Kissing dust

Chapter 3

A bright light came through ragged curtains, my eyes fluttered in response. The bed creaked which made my head pound. Both me and the bed complained has I sat up.

Clothes dangled off the bed, some having landed on the floor. The sheets were my only form of cover for that moment. Yet they seemed to be sizzling where a grey dust decorated the paled covers.

My stomach turned inside out, while my breathing began echoing in the room. But no matter how much air I breathed in, everything clogged in my throat. I gasped for air and clasped the mattress, it felt like my lungs had stopped functioning.

This man was dead. I had killed him.

I had killed him.

It hadn't been because I was ordered to. Not because I wanted to stay alive. It just happened. Without any reason.

I realized that my ragged breaths only made my heart pound faster, I began repeating "It's not your fault". My mind flooded with every single thought that went against that statement. Too make them go away I began saying it aloud. Soon those were the words that echoed in the room, with occasional hitches breaking the sentence.

The door was thrown open and Mute strutted inside. I collected myself enough to put on a smile. Despite that the sweaty sheets threatened to expose my outbreak.

"Don't worry. It's grey dust, only a peasant." I said has Mute eyed what was left of the man.

Eventually he ignored it's presence and threw a letter onto the bed. A claw mark was on the sigil. Reluctantly I opened the letter.

"I regret to inform that Lord Blue has been feeling downtrodden. Would you be so kind and travel west to take care of him?" Said a note with straightened out letters. Next to it was another paper sheet that I recognized has a birth certificate. Opening that paper I found the name 'Nerezza Black' written neatly at the top.

Lady Nerezza was a distant cousin to the current lord Black. Quite early in life she was sent of to make peace treaties. All the gossip around her said otherwise. She simply wanted to adventure the world and the Black family wanted her recklessness long gone.

"When are we leaving?" I spoke with a smile. In return a fresh dress was thrown onto my face and Mute walked out the room.

Putting on the black of-shoulder dress adorned with silver belts and threads I felt myself relax. The aroma of roses was embedded into the silk, making the sweat smell dwindle.

After I collected the remaining dust I took one last look before following Mute.

Days passed and leafs yellowed has we traversed the lands. Time had been wasted by lazily starring out the window. Yet at the sight that was now in front of me my eyes began to widen. A waterfall could be seen traveling from the top of a castle, through and around the city, to its final destination at the ocean. Has we got closer you could even see the sparkling in the rushing water and the never ending horizon by the ocean. A slight pout went over my face when both views got covered by a stone brick wall. The only water still in sight was the water grave that snaked around the city. Guards stopped our carriage has we made our way over a drawbridge.

"Nerezza Black! Here on diplomatic duties!" I partly squealed while pulling out the birth certificate.

The guard gave me an annoyed glare while glancing over the paper. A moment went by before he gave a sign to open yet another gate.

Before me was now golden fields stretching out. Instead of rottenness I was meet with earth and growth. Dotted out on the fields were small wooden houses with straw roofs. The carriage smoothly rolled over a dirt road that circled around fields and rivers. Which soon changed into bumping up and down has the streets changed to cobblestone.

Around us was now wooden houses framed and patterned with logs. The roads began curving both upwards and sidewards. Not a single street seemed straight has we climbed the city.

One last bridge was crossed before the castle was before us. That bridge having intricate flowers carved into its railings and even more so on its roof. The sound of rushing water was beaming at us has we crossed and the water was pouring down from the roof and down below the bridge. I took the opportunity to reach out my hand to feel the chill softness of the waterfall. A small smile flashed over my face, which quickly washed away when the castle doors closed behind us.

After our carriage had been stowed away I was meet by a middle aged woman. Her brown eyes were widely opened, while the dark hair strands that escaped her bun clung to her forehead.

"Welcome Lady Black! We weren't expecting your visit! Leaving us absolutely no time to prepare!!!" The woman frantically uttered has she lead me inside.

"Of course, that is fine Lady Black. We are happy to have you!" She continued in a voice that meant the exact opposite of what she said.

"Why of course! Who wouldn't want my lovely company?" I flashed her sly smile has I watched her try to reciprocate it with twitching eyes.

After we passed gates and guards, we reached an elegant meeting hall. This room alone was the entire size of a peasants home. Archways went out from the walls and reached for the ceilings. The ceilings themselves were in a cross formation. Shields, swords and ocean blue cloths decorated the stone walls. Cushioned sofas in the same blues were placed between the archways.

"Please wait in this hall while we prepare! If you need something then simply call!" The woman said, strutting away before leaving a chance for a reply.

I gave a shrug and sat down on one of the sofas, crossing my legs in the process. Has the time began to go by my foot rhythmically tapped the carpeted floor. Mutes absent eyes began to glare at my feet and his fists tightened.

"Are you trying to say something? I can't quite hear you." I grinned out. His response was a silent grunt before he went back to staring into nothing.

My tapping began to quicken before a heavy sigh left my mouth.

"I'm going for a walk. Come find me once the maid is back." Before I had time to stand my wrist was caught in an iron grip.