Chapter five
Forever Hidden Past
Orianna opened her eyes and looked around. Aarie sat next to her reading a book.
“Aarie…what
happened?” Aarie looked up from her book to Orianna.
“Ah,
you are awake. Lady do you not
remember what happened at the creek?” Orianna
shook her head.
“I
went to the creek with the spirit, something about being seventeen.
I felt it again…”
“It?”
“The
feeling that I was not alone. Like
there was someone there.” Aarie nodded.
“A
thug attacked you, a young gentleman saved you.
A young gentleman that happened to be at the creek that night.
The son of a duke no less.” Orianna looked around.
“How
did I get back here? The sun had
not yet risen and last I saw was the creek.”
“The
sun did rise Lady, but it is two nights late.” Orianna gave a surprised look.
“How…?”
“The
man at the creek did bring you home. The
manor was asleep except Dania who was beginning the morning preparations, for
the sun had started to rise whence the young man did yell for help on your
behalf.”
“It
was close to sunrise when we did leave. It
was Val’s idea. I thought he
would protect me but…” Aarie looked concerned.
“He
did not stay at your side? Where
did he go?”
“I
do not know. He just
disappeared.” Aarie stood.
“Are
you well enough to stand?” Orianna nodded.
Aarie held out her hand and Orianna took it. “Perhaps we should go.”
“Go
where?” Orianna stood up and walked with Aarie to the door.
“There
are things you should know Lady.” Aarie opened the door and they both walked
out. Michael looked up from a book
he was reading in the hall.
“Ori!”
He walked over to the young girl and hugged her tightly.
“Are you alright my sister?” Ori laughed.
“Michael
I’m fine.” She giggled. “Michael…Michael…um Michael I cannot
breathe.” He finally let her go and looked down at her.
“Ori
I’m…I am so sorry…” He looked away.
“Michael
you did not even know I was gone. You
cannot blame yourself.”
“I
know.” He nodded.
“My
lord, the Lady and I were going to town. Do
you wish to join us?”
“No,
no. I have work to do still.
You go have fun and be safe.” Ori nodded and started to walk away but
Michael pulled her back. “Be safe.” He
smiled down at her.
“I
will. I promise.” She smiled and
shook her head. Michael smiled and
walked back to the study and Ori walked out of the mansion with Aarie.
They
headed toward the creek and with each step Ori grew more and more uneasy.
She stopped just short of the rock.
Aarie walked ahead then stopped on the rock then looked back to Ori.
“Do
not worry Lady, this time you are safe. Do
you remember yet?”
“
No. It’s just a feeling.
Fright and emptiness.” Aarie
looked at Ori with confusion.
“The
fright I can understand but the emptiness?”
“I
do not feel the comforting force that I felt before.” She looked up at Aarie.
“I mean…never mind.” She
quickly looked away. Aarie gave a
small frown then turned back to the creek.
Ori did not move any closer.
“Val!”
Aarie called out. “Val come to us
now!” Her voice held a bit of
resentment and anger.
“Who
gave you the right to call to us you thing of hate?!” The small voice echoed
through the thick woods, warm with hate and anger. Ori jumped at the abrupt sound.
She grasped her arms in front of her chest as if she was cold.
“Val
why do you speak so unkindly?” Ori cried out.
Aarie turned back to Orianna. A
light formed between them growing larger in size till it matched theirs.
The light glowed brightly with beauty and yet a hint of anger.
“Lady
Orianna wants answers Val. I
believe she deserves them.”
“Once
again who gave you the right to address us?”
“Us?”
Ori asked in a small voice. There
was a moment of silence that was unnerving but it was broken with Aarie’s
voice.
“Tell
her Val.” Ori blinked and looked at the light hesitatingly.
“Where
were you Val? Why did you leave
me?”
“Little
Ori…I never left you side. There
are just some things that you need to witness.”
“What
do you mean?”
“He
means that you need to witness the evil of humankind first hand to understand
how truly horrible they are.”
“NO.
I mean that there are evils in this world that are not human that you
need to be able to see.” Ori rubbed her arms again.
