Spoiler
I keep getting ideas for better novels and forget the old ones......
this is a cross between fantasy and romance, but I characterized it as fantasy
this is a cross between fantasy and romance, but I characterized it as fantasy
Spoiler
the club page: page.php?id=848
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The Stargazer
PART 1: The Battle, The Coming and The Leaving
Prologue:
The flag speared the ground. It billowed up from the red, burnt, hot land. It blew in the hot wind. “Truce…. Truce” a cracked, pained woman’s voice sang over the dry land, the blistering wind carrying the message to another place, another world. The people who stood by the large silver kissing gate; looking at the waving flag in disbelief, then began to cheer “truce truce!” Another voice, whole and healthy sang in rejoice repeating the word deep into the night: “truce! Truce! Truce!”
One:
“No! No, I refuse,” Aniline Grace’s voice rang through the corridor standing at the end facing her mother, hands on her hips.
“The Moon-ones are sworn maidens and I will not break that tradition,” Aniline threw her black braid across her shoulder.
“ that law was changed years ago!”
Her mother Celica’s face was hard and cold.
“You never take into account what I want!” Aniline yelled “You watch that mouth Aniline Grace!”
the shouts echoed down the long hallway reaching the ears of the servants who scuttled out of sight to whisper about the newest gossip. Aniline turned on her heel and stomped towards the west tower “where are you going” said her mother, gliding gracefully behind her “away from you” Aniline sped up and finally reached the large oak door, throwing it open, slamming it behind her.
~
“It’s not like she understands” Aniline said to her best friend, sitting in her room in the west tower eating frozen blueberry yogurt. “I know” Eleanor (Ella) said soothingly “I know” Aniline swung her feet around to sit up on her bed “so what are you wearing to the social?” Aniline said; quickly changing the subject “I thought it was canceled since you know the declaration” “oh right” Aniline, said nodding her head fast. “Yeah” Ella stood up: empty blueberry flavored yogurt cups falling to the moonstone floor. “Well I better go” Ella grabbed her coat, swung it over her shoulder “I’ll see you at school” running quickly out the door. Aniline heard her high-heels clattering down the steps.
Aniline’s head was spinning with thoughts, memories.
She was two again. Her mother young, happy, sweet. Her Father running with them, running so fast “I have to get you away,” he had said, kissing their foreheads. “They’ll come after you next...” “But” her mother tried to argue “shh…” he put his finger on her lips, then kissed her. “ Please don’t make this harder than it has to be.” She turned, tears running down her face. “Okay.” That had been the last time Aniline Grace had set eyes on her father.
Tears flowed freely down Aniline’s face, these memories; had been pushed aside, forgotten. Yet they had never stopped haunting her dreams… She shook her head trying to get the image of her father, standing there at death’s door. NO! she thought fiercely: standing up, walking to her desk and sitting down to her pale blue laptop.
A message popped up, as soon as she flipped the switch: the lime green font searing Aniline’s eyeball with brightness.
Hello Aniline Grace,
I hear you had an argument with your mother. Well at midnight tonight, an owl will deliver you a parcel. What you do with it is up to you. But be careful. Sometimes secrets are more dangerous than a nuclear bomb.
“Okay….” Said Aniline slowly shaking her head “okay… we are not doing homework tonight” she flipped the switch on the desktop and turned. She walked slowly to her bay window and looked out onto a silver stone courtyard. More memories flooded her mind:
“Jeremy, please don’t leave me.” “I have to, gorgeous.” Her face blushed; that nickname never ceased to bring blood to her cheeks. “But you know she is becoming stronger again. I’ll need you.” Jeremy kissed her. “I love you Aniline Grace…” he turned, “I can make her approve of you!” Aniline yelled, “We can run away!” “Never look back!” “you're lying Aniline, you wouldn’t leave. Not with the moon weak and the sun strong. Not yet at least.” Tears flowed down her cheeks. “please,” he kissed her again and whispered in her ear “good bye, my Aniline…”
She could feel more tears surfacing, and fought to force them down. She stared hard out, into the courtyard then gasped
“Jeremy” No! It can’t be! You just see him because your thinking about him. Never the less, she pulled a silver satin pullover on and ran down to the courtyard. When she reached it, she saw him as handsome as ever. “Jeremy?” she called, he turned and smiled his dazzling smile. “Oh my, it’s really you!” she screamed running forward into his embrace…
Two:
“Hello gorgeous” he said his arms going round her waist as if they had never left. “It’s really you” she repeated, “Really you” “yes” he kissed her cheek “miss me?” Aniline didn’t answer: just breathed in the faint scent of his cologne. Don’t let this moment end. Please don’t let this be a dream… she prayed. He pulled away, too quickly to suit Aniline. “So...” his face took on a bemused expression and maybe a little hurt too. “ Is it true you’re getting married?” Aniline blushed and pushed farther away from him sitting on a bench, hard. “NO!” she yelled; the anger at her mother and her demands resounding through the garden “she’s forcing me or trying to. I tried the old ‘maiden’ trick but it didn’t work. Probably because she knows I love you.” He laughed and sat beside her “so it’s a lie?” he looked as if he was a six-year-old promised candy if he believed her, but it went against his better judgment. “Yes, you have to believe me!” she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his sea green eyes. “Yes, it’s a total lie” she kissed him and closed her eyes, hoping all the emotions coursing trough her veins would leave: except for the love, she felt for Jeremy. “But how do I know for sure?” “Would I be here if it wasn’t true?” “Would I be kissing you?” he shook his head slowly, leaning in close and said, “I have something for you.” “What?” he handed her a small white velvet box. Inside there was a silver necklace, a fairy with glossamer wings and a silver flower headdress. “I love it,” said Aniline, tears rolling down her pale cheeks. In answer, he leaned in close, for another kiss…
~
“Run away with me” his whisper blew cold air against her cheek: he had always been able to do that: his dad being the god of winter and all. “Why?” “Well, since you’re the moon princess and everything I think they’ll be after you first.” “You’re talking about the sun and her minions aren’t you?” she said, he looked at her as if to say ‘duh’ “well of course. You would be safer with me. I’d never let anything happen to you.” “don’t try to sweet talk me Jeremy.” His eyes pleaded, “I’ll think about it… Come to my room at, one and we’ll see” she sighed and leaned forward, about to kiss him. Then didn’t. That way, she thought as she ran back to her tower, I can see what that message meant by ‘parcel’.
