Derina: The Frozen City

A Surprise Guest

The bedroom Lora was given was absolutely beautiful, like everything she had seen in the towers so far. A large white canopy bed sat against the middle of the wall to her right, with a small chest at the foot. On the bed lay the most beautiful dress she had ever seen, a gorgeous pale purple, the fabric soft, like silk but lighter, it rippled like water when she brushed her hand over it. She couldn't wait until she could put it on and see what it looked like.

She turned back to the room to examine the rest of it. Huge floor to ceiling bookshelves lined the walls on both sides of the bed, filled with books of every color, size, and shape. Across the room from the entrance, two large glass doors stood open to a balcony with a small table and two chairs on it. In the middle of the room beyond the foot of the bed, two couches sat across from each other with a dark wood table between them.

Lora walked out onto the balcony, which overlooked the garden below. The same sweet warm breeze she had felt earlier gently brushed against her face. She could now see a small waterfall in the middle of the garden where a few more of the vita fey play in the water. Lora went back into the bedroom, now turning her attention to a doorway across from her bed. It was a huge bathroom complete with a large marble bathtub and a walk-in closet next to the door. She quickly drew herself a bath, desperate to get washed up and ready for dinner. After only fifteen precious minutes Lora got out of the bath, desperately wishing she could stay in there for a few hours. She dried off and entered her room, she wanted to put the dress on but her hair was still wet and she was worried about ruining it. Then, as the warm breeze ruffled the curtains on the bed, she had an idea. She closed her eyes, allowing her magic to flow and gently control the breeze, a warm gust of wind blew through her hair, instantly drying it. She smiled to herself, it was a simple thing, controlling wind, but it was something, and it filled her with joy. She slipped on the dress and turned to a mirror on the back of the bedroom door. It was a lovely gown, beautiful bell sleeves that were split so she could easily move her arms without messing them up. it hung off her shoulders and fell to the floor, barely brushing it as she walked. Beautiful flawless amethysts decorate the bodice, dark purple and glittering as the light catches them. Silver thread embroidered into intricate swirling patterns through the sleeves and skirt. Lora sighed, it was gorgeous, but she had no idea what to do with her hair that hung limply down her back. It was that moment that Lora noticed exactly how much she had changed, she now had long pointed ears like everyone else, her cheekbones and jaw were even sharper and defined than they were before, and her skin seemed to almost glow. Her eyes were no longer dull, but sharp and a bright silver, the kind of eyes that could trap you in their gaze. Her breath caught, she was beautiful, and wearing the dress, she could barely recognize herself. She turned away from the mirror and went back to the bed, where she found a simple pair of silver flats on the floor. She slipped them on and practiced walking around. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Lora walked over and opened it and was greeted by Paxton. “ Hello, Lora, I see you're almost ready for dinner.” he said. He wore a simple gold and white coat over a black shirt and pants. 

“Yes, I am, this dress is beautiful, thank you.” she replied.

“I thought you would like it, it was your mothers, one of her favorites. I thought it would be fitting for you to have.” he explained, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice. Lora felt a lump form in her throat. Her mother, she had a hard time imagining anyone other than Marlene as her mother, though she wished that she could have met the women who gave birth to her. “What was she like? My mother?” She asked.

Paxton sighed, “she was amazing, brave and strong, and she was my best friend. I was so happy when she married your father, you could probably imagine how happy I was when she told me I was to be an uncle. Maybe i can tell you about her some time.” 

Lora smiled, Paxton clearly loved his sister, it made her wish more than ever that she had a sibling as well. “Did you need help with your hair?” he asked kindly, interrupting her thoughts.

“Actually, that would be great, i have never really cared much about my hair so i don't really  know what to do with it.” she said lamely. Paxton nodded and at his request she turned around. He pulled her hair away from her face, and she could feel him braiding it. When he was finished he pulled back the door so she could look in the mirror. He had done an amazing job, half of her hair was pulled into a web of braids that fell down her back holding back the rest of it, a braid fell from her temples on each side of her face framing it. “What do you think? Paxton asked. “It's beautiful, thank you.” Lora said with gratitude.

Paxton nodded, “your welcome my dear, i find that sometimes simplicity is the best way to go. Here, I have something for you, it's from your father, he wanted me to give it to you when you got here.” Lora watched as he pulled something out of his pocket. He held it out, and Lora's breath caught. It was a beautiful silver necklace, much like Paxton's own gold one, but instead of an owl holding a pearl, it was what appeared to be a beautiful silver phoenix holding an amethyst. “Oh wow its beautiful.” she said.

