The Phoenix's Maiden

The Banquet

“Arthur the brave and loyal Knight Commander of the kingdom has arrived,” one of the knights announced using his unnatural loud voice. All eyes were on them and Amber can feel the pressure of their gaze, especially now that she learns how special this man that she is holding on right now. Holding onto his shoulders is a grave mistake for Amber; everyone saw how she clings to him. She cannot avoid unnecessary attention from other woman that is jealous of her. She quickly navigated her eyes around the crowd to find the two kings, so that she could get out of this embarrassing situation.

“Good evening to you all!” the young knight greeted the crowd and continues to walk towards the crowd. Arthur is very accustomed in this kind of situation, and this is just a child’s play to him. “Don’t worry you’ll get used to it in time,” he whispered to the flustered lady. Amber tightens her hold on his shoulder and the young knight is very much enjoying their situation, ignoring the gazes of the jealous women around the crowd.

The kings noticed their presence and were shocked that Amber had already made acquaintances, and of all people, Arthur was her first company in her new world. They watched how the lady holds onto him nervously and the young man dominated their situation easily. The twin kings looked at each other and decided, just to let them be for now. They ready themselves for the upcoming announcement for this banquet, the night’s main event.

The return of the Phoenix.

“Can you fetch me off in somewhere, where I can be alone?” she requested to Arthur. The young knight just looked at her with awe, pitying her social awkwardness towards the crowd. He agreed to her request for he doesn’t want the lady with him to suffer any longer. He looked around the room where he can leave her be, a place with the least people, and of course where the is food as he remembers Amber’s hunger.

He quickly finds the perfect place for her and gently leads the lady alongside him. By the time they reached the place, he looked at Amber’s face. Her face is still red because of the embarrassment for what she did to him and her eyes were on tears. He was surprised by the ladies expression and Arthur became hesitant, if he will leave her side. His inner self argued if he will still leave her be, but in the end his courteousness wins.

“Here,” he said while letting go of her. He noticed that Amber became more nervous when he lets go of her hands. He will just go to fetch some food for her to eat, and he is decided that he will accompany her throughout the night. He will never let someone in need alone; it is his nature to be selfless and will do the same thing to others.

Amber on the other side, started to hallucinate and sees everyone as a dark shadows with big mischievous smiles on their face, with glowing red eyes. It was like a horror movie came to life and anytime now she will pass out easily. Her knees were shaking and there is no one to hold on to, now that is Arthur is gone. She is never meant to be fitted with the crowd, she thought and deep inside her she is calling for help.

Arthur did not take long to get foods for her and witnessed how terrified Amber is right now. He took his time walking towards her, but a group of Diwatas came to her first. Arthur stopped in hopes that this group of diwatas will make friends of her.

*Diwata – Are Philippine mythological creatures which originated from Sanskrit Devata. Also called as Encantada, is a dryad that lives in large trees. They are benevolent or neutral and invoked ritually for positive crop growth, health, and fortune; they may also incur illness or misfortune if not given proper respect.*

“Get away from him,” one of the diwatas said and pushed her but Amber maintained her balance. Instead of being angry for what has done to her, she became more terrified and her tears poured down to her cheeks. She cried silently and the three of them were disgusted by her weakness, not knowing what Amber is going through with her current situation. They walked away and Arthur watches them as they go far away from Amber. If he intervenes that time, it will just make her current situation worse.

Amber was left there terrified and her body is shaking. The young knight walks towards her to comfort her uneasiness in this surrounding. He understands her fear, as he can sense it, one of his abilities that helped him to get along with people. Arthur put the plate on the table besides him when he reached her. He put his hand on to her shoulders to help Amber to ease her uneasiness, but she just pushed away his hand and became more terrified. This time Arthur sensed that this is not just some ordinary social anxiety. There is more to it.

Forcefully he grabbed her hand and with his other hand he retrieved the plate from the table. Amber resisted but Arthur dragged her, they can’t help to gain attention, because of her. Arthur puts down his pride just to help this girl that he just met, on his way. They get out of the room where the banquet was held on to calm her down. The guards bowed at him when they saw the young knight passing by but Arthur did not waste his time to repay their respect. Arthur stopped and grabbed her shoulder using his right hand, to make Amber face him when they are far away from the hall.

