Chapter six
Nicolaus
Orianna turned toward her door groggily when she heard the knock. She glanced out the window to see what time of day it was.
“Night?
So early?” She whispered
to herself. “Come in.” the door
opened in response. Dania walked in
slowly.
“My
goodness Lady! It’s so dark in
here.” She lit the lamp by my
vanity mirror then one by my bed. Considering
that they were small lamps they gave off a lot of light.
Ori could see herself in the mirror.
She just stared at herself. She
wondered if she would always be this pale.
She picked up a piece of her long black hair and played with it looking
at the shine from the lamps. She
stared up at her eyes this time, her glowing green eyes that her mother was
always so proud of.
“My
God!” Dania gasped which made Ori
look over at her. “My lady…you
eye…it healed. That’s not
possible.” Ori quickly looked
back at the mirror. Dania was right
her eye had healed. Just this
morning it was horrible to look at and now it was gone.
In just a few hours? Is that
possible?
“It
must have been all the sleep.” Ori spoke quickly then got up and went to her
closet. “Now Dania, did you need
something?”
“Yes
Lady. Dinner is going to be served
in an hour and your Lady mother wishes you to come for once.
It’s very important. She’s
entertaining guests for your father.” Ori gave a harsh laugh.
“My
father. Do I even have one?
He is never here. Always out on business.”
Dania looked uncertain.
“Lady
your mother is very nervous tonight and you know how you always calm her.” Ori
sighed and walked over to the wardrobe. She
looked at all her dresses for a moment then turned to Dania.
“What
kind of dinner is it?” Dania
walked over to the wardrobe.
“Your
mother said informal but she wants you to look beautiful.
She added, ‘Of course she is always beautiful but she has to show it
tonight.’”
“Oh
great. So now I have to entertain
the guest with my ‘attractiveness’? Well
I am not all that attractive. I
will not turn on some forty year old man just so father can get what he
wants.” She went back over to the
bed and sat down.
“No
Lady. But here.”
She picked a dress out of the wardrobe and brought it over to Ori.
“You always looked so ladylike in this dress.
It always brought out your eyes.”
Ori looked at the dark green velvet dress.
It was plain yet beautiful. She
sighed.
“Alright
but send for Aarie please.” Dania
nodded, gave the dress to Ori then left. Ori
sighed then put the dress on the bed. She got up and started taking the dress she had on off.
Aarie walked in without knocking which made Ori turn quickly to the door.
“Aarie!
My God. You scared me.”
“I
am sorry my Lady.” She walked
over to the bed and helped Ori get out of the first dress.
“You called?”
“Yes,
did you notice anything about my eye?” Aarie
turned Ori to face her. She nodded
slightly. “It is healed.”
She turned her back around to finish the dress.
“Yes.
It has only been a few hours.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Aarie pushed the dress to the ground and Ori stepped out of it.
She stood there in her undergarments with an exasperated face.
“Ori do not worry yourself with it.”
“Aarie.
I scared the wits out of Dania. She
probably thinks I am possessed.” Aarie
gave a small laugh, which made Ori laugh too.
“The
hired help usually are not very smart.”
“Aarie!
I like Dania. I do not see her as hired help.
She is just like me only she works.”
Aarie picked up the first dress and put it on the bed then grabbed the
other one and put it on the floor for Ori to step in. “Really Aarie I am sixteen years old can I not dress
myself?”
“Your
mother does not.” Ori sighed then
stepped into the dress. Aarie
picked it up and started tying the back. She
tugged tightly which made Ori gasp a bit.
“Does
it have to be so tight?”
“Suck
it in. Besides I think you stick
your stomach out so it wont be so tight.”
“I
do.”
“That
is why I make it so tight.” Ori
sighed.
“Are
you not finished?” Ori asked looking over her shoulder as best as she could.
“Just
about. Ladies are not so
impatient.”
“Well…I
am.”
“I
noticed.” She turned Ori to face her again finally finished.