Three:
Aniline threw silver dress after silver dress into her bag. Midnight was nearing. She had decided to go with Jeremy, but every minute a new worry surfaced in her mind what if Mother is so worried about me, she forgets everything else? What if we’re killed and I never come home? What if … A hoot interrupted her thoughts, Rushing to the window, she threw open her shutter and felt a small soft package land in her upturned palm. She gripped it hard and backed away from the window: clutching the package.
She pulled the paper away from it: and gasped. “It’s beautiful” a small porcelain figurine: half-gold, half silver. The gold half was dressed in gold pants and tunic: with a red belt around it’s waist. Red devil horns stuck out of its golden hair and ruby boots sparkled on its foot. A red tail snaked round its arm like a snake, and its face was grim and mean. The other half wore a silver Maiden gown (empire waist), with a cloak of sea-blue fabric tied around its shoulder. Silver laurels sat on its black curls and amethyst/sapphire jewels hung from its arm and neck. “It’s lovely,” she repeated staring in rapture. I wonder what this means? She thought wonderingly “It is, isn’t it?” a raspy, guttural voice whispered from the corner of her room. “Who said that?” “Why me of course” Aniline fell back against her wardrobe feeling faint. What’s wrong with me? I felt fine a minute ago. “soo fairrrrr” hissed the voice: lisping like a snake. “Who are you?” Aniline said backing slowly to the door. Praying Jeremy would walk up the tower steps; come to save her. “Your boyfriend is detained at the moment,” the voice said. As it read her mind, Aniline began to feel even weaker, JEREMY! Her mind screamed Jeremy! “Not feeling good?” the voice said as Aniline slid against the wall, slowly to the floor. “It’s my presence. My aura.” The voice hissed: hot air blowing against Aniline’s cheek. “For I am the daughter of the sun…” Aniline felt hot pain pierce through her chest: writhing on the floor she tried to think. But she felt foggy. So foggy. Then one thought surfaced in her dull brain. If she affects me I affect her. She groped inside herself: trying to wake the numb part of her brain. She screamed and silver light flashed: filling the room with beams of moon light. “AHHHH” said the raspy voice and Aniline’s body started working again...
“Aniline!” a shout, a scuffle “are you okay?” Jeremy burst into the room carrying a bat; his black curls askew. “Fine now.” Said Aniline struggling to lay on her bed, still clutching the statuette, her heart pounding, her hands shaking. “What happened, I heard you scream then another; ungodly shout.” Jeremy sank down beside her: pulling her close. “A daughter of the sun was here.” Jeremy flinched and whispered “and you survived?” “You don’t have to sound surprised” said Aniline pushing him. “No it’s just…. Well there’s this ancient prophecy and well…” he turned away: his face red “tell me!” Aniline burst out, her hands still shaking. “Umm, no.” he stood up to stand by her window seat: avoiding her gaze. “Jeremy...” he groaned and cleared his throat: looking up at the ceiling. “this goes against all the rules… your only supposed to know of it once it’s over with, lest your try to change it.” “But your going to tell me aren’t you?” he slowly started to shake his head, then didn’t. “Aniline…” “Please Jeremy;” pouting. He cleared his throat once again. Then he sighed.
“When a daughter of the moon and one of the sun,
Clash against one- another in ones own territory,
One will rise, one fall
And a battle shall destroy one or all.”
He flinched and looked at her closely
“oh my..” said Aniline joining him to look out on the courtyard. “Oh my…”
END OF PART 1
Coming soon! Part 2: The Forest, The Sybil, The cave and The Giant.