“What are you doing?” she struggled and the young knight can feel her shivers.

“Look at me,” he said with a serious tone but Amber did not listen and continues to struggle. He tightened his grip that hurt Amber.

“Hey! You’re hurting me!” Amber shouted at him.

“I am trying to help you, okay?” he calmly said. “Just calm down let’s talk this over,” he offered. He lets go of her shoulders and Amber backs away from him. “I apologize for what I did,” he says softly as he was sorry for letting his emotions take over him. “Oh right,” he noticed the plate that he was holding for Amber. “This is for you,” he gave the plate to Amber. Temptation and her pride quarrels inside her mind whether she will reach the plate from his hand or not. In the end Amber still reached out for the plate and holds it for herself. Arthur walks past her going somewhere she did not know.

“Where are you going?” she asked him and Arthur looked back at her and smiled. She was stunned by that smile. It was pure and full of kindness.

“Follow me I’ll show you something great,” he said. That smile was enough for Amber to trust him and she followed him.

They walked around silently, passing through more hallways but with doors this time. They went down the stairs and saw a window that shows the full moon. It shines brightly today under the peaceful village besides the castle. There are not much people outside but a few were doing their own business in life. They went down through more stairs and Amber grew tired.

“Just how high this place is?” she complained. By this time the food on the plate are all empty as she was eating on their way.  She mastered this art of eating, because her previous life, when she is getting late at work, she cannot help it but to eat her breakfast while running.

“We are near,” he answered and he opened a double doors. She followed him outside leading them into a balcony. Amber was surprised, it was beautiful, no- it was perfect in her sight. The moonlight shining above the garden is complimenting the colors of the flowers. It calmed her mind just looking at it, the cold breeze touching her skin. She remembers her life after work, the moments before she died. It was the same feeling.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked her. Amber looked at him with a smile on her face. This was the right choice instead of forcing her into that party, he thought.

“It’s perfect,” she answered with joy. The young knight was relieved to hear those words from her.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized again.

“Oh it is okay, I am not just comfortable with men touching me,” she reassured him.

“Not that,” he cuts her off. “I am sorry for forcing you into the party, I didn’t know that you cannot handle the crowd,” he apologized again.

“It’s not entirely your fault,” she said. “I did not tell you early on that’s why it happened,” she reasoned out.

“Why did you end up in the castle in the first place?” he asked her, curious about their first encounter.

“Oh that?” she said. “I do not remember anything at all,” she lied

“That must be sad,” he said with sadness in his voice. “Not remembering at all,” he added.

“It’s okay,” she reassured him. “I don’t want to remember my past at all,” Amber added and Arthur looked at her. “I am pretty happy to be in this place,” she said meaningfully.

Arthur is speechless about what she said to him. He looks back at the beautiful garden view again and they continue to observe it for a quite some time. The silence, gives them peace in their heart and mind, and the cold wind took their problems as it pass away. The rustling leaves are like a choir of nature, singing the songs of its beauty. The flowers are the women that dance through the night. It’s sad for Amber when she remembered that people back in her world are destroying this treasure that cannot be replaced again.

After some time of sight-seeing, the two kings ordered the guards to bring back Arthur and the girl with him in the banquet. It is time to introduce the Phoenix to the kingdom. The main event of this knight and Amber plays the big role of this knight.

“Sire,” one of the guards called Arthur. He looked back only to find more guards.

“What is it?” he asked them.

“The kings ordered us to bring you and the woman back to the banquet,” the guard told him and Amber looked at him that she didn’t want to go back in there. But Arthur cannot deny the order of the kings.

“Let’s go,” he offered his hand to Amber. At first she is hesitant to take his hand but Arthur gave her a smile of reassurance. “Let me be your guide throughout the night,” he sincerely said.

To be continued...

-The Phoenix’s Maiden-