Chapter Six #2
I was only half listening, my head bobbing along as I took in the grounds before us.
Up ahead stood the massive structure of the Solerian Palace, home to the Tavarrian royalty.
Any pretense I made of listening drained away as I admired the beauty of it, architecture in its most splendid form—art.
It was made of the same strong sunstone of the walls that surrounded the perimeter of the grounds, four tall spires reaching high into the sky melding into the pinks and blues as if they were a part of the sky themselves.
It was then that I realized that perhaps sunstone wasn’t meant to mimic fire, but instead the light of day.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if you could touch the clouds from those top rooms, the thought bringing a smile to my lips.
A thousand gilded windows reflected the light, nearly blinding as my eyes traced the walls.
Golden details of vines, flowers, and trees entwined into the sunstone covering the structure.
It was beautiful, and I couldn’t imagine how long it must have taken to build such an extraordinary thing.
“Enough gawking, girl. We’re already behind schedule, hurry your pace.”
Steps quickening, she led me down a familiar pathway. One I had travelled over many times with Merle who was frequently called to the Institute to consult with the Potion Masters.
Cresting a hill, I smiled at the little valley that came into view. It was like a small town within the palace grounds to accommodate the apprentices that travelled far and wide, from all over Tavari, to complete their trials.
The buildings that would house the apprentices neatly lined one end of the valley while a small market lined the other.
A large building towards the back of the valley named the Institute, was where the trials took place, and in the center of it all was a beautiful garden.
The path of walking stones splitting off and going every which way was surrounded by a stunning array of flowers.
The floral smell overpowering all other senses as we walked closer.
Trees were also scattered throughout the garden, great big drooping moonwillows, blooming fire blossom trees, and large oaks to offer shade in the summer. It was pure serenity and everytime I stepped foot here, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to leave.
I picked nervously at my nail beds as I followed the thin woman through the gardens, guilt easing its way through my veins.
I hadn't told Merle what the Prince had proposed, had yet to even tell Bran.
I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go. I knew I would have to speak to Bran about it before I made a decision since I had rashly dragged him into it as well.
However, Merle was a different story. The woman had far too much on her shoulders already, she didn't need to worry about this as well.
We approached the housing then, my building the third from the first, a large structure made of white stone that had vibrant green vines trailing all over it.
Spinning as we entered, I took in the elegant dark wood flooring and high ceilings.
There were plants everywhere in the building.Little potted things that lined the walls, great big ferns that hung from the rafters, flowers that bloomed along the stairway railings.
"Do all the buildings look like this?" I was awestruck.
While Merle had brought me to the Apprentice Pavilion before, it was only ever to the Institute that housed the trials and held the offices of the Palace Masters.
Whether it was to receive advice or give it, we had never stayed long enough for me to explore.
"Each housing unit has its own unique theme–this house was created by those blessed with the naturist magic of the Goddess Soli.
It is an ode to their love for the gifts the Goddess bestowed upon them, their life's work in fact.
" The answer left me stunned as we continued up the stairs where I noticed sunlight filtered in through glass panels adorning the high ceiling.
An elegant woven rug ran down the staircase we climbed, a beautiful fern green that contrasted so perfectly against the dark, shining wood of the stairs.
It wasn't long before we stopped at a door, the Master's hand reaching out to rap three harsh knocks upon it.
It swung open lazily, a wild mane of curls—sun bleached to a pretty honey golden color—poked out before warm hazel eyes met mine.
Jumping, my heart raced as the woman let out a small squeal and tugged me by arm into the room calling out to the woman in the corridor, "I've got it from here Master Devram, thank you! "
The door shut with a resounding thud before the vibrant girl turned to face me, nose wrinkling ever so slightly as she whispered, "Cecila Devram is such a thorn, I can hardly stand more than three seconds of her company before I want to rip my hair from my head."
Fighting a smile, I took in the woman that would be my roommate for the next few weeks.
Her honey gold hair was a wild and beautiful halo of tight curls, her hazel eyes sharp and sparkling with excitement.
She had a long, elegant nose that flattened ever so slightly at the tip complimenting her high cheekbones.
Her skin was perhaps a few shades darker than my own natural olive, rich and tawny with the shimmering golden tattoos of the Solerian soldiers inked in various spots.
My brows rose at the inked blessings as my gaze sharpened, looking past the elegant pale blue dress that contrasted so beautifully against her skin, to the muscle that corded her body.
This woman was a warrior. She was taller than I was, at least by a few inches, and despite her charm, I detected the predator that lay in wait behind practiced smiles and sultry eyes.
Even as those sharp eyes assessed me back, perhaps finding the same strength I had, there was no malice in her gaze. Only excitement and perhaps, surprise?
I instantly liked her, figuring we’d get along just fine.
"Oh I'm just so excited to finally meet you, Kai's told me so much about you and—"
I froze, brows scrunching in confusion, "I'm sorry, Kai?"