“That it is. It was your fathers, but it has belonged to every queen’s mage before him as well. It represents your blood line. Here, I'll help you put it on.” Lora turned around and Paxton clasped the necklace around her neck. She felt a surge of happiness as she realized she now had something that belonged to both of her parents. Her mother's dress, and her father's necklace. “Now, I think you're ready.” he said as she turned back around. Just then she heard a door open.  “Ah, and I do believe that is your escort.” he added with a wink, then he turned and walked away. Lora looked down the hall to see Nerel approaching her wearing a simple black suit with a similar silver pattern woven into the fabric as the one on her own dress. He approached her with a huge bright smile. “ Well, don't you look lovely, you ready for dinner?” he asked, Lora's face flushed at the compliment and took a shaky breath. “As ready as I'll ever be.” she replied. 

The dining hall was amazing, tall sweeping ceilings, six beautiful gold and crystal candle light chandeliers suspended above a beautiful long hard wood table seated for for twenty.  There were only six table settings, one at the head, where Paxton now sat, three to the right of him, and two to the left. Nerel led Lora to the seat to the left of Paxton, as they approached he stood up, smiling brightly. “Wonderful, go ahead and take a seat, Amanda and james should be here any moment.” gesturing to the seats on his left. Nerel pulled out the seat next to Paxton, and Lora whispered a thank you to him as she took her seat. Nerel smiled at her and gave her a slight nod as he took his seat next to her. She wondered why there was an extra place setting, Paxton had not mentioned anyone else joining them. Right then, Amanda entered the room and approached the table. Amanda wore a lovely crimson dress with a gold metal rope cinching her waist and bell sleeves with a gold strip lining the edges. Her bright red hair fell freely in loose curls around her face and down her back. James wore a white tunic with green vines embroidered along the collar with small bright green gemstones studding the leaves. They were both smiling brightly, looking happier than Lora had ever seen them, and for some reason she felt a twinge of pain in her chest. Amanda took the seat across from Nerel, and James next to her, leaving the one across from Lora open, the other seat next to Paxton. Lora didn't understand, shouldn't Amanda, Paxton's daughter, and James, the prince, be sitting beside him? She looked to Nerel, confused, but he offered her no explanation. 

“Well, now that we are all here, who's hungry?” Paxton said as he sat down. Just then a group of vita fey enter the room pushing carts, they place a plate in front of each of them, on which a delicious looking meal awaits. A rainbow colored fish covered in a sweet pink sauce, laying on a bed of leafy vegetables and roots. Beside that, they place a light green creamy soup that smells like spring. Then, to top it off they fill her crystal glass with a strange shimmering liquid that seems to shift between a light baby pink, dark purple, and a pale blue. Paxton smiles at her amazed reaction, “it's good, trust me.” he says, as he picks up his fork. As if being prompted, everyone else picks up their own fork, preparing to eat, but before anyone can take a bite, a light bell rings out. Lora looks over at Paxton, she's surprised to see his eyes were shining and a ghost of a smile plays on his lips. Whatever it was, he was clearly expecting it. A moment later, one of the fey entered the room followed by a tall elegant elf with dark black hair with pulled into a low tail that fell down his back, he wore very simple clothing, much unlike their own formal dinner clothes. His bright eyes shine and he smiles as his gaze sweeps across the room. Lora freezes as he looks at her, not sure what to expect, but instead his eyes move on, stopping on Amanda who stares at him in slight confusion.

 “Hello sister.” he says, unable to hide the joy seeping into his voice. Amanda's face breaks into an even brighter smile as she jumps up and runs to him, wrapping him in a hug.

 “Aris!” she exclaims, “I've missed you so much, father didn't tell me you were coming!” 

the man, Aris, chuckles, “Well, I didn't exactly tell him, but I have a feeling he knew, so I guess he wanted to surprise you.” He said, giving his father a pointed look. 

“Well, since you're here, would you like to join us for dinner?” Paxton asked, gesturing to the empty seat next to him.

Suddenly it became blatantly obvious why the seat was intentionally left empty. Aris nodded, removing a sword from his hip that Lora didn't notice at first. He handed it to the fey, “would you mind putting this in my room, Eveline?” he says to her, she nodded with a smile and hurried out of the room. With that, Aris approached the table, taking his seat next to his father as the fey reappeared, setting food and drink in front of him.

 “Oh wow, this looks amazing guys!” he says to the fey in excitement. They smiled brightly at each other and Lora smiled as well, he seemed like such a kind person. 

