much older than
her, but who towered a whole head over her. His own fair honey-colored
locks were touched by sunlight, unlike Serenity’s moonlight silver hair.
Upon his ordinary face was a concerned expression, his green eyes scanning
Serenity’s form, checking for any signs of physical harm. “I heard you
left the palace walls today. Uncle was very worried.”
“Dionysus!” Serenity exclaimed, a rueful smile gracing her face.
“Yes, I know… uncle was very worried. He told me to always bring my
guards with me when I go out now.” She grimaced, which made Dionysus
laugh.
“You know that it’s dangerous out there, Serenity,” he gently chided
her, even as the two wound their way to the wing of the palace that held
both their personal suites.
Serenity fidgeted uncomfortably. There was a marked difference between her
and Dionysus. While her cousin was straight-laced and well-behaved, never
going beyond the boundaries of the rules that had been set for him by
their uncle, Serenity was constantly wondering about the world beyond the
one that had been created for her. Even when they were young, her cousin
did everything that was expected of him, while Serenity was rebellious and
stubborn, neglecting her studies as much as possible.
That wasn’t to say that Serenity was not intelligent. Everyone knew that
she possessed a sharp wit and keen intellect. When truly called upon, she
comprehended everything that her tutors imparted to her while the rest of
her kin, like her cousin, often had to struggle with their own individual
weak-points. But Serenity just did not relish the pretense and intricacies
of politics. She made herself as scarce as possible at any royal functions
and snuck out of the palace when she could. She often felt that her
relatives were much more adept at the false niceties and meaningless words
that were often passed around at those functions and even told her uncle
that she believed that they would be better candidates for Sultan in the
future.
But her uncle had a completely different opinion. “Serenity, it isn’t
the behavior that makes a person a great Sultan. It is a genuine love for
the people and a heartfelt commitment to seeing to their welfare that
marks a great Sultan.”
Even though he told her as well as her agreeing with it, she could still
feel herself wish that it was anyone but her. She wanted to go out into
the world and look at it with eyes wide open and just live without the
need of restraints, without anything pulling her down. She was a restless
spirit, someone that could not stand being imprisoned into a life like
this. Especially now after the woman told her the fate that existed for
her.
Death was near for her; the words convicted her to the dismal fate that
awaited her. She felt a deep chill in her bones and the uneasy feeling of
a lack of resolution that snapped through her every so often making it
difficult for her to breath. It was all because of him, she knew. It was
he that made her heart yearn and ache and despise with a passionate fury
and longing. It was him that she wanted with everything she had…
But it was him that she did not have.
Not since that legend condemned him to his death, and she to her own?
She burrowed her brow and contemplated the meaning before realizing that
she was losing herself in her thoughts. She looked up at emerald eyes
gazing at her, filled with worry. She waved her arm about senselessly,
“It’s nothing. Just drifting off a tad.”
“Serenity, I hope you do understand how grave the situation is. You
mustn’t leave the palace unaccompanied, especially since you are a part
of the royal court. There are people out there who aren’t too fond of
Uncle and would feel no qualms about using you as a method to get to him.
Not to mention the fact that you are beautiful. There are slavers that
would snap at the chance to kidnap you and sell you off to the highest
bidder. Please understand, Serenity, how important it is for you to be
accompanied by a guard. It is a dire necessity.”
Serenity felt herself grow guilty at her behavior. He was correct, and she
knew that her uncle would give up anything in order to get her back if
such a situation were ever to occur. “Yes Dio, I understand. I
shouldn’t have left the palace unaccompanied. I will not do so again.”
He nodded, satisfied at her words, before bidding her a good day and
disappearing to his chambers. Even though she was resigned, Serenity
couldn’t help but hate her status even more. In a small fit of
rebellion, she lashed out with her foot, as if she could prevent the
inevitable from happening with a well-placed kick. But the only thing she
got for her efforts was a flash of pain from her foot meeting the wall. It
seemed even the palace was mocking her, proving to her in no uncertain
terms that it would prevail in the end. Dejected, she hobbled off to her
rooms, wishing for something to change her fate.
***
CP: Okay now, let's not blame anyone for the uhhh, long time this fic took
to get out. I mean.... Well... *looks innocently* It wasn't MY fault....
Okay, so maybe it was but still, this story is getting written is it not?
That's why we should all be grateful for that one fact. Yes yes.
Kii: Blame? There is much too much blame running around the world these
days! Uh...yeah. So anyhoo, it's written, so that's the whole goal, right?
Done deal. I mean...I don't have anything very interesting to say, since I
don't have that much energy for creativity at this hour. We promise to get
more out soon, so that you guys won't have to wait too long.
