• 1. The Arrangements



    Child We Hear You, Child We Hear You,You Who Has Always Been With Us. Though Many Cannot Hear Us, You Are Of The Few Who Can. We Are Of The Three Sisters Of Fate, The Ones Who Create The Path You Must Take. Though We Have the Power To Change Destines, We At Times Cannot Stop It. You Who Wishes To Make Her Own Path, Must Earn the Right To Create Your Own. Times Will Be Harsh Child, But If This Is What You Truly Seek, We Shall Help You With Your Dreams.


    I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew it wasn’t good. My father, lord of my personal hell, sat before me on his throne with my mother who was more of the queen than he was king, stood beside him with an air of indifference. Today, she decide to wear a stunning white strapless silk dress that clung to her chest; a single golden-braided-belt hugging her waist as it showed off her slim body. Her waves of raven hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, framing her beautiful olive toned face like an exotic painting. She was of noble birth as well, but not from here.

    She was born somewhere near Egypt. Her father was one of the many lords of the small villages that resided deep in the heart of the Sahara desert. When my father came upon her during a meeting with my grandfather, he couldn’t help but take her back here to northern England.

    I watched as she clasped my father’s hand firmly, an emotionless mask of perfection upon her face. Her lips were painted gold today, which matched her amber hawk eyes that just seemed to pierce through any unfortunate soul that came upon them.

    I pity the fool that to tries to proclaim my mother was a feeble wife. She was indeed the ruler of this land rather than my father, who keeps insisting he held the power of the villagers within his iron grasp even though he was just a pawn to her. Like a puppeteer behind a red curtain, pulling all the strings with an elegant smile.

    Still standing firm, I bow my head ever so slightly as I raise my dress in a classic crusty; silently praising myself on doing it perfectly. At lest those entire classes mother had forced me to do were starting to finally pay off.

    “You may rise my dear.” My fathers voice was rough with age and I do as I was told. Looking up, I see he was peering down at me with an steady gaze. He was now in his late thirties, an old age in our time for so many had died from diseases that we had yet to name. His hair was the color of old wheat that shined white in the sun. Fine lines graced underneath his sky blue eyes, showing wariness and loss of sleep.

    “Have I done something to displease you father?” I ask as my gaze swept over them briefly, comparing my appearances to my parents.

    My hair was the same color of my mothers, but not nearly as shiny. Eyes of amber and blue clashed around my iris, creating a sunburst effect that was rare for most children to even have. My face was oval, just like my mothers with her strong but delicate cheekbone structure that went well with my slim, feline body. The only thing I didn’t have of hers was her olive skin tone, which just left me with my fathers translucent Ivory that highlighted my dark hair in a dramatic way.

    “Not at all my dear. We just wanted to have a little chat with you.” My mother said with a sweet smile, obviously stating the fact this was all her idea. The last time we had a ‘little chat’ resulted from me sneaking out the manor, leaving me to never see the sunlight ever again. The only time I could see the beautiful rays of the golden orb were through my window, which was now held securely with iron bars that prevented escape.

    “About what if I may ask?” I inquired with strained courtesy, titling my head to the side as I forged a mask of ignorance. It was never wise to show your true emotions to the lady of the house. Especially when that lady had complete power over the entire army of Arion at her disposal.

    “Its an assistant arrangement we’ve planned.” My father interjected, his voice slightly hoarse as it echoed off the richly colored walls that shown of royal red and metallic gold. It highlighted the paintings of the ancient pyramids painted by infamous artistes that resided in mother’s old village, all unique with an air of beauty swirling about them.

    “Arrangement?” My eyes widen only an inch, struggling to hold my emotionless mask with a calm air as I felt the tension in the room thicken. It choked my senses till I had to let out the breath that was building within. The way my parents were acting seemed unusual, as though they were measuring each word with caution.

    “Yes. One that will help us bind our power with Archelaus.” My father said, his sky blue eyes flickering over to my mother whom now seemed ten times taller, a smile tugging along her richly colored lips as an unknown emotion gleams in her eye before vanishing into the molten gold without a trace.

    “The ruler of the hillside lands that we helped during their civil war against their rebels?” I pressed on, deciding to ignore her strange behavior. My father scrunched his blonde brows in thought for an increment of a second, than nodded silently.