“Now, i think it's time we finally enjoy this delicious meal.” Paxton says with a slight amount of humor in his voice and With that everyone began eating. The food was amazing, unlike anything  Lora had ever tasted. The fish was just slightly salty with a faint bitterness, the sweet pink sauce adding a perfect contrast, making her mouth water with every bite. The bed of vegetables contained some of the strangest things she's ever had. little blue bulbs, that look like baby onions, and taste like an earthy rain. A green leaf, much like spinach, that seemed to change flavor as you chewed, from something heavy and tart, to something cool and sweet, so many sensations that she couldn't keep track. It was delicious. There were slightly more normal vegetables as well, a little purple carrot, a stringy root that tasted remarkably like a beet. After a few bites of the main dish Lora took a bite of the pretty green soup, it was thick and tasted just as it smelled. Sweet and light, like spring, she felt like she could almost taste sunlight, which was not possible, sunlight didn't have a taste. She was so intrigued by the food that It took her a moment to notice that everyone was talking. 

“So what have you been doing all these years?” she heard Amanda ask Aris.

“Well, me and Alrek have been building up a resistance, and with Nerel’s help, we've been able to help some residents in the distant villages, trying to sneak any sick or wounded back here were they can be cared for, along with any children we can, but with the daemon heavily patrolling the woods and roads, it's very difficult.” he explained, and then he turned his attention to Lora. “I know many people have been anticipating your return. Many hope that, with your help, we may stand a chance against Safield and his abominations. Though, at my request, prince Alendor has postponed the announcement of your arrival. I imagine everything must be a bit overwhelming for you right now, Lora, so I want to give you a few days to get used to the sudden change. After that, Alendor suggested a feast at the castle to announce your return, and reinstate James as the crown prince.” Lora nodded, suddenly feeling slightly scared. All those people are hoping that she will save them. Could she do it? Could she actually stop Safield? She wasn't sure, and what if she had to kill him? Would she actually be able to go through with it? Her stomach churned at the thought. She grabbed her drink and took a small sip of it, unsure what it was or how it would affect her. Immediately it was like a calming warmth washed over her. Whatever it was, it tasted amazing, sweet like a perfectly ripe plum, with a tart aftertaste. She took another larger sip, and noticed that Nerel was watching her. She set the cup down, and turned her attention back to the conversation at hand. 

“So Alendor is ok?” James asked anxiously. 

 Paxton gave him a reassuring smile, “Yes he is fine, when you left, he was sent to the dwarves in the mountain where he was safe until he could return. The city became unsafe after that, Safield had made it into the city, and for the next few months Marthel and I worked to fight him off. When Lora was born, Marthel was able to slip away with her, Safield had sent most of his daemon after him, giving me just enough time to send up the wards I had spent months trying to create. It worked, Safield and his daemon were forced out, and shortly after Alendor was allowed to return. Since then, no daemon or anyone corrupted by them has been able to enter the city. As you can tell, the curse is still in effect, I haven't been able to reverse it; but otherwise the city has become a sort of haven, safe from Safield, at least for as long as my wards stand.” 

James smiled down at his near empty plate. Lora was suddenly struck by the realization that while they were on earth hiding from Safield and protecting her, they had family here that they had no idea if they would ever see again. How nice it must be to see your family after so many years apart. Lora couldn't help the tinge of jealousy she felt rise up. she had no reason to be jealous, she had Marlene, who was a mother to her, but she couldn't help that part of her that wished she could have met her real parents. 

“So..” Amanda started, “where is Dalaeon?” there was hesitation in her voice, almost as if she was afraid of the answer. Paxton and Aris looked at each other, almost as if hoping the other would talk first. Then, Paxton spoke, quietly, as if afraid of the words, “Unfortunately, no one knows. He went missing about 5 years ago. He left a note saying he was going to travel across the mountains and into the uncharted lands. I think he was hoping to find some distant land, untouched by Safield's darkness, or maybe he hoped he could find other races that were affected and recruit them into the fight. Either way, no one has heard from him since.” 

Amanda looked at her father in disbelief, and Paxton looked away, unable to meet his daughter's eyes. Then she cleared her voice, “ I'm sure he's fine, he'll probably show up in a few months with a big group of people who want to fight. He's too stubborn, there must be a reason he's been gone so long.” but Lora could hear the doubt in her voice. 

Aris gave his sister a reassuring look, “Exactly, I am sure our stubborn brother is just taking his time to do as much as he can to help. He knows Lora is supposed to arrive soon, we probably haven't heard from him because it's too dangerous for him to send word that he's alive. we will probably see him before long, he would hate to miss anything big anyway.” this seemed to have cheered Amanda up, she smiled at her brother in gratitude before turning back to her food. Lora hoped, for Amanda's sake, that her brother was truly alive and well and just waiting for his chance to return.