The Marí

Part. 11

We continued riding for close to an hour, the rhythmic motion of the carriage lulling me into a daze. The streets we passed grew emptier and soon all I could see was a thick untamed forest stretching endlessly in every direction my gaze wandered aimlessly out of the window, my forehead resting against the cold metal of the carriage's bridge as I watched the dense trees blur past us their twisted branches reached out like ancient hands, beckoning us deeper into the wild unknown. I sighed feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me there was so much I didn't know—so much that seemed beyond my comprehension. My mind kept circling back to one thought like a relentless whisper that refused to be ignored: What lies in the heart of these unbarred lands? The more I thought about it the more it seemed like the very land itself was hiding something from me, a secret I wasn't yet ready to uncover. The silence inside the carriage was only broken by the sound of the horses' hooves and the occasional creak of the wooden wheels but my thoughts felt deafening. Would I ever meet the Mari? I thought the question slipping from my mind as easily as a breath and if I did who would I be meeting? What was this Mari and why was their name so often on the lips of everyone who seemed to matter in this world? The name stirred something deep inside me a curiosity that gnawed at the edges of my mind like a forgotten dream, was this figure someone I should fear or were they someone to revere? It was impossible to say but there was no denying that somehow, everything seemed to point back to the Mari. The carriage, the journey, my very presence here—it all felt tangled up with that name like I had unknowingly stepped into a story I wasn't prepared to be a part of. I closed my eyes briefly trying to steady my breath, the questions kept coming relentless and uninvited but I didn't have the answers. Not yet, all I could do was let the carriage carry me further into the heart of the unknown and hope that somehow, in the end, it would all make sense.
My thoughts drifted back to the last dream I had before leaving the hospital, I could still hear Reg's voice clearly in my mind soft yet urgent saying, "The Mari will be with you shortly." The words felt like they had been etched into my soul impossible to forget. Was this a sign? A warning of something greater? Was the Mari behind all the nightmares and bites that had come to haunt me? I groaned heavily, the weight of my uncertainty pressing down on me, It couldn't possibly be! These dreams had started after my falciloz, a time when I was too young and too flustered to make sense of anything. At first, I convinced myself it was just a phase, something that would pass with time but as they became more frequent, more vivid I began to feel their pull, their insistent presence in my every thought they had worn me down, like an incessant storm battering against fragile walls. I had never told anyone about these dreams they felt too strange, too intimate, too tied to a part of me I wasn't ready to understand but as time went on, it became harder to ignore them. The dreams were relentless and with each one I felt as though I was being pulled deeper into a world I didn't belong to—a world I didn't understand. I yawned in exhaustion trying to push those thoughts aside. After all, they were just dreams nothing more. Perhaps it was all tied to my coming of age, the strange shifts in my mind, the sense of things changing I tried to convince myself of that but the unease gnawed at me lingering in the back of my mind. My thoughts drifted again, this time focusing on my present situation—Here I was stuck in the middle of nowhere in a luxurious carriage that seemed to glide through the endless stretch of trees the coachman sat in front silent and unmoving completely impervious to my little tricks, I had tried the "I need to pee" act a classic move I'd perfected over the years but he hadn't even glanced back at me making it clear I wouldn't be getting any sympathy and honestly I didn't expect anything else, It was strange really. I had no idea where we were headed, who the Mari was or what would happen when I finally arrived at whatever destination awaited me but there was no escaping it now. My mind flicked back to the coachman as much as I tried to find a way out of this, I knew there were no more distractions to keep me grounded. The reality of the situation settled in with a weight I couldn't ignore.
Urrrghh! My owner must have been relentless in ensuring I wouldn't get a single opportunity to escape, I couldn't help but think back to the days when I still had my bows and arrows the coachman wouldn't have stood a chance if I had them now. I chuckled at the thought shaking my head, the idea was impious coming from a princess like me my mother would have had me locked away for a week if she ever heard me speak like that. Mother... I thought, my heart aching with the thought of her. Even though she and my father were rarely around due to their royal duties and seeing them often took a great deal of process they were still my family and I loved them deeply.
Of course, I couldn't forget the way they tried to push me into a marriage with a man they knew was corrupt and despicable. That, I could never forgive them for! But still, despite all the missteps and mistakes they were my parents and I could never completely turn my back on them the sound of my grumbling stomach pulling me back to the present, It was a reminder I couldn't ignore I needed to eat, desperately. If life as a princess was undeniably hard, life as a commoner must have been even harder. I had never known such struggles and it was hard for me to imagine a world where I didn't have the luxury of a lavish meal whenever I wanted but in that moment all I could think about was the hunger gnawing at me. I couldn't shake the question of who this mysterious owner was, the one who had arranged for my pick-up at the crack of dawn. Were they trying to cover for me? Shield me from something—or someone?
The sky outside was still faintly dull, the night reluctant to let go of its grip while the first glimmers of morning tried to creep in. The coachman didn't speak a word his silence was almost unnerving. Even when I called out to him there was no reply not even a glance in my direction. I was growing weary not just of the journey but of my own endless thoughts. Who was I becoming? What was this life I had been thrust into? I could only hope that my mysterious owner was as wealthy as the grandeur of the carriage because I was certain that starvation wasn't part of the plan for me. The cold air started to bite, sharp and unforgiving the clothes that Dr. Liz had given me did little to protect me from the harsh winds that cut through the carriage they were light, too thin for a morning like this and I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth but it did nothing to ease the chill creeping beneath my skin. I longed for something more, something that could shield me from this uncomfortable exposure—someone to make sense of the turmoil swirling inside me.
"A minute, Mi lady, hold still. It seems like the storm would be upon us today. Luckily for us, we are here," the coachman said, his tone grim as he glanced toward the sky.
