The Girl of Ossetia

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

A moon had passed since Aranna’s arrival in Oanne. She had been taken to a small cottage in a secluded part of the city, where many of the fish people came to peer in the open windows as she sat on her bed meditating.

It was early day-break when Tisbeth’s fist met the wooden door. Arrana sprang awake from a frighteningly realistic dream, the hair clinging to the back of her neck, heart banging against her ribs. She inhaled slowly, kicking off the silk sheets and greeted the princess with slat eyes – for the orb in the middle of the city was dim, washing everything pink in a similar attempt to the actual exposed land some hundreds of feet above them. Tisbeth smiled, her fingers brushing a fly away strand of hair upon the prodigy’s face. Her hand was ice cold to the sweat mangled face of the girl.

“The hunters have returned to Duager for a short period of time for a discussion. I recommend you meet your travel partners and head out by mid-day.” Her voice is calm and simple, and the news is fresh to her still rambling mind. “But let us have breakfast in peace.”

Arrana sheepishly nods her head, shuffling back to get a borrowed satin robe and walked out with the princess into the growing light of Oanne. Not very many roamed the flat lake stone streets at the hour, which made it much easier to maneuver.

After a delightful breakfast, Arrana leaned back against a marble wall, sighing slowly. Her eyes whisk over at the princess, who was sucking the last bits of fish flesh off of thin bones with ease. After Tisbeth finished her meal, she rose, flashing a smile, her pale hair dancing around her frail body.

“We have a going away gift for you.” She says, grabbing hold of her hand with surprising strength, leading her through the small ally they had come in by and out into the street, where more people had gathered.

“But I’ve only been here for a day, there is no need for gif” She is interrupted by a chilling glance thrown her way by Tisbeth, who softened as soon as her protest was silenced. They walked up a breath taking amount of marble steps, to where a magnificent house stood, out in front was a giant thrown, where the princess ordered the autumn haired girl to sit. She slowly clambered up into the seat, pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear, a confused look on her face.

Women that looked faintly similar to Tisbeth – but with shorter hair, glided out onto the marble platform splayed out before her wearing long and colorful flowing gowns. Tisbeth centered herself as soft music slipped from somewhere Arrana did not know. A beautiful and elegant dance was performed, before two male dancers swung out, and the beat became more uplifting and shouts of glee and songs rose from the now gathered crowds. All the while, a large grin was plastered upon the girl’s lips.

Once the production was finished, the performers moved up around the throne, their ice cold finger tips stroking the girls legs with glee, soft giggles trilled from their carnivorous toothed mouths.

“Thank you, that was beautiful.” Arrana gloated softly, smiling. The girls continued their shy giggles.

“Wear this.” Tisbeth demanded as she pushed a white gown towards the girl, digging out a beautiful stamped leather vest, looking at it for a moment before handing it over to Arrana. She continued to pull out armor for the girl, who quickly clothed herself in everything she was handed.

A sudden pang of panic rolled in her veins and she looked around wildly.

“Where is my bow?” She questioned frantically, eyes wide.

“Here.” Tisbeth said swiftly, handing it to her from a large wooden trunk at the end of the bed. After she slipped on a pair of hardy leather boots and her bow and sheath of arrows, she glanced at the princess, who was holding a white hooded cape. She slowly handed it to the girl, a soft smile on her face.