Saudade (Published under Indie Pop)

PART I - Chapter 1: Sea Port City

SAUDADE

I'm scared of the sea. I can't help but to think of the danger it brings. The width and depth seemed to be forever. But I know that someday, I'm going to swallow all my fears and sail into that immense body of menace. Because I have to find him. I have to see him. I have words I haven't said to him. There are things he doesn't know yet. And I don't care if it matters now or it never really means anything at all. I just have to find him.

Chapter 1: Sea Port City

I missed being in this city. I breathed the salty air in as my horse trotted across the sand. I pulled it to a halt when I reached the spot where I can see the shadow of that very far place.

In reality, I didn't think I can even see its shadows, at all. But I couldn't help but imagine that that place is just there, looking back at me. I smiled at that thought. If I could just live in the Sea Port City. I was interrupted in my introspection when I heard steps of horses' hooves approaching me. I turned my head and saw Tarnus and his army of five.

"Lady Primrose," he said in that quiet way of his.

I smiled at him. "Tarnus," I answered.

He was a protector of my family. The best one. And yes, we had protectors because we happened to be quite important. My family was from the East and it so happened that our bloodline was the ruler of the Eastern Land. Tarnus could have been a council member of the land since his father was already a member of the council. However, he still chose to guard my family. And he was also a friend.

"It's very dangerous to roam this land without protection, Lady Primrose," he started on the lecture but I just laughed at him.

"Oh, come on, Tarnus! Stop calling me Lady Primrose."

The other guards looked uncomfortable. They know that it was unlawful to address a person of high social standing by their first name in public. But this place has the beauty of a private beach and Tarnus was also one of us. I couldn't understand why he was more formal and stiffer that usual or what he was worried about.

"Lady Primrose. Please, we're not in our territory," he insisted. I sighed. If I knew him at all, he wouldn't drop it so I just nodded and smiled at him sweetly, earning a smile back.

Still, I couldn't help but tease him a little so I gently tapped the side of my horse run. 'Run, Argos!' I whispered to the white beast. It did run faster. Argos loved me.

Tarnus and his men quickly recovered and immediately ran after me. But they were too late. I was already too far for them to catch up. Argos was the fastest horse we have in the East. They would never beat me. I was laughing loudly as I rode to the West Castle causing the guards to look confused. They were probably wondering if the approaching woman at the back of the horse has lost her mind.

"Hello, guards of the West!" I declared, stopping Argos at the front of the gates. "My father is already inside, waiting for me with the rest of the Westons." As I finished talking, Tarnus and his horse stepped in beside me.

"May I introduce Lady Primrose Crimson of the family in the East." After Tarnus' introduction, the guards let us in.

"That is so unfair. I spoke longer than you did," I whispered to Tarnus. He just frowned at me. He really was hopeless.

The maids of West Mansion led me to a room and fixed me up. I was sure the ride had been rough on my appearance and I had to be presentable to company. They helped comb my reddish blond wavy hair, changed my dress into something more appropriate for a lady attending a formal dinner. This part of my life had always bothered me. This was just so vain.