Beyond the Surface: Feralla's Story

Chapter Four: City of Nautika

"Ahh yes Cousin Alessandra I see you've found her picture." I pause and slowly turn around. "You knew Alessandra?" She smiles, She was the most beautiful of all the rubies and diamonds you could ever imagine. "Why yes honeybee, I'm her cousin of the sea. Queen Esmeralda Guievieres Majlatof. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance child." I bow beacuse I didn't know what else to do. I'd never been in the prescence of such beauty and royalty. Alessandra always treated me that of a sister so she never let me bow or anything of the sort to her.
"She was the bravest of all warlords, the kindest soul that of a butterfly, she was the perfect ruler. What I'd give to hug her one last time." I felt her pain I missed her dearly. "She was like an older sister to me, Queen Esmeralda." "Please child call me Elle." "Sorry Elle, but yes I didn't know she had any other family." "She never liked to spread word of her other family for our safety. A lot of people died in our family after the "Great Extinction of the Valinruud Family."  This made sense, since she would always seem uneasy as if she was always feeling watched or hunted. Poor Alessandra, I wish she'd gotten to go on this journey with me and see her cousin. "Child, you are especially right about one thing. Alessandra loved you and treated you like one of her own. One of us, A child of the Valinruud legacy. Therefore, with great honor I deem you Guardian of the Silver Gate and The City of Nautika." I bow hiding my tears, I'd never felt so appreciated, so important. I know my mother would be so proud of me right now.
"Also, I wanted to give this. Follow me into the armory." Armory? I thought, Why would I need armor? I had an uneasy feeling about what I was getting myself into, but something in my heart and soul knew it was the right path. I follow the beautiful Empress into her majesty's armory and gaze with wonder at all of the beautifully crafted weapons and armor. "This was Alessandra's when she first went off beyond the waters of darkness." I stared amazed by the craftsmanship. The armor was made of a special obsidian rock and metals. While simultaneously containing silky ribbon and gold and glass weaved into the swirls. It was strong, light and very eye catching. "It's-- It's so beautiful. I can't take it though, It's the only thing you have to remember her!" Elle laughed softly and looked down at the armor, stroking it so gracefully. "She wrote me shortly after winning the war and rebuilding her new kingdom. She saw a vision similar to this moment. She foretold the future, She knew you'd come to me. She warned me of the dangers that are coming. Please savior, take this armor and her swords. Do it if not for me but for her. I trust in my cousin's words."
I put on the armor and tested the branded steel. "I don't want to disappoint you Elle. What if I do not succeed?" She hugs me tightly, "I don't know much of you my dear child but I do know you're like me: "Motherless." I had to try to stop myself from crying again. I whisper softly, "Yes.." She holds my necklace and the emerald pendant that my mother used to always wear. She loved the color green. "We all believe in you. Alessandra, Your mother and I. Save us all, Feralla you're our only hope." I nodded and hugged her back tightly.
"One more thing child, to get there faster I arranged for a Seahorse to take you, along with some more weapons and supplies. Be safe and write me if you can!" I rode off into the dusk. Things were about to become personal as this journey will define who I am, who I'm destined to be and I will learn the secrets that have been long been hidden from the world. "Hiya!" The exhilaration from riding was sinking deep into my veins, my blood rushing through my body, my breaths short but deep.