Children of Diezor

Chapter 1

The fresh morning air pours into my lungs. I close my eyes and just breathe it in. With every inhale I absorb its soothing calm and with every exhale I expel my worries.

I don't know if it takes me minutes or hours before I'm ready to open my eyes. It feels like ages.

I look around me then. At this hidden place in the woods that has become so familiar to me. Here I feel at home. Only in this place I can really be myself. Let go of everything that has me so on edge back home... Back at the palace.

I snuck out this morning without stopping for breakfast. So early that not even the staff had woken up yet. The only people who saw me were the guards in the watchtowers at the city gates.

Once out of their sights, I drove my horse Amour as fast as she could over the fields before us. In a matter of minutes I reached the sudden edge of the forest. Breaking through the trees, my first tendency was to head straight for the lake. But for the sake of Amour I kept going, letting her stretch her legs a bit more.

After a long hour I decided we had enough. I headed for my favorite lake, hidden deep within the woods. And that's where I remain. Opening my eyes, in this familiar place, I finally feel content. I hear Amour snort enthusiastically as she grazes. She seems pretty content too.

I let my gaze wonder away from her. Towards the water not far from us. It's just a narrow lane. Not big enough to be called a river. Lucky for me it's far deeper than it is wide.

This place, deep in the forest, is my favorite place for a reason; here I can swim.

I discard my dark blue hood and lay it on the ground. Then I take off the rest of my riding clothes. I strip down all the way to my undergarments. It's not descent enough to be seen by other people. But it's more than enough for the public in the forest that solely consist of plants and small animals.

Impatiently I sprint over to the water. Once I touch the smooth surface I slow down. I start by splashing some of the clear and fresh smelling water in my face. But I can't hold back for long; soon I'm knee deep in its coolness. I wet every part of my body I can easily reach with my hands. It feels unbelievably wonderful. The very opposite those uncomfortable dresses and extravagant accessories back at the palace make me feel. They're pretty – there's no denying that – but they sure don't feel so fine when you're wearing them. Or maybe that's just me.

I shake my head to rid it of any thought about home. Instead I shape my hands into a small bowl to catch some water to drink. I was wrong before, I realize now. I don't feel most at home just in the forest. I feel most at home here. In the water.

I dive in. Not caring I'll soak my clothes. Not caring about anything. And I don't come up for air for as long as I can manage. With my eyes closed I swim further and further, deeper and deeper. Right into the darkness, right into the unknown. It feels so good, it feels so wonderful. It feels . . . natural. More natural than walking, more natural than air.

But after a while, inevitably, there comes an end. There comes a moment – always too soon – that my need for oxygen becomes a matter of life and death. And I hate it. I curse it. I don't want to obey it, I don't want to listen to it. But I do. Only because I have no other choice.

I push myself back to the surface with a few forceful strokes of my arms. By the time I come up from the water I'm gasping for air. Heavy cough-storms take me over. Clearly, I stayed in too long.

. When the coughs finally stop, my cheeks burn as hot as flames. Their color must be as red as tomatoes, I'm sure. And still I don't feel like going back to land.

...but isn't that always the case though? Don't I always wish I could stay in longer. Even when if I've been in the water for hours?

Without breaking my head over such disconcerting thoughts, I hoist myself onto the bank. I leave the water without a glance back.