I couldn't help but sigh though the mix of relief and anxiety tightened in my chest. The storm was indeed coming—dark clouds now hung heavily in the sky, their ominous weight pressing down as the wind picked up but the thought that we were almost at our destination was both a comfort and a threat. We were nearing an inn, the place where I would meet this elusive owner of mine and with it came an avalanche of uncertainty.
My heart hammered in my chest as panic swirled through my veins, I placed my right hand over my racing heart whispering soft reassurances to myself. Calm down, Merald. Breathe. You can handle this. I repeated the words over and over trying to steady my pulse.
"Mi lady, we are here," the coachman announced pulling me from my thoughts the carriage came to a halt with a lurch, the sound of the wheels grinding against the dirt road reverberating in my ears. He moved quickly stepping down to open the door and my hands instinctively flew to my hair I tugged at the loose strands, trying to push them back into some semblance of order but they only defied me much like everything else in my life, I sighed in frustration abandoning the attempt. I took the coachman's outstretched hand and stepped down from the carriage, the cold bite of the wind immediately hitting my skin.
A wide grin spread across my face as I surveyed the inn before me to my surprise it was far more beautiful than I had imagined. Its stout stone walls rose majestically against the backdrop of rolling hills each stone a testament to time's passage. Tendrils of ivy crept up its sides, weaving a tapestry of emerald that seemed to breathe life into the ancient structure. A sturdy oak door polished by countless hands and weathered by the seasons beckoned travelers inside. The windows were adorned with delicate leaded glass, cast shimmering patterns of light across the cobblestone path. Above, the thatched roof sloped gently downwards, its golden hue catching the last rays of the first light creating a warm halo around the building. In spite of the chaos swirling in my mind a sense of awe took hold of me. My owner, whoever they were must surely be wealthy to possess a place of such grandeur, I felt a surge of hope—the promise of new clothes, a better life, perhaps even the chance to eat my fill again. Maybe my owner truly knew my identity and they'd been waiting for me since the moment I set foot in these unbarred lands, I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
"Mi lady, please come with me," a young lad's voice broke through my thoughts pulling me from my daze. I nodded still entranced by the beauty around me as he opened the mahogany oak doors of the inn. The scent of wood smoke and spices wafted out, welcoming me inside with a rush of warmth as I stepped inside, the difference was immediate. The warmth of the hearth enveloped me and the crackle of a roaring fire filled the space, wooden beams stretched high above, adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of valor and longing. The air was thick with the sounds of laughter and conversation, the scent of stews and freshly baked bread rising up to greet me my stomach responded with a growl of hunger, reminding me just how long it had been since I had a proper meal. To my left a group of men their faces weathered by time and adventure, shared tales of past conquests their voices rumbled with hearty laughter, occasionally drowned out by the clink of tankards raised in a jovial toast. To my right serving maids moved gracefully between tables their smiles infectious as they delivered steaming mugs of ale to eager patrons, their hips swaying in time to an unspoken rhythm. As the young lad led me further into the inn, I found myself enchanted by the cozy alcoves tucked away in corners where fires burned low and shadows danced on the walls, It was like stepping into a dream—a sanctuary of warmth, camaraderie, and safety.
"Right this way, mi lady," the young lad called again, his voice gentle but firm. "I'd like to show you to your room." Without a word he led me up a flight of stairs his footsteps echoing softly in the corridor. The people around us continued with their business, oblivious to my presence as though a stranger entering their midst was the most natural thing in the world. Their indifference was strangely comforting and I couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. I followed the lad in silence my thoughts drifting once more to the mysterious owner awaiting me, was my owner the innkeeper? How vast was this place? We came to a halt at a door on the left wing of the inn and the young lad gestured for me to enter. "This would be your room for now, till the festival. Enjoy your stay, mi lady," he said with a polite smile.
I took a moment to study his features, wondering about the strange beauty of everyone here his face was handsome in a way that seemed almost too pretty for a man. It made me question if it was normal for everyone to possess such delicate looks, his shoulders were broad but with a fit rugged charm that seemed slightly out of place against the roughness of his attire, his eyes a pale blue were warm with curiosity and his red hair added to the gentle warmth of his expression "I will take my leave now, my lady," he said, stepping back.
I hesitated wondering if making an acquaintance here could be beneficial, especially given the isolation I felt "I never got your name," I called after him.
He flashed a quick grin showing a row of white teeth "It's Simon, mi lady," he replied and just like that he was gone disappearing down the hall as swiftly as he had appeared.
I stepped into the room and gasped at the sight before me It was a simple yet stunning contrast to the luxurious chambers I was accustomed to the room had a rustic beauty that spoke of quiet elegance and centuries of history. Exposed wooden beams stretched across the ceiling and the walls were adorned with hand-woven tapestries depicting peaceful, pastoral scenes, soft in their tones and intricate in their details. The scent of wildflowers and distant forests seemed to drift through the leaded glass windows adding to the room's tranquility. In the center stood a grand four-poster bed it's frame intricately carved with delicate floral motifs the linens were crisp and inviting, the pillows plump and plush. A fire crackled softly in the hearth sending warm flickering light across the polished oak floor, creating a comforting glow throughout the space.
To the side a writing desk stood, its surface neatly adorned with a quill and parchment ready for use. A small reading nook sat in the corner a cozy haven complete with shelves lined with leather-bound books—ancient tomes filled with the promise of knowledge and adventure. It was nothing like the grandeur I had been raised with but it was beautiful in its own way, I felt an unexpected sense of peace wash over me as I realized how different this place was and how much more alive I felt here than within the gilded confines of my former life. This room, this world—it was the closest I had come to freedom in years.