Black Roses

Chapter 2

<<< Hey again! Chapter 2. How are you guys finding the story so far? I know I have just started, but like always I will listen to any feedback. I might post some extra chapters this week. >>>

Home now, Zaria checked her garden. Each flower, bush, plant and even leaf was healthy and flourishing. She heard a familiar neigh of a horse that brought a smile to her pale face, which was usually quite serious and stern. 

"Hang on, I'm coming!" she called. Only one animal could make her smile and laugh, and that was Shade. She grabbed an apple and ran to the back of her cottage.

"Hey! Got you an apple. You ready for tomorrow?" Shade whinnied in agreement. "Well let's hope they're a bit nicer this time, yeah. See you in the morning." 

Shade was a beautiful horse. His coat and mane let them camouflage stay hidden during Zaria's night-outings. To contradict his dark coat, Shade had white socks on all four legs and a white blaze on his forehead. He was blessed with the most gorgeous eyes. Deep blue, staring at them was like the universe looking back at you. She hugged her horse goodnight and strolled into her cottage. She considered it a miracle that she had found Shade, even if he was in agonising pain. Some days she didn't know how she could ever live without him.

She grabbed her satchel from the hook beside the oak door and dumped it on the table. She searched through her pantry for food and water supplies, only packing enough for a days trip. She didn't have much, but she tied up some coins in a small draw-string bag. It would get her at least a good loaf of bread, that was another thing, she would need to earn some money. She couldn't live her whole life on bartering herbs. Zaria, then, laid out her clothes for tomorrow. Her wardrobe wasn't filled with dresses and jewellery and accessories, not because she lived in the woods, but because she saw no use for them. They weren't practical like a good pair of pants, durable boots, a comfortable shirt and a warm cloak.

With everything packed and ready for the journey tomorrow, Zaria laid her head on her pillow. She lay on her back and allowed her chocolate brown eyes to scan across her little cottage and finally found a comfortable position in which was gazing out the window. She saw the stars dotting the sky and the moon watching over all. She had built everything that she had owned. Her now cozy, strong-built abode was before a small hut made of nothing but leaves and small broken branches. Her beloved garden was nothing more but a mere sorry bush before it was a thriving hedge of both poison and reviving herbs. 

She found Shade years ago when she discovered distant cries of a badly injured foal. She taught herself how to survive independently. Many would consider this an essential life skill. However, they all saw her as crazy. They found it delirious that a girl who was lost when she was young could teach herself to survive. She would show them tomorrow that she was just not a fairy tale to be feared, she was real and not what was described. They would all admit, one day, that they had underestimated her. 

Zaria sat up on her bed, without sleep coming she pondered about her memories. She remembered her first night alone with the crows. The wind's breeze playing with her rose pendant which danced with the leaves. She remembers when she accidentally pricked her finger on her daggers, those damned sharp knives that now gave her comfort whenever she was nervous. She remembers distant crying and footsteps travelling in the opposite direction. She recalls a longing, a connection and knows there was more, but she doesn't remember enough. Now feeling nostalgic and the fact she had a long journey ahead, Zaria let her mind drift slowly to sleep.

"I can't do this. They don't deserve this, please!" The birds agreed with the pleading voice, but nothing could be done. Who was that? Zaria knew she was dreaming she had this dream a numerous amount of times. That voice though. Who?

"I'm sorry, we have to. It was bestowed upon us. Now go, be safe and goodbye," said another remorseful voice. The flowers wilted knowing this was the sad truth.

Two shadows departed in a flurry of cloaks. The moon shed a tear as even she knew that one half was destined for greatness and the other, death. But the stars wished for luck, they wanted both to die.

 Whispers of the wind faded as the two souls were torn further and further apart. Crying could be heard far off The leaves stopped swaying, the birds watched carefully. The night was grieving them, the poor sorry souls.

Zaria watched in confusion. She was being cradled in arms. Whose? She didn't know. She was slowly answering to sleep, and the slow rhythm and the diminishing sound of the wind acted as a lullaby. She felt something cold around her neck; it stung her skin like it was a block of ice. Being young and tired, she welcomed sleep with open arms. 

Everything washed away. 

<<< So...yeah! Chapter 2 done! Don't forget to vote and comment if you like! >>>