The Dark Night Of The Soul

Chapter 2

Elizabeth pulled Genevieve aside the following morning. “Dear, I hope your mother has not made you think poorly of status,” 

“Honestly, I feel so sorry for my mother,” Genevieve replied. 

“Why?” Elizabeth asked. 

“A status and power was her dream come true, but she is too far gone, I guess,” Genevieve revealed. 

“That’s no excuse to say such lies,” Elizabeth said. 

“I know, would you mind if I leave the castle for a bit, I will have an escort with me and I will be back before lunch,” Genevieve asked. 

“I’ll allow it; but please be careful and I have a favor to ask,” Elizabeth said. 

“What would that be?” Genevieve asked. 

“Josalyn and Elias are going on a date; can you be a chaperone?” Elizabeth said. 

“Sure,” Genevieve said.  

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said. 

Josalyn walked in, and she was so giddy. “Good morning,” 

“So, Elias finally asked to court you?” Genevieve smiled. 

“Yes, finally,” Josalyn sat, and they ate. 

Genevieve and Josalyn got ready together after breakfast and after they bathed. 

“Do you have any guesses about your date?” Genevieve wondered.

“No, but I know this, we have to get to that battlefield,” Josalyn smiled. 

“Do you mind that I’m your chaperone?” Genevieve asked. 

“I wouldn’t pick anyone else,” Josalyn looked in the mirror. 

Elias was waiting impatiently and nervously in the throne room. “Where are they?” 

Elizabeth chuckled. “Girls need more time to get ready, are you nervous?” 

“Is it that obvious?” he asked. 

“Well….” Elizabeth pondered. 

“Great, maybe-,” he sighed.

“Nonsense, my daughter has chosen after a lot of thinking, and to me she chose right,” Elizabeth dismissed his doubt. 

“Thank you,” it relieved him. 

“Hurry, we will be late,” Genevieve hasted and pulled them along all the way there. 

The training of future white warriors and temptations was about to begin. The battleground was still dewy from the rainstorm a few days ago. A surplus of men stretched and while some got water or gathered their weaponry. 

Genevieve arrived. And took off her dress quickly and revealed her tank and shorts. 

The guys looked her way and smiled.

 “Hey, love, are you here to patch us up?” one asked. 

“Not in a million years,” Genevieve said. “I’m here to train,” 

“Huh?” they wondered. 

“I recommended her and the general give me permission to bring her,” Elias explained. 

There was silence and intensity when the general arrived. They all lined up. 

“This will not be easy, so if you think you can’t handle it, don’t waste my time,” the general started. 

Genevieve felt the shots being targeted at her. You couldn’t have made it any more obvious, pretty eyes? 

“Going once, twice,...” the general waited. 

They remained where they stood. 

“Very well, let’s get going,” the general led them along. 

“Do you swear to be obedient and work as a team?” the general asked. 

“I will,” everyone replied, except Genevieve. 

“Kneel,” the general ordered, and everyone obeyed except Genevieve. 

“The lass has balls, I see,” the general pulled her by the hair. 

Genevieve took her punishment and humiliation. Oh Jesus, what have I gotten myself into?

“You'll kneel or I will make you," he waited.

“When you kneel to me, I’ll do the same,” she spoke. 

“Go home,” he ordered. 

Genevieve walked off. 

Josalyn found Genevieve by the river. 

“You are badass with or without them,” Josalyn said. 

“You think so?” Genevieve asked. 

“I do, but I need you to know it too,” Josalyn sat. 

“How was your first date?” Genevieve asked. 

“Raincheck, my bestie comes first,” Josalyn said. 

“I can’t believe you would-,” Genevieve said. 

“You should, and besides, I invited him to my birthday party, so I figured a romantic setting will be a great test of chemistry,” Josalyn said. “He pulled out a chunk of your hair; are you sure this is safe?” Josalyn asked. 

“It may not be safe, but it's what I want to see through,” Genevieve stated. 

There is another part of the realm that is where no one would come to or return from. Hades needed more expansion than what was there. The environment was a ghost town and stank of corruption and burning flesh and souls. The Lord gave no mercy here. 

Here is where the general had lived his whole life. 