    “Indeed. We’ve found a way to finally come to an agreement that will pay off their debts to us.” He continued, his eyes now locked to the floor, absorb by a small-knotted crack in the marble as though it were more interesting than anything else.

    “And what would that be?” I requested with indifference, fighting off the frustration that wanted to strangle the old fool from delaying his words. I waited as my father kept staring down, my mother only looking forward as the tension became a heavy fog. The minuets rolled by until it was mother who broke the silence, her accent seeping into her lovely soprano tone.

    “You will wed Archelaus son, Ramous.” She declared sternly with a fixed gaze, daring me to object her notion as her golden gaze blazed down. At that exact moment I felt the blood seeped away from my face as my body grew cold from within.

    Wed. The word whispered to my mind like a bad rhyme, repeating itself with a rush of force that knocked the breath out of me. This was horrible! How could they even do such a thing to me? Yes, I might not be the perfect daughter but to punish me like this.. No, there was something more to this.

    “But Mother-“ I stressed as I fought the sting of tears that threaten to fall, to show weakness to these people was a catastrophe of sorts!

    “No exceptions child. We have already sealed it in blood and it will not be spoke against.” My mother said with a slight sneer, not rendering her beauty as she glowered down to my form. Form the look alone she’s shown that my thoughts were true. It signified that I was just a pawn that openly illustrates assertiveness against its wielder. This arrangement was about power, not what was right from wrong.

    “I’m only sixteen!” My voice raised an octave as the anger from within got the better of me.

    I didn’t care though. This was my life.

    For all I care I rather be locked in the darkest part of world and stay there if it meant escaping some demented arranged marriage by theses monsters. Besides, here the law stated a maiden couldn’t wed till they were seventeen; something my mother had made law herself!

    “And I only fifteen, if you don’t remember my daughter.” My mother spoke with a softer tone, her golden hues casting downward as if to hide the flash of an old memory. I knew it was hard for her back then. To be wedded to some strange foreign man who came to her village, and stated to her father the she would be his wife or there be war upon them. Yes, my father had threatened my grandfather and he meant it too.

    When they wedded, it was a one-sided love. My mother at the time was in love with another man, whom she had already pledged her heart and soul too. A few days before they stood before the alter though, the man my mother loved had conveniently died of a strange illness.

    ‘No doubt your father’s doing.’ My mother had once said with a light chuckle but I could still remember the faint malice hidden beneath it. She told me this one-day when I was still but a child. I couldn’t recall why she told me, but I guess she expected me to forget in time.

    “I know, but isn’t the legal age of our land at lest seventeen in order to be married?” I replied more defiantly, holding back a smug smile as my mother inwardly flinched in remembrance of her own law. She glanced away for a mere half of a second before recollecting herself.

    “Yes. That’s why we will wed you on your 17th birthday of May 20th, which is next month as you remember.” Molten gold clashed with my own contrasted hues as she elegantly smiled with a hint of a complacency.

    Of course.

    I should I known she would have thought about a way to get around her own law. Even though I would be sixteen the day I wed, they would most doubtlessly have set the wedding right at midnight, just when I turn seventeen the next day and be locked into an arrange marriage before I could even speak my thoughts as a young woman in society.

    My life, my devotion, and what little left of my freedom that was within me would now be tied to some man who most likely would be more of a companion rather than a lover. Most girls would pray for a man to consul and love them with understatement and passion. Unfortunately, even though I used to hate the idea, I rather have someone I truly loved than a little decoration of a doll by my side.

    My shoulders stiffen ever so slightly as I found my knees unable to support my weight. The bottom of my dress fell to the floor with my hands clenching the ground, my lips trembling as though to speak but nothing comes out. All I could do was stare at the ground with dried eyes as I waited for the dizziness to pass.

    "What might you be doing child? Trying to disgrace yourself in front of your own kin? Get up now before one of the palace guards sees you. I don’t want rumors to spread now.” Mother barked sternly as she gestured with one hand for me to stand. I didn’t bugged.

    “Girl, you’ve better wise up and listen to your mother. It will be a shame if the servants see the daughter of a noble on her knees as though begging like a rotten tramp.” Father voiced his thoughts as well, but once more in vain as I ignored their haughty words. Instead, I sat there as my arms trembled. Emotions of all sorts overwhelmed my small frame

    “You cant..” I whisper out while shaking uncontrollably, not caring what I say now for fate had already made the pleasure of making me suffer under her greedy grasp.

