Miradel: The Harmonic Saga

The Threshold of Miradel

As the carriage rolled to a stop, Eryx did his best to steady his heartbeat and smooth his breath.

No mistakes. Not today.

When the door creaked open, a far-from-ordinary woman stepped out. The first thing Eryx noticed was the way she moved. She exuded regal elegance, her movements imbued with a natural grace that echoed royalty. The woman bypassed Sanjay and held out her hand. Eryx grasped it clumsily, glancing at the many bracelets adorning her wrist and forearm. They were made from various metals and painted in different colors. The writing on each of them bore a different language as if they were hailed worldwide.

"The name's Drysella, and you are?"

It felt as if her eyes were consuming him. She was taking note of everything: Eryx's stance and stature, height and weight. He couldn't figure out if she was checking him out or sizing him up. Eryx looked over at Sanjay, who simply nodded.

"I'm Eryx. My father and sister are over there."

Drysella gently removed her hand.

"There's no need to be so nervous. Your hands are shaking." Drysella ran her fingers across his shoulder as she sauntered over to Sanjay.

Drysella gave him the same sweet smile. It was practiced. Consistent. Perfected over the years.

"Are the falcons quite active this time of day?" she asked, garnering strange looks from Eryx and Arielle.

Sanjay nodded.

"Indeed, but they tend to duck behind the hills before midday," he replied, completing the exchange. Drysella understood though Eryx could have sworn that right before she turned her back, she shot him and her sister with a pained look.

Drysella nodded briefly before she rummaged around her pocket and handed Sanjay a small, sealed note. The paper had been dipped in a crimson red powder, coloring it. Sanjay's fingers trembled slightly as he took it.

He's nervous—anyone would be anxious in this situation—but there's something more. Eryx, though, when he turned to Arielle, she picked up the same thing.

"He seems sad..." Arielle whispered.

Cutting off the siblings, Drysella gestured them toward the carriage. Eryx paused, gazing back at the Faywilds. Wondering if this was the last time he'd ever see them. And with that, together, they climbed into the back of the carriage.

The inside of the carriage was dimly lit and lined with cushioned seats. Sanjay and his family settled in. He carefully broke the seal of the crimson note. Still, as Arielle tried to glimpse what it said, the carriage lurched forward, the rhythmic trot of the horses marking the beginning of their journey.

Eryx was less curious about what the note said. Few things could prepare them for Miradel. They had to be ready for anything. So he leaned back, watching the world go by. A blur of greens and browns as they left the familiar behind. On the other hand, Arielle couldn't help but let her curiosity get the best of her.

"Well, what does it say?" Arielle brimmed with excitement.

"Not much. It will be a three-day ride. We'll arrive at dawn and remain in the carriage until we hear four knocks, a pause, and three more knocks. This is also my pass. I mean, our pass once we're inside Miradel. I have to show it to whoever comes and gathers us," Sanjay said, stuffing the note into his pocket.

Our father is good at many things, but lying was never one of them. Eryx leaned back against the side of the carriage. Whatever his father was hiding didn't matter. This was the perfect opportunity to get some rest. He knew the real work would begin once they were inside Miradel.