Yla

Chapter 7: Familiarity and Wagers

Yla held the flower and the note close to her as she walked back towards the village, on the way she met Archeos who was looking worried. He was looking for her, Archeos was another of her childhood friend, he was studying to be scribe and will be moving to the City of Kubera in the fall, he was smart, kind and always worried about Mionette and herself, he recently chopped off his long hair so he can have a cleaner look for the festival, his blue eyes were wide with shock to see her soaking wet, immediately giving her his jacket to protect her from the cold. He had thin cracked lips, a strong jaw and a cleft chin, he was lean and average in height, and his hands were all calloused from transcribing texts from his master. 

“Seriously Yla, swimming in the middle of the night, have you lost your mind?” he lectured her, he and Mionette was starting to have the same tone.

“I’m sorry.” she apologized, “why were you looking for me anyway?”

Archeos explained that his mother, the village seamstress had sent him over to her house to deliver a package, “A package?” she asked him

“Yes”, Archeos grinned, “my mother had noticed that all of the ladies in the village had requested for a dress, except for you!”

Yla blushed, “I...” Archeos raised his hand to stop her

“You didn't think  that my mother wouldn’t notice that you didn't commission for a dress, after all these years of knowing you? Yla, we grew up together, you and Mimi slept over at our house more times that I can remember and my mother was really hoping to get to make a dress for you.”

She was at a loss of words for what her friend had said and just smiled. They walked back to Yla’s house and found the package sitting on the living room table, Archeos told her to get changed and dry herself before opening it, and when she got back down what she unwrapped was a beautiful light blue dress, with embroidered flowers in the neckline and bodice, it's hemline was adorned with lace flowers climbing midway to the skirt, it had tulle cap sleeves and the whole thing was felt light and soft to the touch. 

“It's beautiful, Archie, I can’t possibly just take this...” said Yla as she held the dress on her body

“Well, Cana has paid for it before leaving for her trip, you just have to wear it. Of course Mionette and myself had a hand in deciding what the design was, we thought that it would be best that you wear something very comfortable. We knew that you didn't have any sense in you commissioning a dress, so we went and bought the fabrics and got it over with.”

Yla eyes welled up with happiness, her friends knew her so well, she couldn't ask for better friends in her life. 

“Archie you guys are the best! My mother has shoes that might fit me and will go well with this!” Archeos just smiled, he had been a brother to Yla as Mionette has been her sister, how can she wish for better friends in the world. 

“It's getting late, we’re joining you for the hunt so I’ll see you tomorrow.” Archeos bade her goodbye. When Yla closed the door behind him and as she cleaned up she caught sight of her family’s portrait, her mother would be excited to see her dance on that festival, and her father would have been a lot more lenient with the boys than she had been, the thoughts of what might been made her smile.That night as she retired to her bed she had one of the deepest sleep she had in years, so deep that for the first time since she was ten she saw her again, the lady with the blazing hair. She smiled at her just like before and placed her hand on her chest and when she looked back, Yla opened her eyes to the sight of her ceiling.

They were able to catch a bore, a small buck, and a few birds, these were a lot for just a day of hunting that all three of them had to ask help back from the village to carry the spoils back into Fadia, and the butcher was over the moon to see top quality meat, he paid the three some meat and a few pieces of gold, he even promised Yla that the deer pelt will be delivered to her house the very next day. All three went home with their pockets jangling with gold, while carrying a bird each. Yla thought that the gold will allow her to purchase more feed for her chickens and smiled to herself. 

When Yla got home she prepared the bird to be roasted, placed it on the oven and let it cook, she then tied a piece of ribbon around a jar of one of her peach preserves to give as gifts for Cleon and Sivelle’s son, she wanted to be as hospitable as possible. She bathed herself well to remove the smell of blood and dirt from hunting all day, after drying herself she pulled out a green dress just about to the knee, the hemline was cut out in a shape of petals making, while the bodice was with leaf appliques, it was short sleeved and made from cotton. She recalled how Cana made her buy it last summer, since according to Cana, she didn't have enough dresses. She then braided her hair and put it in a bun, then put on a flower hair ornament that Sivelle had given her last year. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled, she took out her mother’s necklace from inside her clothes and wore her decent sandals. 

As she walked out of her house with her roast and her gift, she couldn’t help but notice a slight difference in the magic around her, as if the earth has woken up with the coming of spring, as if it breathed new life into every being in existence, she wanted to ask Cana but she won’t be back until the festival. Instead of worrying Yla took a deep breath and walked over to the blacksmith’s house. 

Yla knocked on the door with his foot, inside she heard the shuffling of chairs and laughter, I guess I’m late, she thought holding the platter, within a few seconds Sivelle was at the door welcoming her, “Yla, you’re just in time!” 

“A roast for your table”, she said to her smiling nervously

“Oh sweetheart you shouldn't have, but thank you!” Sivelle replied taking the platter off of her hands as they went inside the house. As they walked in Yla’s head was swarming with questions, will he approve of her joining them? Whom did he took after? Why was he taken away? They walked down the hall into the dinning room, where her eyes were caught by the silver blonde ponytail, Cleon stood to welcome her and their son pushed back the chair and turned to her, her jaw dropped, it was the silver-maned stranger that dragged her into the lake.

