Wet Fire

Gifts from Afar (E3)

Blythe

He stepped through the threshold of the entryway and into the throne room, where the sun gleamed bright though the Great Dome of crystal. Prisms embedded into the windows scattered rainbows across the marble tile. The court roared with applause and he swept his long robes aside to make his way to the seat at the head of the chamber. It's just about me and Floriana tonight.

Blythe grinned and strode promptly over the chair beside the royal throne, which was embellished in large quartz stones and silver etchings. He imagined if this was what it was like to be king-heavy robes, applause, and people wishing him the best for all time.

His whole life, Blythe had lived in the shadow of his brother, Adair, who would be first in line for the throne. The King had always paid special attention to Adair, teaching him the laws of the land and all of his kingly duties. Even when they were small boys, Adair was always his father's favorite. Blythe, nevertheless, knew that Adair would be a great king someday. Adair was tall and strong and had thick blonde hair on top of his head, much like his father. Moreover, he was kind and fair.

The crowd went silent. Blythe glanced over at his cousin, Floriana. She looked beautiful this morning. Her long brown hair flowed over her small shoulders and down to mid-waist. Her big blue eyes glistened. The dress she was wearing was made of a shiny light-blue silk and crochet white lace. A silver cape fell from her shoulders, embroidered with the double-triangle symbol of Cyclonus. The rainbows from the crystal dome flecked her entire body, giving her the look of a mystical fairy.

Blythe and Adair had been the best of friends from childhood. Most days, they would play in the gardens outside of the castle with Floriana. Adair was always the king in their little scenarios, while Blythe was a noble knight, and Floriana was a princess. Blythe would catch the barnacle geese that would serve as their foes, during their play. He would trap them in the outer bailey and then bring them onto the balcony-into the garden-a large, flat space that jutted out of the mountain that their castle stood on. From the garden, you could see the whole city of Cyclonus. It was most beautiful there at night, when the lights of the city twinkled like stars.

Adair and Blythe would set the barnacle geese down around Floriana, and pretend to fight them off with their wooden swords. Adair refused to actually hit the geese with his sword, which always made Blythe feel uncomfortable. Blythe didn't care about the safety of the geese, he wanted the scenario to be as real as possible.

As Blythe and Floriana sat down, the heavy double doors at the front of the throne room sung open and a procession entered.

Dancers burst forth and pranced into the center aisle. The women wore shimmering beaded skirts and tight hide shirts, with large, multi-colored feathers protruding from their backs. Their hair was tied up in tight buns with feathered headdresses and glass beads. The women were olive skinned and each had striking golden hair and storm-gray eyes. They are true Aurans, thought Blythe. The dancers leapt in circles, perfectly timed to the beating of drums behind them.

The King was away.

During the summer months, King Faustus and his wife, Laverne, went north to the city of Ester--their family owned several castles on the island of Cyclonus. Blythe had never been to the royal castle in Ester, it was built for the king alone. The Citrine City was warmer than Cylconus and filled with many exotic treasures, much like Aura. Ester was known for its many waterfalls, and it was sometimes said to have gold flowing from the fountains instead of water. Blythe imagined himself looking out over shimmering waterfalls and yellow gemstones. The castle in Ester was for the King, so Blythe knew he would never visit there. Adair seemed like he would be the type to live in Ester-where everything was golden and kingly.