"My cousin? Prince Kairen?" She gasped at my look of surprise.
"Oh he didn't tell you? That prick," she muttered before giving a hesitant smile.
"My name is Rena, Kai pulled a few strings to get us roomed together for your trials in case you decided to come on the quest. Honestly, I think he just wanted you to see that we're not all moody like Roan is, so you wouldn't be nervous about spending so much time on the road with—”
"He did what?" My arms crossed tight over my chest as I snapped, "is it not enough that I agreed to think about it?"
Rena grimaced slightly at my tone, offering a weak smile. "Let us talk no more of the quest then," she insisted. "Regardless of how it came to be, we're roommates and I still need to show you around and get you acquainted with everything."
Lips pursing, I shifted to toss my bag upon the empty bed behind me. It was clear the one pressed against the opposite wall was Rena's as it was covered in a variety of pink and lavender pillows with various books and notebooks splayed open.
Would the entirety of my trials be consumed by this Goddess damned quest?
My resolve slowly crumbled as Rena wrung her hands, eyes hesitant with a tentative kindness.
"Very well then," I conceded with a sigh, "but no talk of the quest."
"What quest?" Her reply was playful and had a reluctant smile tilting the corners of my mouth.
Rena was true to her word, the entire tour she didn't utter a word about the quest. Goddess knew the girl could talk, not a minute of silence could pass by before she thought up a question, topic, or piece of advice that sent her into some new tangent.
I didn't mind, listening passively without saying much as we walked.
We made our way through a garden path and I found it hard to focus on whatever Rena spoke of as I took in all the beautiful plants. It was like walking through a fairytale.
I imagined that this is what the Kingdom of the Sun Goddess would look like in the afterlife.
It wasn't long before we were stepping from the garden and into the small market that resembled the one outside the palace.
There was a line of carts with various things being sold, however it wasn't nearly as large or crowded.
A few buildings lined the walkways as well; I noted a seamstresses shop and what looked like a tavern at the very end of the row.
A question nagged at the back of my mind as we explored. At a cart that fashioned finely made jewelry, Rena held up a jade necklace to my throat as she spoke of how beautifully it went with my skin tone and eyes.
"Why is it that you have the marks of a soldier when you're apprenticing as a healer?"
"Being a cousin to the royal family, I had many expectations placed upon me," she explained as she looked over the other necklaces and bracelets the cart offered. "I apprenticed in magic, the art of war, and now healing."
My eyes widened at the admission. “You did three apprenticeships?"
A ghost of a smirk slid across her lips as she said, "We all do. It’s the life of a royal, I suppose."
I had barely survived the pressure and time requirements of being a potions apprentice, let alone taking on two other apprenticeships on top of it. To be a Master of Goddess-blessed magic, a soldier, and a Master Healer was insanity.
A companionable silence fell upon us as we moved to the next cart, which housed the most exquisitely made tapestries I had ever seen.
Looking closely, my fingers trailed over one of Goddess Soli.
Her hair was a waterfall of blazing fire, her eyes golden and fierce as she plunged a blade into the heart of Calzar, the Demon Prince of the Second Hell.
My mind struggled to recall the tale, the death of the Demon Prince of Lust.
His skin in the depiction was like that of cracking ice, nearly translucent as fissures spread and formed around the mortal wound Soli had bestowed upon him, his hair a black halo as the energy of the Sun Goddess roared through him.
If I recalled correctly, it was said that Calzar was the catalyst for the ruination of the Sister Goddesses’ relationship.
For Calzar and Soli had been betrothed, meant to unite the rift between the Nine Hells and the Kingdom of the Goddesses.
It was said that Calzar, upon first meeting Lua, Goddess of the Moon, had fallen irrevocably in love with the sister of his betrothed and Lua too had fallen for him.
When their love grew too strong to ignore, flamed by secret nights and whispered promises, Lua had gone to her sister.
Kneeling before the Sun Goddess, begging forgiveness for the betrayal, Lua asked that she break the betrothal and allow her and Calzar to wed instead.
It was said that in a fit of rage fueled by her sister's treachery, Soli had plunged her blade into Calzar's heart, ending his life and breaking her sister's heart.
And so, the Nine Hells with its eight remaining Demon Princes reigned on in the war against the Sister Goddesses, but no longer were the Sun and Moon united against their tricks and warmongering.
“Oh my Goddess,” Rena squealed, startling me from my thoughts, “I nearly forgot to ask, are you coming to the celebration tomorrow night?”
“Celebration?”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “The first day of every week the barracks throw a party in honor of the first sun cycle, the sacred day of Soli.
A large bonfire is lit in her honor, but really I think everyone just wants to get drunk for the night.
The hangovers aren't the best, but I'm sure you have some potions that could help us with that, right? "
At my nod a wicked smile lit Rena's face as she said, "You and I are going to be such good friends, I can already feel it, Syra."