The Grapes
Year of the Roses
Floral Season
The Orchard
Altsas
Isla
RAKAR LEADS ME TO THE ORCHARD. He doesn't even glance at me through out our walk there. He halts in front of the white bridge and a strong wave of de ja vu hits me. But I quickly recover. The orchard hasn't changed much since I left here with Rakar.
My eyes catch glimpses of changes and I gulp. Just beside the river is a table dressed with white linen and it's matching chairs. On the table is a tray of grapes, a jug and two goblets. A table for two.
A lean and tall stoic figure stands rigidly on the bridge and stares into the river. I turn on my heels and will my legs to run.
The StablesYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaWHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS STATUE-LIKE PRINCE that gets me? We cross the bridge together and walk in the same direction Lyza and I had earlier. He leads me deeper and deeper till he halts in his tracks. I stop too and stare at the sight in front of me.I blink and blink again but the pavilion is still standing right in front of me."H-How?" I whisper with awe, "it wasn't here a few hours ago.""It wasn't?" Kyan asks though his unmoved expression says he knows about this."Yes..
The WineYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe Dining RoomAltsasIslaKYAN STEERS ME OUT OF THE STABLES. We walk towards the Palace together with him a few paces in front of me.I want to go back to my room and lie down for a bit, spending a few hours in the Prince's company is exhausting."So, at the end of the day I succeed to learn a couple facts about you," he says."That's all you will be learning," I reply to him.He chuckles but it is so low that I might be mistaken. "Are you really that heartless, Isla?""What do you mean," I a
The ProposalYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasKyanWHAT IS A MAN SUPPOSED TO DO to please his betrothed? One he barely knows in fact. I pace impatiently as the maid cuts at the yellow and red aromatic flowers to form a huge bouquet. I don't know why but I have this urge to impress her somehow. This betrothal is neither her or my choice. I am a victim as much as she is but I want to make it up to her. I was really nervous about giving her the bracelet, I hope she likes it.The maid rises the fat bouquet. "Is this big enough, your Majesty?""I don't know," I admit pathetically. I don't know a thing about flowers or bouquets and
The LaughterYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe StablesAltsasKyanUTTERLY DISORIENTED I walk to the stables. I don't understand why my father would consider Lud a potential husband for Lyza. Is my father losing his mind? I'm not sure my mother knows about it, I know she can never agree to it. I also know Lyza will be heartbroken when she hears the news but there is very little she can do about it. I doubt I can do anything either.This will be the second time she would cry in the last few days. The first time, I caused it. I don't regret it though, I believe that the guard was taking advantage of Lyza. I'll stand by what I did anytime but this; Lysia's marriage to Lud is unacceptable. Lud seems like some
The SwimYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBedroomAltsasIslaLYSIA COMES BUSTLING THROUGH the door with a grin plastered on her face. Curious to know what has enthralled her, I place the comb I was using to untangle my locks on the dress, I jerk to my feet and spin on my feels to face her."You won't believe what is going on, Isla," she gushes smile unwavering. She giggles and grabs my finger and starts spinning under our linked fingers.I blink. Lyza has never been this perky and boisterous before. Something really good must have happened.Her happiness is contagious and I catch myself smiling wi
The Swim(2)Year of the RosesFloral SeasonThe Orchard, RiverAltsas Isla MY BREATH HITCHES AND MY HEART THUMPS painfully. Kyan has been underwater for a while now and he is not coming up. Frantically, I pull off my sandals and run into the water, hitching up the skirt of my dress. Seeing there is no point since water splashes up the entire length of my legs, I let the dress capsize.I push through until I am waist deep in the water. I don't realize that I'm crying until a tear drops into the river causing ripples."Kyan?" He isn't drowning at all. He rises out of the water like a god and ire grips what is left of my weeping heart. "You!" I spit out with fury and relief rolled into one.Kyan throws back his head laughing loudly, his shoulders shudder and his chest heaves. He wipes his eyes will the heel of his palms and gives me a mocking smirk. "You are quite caring, aren't you?"I bite my lip to prevent a spill of curses and insult. Instead, I spin around and begin my journey bac
The ShriekYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe Hall, PalaceAltsasKyanI LEAVE Isla IN ROSA'S care asking the maid to get her out of the wet dress and tuck her in but the stubborn girl refuses and says that after her has changed, she will be back to the party.If Rosa thinks it is strange that Isla is wet and shivering and I brought her into the room in my arms, then she doesn't show or say it.She curtseys respectfully at our arrival and my departure. Now sitting next to my drunk sister, I wish I had remained in the orchard with Isla. I don't know what spell she placed on me at the river but I'll try to evade it next time, if there will be a next time. I told her w
The FigurinesYear of the RosesFloral SeasonLysia's bedroomAltsasLyzaTHE IVORY FIGURINES ARE A GIFT from Lud so I put them into the basket and push them under my bed. The figurines are very beautiful, each one with it's peculiar and intricate design. They are five of them; five nude females with different patterns craved into their skin. They all had huge breasts and fat thighs and wide empty eyes that stare at nothing. If my mother or Isla see anything wrong with my so-called fiance giving me such a gift, they don't utter a word about it. The figurines haunt me, their lifeless eyes taunt me that's why I hide them from my sight.My mother had delivered the figurines this morning after breakfast. She held the box w
EPILOGUE: THE SUNYear of the BougainvilleaFrigid SeasonThe PalaceAltsasIslaI AM SO EXCITED. Today, I'm expecting mother and father's visit as well as Mavli's. It's been ages since I saw them.Throwing off my blanket, I jump off the bed and to my feet. A shiver runs down my spine the second my feet touches the cold ground. I slip my feet into slippers and huff out a breath which floats as a thick cloud of fog in front of my face.I'm not surprised to see that Kyan isn't on the bed, he has always been an early riser. I'm sure he is already getting the orchard ready for my parents' arrival breakfast.
