Cerculean

{4}

   Waves crashed against the dull rocks of Sterid's coast, creating sounds similar to a roar yet wistful and delight. The air smelt salty and raw, the wind at its most active, crashing into the faces of Avanelle and her parents.

   "This spot seems the best," Her mother said, holding one of the identical woven baskets in her hands, the other in Avanelle's.

   Her father agreed, "Indeed, this spot is perfect."

   The chosen spot was close to the ocean, but not in the water's reach. It was one of the few areas of comfortable sand that the coast had provided, the rest occupied by boulders of rocks and stones.

    Avanelle's father laid out the yellow picnic blanket handwoven by the town's weaver. Avanelle had always loved the blanket from the moment her mother came walking inside the cabin holding it perfectly folded in her hands. It was one of the first things they had owned since arriving at Sterid.

   Avanelle and her mother placed both of the baskets next to each other on the blanket then situated themselves on top.

   The girl was too excited to try the sandwiches her mother had packed—sourdough bread, freshly baked by her father, with sliced cheese and tomato.

   She reached to open the closest basket to her, but her mother slapped her hand away and scolded her, saying that she needs to learn patience and her father has yet to take a seat.

   Avanelle frowned and crossed her arms, staring at the polished black flats she wore.

  Her father laughed, waving her off. "It's alright. Let her have a slice of lemon. I shall get bitter leaves for the tea, there's a tree just nearby."

   Her father left, and Avanelle's mother opened the basket, reaching into it and retrieving a lemon that matched the very blanket they sat on. She used a small knife inside one of the baskets to cut up the lemon into very thin slices for Avanelle.

   Avanelle's mother gave Avanelle a slice. "Don't eat it all at once, or you'll have a fit." She warned, cutting a slice for herself.

   Avanelle took her mother's advice and sucked softly on the lemon, taking in the sourness, but also sweetness of the fruit. She absolutely savored it.

   As she sucked gently, she noticed something at the corner of her eye move. Immediately, she turned her attention to that "thing" to see a little red, nearly orange, crab crawling past the yellow blanket.

   Avanelle widened her eyes with the lemon slice in her mouth, and admired the crab. She felt the gentle touch of her mother's fingers on her head, caressing her scalping and fingering her curls.

   The wind grew stronger, sending the scent of salt into her nose. The trees nearby flowed with the passing wind and the crab seemed to have trouble keeping its balance on the gritty sand.

   As her mother caressed her, she spoke, "Do good, Avanelle. Always." Avanelle sucked the rest of the sour from the lemon, eyes still fixed on the struggling crab. "Promise me you'll do good."

                                             𖠁

   The smell of iron filled her nostrils as Avanelle opened her eyes slowly, taking in the bright atmosphere she was in. Too bright.

   Am I in Heaven?

   As her eyes opened wider, she realized she was in fact not in Heaven and rather the opposite. The Baerth Keep. She was still in this forsaken castle. She once again cursed herself for not taking the leap off the balcony the other night.