“Why
do I have to understand this?”
“Because
Lady you are different.” Aarie
looked at Ori sadly. “Ever since
I first met you I knew you were different.
You are special Lady. Divine.”
“What?”
She looked to the light then back to Aarie.
“What do you mean? Divine?”
Aarie looked uneasily to the light then back to Ori.
Aarie walked over to Ori and put her hands on her shoulders.
“Lady…that
is something that will be important later in your life.
Right now all you have to worry about is growing up a proper young
lady.”
“Some
day little Ori you will come back here for those answers again.
Right now they are not ours to give.”
“Va…”
“Please
Lady, we have our answers it is time to go.”
Ori wiped her eyes. She was
unaware that she had been crying. She
nodded to Aarie and they started to walk away.
Ori looked back as she walked then broke free of Aarie and ran back to
Val.
“Answer
me this who am I?” She shouted to
the light. “Truly, tell me!
WHO AM I?”
“Ori!”
Aarie called out. The light faded
quickly.
“NO!
No! Do not leave me!
Tell me! You can not do
this!” The light flickered
slightly as if it was fighting.
“Little
Ori please let me go.” The sound
of Val’s voice and the urgency of his statement startled Ori.
She let go of her anger and let her fear take over.
She fell to the ground overcome with that fear.
Aarie came to her side.
“Ori…”
She whispered.
“Aarie…”Orianna’s
voice was high pitched, small and frightened.
“I can not move.”
“Aarie
take care of her…you have cleared your name.
Watch over our little princess.” Aarie
nodded to the light as it faded out and left.
She picked up Orianna and prayed for strength both physical and
spiritual.
“Please
make me strong enough to serve her.” She
looked down at the frightened girl in her arms and let tears roll down her face.
Ori
woke up the next morning and walked into the dinning room. Her mother and grandmother sat at the large table.
“Ori!”
Her mother called out then got up and walked over to her.
“Oh my daughter, are you alright?
Aarie told me about everything.” She
hugged her daughter tightly then pulled away to look at her.
“Oh that is an ugly mark.” Ori
touched her face lightly so she wouldn’t hurt herself.
“Oh…I
did not know it was there.” She
looked up at her mother. “It was
just a little sore.” Aarie walked
in the room and sat down at the table. “What
exactly did she tell you my Mother?” Aarie
looked up at Ori finally, but her face was blank.
“About
being attacked. Oh how I wish you
wouldn’t leave like that. Promise
me Ori please never leave without an escort.
With your father’s enemies out there it’s not safe for you and
especially that you are his daughter. And
that you are a young lady of such stature being alone just screams attack me.”
She smiled, embarrassed. “I
know, I’m babbling. I’m just so
worried about you. Just promise me
you will not leave alone again.”
“Do
not worry my mother. I have had
enough of the outdoors to last me a while.”
They smiled at each other.
“Lady
tell your mother about Nicolaus.” Aarie’s
voice was blank but there was some hint of something almost like spite or
malice. Ori looked over at her
confused.
“Nicolaus?
I do not know the name.” Aarie nodded.
“Oh
yes that is right. You were still
unconscious.” Ori looked down.
“There
was a man. A man that…he felt the
same as…” Ori sighed frustrated. “I
cannot find the words to describe what I’m feeling.”
“Please,
Aarie. Tell me about this
Nicolaus.” Ori’s mother turned
toward Aarie as she asked.
“He
is the oldest son of the esteemed Duke Ereghn.”
Ori’s mother’s face brightened up.
“Really?
A gentleman?”
“Yes,
he saved our young Lady.” Ori’s mother smiled at Ori.
“Well
I’m going to wash up.” Her
mother said as she walked out.
“Lady?”
Aarie looked at Ori but Ori did not respond.
She walked toward the door. “Lady
please let me explain.”
“Not
now Aarie, please. I’ve been
through enough.”
“But
Lady we need to discuss what happened with Val.” Ori turned to Aarie angrily.
End Chpt. five
Copyright of Luciérnaga 2000-01
Go to Chapter
six--Nicolaus