The Sound of the WindYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasKyanIT'S BEEN A WEEK since my marriage to the woman of my dreams. To the woman who's thoughts move the Earth. A whole week was kept aside for the wedding feast before I was permitted to take my bride away on the honeymoon.Now, I sit under our favourite tree weaving a flower crown for my bride. The cold pendant, a gift from Isla which also happens to be the heirloom of her family is pressed to my chest underneath my shirt on a gold chain.Osar flashes me a wide grin. "I have finished, Kyan. Let's see how Lyza will like it."It wasn't
The EndYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HutKintilIslaI'M OUTSIDE WITH MOTHER and Mavli plucking pumpkin leaves for soup when a deafening thumping of hooves against the Earth is heard. Frightened, we rush inside and hide only peeping out through the windows."It could be them again!" Mavli's lower lip starts to quaver.Mother's lips move wordlessly with silent prayer.Carriages come in view, hundreds of them. Some of the carriages speed by and some stop near our hut. Valri is bleating with fright outside, Mother is whimpering with tears and Mavli clutches my arm, her nails digging into my flesh.
The ReturnYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe MarketKintilIslaIT'S BEEN HOURS.It's been hours since we laid Nadhat to rest among the reeds but still Mavli hasn't said a single word. I'm afraid for her but I know better than to say anything that might upset her more. Let her grieve, she deserves some time to grieve.Our mares trot carefully into the extensive land that was once our market. I take in all the destruction, the broken and burnt stalls. And far away,,I see a rotting corpse, I shut my eyes and turn away not wanting to see another body having seen Nadhat's.Nadhat.
The ArrowYear of the RosesFloral SeasonRoad to KintilRoad to KintilMavliTHE SUN HAS RISEN.We are almost there.Almost.We have been riding all night and day. The sun rays are peering through the clouds and threatening to end the cover of night, we dismount the horses and trot side by side with them. The smell of livestock and vegetables is over powering as we enter the Altsas market. Even if it is so early in the morning, the market is already as bustling as a bee hive. We have to elbow, duck and push our way through. My stomach churns loudly when my eyes dart to a stall of a fruit seller; the pyramid
The GirlYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe throne roomAltsasKyanMY FATHER'S EYES grows dark with ire. A large vein throbs frantically at his temple, his large hands form fists on the arms of the throne and he snarls bestially. Lyza chokes a sob, large tears pooling in her eyes. My mother doesn't say a word, she is the most collected of us. My Aunt and Rakar pace up and down the throne room. It is Rakar that breaks the silence with a growl."That harlot left you? You let that harlot escape?" He walks towards me with a glare, "I don't believe that you let a mere woman outsmart you!" He yells pointing a finger at me.I'm not angry, not at all. I'm heartbroken, for
The ReunionYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaTHE WORLD FREEZES. I'm consumed by something strong, something strange. It's happiness. It's shock. It's tension. It's tears.And I start to cry. I cry so hard it comes out in choking gasps. The woman appears at my side instantly and rubs my shoulders, concern mares her face. "What's the matter? Did you know her?"I nod, my face is dredged by the salty waterfall from my stinging eyes. "Mavli... Is my sister."The woman gasps, her hand flies to her mouth. "It's you. She mentioned looking for you!"
The RunYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaI'M STARVING and tired. I've been riding since yesternight and sunset is near. I can already see the tease of light at the horizon. Lady Gin-Gin whines softly probably as hungry and as tired as I am. I do my best to ignore her. Our pace has slowed down greatly and now, we are trotting down and unfamiliar road.But I have hope because at a distance, I can see a small flicker of light. I'm approaching a village and that gives me hope so I go on. No matter how hard my belly groans or how heavy my eyelids are or how painfully my heart aches, I'll continue. And if Lady Gin-Gin decides to stop, I'll walk.I see ad
The Promise and the HurricaneYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasIslaWHEN THE SUN SITS high up in the sky and the fullness in my stomach I got from eating the rabbit dissipates, I lose my patience and turn to Kyan who is lying face up on the ground. "I want to have a bath." I jump up from my favourite spot under the tree. I grab my bag and start tramping through trees, leaving footprints in the soft earth and scaring of birds from their perches as I go.Kyan's heavy footsteps follows closely behind, he doesn't say anything but follows humbly which I'm utterly surprised at. When I stop confused on which path to take, he drapes his arm around my waist making me flinch and he steers me to the right path