Briseis

09 How Lucia Got Here

"I will never be the Queen of this place." I say as I clinch my fist.

Then I realise it's too late and go back to bed.

...

"Psst..." Someone slightly touches my cheek, waking me up from sleep.

"Mmm.. Who is it?" I say, as if I have somniloquy.

"Shh. It's me, Leonard."

"Len!" I shout quietly. "How did you come here?"

"Just some skills." Len takes a short breathe. "Elena, I have to talk to you."

I stare at him.

"We need to go somewhere private." Then he kneels down after changing his form into a phoenix. "Here. Get on my back."

I grab his feathers as I put my legs around him. My position is set. "Ready."

Then Len runs to the window that leads to the balcony. Feet stepping hard, he opens it as he runs and suddenly jumps off from the edge. We're now in air, flying.

"Len," I ask. "Where are we flying to?"

"The gardens. It's deserted at most of the times. That's the only place I can stay safe."

"The gardens are in the castle. You didn't have to pick me up, I could've walked there by myself if you told me to."

"Nah. I just wanted to waste less time. And it's more comfortable for you."

"Thanks." I smile.

"Oh, by the way, Elena. You didn't come to the gardens at 11 last time."

"I don't remember you telling me to."

"I'm pretty sure I did."

"Sorry. I might have misheard it."

"It's okay. Nothing's wrong, it's not your fault. I understand. Because she was also like that..." Len murmurs as he smiles.

"What? Who?"

"Uh, I'll explain it."

We then land on the green grass floor of the garden. We try not to make loud noises.

"Your sister, Elena..." Len starts. "Was a great Queen."

"You knew her?" I shout, being surprised.

"Oh yes, I knew her very well. She was lovely as a dandelion."

"Tell me more about her, Len!"

"Okay, but let's find a spot to sit down." I follow Len, stepping into the bush maze. "The maze is a great place to hide when someone spots us."

We walk until we arrive at the centre of the whole maze. A water fountain was sitting in the middle. Len changes himself into the form of human and we sit down at the stone edge of the fountain.

"So my sister Lucia." I start off. "Tell me everything about her you know."

"Well, she was a great Queen but also a great friend." Len takes a breath. "She ruled Briseis with wisdom and power."

"How did she get here?" I ask. "I'm sure she wasn't born here. She was with me when she was a baby."

"Same way as you." Len says. But then the complexion of his face changes dark. "But it wasn't the blue light that led her. Because she is the Blue Light. Instead it was the voices of the phoenixes here."

"Continue." I say as Len's story drags me in.

"Lucia... When she arrived here after following the voices, was asked to be the queen. Queen was what all phoenixes were looking for and were needing. And the phoenixes chose Lucia."

"Why? Why Lucia, not someone else?" I shout as I suddenly stand up, being angered. "If it wasn't her that was chosen, both of us wouldn't have faced this situation!"

"Calm, Elena." Len says as he lightly grabs my wrist.

"Thanks." I sit back down and continue listening to Len's story.