He entered a skyscraper of a tower. Inside of the tower was a combination of black and gold in furniture and few decorations. As he walked down a long hallway, torches led the way. He found some food and got comfortable. He entered his study. Embers warmed the small space and danced around. The biggest book with an embellished cover and back cover with smooth parchment flew off a bookshelf and into the general’s lap. 

“What do we have here?” he wondered. 

It was like the book heard him speak because it opened and on a page. There was a sentence scribbled neatly. Are you Emerson? 

“I am, who are you, and how do you know me?” he asked. 

 My name is Steven. I am the keeper of the Origin Of The Realms.

“I have not heard of this,” he answered. I can’t believe I’m answering a book, but I’m too curious to care. 

There was another sentence scribbled. I am not surprised. They banned it. 

“Why is that?” he asked. 

It caused too much chaos than what it was worth. 

“I see, but what does this have to do with me?” he asked. 

It involves one of your trainees.

“I understand, but who is it?” he asked. 

I’m not sure. 

“Well, I’ve always liked a challenge,” he said. 

The book closed and landed on the shelf, leaving Emerson with more questions than answers. 

“I think I should start researching, but it is getting late, the library is closed for the day,  and I am too lazy to get redressed,” he thought.

 There was a late arrival after dinner. The staff swung into action to make Josalyn’s uncle, Mark John Miller,  comfortable. 

Josalyn ran into his arms, and they embraced. “What are you doing here?” 

Her uncle smiled. “You are more like your father every time I see you,”  

“Please, I know you know something, you’re not one for home visits,” she responded. 

“Nothing gets by you, my dear,” he sighed.

“You don’t need to protect me,” she said. 

“I do it out of love,” he answered. 

“How is my father?” she was curious. 

“He’s well, I’ve been keeping tabs on him,” he spoke.

“Seriously, I need to know,” she said. 

“You will know what you need to in due time,” he answered. 

“OK,” she squeezed him. 

Elizabeth walked toward them. “Come here, brother,” she smiled. 

“It's good to see you,” he smiled. 

“I trust you had safe travels?” she asked. 

“Yes, but with some delays,” he answered. 

“We have lots to discuss,” she said. 

“Yes, but not tonight, at the next meeting,” he prompted.

“Very well,” she sighed. 

Everyone went to their rooms and retired for the night. 

Genevieve scribbled in her journal. 

Dear Diary, 

I got my wish, but can I do this? 

A wind danced through her hair and caressed her head and nuzzled her neck and her ears. The wind squeezed her in a bear hug. 

“I am so happy that someone or something is listening to me,” she squeezed her pillow. 

Elizabeth got a letter and smiled. She answered swiftly. 

Dearest Mary, 

I am so happy to hear from you. There’s always room for you on my court. 

Elizabeth. 

Fairies, dragons, and the deities rejoiced and celebrated like it was Samhain, although that wasn’t happening for another month. It created a shift in the energies. 

Genevieve played in the piles of leaves outside after a brisk walk the following morning. I miss simple pleasures like these. It's more of a necessity now because I don’t know how in this world I’ll survive this training.

A raven-colored steed carried a woman, and Genevieve saw them. 

The woman looked like she had been riding for days. Her clothes were wrinkled, her hair was in a messy bun, and she has bags under her eyes. 

“Miss, what are you off to this early?” Genevieve asked. 

“The castle, I am a friend of the queen,” Mary answered. 

“Can I ask what you request of the queen?” Genevieve waited. 

“I am reinstating my place in the court, but I’m afraid I’m lost,” Mary admitted. 

“Well, I can make sure you get there safely,” Genevieve suggested. 

“That is very kind,” Mary smiled. 

Genevieve had the reins of her steed and led the way. 

“You haven’t told me your name; I wasn’t aware Elizabeth had another daughter,” Mary said. 

“I am not Elizabeth’s daughter, I am Arianna’s,” Genevieve corrected her with such a hollow heart. 

“You are nothing like her,” Mary asked. 

“I’m aware,” Genevieve sighed. That’s another assumption I hate. 

In a few minutes, they were on the grounds.

 Mary spotted Elizabeth. “Thank you for allowing me to reinstate my position,”

“You’re my best friend,” Elizabeth smiled. 

“You will be late if you don’t hurry, here ride in on my steed,” Elizabeth insisted. 

