Unlifting Mist

Preparations

My seventeenth birthday was in one week. The mist cycle begins on my birthday. Taro is going to be a mist guard. Taro could be killed. All hell will soon break loose.

These were a few of the thoughts that were running through my head. I was terrified of the first clear day. When the light filtered through our barrier and the wall broke... beasts of all kinds would be racing to get in, to kill. Us.

No one is safe. That's what we had all been told. There was already a wall along the perimeter of the village, a thick wall of mud, rocks, wood and concrete. The side facing us had large supports made of wood and stone everywhere. The outside had large silver spikes. In front of the wall, almost in the mist was a stream, we diverted the nearest river and circled our village with it. The beasts could not cross running water.

Many scribes prepared their sheets and notepads and books. They all wanted to have the best information on the evil creatures that awaited that clear, horrific day.

Rosette and I had spent alot of girl time together. Picking flowers, making new dresses, those things. I also noticed that lately Aria Baloo had been following Taro and spending more time with him. She was a nice girl but annoying. I usually saw Taro shooing her off.

The day was fast approaching and we had to work fast, new soldiers were being brought in and new soldiers were training.

 

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The moon was yellow and full like a fresh cut lemon, the sky was dark and clear. Tomorrow would be the last day before the Mist.  Kaelan was spending the day with Rosette and I was walking towards Taro's cottage. It was very early since the moon was still up but I know that Taro was always up at ungodly hours of the morning.

The old, mossy wood of the door was hard and smooth, cool on my fingers as I traced Taro's name on the door before lightly knocking. The sound of running foot steps reached my ears and the door swung open revealing a  fully dressed Taro who had obviously been awaiting my arrival.

"Good morning kind sir, may I trouble you for some sugar?"

"Oh, yes madam. I have plenty of sugar specially for you my sweet one." he replied.

I hugged him and walked inside.

"I'm really going to miss you tomorrow. Do you have to do this?" I pleaded.

"Yes. it is your fathers wish and that is mine to fulfill." he said calmly.

I pouted and watched him laugh, our last day.

"I packed you some food. Some sandwiches, soups, powders to add water, dried fruit, water, dried meat and fish..." I told him.

Taro smiled. "Thank you Juliette."

You could never be to prepared.