The Last Day of the First Life

Paradise

We left the manor as the sun set, Ruby was peacefully asleep in her rooms, I checked three times before going out the servants quarters. Christopher met me at the door and off we went into the growing night, we leapt through the forest, chasing deer like children, before collapsing in a meadow at the edge of the cliff. We huffed, out of breath, stars shown above us, and wind kissed our skin softly. I propped myself against a rock and Chris settled himself between my legs, I ran my fingers through those dark locks, savoring being this close to him again. I haven't seen my best friend for two months, we're not allowed to be this close, not since we left our childhood years. It's not proper, not sophisticated, especially with him in this position, he would be seen as weak, and weak isn't safe. Not for the heir of a silver mine, he needs to induce fear in men who would oppose him, and be alluring enough for women to line up at his door. He turned his head to look at me, "I've missed you Dria, our fathers have been too much lately, we needed this" I smiled down at him and pet his head, brushing some stray hair off his forehead and picking out a leaf. He looked back out towards the cliff edge, "my father said there's a war coming Dria, he wouldn't tell me more, I pried and pried, even the maids don't know what's happening." The sound of rocks crashing into the ocean jerked us out of our calm haze, Chris jumped up and drew his sword, I rose to my knees, pulling my dagger from the sheath on my thigh. We crept towards the cliffs edge, in the scarce moonlight we saw two figures climbing towards us, a woman and a man, both with multiple knives strapped up their legs. I pulled Chris back and pointed to the trees, he nodded and we took off with years of silent practice on our side. We scaled a tree wide enough for both of us, with enough leaf cover that we could still observe. If a war is coming, spies are probably everywhere, and they'd start at the coast.

The man popped his head over the ledge first, wasting no time pulling himself up, and quickly dropping to pull the woman up alongside him. They were both beautiful, not meant for the woods so they weren't bandits, or poachers. So what are they doing here? I looked down at them, trying not to lean too far and blow our cover, but they looked distracted, like they had a mission. They looked like they could be siblings, the man was full of muscle you only get from armies, the woman was small and meek, but probably quick as they come. They didn't carry anything but their weapons, and a book bound in leather. Why be in the woods with just weapons and a book, how did they expect to get past the gates like that if they were spies? The woman dropped to her knees and unlatched the book from her belt and opened to a random page, as she ran her finger down the page she settled on, the book began to glow. Not too bright, but a soft blue haze, almost comforting. Chris gripped my arm tightly and I glanced up to him, his face showed concern, more then I've ever seen, "we need to leave Dria, now, it's not safe here". With a shared nod we scaled down from our perch, as silently as possible. We didn't know what these two were capable of. As my boots hit the ground the mans head snapped in our direction and we froze. Chris grabbed me tight and pressed us against the tree, hoping it covered us both. We stayed motionless, never hearing the pair move, I glanced around the tree with caution, dagger raised to my chest. They were gone, along with the strange glowing book. Chris grabbed my hand and started running, "we have to get out of here, we're going to my house, it's closer" he didn't even give me a chance to counter, and before long we were halfway through the woods.

We slowed to a walk as Christopher's gates came into view, I whipped my head around, paranoid that they were somehow following. The guards lazily watched us as we approached the gates, "sir Christopher, I didn't see you leave earlier" he turned towards me "and you brought the young Walder girl with you, what were you two up to at this hour?" Chris glared at the guard and gripped my hand tighter "remember your place Samuel, you know Dria, we've known each other since we were children, now let me in my home" he spoke with the gust of a king, nowhere near the fragile boy that sat between my legs mere hours ago venting his fears. The gates open and Samuel watched us cross with a raised eyebrow. We walked to the servants quarters and entered the house through the kitchen, greeted with the sweet scent of breakfast, and Ruby. Her hair was tied in a ribbon, bangs framing her face, eyes full of ice. Her hands rested on her hips as she turned to look at us, meek prey to the hunter, "you children are the most insufferable creatures, do you know how worried I have been Dria? You leave in the middle of the night, with this boy, not even mention your endeavors to me?" Tears welled in her eyes, her cold mother facade crumbling before us in an instant as she broke and pulled us both in for a hug "Ruby you know I never bring Dria to any danger" Chris said softly, accepting the affectionate side of the ice maid, "she's precious to me". Ruby released us and smiled, before striking Christopher on the arm "she is a precious gem, you promised me you would at least warn me or Primrose if you two were going out to the forests" Ruby turned to face me, rubbing her thumb against my cheek, "what has the day brought to you two, you're filthy!". We glanced at each other, unsure what to tell her "we got lost Ruby, but come to my rooms, we need to talk to you". She nodded slowly and Chris led us upstairs, Ruby holding my hand the whole way. I hate worrying her, Ruby raised me and all I do is take off and concern her. She's the perfect person to me, she's my person, the only one I could consider calling a mother. So why do I do this to her, to myself. Every time I take off, I worry her to pieces and one day I just know those pieces are going to shatter. We finally made it to Christopher's chambers on the top floor, as we entered I planted myself on his bed, and Chris bolted the door. Ruby sat herself on a chair, Chris leaning nervously against the wall, "so start from the beginning you two, you know those woods better than the hunters, gods better then the poachers, practically grew up there you two" Ruby spat as a scowl crossed her lips. I rubbed my temples, delaying answering, not knowing where to start. Chris opened and shut his mouth at least 3 times, turning the words over in his head, "come come children, did you see something? Hear something? Out with it, Christopher, what did you get my little dove into". My heart ached at the nickname, she's used it so much lately, showing the love I take advantage of. "They weren't bandits, but they had something with them, a book of sorts", I murmured, staring at my hands in my lap, not sure how to continue. Ruby's breathing hitched and my head snapped to attention, "what kind of book Dria?". Chris stepped forward, "a journal type, it seemed, small with a leather cover, but the pages were strange, they opened it and the pages they.." Ruby stood sharply at attention, interrupting with no hesitation "they glowed didn't they Christopher, like the light of the moon, soft and pale, magical". We stared at each other in disbelief, why does Ruby know about the strange book? Who gave her that information? Ruby is simply a maid, if magic were real and not just in fairy tales, that information would only be given to the highest orders of nobility, or the royal family in general. But, no, Ruby must have heard something in a tavern or the market, or from her time in the palace. "That sounds about right" Chris replied quietly, crossing his arms over his chest. He's as uncomfortable as I am, Ruby is a maid, and we both know maids hear everything, but from whom would she hear this from? She eased herself back in the chair and took a deep breath, seemingly composing herself, her mind must be swirling with possibilities, "children, I need you to listen to me, do not repeat what you saw to anyone, not your fathers, not your guards, you got lost in the woods, fog rolled in and you got turned around, do you understand me?" We nodded vigorously, I know that tone, Ruby's terrified, but I can't figure out a reason why. She continued speaking after a moment, tone cold and reserved, "Dria, we need to go home this instant, Christopher you need to stay here, if you need anything talk to Primrose or have her contact me, do you understand?" Chris bowed as one would to a lord or lady, "yes ma'am, I understand completely" Ruby nodded and took my hand once again. I shot Chris a look as Ruby unbolted the door to leave, pleading with him to understand that I don't understand. All he did was smile, he wants to calm me, but he's afraid as well, uncommon for a man of his status.