Dance of Life and Death

Chapter 2

I remembered my death and nothing else.

I hadn't been wearing this dress, no, it was another one. Bright red, with black patterns running across the bottom. It had reminded me of blood when I bought it, which I thought was awfully poetic, to wear blood in your dress during a hunt.

For that is what it was intended for. I was to attend my brother and his companion during one of their hunts, in the hopes that I would charm one of the boys we were riding out with. I played along with my parents' wishes, even though I already had someone in mind. 

I remember casting playful glances to my brother's friend, an older boy of eighteen, Clove. His name was fancied after the flower, for it symbolized undying love, which his life was an example of. But I thought it better meant for me, a sort of prophecy of what would be a perfect union. He was a gentleman, who cherished me and my thoughts more than any man ever would. His compassion, his humor, his love was all mine, promised to me. Likewise, my smiles, my joyous laughter was his, and his only.

There was another who claimed them for his own.

He was another friend of my brother's, but not nearly so charming was he. His laughter was loud and obnoxious, and his way was clumsy and lacked elegance. He held no respect for me but what he saw in my body, and more than once he made forceful advances towards me. My brother, thankfully, always protected me, and this man kept his distance. 

That was until recently. This man, this brute, had suffered a stroke, and now was nearing death. Pity caused us to invite him to our gathering, hoping to allow him one last good memory. I never forgot his rough hands grabbing me towards him when he had too much mead to drink, but now I only thought to give him what he desired so he might die happily.

At noon, we all mounted our horses and set off on our little quest. I rode a mare as black as night itself to better bring out the colors of my dress. Clove rode a gray stallion speckled with black and white, his own horse. My brother rode a pure white stallion to my left, to save me from having to make awkward conversation with some of the party. The man who coveted me so, and gazed with greedy eyes over my body, rode a horse like mine, as he requested, so we would match.

As we were nearing the end of our hunt, the men having caught an impressive stag to bring home, and Clove holding a bunny, alive, to give to me when we returned, as I knew he would, I desired water and departed the merry group without telling my brother. What was a water break, anyway? Not something to worry over or have an escort to complete. 

I tied my pretty mare to a branch in a tree and dismounted, having found a little stream to refill my container with. I drew up my skirt in order to crouch down low enough to submerge the canteen in the icy water and waited. Behind me, I heard footsteps, and smiling, I turned my head.

I was expecting Clove, my dearest Clove, but found someone else far more...repulsive.

He had been drinking again, I could tell. As he neared me, the smell of fragrant wine seemed to roll off of him, choking me. I held back my complaints, however, and gave him a small curve of my lips.

"They said that I should do as I please near the end of my life," he started, slurring his words. I said nothing. 

"Do you know what it is I wish for, Gladiolus?"

I still remained silent, smiling with false cheer. 

He got down on one knee and presented a ring.

"Be my wife, Gladiolus."

I resisted immediately, not wanting to be tied to such a man, who would never converse with me, never respect me the way Clove does. Marriage with him would be certain death, I knew. I didn't care then if he was dying, that shouldn't mean that he could drag me down with him.

I turn away from him, not wanting to see the disgusting look of satisfaction on his face be wiped away with drunken anger.

He must have seen my face fall, because he hurried his next few words.

"I know you are not as fond of me as you are of that strapping young man, Clove, but know I am dying. I deserve happiness in my final moments, Gladiolus. Besides," he said with a sneer. "I'll be dead soon anyway, and then you can marry whoever you want."

I didn't want this. I didn't want to be used and impure when I married, and I certainly didn't want to be misused by this man.

He saw my panic and grew angry.

"Why can't I have what I want? They said I could have whatever I want!"

I started backing away into the little stream, noticing his weapon by his side.

He stood and lunged forward with the sword on his hip and struck my neck. The last thing I heard was the startled neigh of my horse and the cry of my lover as he ran away from the party, rabbit still held close and his other arm stretched towards me, my name on his lips and his on mine.