“Thank you,” Genevieve hopped on and rode fast. 

Emerson walked down the streets. I don’t know if I’m being too loyal or idiotic for listening to a book, but this is something I must see-through. He looked around him and saw the same story constantly. A bleak and melancholic background that was now mundane. “I’d never thought I would like to see the day where my home doesn’t feel like my home anymore,”

The sky howled with down-pouring rain when Emerson arrived. “Everyone’s here except-,” Emerson looked around. 

“Easy,” Genevieve halted the steed. 

“Is that the girl?” they wondered. 

“My name is Genevieve,” she corrected them. 

They nodded. 

“Would anyone like a ride after training?” Genevieve asked. 

“I would,” Elias smiled. 

 Genevieve smiled back. 

“Are you guys ready?” Emerson waited. 

Genevieve looked around and everyone was looking at her and it stung like a bee attack or the burn of a wildfire.  Prove that you belong here, your sanity depends on it. 

“Laps,” Emerson instructed. 

“Duty calls,” Elias sighed. 

This lasted a few hours, and they were all exhausted after.

Josalyn was in bed when she heard a knock. “You may enter,” 

Elias walked in with Mary. “I heard someone is unwell,” he smiled. 

“Are those sunflowers?” she smiled. 

“They are, I thought it would brighten up your room,” he handed her a  bouquet. 

“Thank you, they’re lovely,” Josalyn sat up. She squirmed and then took a deep breath.  

“Elias, can you wait for us downstairs?” Mary asked.

“Sure,” Elias kissed Josalyn’s forehead. 

Mary grabbed a black towel, clothes, and led Josalyn to the bathroom to clean herself. Then she changed her sheets and made her breakfast. 

Josalyn came back to her room and ate. 

“Is it always this bad?” Mary asked. 

“Always and I don’t tolerate pain too well,” Josalyn answered. 

“I didn’t either, but it’ll pass and it's only a week,” Mary understood. 

“Did I make a mess?” Josalyn asked. 

“It’s not your fault, it's a part of being a female,” Mary assured her. 

“Thank you, Mary, but why are you back here?” Josalyn asked. 

“My mother requested me to come back,” Mary said. 

“Did you request to come back as well?” Josalyn asked. 

“It was both,” Mary confessed. 

“My dream came true after all these years,” Josalyn said. 

“I am so happy for you guys,” Mary said. 

“Maybe yours can come true,” Josalyn said. 

“I haven’t seen Oliver or your mother in years,” Mary sighed. “Emerson’s birth and his disappearance changed everything,” “My love for your mother wasn't planned, but as we grew up it never faded,” 

 “I can’t imagine what that’s like,”  Josalyn embraced her. “Whatever you choose, you will have my support,” 

“I wouldn’t even wish that on my worst enemy,” Mary squeezed back. 

Josalyn walked downstairs and saw that Elias was waiting for her.  “Sorry,” she smiled. 

“Are you OK?” he asked. 

“I am now, what are you doing here?”  she asked. 

“I came to see you,” he answered. 

“Can we go to the gardens, I need some fresh air?” she asked. 

“Lead the way,” he said. 

The atmosphere was a sailor’s dream: serene. 

The couple sat in a gazebo surrounded by lush greenery. 

“How is your family?” she asked. 

“They are good, how about yours?” he asked. 

“They are great,” she answered. 

“You look worried; what’s on your mind?” he asked. 

“I’m worried about Genevieve,” she admitted. 

“She’s your best friend, but you have to let her live through her mistakes too,” he advised. 

“I know,” she sighed. 

“Your birthday’s tomorrow, are you excited?” he asked. 

“I’m tired of these parties that aren’t me, but it's a tradition,” she responded. 

“I know, but I have a surprise, but to get it you have to show up,” he said. 

“OK,” she said.

A dripping blood moon glistened in the morning sky. 

“Do you see that?” he asked. 

“I do, but what does it mean?” she wondered. 

Genevieve was relaxing in a bath after her training was over. The aches are worth it because I am fighting for something I want for once. 

A melody cradled her. It was the swinging of skirts and twirls, hums, giggles, and the rising of the sun. It transfixed her on how her soul felt at home with this tune.