    “What did you say?” My mother questioned, raising a fine brow as she leaned forward a bit. As though leaning would help her hearing in some sort of way.

    “No! You will not marry me off! I refuse to be a bride!” I shrieked as I found my footing and stood to my full height, letting my anger, my pain, and my hate rush all out at once as I glowered to these menaces. Yet, even with theses strong emotions I couldn’t hold my sadness back as warm, moist tears rolled down my cheeks.

    “Don’t you dare go against our will girl! We have dealt with your rebellious actions for long enough. Now you have a chance to make up for your mischief and here your weeping? Outrageous!” My Father stood up from his throne and bellowed with his rough voice, his blue eyes turning a lighter shade as his own anger shown threw them.

    “Burn in Hell” I whispered harshly, my voice dripping with venom as I felt heat coursing through my body like it was set aflame from within. It always seemed to do that whenever my anger

    “What?” Mother gasped, horrified that I had used such a vulgar word.

    “I said burn in hell you malevolent witch.” I hissed, watching her features change from her once bewildered self to one as though I had stuck her with my own hand.

    “How dare you say such a thing to your mother, the very women whom gave birth to you!" My father bellowed, his eyes narrowed with anger. "You foolish girl, you will marry him even if I must drag you down that alter myself! Be gone with you! I dare not look at your sick face!" He throw his left hand into the air harshly, signaling me to get out of his sight as numerous tears socked my pink cheeks.

    Without another word I lifted my dress and walked away from my seething father. From what I could tell, mother was still as silent as stone when I had reached the double doors. The guards had opened it hastily, offering what little sympathy they could before it was slammed behind me.

    I waited for a moment there in the quiet hall, hoping to hear my mother’s severe words echo from the room.

    Yet, I still heard nothing.

    Stepping forward I could feel my body quiver slightly, my legs trembling under my own weight as I sprinted forward.

    My sobs could be heard as I ran through the ancient halls that were built for other generations of the family, my lavender dress with black corset glided about the place as I neared my secret passageway I found so long ago.

    Hidden from the servants and even my own parents, the passage way was built for protecting royal members if there ever was a war against them. It led down beneath the manor to were a small little cellar were old treasures resonated along with a secret window that was clandestine beneath the garden.

    I glanced over my shoulder before going down another hall that was rarely used among the the maids and turned to an old portrait with a beautiful brunet haired woman whom had the same ivory skin as mine.

    Taking a small lit candle from its holder that was next to her, I look to find the small line that ran down her frame. Lightly, I place my hand against the wall and slide my hand over the line till it grew wide enough to slip my hand in. Once it was in I slide it further till it revealed a small stair case that led down a dark path.

    Without further thought I stepped inside and carefully slide the wall back into place, using my lit candle to light my path as well as the oil lamps that I had replenished with some help from the supply we kept in the storage room. I breathed in and smelt the stale air as I rushed down the steps, barely taking notice of my surroundings as I led through the passage way. It didn’t take long till I reached the small room that laid beneath the gardens, bits of sunlight still visible though the window that was big enough to escape though but still hidden among the rocks and rosebushes that surrounded it.

    In the middle of the room lied three medium size statues of angels that had been carved with inhuman beauty. All three stood back to back, as each represented a part of the day. They also represented the three sisters of Fate.

    Without taking my eyes off the statues, I moved forward till I was before them and fell to my knees. Though my sobs had stopped, my tears were still pouring down my redden cheeks as I clasped my hands together upon my lap and slowly bowed my head.

    "I beg of thee, angels of night, day and twilight, to release me from this fate, and send me away. Anywhere if you might let me, just as long I’m far away from here..” I prayed and gazed upward to the three goddess that had their gazes set heavenwards, but seemed as though they were listening to my words as I continued in my soft voice.

    “Yes, A place far from here. Yet if its not to much to ask, let me make my own path, and follow my heart to were ever it takes me. You have always been so kind to listen to me as a child, and I am glad that I found this place to find some peace from my troubles. Thank you for listening.” I smiled to them and felt a wave of sleep pass by, making my vision blur as I sniffled a yawn. The lids of my eyes grew heavy before I found myself slumped against the rather warm ground, were I fell into a deep sleep that for told of twists and tales of a different life.


    Hoped you liked. Next chapter should be up soon.