Vlaire and the King's Sword

Chapter One

Vlaire awoke, having been made new. She stretched, feeling as if she had just had a very good nap. She found herself on a hill, with gently rolling plains stretching on and on into the distance, the grass waving gently in a breeze. Looking down at herself, she saw she wore a pristine white tunic and shorts with a shimmering golden belt, and comfortable sandals lined with fluffy wool. Vlaire did not recognize this place, but it felt familiar, and safe.

"Waha! You're awake!" Vlaire jumped a little in surprise, but felt giggly, and not scared. "I've been watching the grass grow- which can be entertaining, I'll admit- but now! This is what I've been waiting for."

"Hi! I'm Vlaire."

"Pleased to meet you, miss Vlaire." Vlaire looked at the person sitting beside her: their features were neither male nor female, both youthful and timeless; their red hair was wild and wavy, freckles dusted across their cheeks; there was a radiant joy in their blue eyes, and they had a playful air about them.

"What's your name?" Vlaire asked.

"Oh! A name." Looking into the distance, the person beside Vlaire held their chin in thought. "Well, I love the King's music. I remember how he would sing to my siblings and I when we were young... sing, song, melody... yes, that's it! Call me Melody." Melody grinned, the corners of their eyes crinkling up.

"There's a king here?" Asked Vlaire, looking out to the hills.

"Why of course there is. The castle is far away, but there is a king. He's the one who sent me here to guard you and watch over you as you slept," answered Melody. Vlaire sighed, the memory of her dreams seeming very real. Melody stood, offering a hand to Vlaire to help her up. Vlaire saw there was a tree just behind them, and that they stood in its shade. "Some fruit, please!" Melody said, reaching up to firmly pat the trunk of the tree, whose leaves rustled. "Excuse me, she just woke up, and I think we both could use something to eat." The tree's leaves rustled again, and Melody plucked a fruit out of the air as it dropped in front of them. Melody tossed the fruit to Vlaire, and then turned to pick up the other fruit that had fallen.

As they did so, Vlaire saw Melody had wings! They were feathery, a soft white and gray with deep sea blue stripes. As they came back, Melody patted the tree trunk again, and tucked the other fruit into a bag on their rope belt(and Vlaire was dressed much the same as Melody was). "Thank you," Vlaire quietly said to the tree- for she could see that it understood Melody in some way. It rustled its leaves in response, and Melody motioned for Vlaire to follow them down the hill. Looking at the fruit, Vlaire saw it was smooth like an apple, with creamy golden-yellow and orange skin. She bit into it, finding it tasted like none of the things it reminded her of, but still quite delicious. As she ate, Vlaire took a longer look at Melody: they were fair, and seemed graceful and strong, a love and purpose radiated from every part of them. "You're beautiful," Vlaire was moved to say.

"Aw, thanks. You're a good-lookin' young lady yourself, miss Vlaire." Vlaire felt her cheeks redden at this, as she had never thought herself to be beautiful: she was short, and her green eyes always seemed to be at odds with her blonde hair.

"But, it's more than how you look," Said Vlaire, who was still embarrassed, but nonetheless entranced.

"Ah, I see. You're talking about a look that can't be captured with just a face or a hand, but is part of who you are." Melody looked over their shoulder at Vlaire with a smirk. "Like a dream come to life, eh?" Melody made a silly face at Vlaire before taking another bite of fruit. "What's that word for it I heard a while ago... yes, voltima. It's an inside and out thing, voltima, but don't worry about it too much. You'll definitely meet much more beautiful people than me." Nodding, Vlaire looked down at herself: she felt healthy and confident, but didn't look any different.