“Ah, this dress really brings out your eyes.
You look so mature and beautiful.” She touched a finger to Ori’s nose
trying to make Ori laugh.
“Why
do I have to attend?” Ori asked disdainfully.
“Because
it is in your best interest.” It
was all Aarie said as she dragged her over to the vanity. “Now how do you want your hair?”
Ori looked at Aarie questioningly.
“Down?”
“No.”
“Why
can I not keep it normal?”
“Because.”
She grabbed a handful of her hair and the brush and started at her hair.
After
about twenty minutes of tugging, pulling and Ori yelling, her hair was finished.
It was done up in one rounded fan like bun, fastened with a braid around
the base.
“This
hurts. Even when I become a real
lady I am going to hate this.”
“Probably.
Then again you may never grow up.”
Ori glared at Aarie who just smiled in response.
“Will
this do ‘cuz I want to get this over with.”
Aarie frowned.
“Do
not say ‘cuz’ and do not be in a hurry to finish this night.”
“Why?”
Aarie pulled Ori to the door.
“Just
do not.” They walked out in to
the hall and toward the dinning room. Aarie
stopped her before the door. “Now
Lady. You look so beautiful.
Be on your best manners.” Ori nodded.
Aarie walked into the dinning room but Ori stayed out in the hall.
She had a strange feeling about the idea.
Something about this party gave her butterflies in her stomach.
She sighed then entered the room unobtrusively.
She looked around quickly.
There
was her mother in her favorite red dress and her long black hair done up in
elaborate braids. Her skin wasn’t
nearly as pale as Ori’s and her eyes not as glowing green.
She stood next to an older gentleman who looked like an Earl or Duke.
Aarie was standing with Miya in the left hand side of the room, mother in
the right and Michael with another young man.
This young man caught Ori’s eye. He
was tall maybe a foot above Ori from what she could tell. He had wavy black hair that went down to his shoulders and
light but not pale skin. His body
was nicely built thin but strong.
“Orianna!”
Her mother finally noticed her. Ori
gave her best smile then walked more into the room.
Her mother walked up to her and put her hand on her shoulder.
Everyone moved a bit closer. Ori
looked at her brother who looked wide-eyed at her then moved closer with the
young man with him. Ori looked at
her mother.
“Orianna
this is the Duke Ereghn and his son Nicolaus Ereghn.” Her mother smiled contently.
The Duke took her hand and gave it a small kiss then let it down.
“My
lord.” Ori nodded. “A pleasure
to meet you.” He smiled at Ori then glanced over to his son, which brought her
attention to him. She looked
straight at his eyes, which made her heart jump and freeze her movements.
His eyes were the darkest blue she had ever seen.
It was like two dark sapphires in his eyes.
She was almost spellbound by them.
The
Duke’s son took Ori’s hand and kissed it softly then let it go staring at
her. Ori blinked and won control of
her body again.
“My
lord…a pleasure to meet you.” She glanced at her mother who was still
smiling contently. She knew then
that her mother had set this up.
The
conversations at dinner were so dull that Ori thought she was going to fall
asleep. She was seated next to
Nicolaus but the nervousness and anxiety was so thick between them that they did
not talk much except to comment on the subject.
After dinner the retired to the area that Ori always called the
‘torture chamber’ but it was more like the living room. Finally Ori excused
herself to get some air. She walked
down the hall to the window seat at the end she looked up at the night sky and
sighed.
She
had been sitting there for maybe ten minutes when she felt someone approach her
but when she turned no one was there. An
instant later she felt it again and Nicolaus was there.
He held his composure but he just stood there.
“How
long have you been here?” Ori
asked.
“I
just got here. How long have
you?”
“For
an eternity, wait no that was dinner.” Ori
laughed lightly as did Nicolaus. They
both smiled at each other.
“You
thought so too?” He asked.
Ori nodded.
