The Holy Dream

Prelude Part 8

“Is he in bed, Elizabeth?” Sira asked with concern. Elizabeth nodded grimly, a solemn look on her face. They stood in a passage not far from Maric’s chambers. The candlelight flickered awkwardly, shifting curiously in anticipation to their conversation.

“Sira, I fear the effect last night will have on Maric. It was a traumatizing, horrible thing.” She murmured, crossing her arms.

“I know, Elizabeth. I still cannot find words to express the sadness I feel for last night’s happening. I know not what to do, truthfully.” She said with a trembling voice.

“The gravity of the situation is dire indeed, sister,” Elizabeth said. “However, we cannot waver from his side. He is but a small child, and we can protect him still. I know the people of Lancia can see reason, especially from the combined voice of the Cathedral.” She said with conviction.

Sira nodded. “Of course, Elizabeth. We must speak to Theodyr of this before we have another mob surrounding us. Perhaps he will know how to handle this.” She sighed. “However, for now, there is something I must do before Maric drifts away. I should have done this from the day we found him.” She walked away slowly down the long hallway, an illusion of the mind showing it as going on seemingly forever as the dark red colors swirled endlessly forward. Elizabeth smiled, a warmth in her heart flourishing. She knew where Sira was going and that Maric was in good hands once again. As passed through the ornate Cathedral doors on her way outside, Elizabeth stopped herself for a moment. Where is Alice? I haven’t seen her today...

Sira walked down the hallway with her usual poise and attentiveness as a priestess of the Cathedral, passing a few others that were rushing down with worried expressions on their faces. The whole Cathedral had taken it upon themselves to tend to Maric and help cultivate him to be a good child, loyal to the religion and educated of the world and the teachings of Sarius. They had watched him from afar, accepting Sira as the primary caretaker, but all felt a sense of duty to his childhood and saw him as an embodiment of what the Cathedral stood for made manifest for them to form and guide on the path to adulthood. As the others passed her in the hallways, they shot her half smiles, still worried sick with fear of what retribution was to come with Maric’s display and the resulting witch hunt.

She walked out into the courtyard, looking up to the sky. Light rain had begun to fall as the clouds had rushed closer to the capitol. A gloomy, melancholy mist washed over the once shining beacon, rendering it gray and dulled to its own senses. The banners that flew in the wind were a little less bright now in the looming forecast, precipitation forming in the air. Nevertheless, Sira soldiered on with passion, walking down the steep steps to the garden.

As she reached the garden, she saw the beauty that she had worked so hard to cultivate. The single Sun Rose stood proudly in the center of the garden, glowing despite the dreary turn of events. A small smile crossed her lips as she walked over the cobble path through the garden to reach down to the singular flower, dropping down to her knees to look at it more closely. Sun Roses were very difficult to grow, even in the perfect climate of Lancia. It took years for the seeds of a Sun Rose to blossom and find true life. She furrowed her brow as she realized it had been even longer than usual, half a dozen years, and another Sun Rose had not grown. She still hoped, one day, that the single rose left would blossom once again into a vibrant family, bringing with it its decorative sprinkles of magic.

The rubbings and pollen of a Sun Rose could be used to line wood or a brazier, causing the air around it to heat up as it is shifted around through minorly magical means. Fires burn brighter with Sun Rose extract, and when squeezed into a drink, allows others to loosen up, discard their anger and see their problems with more clarity and purpose, tackling their issues with certainty and elegance.

Eight pedals sprouted proudly from the central bud of the flower. She nodded to herself. I should have done this before, Maric. Since last night, I can wait no longer. I could not bear to lose you; my own child. I fear I could not go on without your presence, she thought. How you bring me joy… one day, my son, you will know how much I love you. And I want to always be there when you need me, in spirit. With that thought, she reached out to pluck a petal from the Sun Rose. It stood rigid for a brief moment as she held the petal in between her two fingers, empathizing with her purpose and submitting itself to her grasp. As she pulled the petal, the flower released pollen and sparkling magic dust out into the air above it. The plant swayed from the force as the dust was cast to the wind. She plucked another, repeating the effects. The rose stood as tall as ever, proud to assist the one that nursed it back to health. She stood back up and tucked the two wayward pedals into the pocket of her attire so as not to lose them on her trip back.

When she reached Maric’s room, knocked on the door softly, then entered. The door made not a sound, as she knew after all these years how to be quiet with its finicky nature. Maric shifted over to his side to see Sira, his eyes with a slight sparkle in them. Of tears or merely happiness to see her, she did not know.

“Maric, I hope I did not wake you. Pray forgive me if I did, but I had to come in here for a brief moment with you.” She said quietly.

Maric shook his head. “No, I wasn’t asleep mommy. Its okay,” he said.

Sira smiled. “Good. Now, I have a gift for you. A token of my love for you.” She walked over to his bedside, and sat down next to him, making his bed shift lightly, pulling the petals from her pocket. “These are Sun Rose petals, from the single Sun Rose I tend to in the garden. They’re magical, remember?” She smiled, putting it to his nose for him to smell it. He sniffed it lightly, taking in the sweet smell of a mixture between honey and chocolate. She could make out the beginnings of a smile on his lips.

“I have one for you, and one for myself. I want you to keep this safe and by your side, Maric. I will keep mine with myself. If you are ever alone, feeling lost and without help, pull out your Sun petal. I am always with you, honey. No matter where you are in the world, I will always be with you.” She leaned in to kiss his forehead, feeling his warmth. “No matter who is with you or how hopeless a situation may feel, know that there are always those that care. Those that are thinking about you. In whatever you do, I will support and cherish you. Follow your dreams and shy not away from what nor whom you love.” She finished with conviction and a twinkle in her eyes. Maric watched her closely, taking in what she had to say. Although he did not entirely grasp her emotions and thoughts, he could feel the motherly love that emanated from her, and felt safe. He smiled as he looked at her, the first since he had been home again.

“I love you too, mommy.” He said smiling at her, comforted by her at his side. Slowly he drifted to sleep from emotional exhaustion as he could vaguely make her out rubbing his shoulder, putting the petal on his end table and leaving the room. A dim light shined in from the thick, framed stained glass windows that were around his room. They cast glim light upon his carpet, the dust in the room floating aimlessly through the air as it was rustled from its lazy slumber.

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