Atlantis (A Waterfire Saga Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

Alma and Orfeo strolled through the public square in Elysia. It was quite busy, as always. Orfeo held her delicate hand and pulled her along  behind him so that they would not get separated within the crowds of  people. They passed the wheelwright's shop, then the wagonmaker's. They continued walking down the street until an idea had occurred to the mage.

"Follow me, Alma," Orfeo said before running off quickly in front of her.

She watched him as he ran down the street, passing many somber shops. He came to the end of the street, and stopped in front of a large area  filled with giant oak trees.

"I honestly wonder what will be built here,"  he mumbled to himself. Orfeo peeked over his shoulder and noticed Alma,  trying to catch her breath as she ran in order to keep up with him.

"Orfeo, I must tell you something," she said as she made her way towards the bush.

"As do I," he said as he led her into the timberland, out of sight from the many strangers passing by.

"You first," he instructed.

The young girl smiled sweetly and looked  around self-consciously, even though there was no one else near them that could be listening. Alma then looked down at her feet and then met  Orfeo's gaze.

He couldn't take it any longer. The way her smile made his heartbeat quicken, the way her beautiful eyes sparkled in  the sunlight.

Alma started to say something but her words were cut off when Orfeo pressed his lips against hers.

Alma smiled into the kiss and happily kissed him back.

Orfeo felt love. True love when he was with her. He was undoubtedly happy until a loud knocking sound was heard from the other side of the doors.

Orfeo opened his eyes. It took him a moment to realize that it was all just a dream.

What is happening to me?  he wondered.

I only met Alma once and now I am having such dreams about her? This is ridiculous. He told himself.

The knocking from the other side of his doors continued.

"Yes?" he groaned sleepily.

A servant spoke from the other side. He recognized her voice. It was Josephina.

"Good morning Orfeo. Shall I prepare a meal for you?" she asked.

"Yes. If you would be so kind." he said as he got up and checked his reflection in the mirror.

His hair was a mess and his icy blue eyes  showed that he was tired.

" The eyes are the windows to our souls" Nyx had once told him.

In general, the mage looked like he hadn't slept at all.

And it was all because of Alma.

What was he saying?

It wasn't Alma's fault that she was so alluring on the inside and out. And It certainly wasn't her fault that she was so gentle and kind. It wasn't her fault that he could not her image out of his mind.

It was all his doing and he had to make it stop.

He had quickly combed his hair and had gotten ready for the long day ahead of him.

Orfeo walked through the Hall of Six with two guards with menacing expressions following a few meters behind him.

Personally, he wanted some space from them but he knew that ruling an entire island came at a cost. And this was it. Privacy.

His thoughts suddenly drifted back to Alma and his dream about her. Again.

She was so beautiful and had the most lovely smile.

It was as if his mind was going in circles and everything kept gravitating back towards the girl that he healed yesterday.

Orfeo tried so hard to not think about the locksmith's daughter but perhaps he was trying too hard for he had nearly bumped into Merrow. They both jumped back, surprised by their near-collision.

Merrow wore a light pink dress that had a fitted bodice and her black hair was tied into a side braid. Her lovely talisman dangled around her neck.

"I'm terribly sorry Merrow, I wasn't looking where I was going." Orfeo said apologetically.

Merrow let out a laugh and said: "You know you have eyes for a reason Orfeo. If I were you I would start using them someday."

Orfeo ignored her sarcastic comment and was suddenly filled with curiosity.

"What are you doing her so early in the morning?" he asked.

Merrow, Pyrrha, Navi, Nyx and Sycorax had all married at a young age. All of the mages except for him lived in separate homes, away from The Hall of Six.

Orfeo preferred it that way. He could do his work from dawn till dusk and not have to worry about traveling. Someday though, he would have to move out.

Merrow did not answer his question and instead asked a question of her own.

"Are you ill my friend? You look like you haven't slept in ages." Her expression then changed to a look of concern.

Orfeo simply stood there uncomfortably, and after a long pause he decided to come out with the truth.

"I haven't slept because... I have been thinking about someone. A specific person who I cannot erase from my mind." he said while scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

Merrow processed his words carefully and smiled.

"Oh my gods Orfeo, you are finally in love." she said while grinning from ear to ear.

"How did you know?" he asked.

Suddenly it struck him.

"The eyes are the windows to our souls." the mages said in unison.

"May I offer you some advice Orfeo?" she asked.

He nodded.

"If there is anything that I have learned about love is to follow your heart and be honest with each other. If this girl doesn't already know how you feel about her, you should tell her." she said.

"You are right Merrow. In fact, I will go see her right now." he said, with determination written all over his face.

Orfeo started to stroll away from Merrow but she stopped him.

"Orfeo, you can't." she said.

The mage then turned around to look at her.

"Well, not today at least." Merrow reminded him.

Right. he told himself.

I have an entire island to rule.

He sighed with disappointment.

Orfeo turned around and noticed the two guards standing a few feet away from him. Then, an idea had come into his mind.

***

I need to ask you readers a favor. I have many new characters that I will eventually be adding in this story but I have no idea what to name them. I need all of you to comment a bunch of names that you guys have a liking for. Feel free to comment more than one name if you wish.

The names gender doesn't really matter. I will still incorporate them in my story somehow.

I would really appreciate it if you please wouldn't choose some names that have already been used in the Waterfire Saga series.

<3 AGkittykat