“God
yes I thought I was going die.” Nicolaus
smiled again and Ori looked out the window.
“You are the one are you not?”
“The
one?” Ori just nodded and
Nicolaus looked down. “Yes.”
“I
suppose I owe you my life…” She let the sentence hang.
“You
do not owe me anything.” He replied. Ori
looked up at Nicolaus then smiled.
“We
should return.” She got up and
started walking but Nicolaus grabbed her arm softly.
She turned to him and looked at the beautiful eyes that had stopped her
in her tracks before.
“My
lady. Do not let my stature
interfere with our friendship.” Ori’s
heart jumped slightly.
“Would
you think me so shallow?” She
asked with a smile.
“Of
course not my lady. I just do not
want you to think that I am untouchable.”
He gave a sly smile, which made Ori’s heart melt.
“And
what of me, my lord? Am I
untouchable?” Her heart was beating so fast that she thought she was going to
faint. He smiled in reply.
“I
hope not my lady.” Ori blushed
slightly. At just the wrong moment
Dania walked in.
“Oh!
Lady, lord there you are. The Duke
and the Baroness is calling for you both.” Ori and Nicolaus looked at each
other and smiled. Dania went back
to the kitchen.
“Of
course Dania. We come.” Ori
walked ahead of Nicolaus but stopped when she noticed he was not moving.
She looked back at him. “What
is it my lord?” She turned half way toward him.
He shook his head.
“It
just is that I noticed you looked so much more mature than…” He let it hang.
“Than
I did when you carried me home?” He nodded slightly.
“And
you do not have any marks.” Ori looked down.
“I
did. They healed.” Nicolaus just
nodded again. He walked over to the
painting of the woman who looked like Ori and her child.
“Aarie
said this is you.” He said
staring at it. Ori walked over to
it looking up.
“It
is…or so she says. She says that
is my future.” Nicolaus looked down at Ori but she kept her eyes on the
painting.
“Is
it true?”
“I
do not know. Aarie says a lot of
things.” She pointed at the
little girl. “She’s my
daughter. Isn’t she beautiful?
I hope she really does look like that.
Though I will love her if not.” She
lightly touched fingers to the painting.
“She
has your hair but not your eyes.” Ori
nodded this time.
“It
makes me wonder who her father is in this world.” She pointed at the painting again then let her arms hang to
her side. “Well shall we?”
She asked. Nicolaus offered
her his arm and she took it. They walked into the ‘torture chamber’ again and everyone
looked at them. Ori’s mother
smiled softly, as did the Duke. Ori
blushed slightly but kept her composure. Nicolaus
turned toward Ori took her hand, bowed slightly and kissed her hand again.
Ori gave a small bow then looked at Nicolaus.
“I
hope that in the future my lady we can become more acquainted.”
The connotation in Nicolaus’ words made Ori blush a bit deeper.
“And
I.” She said a bit breathy.
The Duke came over to us with Ori’s mother.
“It
was a pleasure to meet you,” He turned to Ori’s mother. “And I hope that
in the future the friendship our children can help us overcome our small
problem.” Ori looked from the
Duke to her mother. Nicolaus looked
at his father surprised. “Come
Nicolaus, it is time to go and we have much to discuss.
Ladies.” He nodded to Ori and her mother and they nodded back in reply.
They walked out and Livinia turned to Ori.
“Daughter…”
She started. She looked around
nervously then sighed. “I have
done something that no one in this house may ever talk about.”
Ori looked at her mother worried. “Your
father would be very angry that I invited the Duke to our house.
You remember three years ago when the Duke settled an agreement to a
traveling merchant to take a piece of our land?”
Ori nodded. “Well Jonas
has not forgotten it and he has not forgiven.
He holds a grudge against the Duke.
You and Nicolaus must lay low. Try
not to been seen together in public too often and if you are make it an
accident.”
“An
accident?”
“Like
you did not plan it.” Ori nodded. “I
will work on your father. He will
accept it.”
