Grief

Chapter 2

"Are you awake now?" a woman that cannot be more than thirty years old in a light blue gown asks as she's hunched over Sozec.

"Where am I?" Sozec asks as he takes in his surroundings. "Welcome to The Void, I am Irene," she states clasping her hands in satisfaction. 

"What is all this," Sozec asks running his hands through a bunch of peonies under the out of place white bed he sits on. 

"This is a space created by you, for you. The Void is only reached when needed and is built to overcome the trials you may face in the real world," the woman states. 

Sozec picks up the flower unable to look at the woman for fear that the tears he had held back for so long before will flow. "Why am I here?" he asks. 

"Only you know that Prince Sozec, all I know is that you now possess the Jewel of Mezmarie. This likely means that your father has passed as he indicated he might." Irene states.

"This is true, my father is no longer here," Sozec says smoothing a wrinkle in the small bed. A lake appears in the distance and Sozec begins walking towards it mesmerized by the sparkling blue of the river. 

"What is going on?" Sozec asks as he approaches the river. "Your imagination is quite active. One of the calmest I've seen but even the most calm come here for a reason. This was put in place to ease your pain. Is it to your liking? You've created it yourself, Prince Sozec."

"Why must he commit his life to war? If he had left sooner this would not have happened," Sozec questions as he peers at himself in the river water. Sozec feels Irene's hand on his shoulder as she speaks. "Your father spoke of you in great detail before his fateful end Prince Sozec," Irene states. 

"Call me Sozec, Irene," Sozec interrupts.

"Your father wanted you to have the Jewel of Mezmarie. He knew that you would take his death the hardest. Even as you stare back at your reflection stone-faced and full of grief you refuse to shed a single tear. I think I understand why King Mondel sent you here now," Irene states as she stands to her feet again. Irene extends a hand to Sozec who turns away. 

"I apologize, but you are mistaken, Ms. Irene. It is my duty as the third son of Mondel to protect the family. What good would it do to sob? This will not bring back my father." Sozec states before running his hand along the surface of the water.

"Very well Sozec," Irene states. Peonies suddenly form around the edge of the river and Sozec stands to his feet. "I do not believe it necessary to stay here any longer. How do I leave?" Sozec asks looking out into the seemingly never-ending plane. 

"You may leave when you want to Sozec, if you cannot leave it only means that your desires to stay outweigh those to leave," Irene responds.

Sozec and Irene walk aimlessly in silence along the path for some time before Irene suddenly breaks the silence. "Can I ask you a question, Sozec?" Irene asks. 

"You wish to ask me a question? Let's hear it," Sozec says dumbfounded. 

"Why is it that your hair is like that of the elves? Your father nor your brothers possess such length," Irene asks cocking her head. 

"When I was but a child, I wanted to keep my hair this way. My father told me that a man's hair is his pride," Sozec states. Even as Sozec says these words he's left just as confused as he was before about Irene's purpose. His father's words are as rich as gold in his mind and Sozec lets out a sigh of relief at the small thought of recalling his father.

"I see," Irene says as they continue down the path. Cherry blossom trees grow from the root up transforming from green sprouts to full trees bright in color before Sozec's eyes. 

"This reminds me of Mother's village," Sozec says catching a flower as it falls in front of him. 

"Yes, Queen Sepha is originally from the village of Tulfi, no? Your mother must be proud of the contributions you've made thus far. Your father talked in great detail about his son's efforts in restoring peace in Jeuntal Kingdom. Your connection with the people is one that not many have had in the past," says Irene.

"You think too highly of me, Irene. It is Janvi you are describing not I, I am not one connected with the people of Jeuntal. In truth, I merely run away," Sozec states with his head down.

"From what?" Irene asks grabbing Sozec's wrist. Sozec doesn't notice the grip she has on him instead he focuses on her words. 

"I do not want to disappoint her any more than I already have. My brothers hold high ranks among public officials and the army of soldiers while I hold no title to my name. Even my sister is known to be a goddess by the parents of Jeuntal," Sozec says.

"Pardon me but I do not understand. Why is it that you avoid your mother?" Irene asks staring up at Sozec with the gaze of an innocent child. "I do not fit the standards of Jeuntl royalty, and I do not wish to be a part of them. Aside from my rather meek appearance I also do not wish to take on the roles that are presented to me. Because of this, I was offered the chance to be married next season by my mother. Like an illegitimate child, she wishes to deal with me quickly." Sozec states frowning at the realization.

"Are you sure? Queen Sepha is a reasonable person. This does not sound like her," Irene defends.

"My father was the only one on my side and now he is gone. How will I make it through the world without my only confidant?" Sozec asks, tears filling his eyes.

Irene releases her grip. "I am here now, Sozec. "You are scared, that your family will not see you as a man. You compare yourself to your siblings and are afraid that your family will look down on you, but you must know that they love you and that grieving will not change their perspective of you," Irene assures Sozec. Sozec looks to the cloudy blue sky as she speaks in an attempt to hold back any tears from escaping.

"One more thing, your father wished for me to relay this message to you," Irene says. Sozec slows his pace to match Irene's small steps along the path.

"What is it my father wished to say?" Sozec asks in a light-hearted voice.

"These were his words: "'Your mother and I are proud of you. You have done great things henceforth even without realizing it. I know that my death may come as a shock to you but if you are receiving this message, know that I give you my permission to cry. Confide in your family and Vincent; this makes you no less a man. It is important that you do this because these are the ones that will be with you when you take the next step and the ones to keep you upright when you bend or break. I expect great things from you whether in the castle or on the platform in the village.'"

"My father knew of my desires, I was not mistaken when I believed myself to see him some time ago in the music hall," Sozec says to himself. Irene takes Sozec's hands and cups them together with her own.

"Will you give me the honor of seeing you perform Cherry Blossom Absolution, my prince? Your father spoke of this dance in great detail with awe in his eyes" she exclaims, enthusiasm filling her voice. Sozec nods and walks to the field full of peonies. 

His hands wave in the air fluidly running through the air before he extends a leg gracefully pointing it and leaping performing the traditional dance of Jeuntal. A newfound freedom surges through Sozec and he smiles wide as tears of both joy and sorrow overcome him as he dances. In one swift motion, he moves his hands fluently from above his head to below him and throws a bunch of peonies in the air before finally ending his performance.

"You did well, Sozec," Irene says a soft smile on her face as she speaks. Sozec walks towards the girl but in the blink of an eye, he finds himself back in his sleeping chamber the same he'd left it.

Knocking rings from the door and Sozec answers it. "Are you doing alright, Sozec? If you want to talk about your father, I am here," Sepha asks reluctantly expecting him to turn her away.

"I am fine," Sozec responds as he runs his fingers across the amulet hanging around his neck.

"Very well," your father's send-off is tomorrow...please prepare accordingly," Sepha says choking on her words as she turns to leave. Sozec's eyes stay fixated on the ground as he hears the door close behind his mother.