The Stars Speak

three - a taritosan princess

The night air was thick with the scent of the ocean as Helyra moved quietly through the narrow streets of Taritosa. The sky above was a deep, velvety black, freckled with stars that flickered faintly above the white-capped waves. She pulled her cloak tightly around her, her hood casting shadows over her face as she slipped between the festive crowds, careful not to draw any attention.

She had snuck out hours ago, just after the council meeting had ended. She hadn't even talked to her father yet, she couldn't face him anymore. The weight of the day's events still hung heavy on her chest—her mother's death, her father's broken body, the anger of the Nythors, and her betrothal to a Nythor noble. 

She needed to escape, to get away from the stifling discussions, the endless arguments, and the suffocating sense of duty that held her neck with an iron grip. 

Out here, in the streets of Taritosa, at least she could finally breathe.

The city was just as alive at night as it was during the day. Lanterns, glowing softly with amber light, lined the streets, casting a warm, golden hue over the cobblestones. The light reflected off the smooth white buildings, giving them an iridescent glow beneath the dark sky. Despite the late hour, the people of Taritosa were wide awake. Laughter echoed from open taverns where people clinked glasses and shared stories, their voices blending with the music that spilt onto the streets.

Festive songs played on stringed instruments drifted through the air, mixed with the occasional cheer from a nearby square. Helyra moved toward the sound, her footsteps light against the stone as she approached a gathering of people dancing in the moonlight. Women twirled in brightly coloured dresses, their movements fluid and carefree, while men clapped along to the rhythm of the drums. The scent of spiced meats and fresh bread wafted from nearby vendors, tempting even in the late hour.

The sea was ever-present, its gentle waves a constant whisper in the background, like a lullaby sung by the night itself. From where she stood, she could see the shoreline, the moonlight reflecting off the water like scattered pearls. The white sands stretched out in a soft curve, bordered by the dark, towering mountains that surrounded the city like silent guardians. They loomed in the distance, their peaks lost to the darkness, but their presence was unmistakable.

She passed a group of Nythors sitting around a firepit, their skin glowing faintly in the warm firelight. They laughed and talked easily, completely at ease despite the tensions brewing behind closed doors. One of them, a man with pale, silver eyes, glanced her way, but Helyra quickly averted her gaze, pulling her hood lower to avoid being recognized. While the human laws kept her protected, there was no telling what the Nythors would do and what they'd be allowed to get away with. And she was in no particular mood to find out. 

The streets, though festive, held a quiet peace that felt like a reprieve. Her eyes wandered to the ocean again, where the soft rush of waves beckoned her closer. She followed a narrow path that led down to the beach, her boots sinking into the cool sand as she stepped away from the light and sound of the city. Here, with the sea stretching endlessly before her and the stars reflecting off the water, she felt truly alone. And for once, that was exactly what she wanted.

The moon hung low over the horizon, its pale light casting long shadows across the shore. Helyra sat on a large, smooth rock, pulling her knees to her chest and letting the sound of the waves wash over her. Here, away from the council chamber and its suffocating decisions, away from the streets filled with people, she could finally think. Or even just breathe.

"Fancy seeing you here." a voice suddenly called from behind her.

Helyra spun around to meet the welcome sight of her friend, Maelis, walking up the stones towards her. She was the daughter of one of the finest merchants in Taritosa and the two had grown up together, become the sister that neither of them had. Maelis had a big beaming smile on her face and her dark eyes sparkled in the moonlight, glittering with the galaxy of stars above them.