“Accept
what? Mother you make it sound like
the Duke’s son and I are in love.” Livinia
smiled at Ori. Ori blushed
slightly.
“My
dear daughter, soon you will have to marry and what a fine catch the Duke’s
son would be. He is the oldest son
of the Duke too, a man of manners. A
gentleman.” Ori looked half
horrified. “Do not worry about it
now though. Now,” She stood up
and signaled Dania to get Miya. “
Tomorrow I have to go to town. Could
you stay here?” Ori nodded. “Good.
Well it has been a long day! Shall
we go to bed?” Ori stood and Miya
entered the room. “Miya, dear,
could you stay here with Orianna tomorrow?
I will go with Dania.”
“Of
course Madam.” Miya curtsied to Livinia.
“Is that all Madam?” Livinia shook her head and Miya left.
“Goodnight
my daughter.” Livinia smiled to Ori then held out her arms to her.
Ori went to them smiling. Ori
always loved her mother.
“Oh
mother I do not know what I would do without you!” She hugged her mother
tightly.
“You
would go on to be a woman. To live
-your- like you want to. Never let
anyone interfere with your dreams. You
are destined for such greatness.” They smiled at each other then retired to
their beds.
Ori woke up to the sound of neighing. Someone was messing with her horse again. She went to the window and looked at the stable. John, the twelve-year-old son of Dania, was trying to clean him again.
“How many times
must I tell that boy?” She
laughed to herself. Ori could still
remember the first time she found Fyré…
Ori and Aarie had sneaked out of the house as they did so many times before. Ori was only fourteen. They were both in common clothes because they were going to town. Today they would blend in.
They stopped at a craft stand to buy odds and ends. Ori was very gifted with crafts. She chose various yarns and fabrics then went to the lady of the stand to pay.
“You like crafts?” The woman asked. Ori nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes. My friend and I go play with the children and give them gifts. We’re going to get food for them too.” They lady looked at Ori with a smile.
“How kind of you. Here…” She took one of the necklaces from her stand and handed it to Ori. A beautiful red stone the color of blood shaped as a teardrop connected to a thin silver chain. It looked very expensive.
“Oh…I cannot take this from you without paying.” Ori tried to hand it back but the woman stopped her, shaking her head.
“Keep it. It is worth nothing compared to what you do.” Ori smiled softly then put it around her neck. She thanked the woman then went to Aarie and the children.
After many hours of playing with the children Ori wondered away. She went to the clearing that overlooked the market. She went to her tree and grabbed the lower branch, kicked up and swung onto the higher branch. She sat up there taking in the world and wind. She started singing softly and let the wind carry it. The trees echoed her song across the clearing sending a sweet sound through the clearing.
A loud neighing interrupted her song and made her look around. A few seconds past before a beautiful black stead came flying out of the line of trees. Without thinking Ori let her self fall backwards and flipped out of the tree. She landed on her feet and ended up right in front of the horse. It neighed and kicked upward. She stood there in awe as it settled. It started to edge toward her and she reached a hand out to it. She touched its nose softly then touched her other hand to its face. She smiled softly at the stead.
“THERE IT IS!” A group of men detached from the tree line that the horse had come from. Ori moved in front of the horse to protect it. The group came closer.
Ori yelled to the men. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t chase my horse gentlemen.”
“If he’s your horse then where’s the saddle?” One man asked. Ori started to say something but a familiar voice broke in.
“She likes to ride bare back.” A brown horse came closer. On the horse was Ori’s brother on it. Ori smiled softly.
“Yes gentlemen. I do not have anything to worry about when I ride bare back if you know what I mean.” The men chuckled a bit getting her connotation.
Michael smiled down at his sister then led the crew off. Ori pet the horse again then let it go. She started back for her manor when she realized the horse was following her.
“Alright.” She said. “You can come too.” She jumped on the horse and headed back home...
Copyright of PN Luciérnaga 2000-01