Secrets of the Trees

6 - I Explain The Meaning Of Crap

My bare feet padded softly along behind Kael, as we walked outside. When he turned the brass knob, I instantly shielded my eyes from the intense sunlight. Inside Kael’s house, the light was dim, no windows, only candles. After a moment of squinting, I realized Deliah was sitting on a wood stump which was among many others, surrounding a fire pit. Her once beautiful figure was bent over, hugging herself, hair in disarray.

She must have heard us come outside, because she turned around to look at Kael with big, tear-stained eyes that searched for comfort. He embraced her, stroking her fiery hair back into place as she began to sob again.

“Kael, I love you so much. You are like the little brother I never had. Even after years of all those little stupid fights, I’m glad you are in my life. You, Esiw, are the only family I’ve really ever had.”

To my complete shock, his expression seemed disappointed at her words, which angered me. After all the heart and soul she just poured out, after the loving embrace, he didn’t seem to feel the same way. I made a mental note to figure this guy out, and his relations with the fairies. Stepping forward, I decided to make amends to the sad situation.

“Deliah, I know I’ve only known you for such a short time, and you,” I gestured to Kael, “Even shorter. But I promised myself, and him, that I would avenge Esiw’s death. She sacrificed herself to save a stranger, and you as well. Only a person with the greatest character would do that. And such a character should be honored.

 Hearing your stories of Palladia, and my newfound part in this, unbeknownst to myself for all these years, I feel it is my solemn duty to bring back the light in this dark situation, and to restore the kingdom with a new era of peace and prosperity.” My fingers itched to do the ‘live long and prosper sign’. I pictured the situation in my head, and laughed mentally.

Kael let go of Deliah, and started clapping obnoxiously. “A speech fit for a princess. I didn’t think an outsider like your self would be capable of such fine words.” But his words dripped with sarcasm. He was really starting to piss me off. Thank the Lord though, that Deliah put him in his place by stomping on his bare foot causing him to hiss at her. Might I add that I don’t think I’ve seen anyone wear shoes yet. Quite possibly, if you were to walk in a store here, you’d see a sign saying ‘no shoes, no shirt, service.’

“We do not talk to our princess like that. You know better than that! Royalty should be treated with respect, because it’s bad form no to do so. She may be uninformed, unprepared, naïve, ignorant-“I interjected, “You do realize, I’m standing right here?”

 “I’m sorry I just meant to tell Kael that he should have respect, despite the situation.”

During her little rant, I tried not to laugh as Kael was copying the hand movements of Deliah. Sure it was comical, but I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of me reacting to him. But I simply shook my head at her, and corrected her.

“I already told him none of that ‘hand-kissing’ crap, so don’t worry about it okay? I’m really all you say I am, uninformed and etc. Besides, I’ve lived my life being common, and it would be weird to be called ‘your highness’ after so long of just being called Lily.”

“I do not know of this ‘crap’ you speak of, but I will respect your wishes,” she replied. Smiling, I tried to explain the meaning of crap. This might be a first.

“Crap, is like a watered down swear word I guess. It can be an interjection, but I used the definition meaning rubbish, or garbage.”

“Oh. So you are saying that the kissing of one’s hand is rubbish?” Her eyebrows furrowed a little bit, probably trying to understand.