“Ogami”, Cleon gestured towards her, “this is Yla, she’s the one we told you about. Yla, this is our son Ogami.”

“Hi!” Yla smiled awkwardly giving a small waive, Ogami held Yla’s hand and kissed the top of her hand as it was a custom to the southern part of Clest when two people of opposite genders were introduced by other people, while in the north it was just merely a handshake regardless of the introduction, a kiss was more of a romantic gesture. 

“It’s nice to meet you, my parents have nothing but good words about you”, he said as he faced her.

“It's a pleasure to meet you too.” Yla responded, pulling her hand away and putting it behind her back.

Sivelle had told Yla that she will seat opposite their son and she quickly went to the other side of the table and sat, both Cleon and Sivelle was happy and she was happy for them, but as for their son, how can he act so naturally as if they haven’t met, she shrugged away her thoughts and focused on the meal.

“Yla this is a wonderful roast, was this part of your spoils from today?” Cleon asked after swallowing a bite of the bird

“Yes, I was lucky to find good ones today” she responded, “I’m glad you enjoyed it”

“Oh!” she exclaimed before starting to eat, “I almost forgot, I have a welcoming gift for you as well sir”, she pulled out the small bottle of preserves from her pocket and presented it to Ogami.

“I hope you like it”, she said as Ogami picked up the bottle

“Thank you, I appreciate it”. 

As they ate Ogami caught himself looking at Yla multiple times, he didn't expect to meet the nymph of yester-night to be sitting across him, and to be the child that his parents raised. She looked as majestic as the night before as well as the faint glow emanating from her body as if it was a shroud of magic that protects her and it goes directly to the earth. She had great magic within her but a greater one around her, if was familiar but he couldn’t pin it down. But the more he looked at her the more he was sure that she was mortal. 

They feasted and laughed and told stories, future plans and things that they had achieved, but Yla limited her stories and dare not mention her past so as to not dampen the mood.

“I know! Ogami, why don’t you join us for the spring festival!” Sivelle looked at him with a lot of expectation, “I mean I know you are already of age but you never had to experience coming of age festivities here.” She then looked at Yla to follow through with the invitation.

“Well it is really fun you should join it”, said Yla.

“It?” Cleon said but he wasn't able to continue as Ogami had spoken

“I’m not sure if I can, my brother,” he paused, Sivelle’s eyes widened when he mentioned that brother, Yla didn't know that Sivelle and Cleon had another son, “my brother has a mountain of tasks for me, it might be hard to go out.”

“Oh...” Sivelle’s tone dropped and looked at Cleon whose face was starting to grow pale, “maybe you can ask him, he may allow you. There will be dancing and music it will be such a treat”

Yla felt the tension in the room at the mention of his brother; she pursed her lips and didn't talk; it might result in an outburst.

“Dances... I’ll see what I can do, but I can’t promise.” he said smiling

“That’s great we can all watch Yla dance” said Cleon trying to break the tension.

Yla almost choked when she heard Sivelle, her muscles tightened and smiled nervously, she was trying to avoid that topic. 

“Yes it's something to look forward to”, Sivelle was starting to get excited again, “Yla is a very good dancer.”

“I know”, said Ogami carelessly, his parents stared at him in surprise, Yla eyed him nervously, so he does remember!

“I mean she seems to be a good dancer, she has the looks for it”, he immediately added, “who will you be dancing with again?”

Yla laughed nervously, "about that... I was thinking of sitting this out... Or maybe Cleon will dance with me... Please... ", she looked down on her plate and ate pie. 

"I-I", Cleon was out of words, "I couldn't possibly, I'm a bit too old don't you think?" 

"Let me guess", Sivelle interjected, "nobody asked you right?" she looked at Yla knowingly. 

She nodded to her as if she was ashamed, Ogami was surprised when he heard about it, why didn't  anyone invite her? She was pretty, and seems to have an amazing personality, she is a prize in his opinion, "why", he asked aloud. 

"Because Yla here,  has a reputation of beating up boys, if they don't measures up to her standards, if they can't defeat her they can't court her," said Cleon laughing, "your mother has mended more broken bones and gnashes from boys coming out of a spar or a brawl with this girl. She isn't as dainty as you might expect." 

He wasn't sure if he would be surprised or impressed with what he heard because she didn't look like a tomboy, and right now she looks so fragile and embarrassed with what his father said. 

"I'll dance with you if that's okay", he said to her, Yla looked at him with surprise. She was half amazed, half bewildered. 

"are you sure? I mean you barely even know me." 

"I you enough to want to dance with you", he beamed at her, his eyes were warm just like his father, and Yla could only be happy and thankful to him, but she didn't want to be a bother to other people, and yet she was too embarrassed to reject his offer infront of his parents, so she just nodded her head with full intention of asking him to just forget his offer before she went home that night.

The meal ended late and Ogami had insisted on walking Yla home, claiming to his parents that it was the most gentlemanly thing to do, so the couple saw them off before going inside. They were silent as they began walking. In her head Yla didn’t think she needed to be escorted home she was fully capable of handling herself and she knew the village well enough. Instead of going to the direction of her house Yla walked towards the edge of the village, she had an intense night and wanted to think about all of it. “You could go back now, I’m fine here”, she said to him

“Why do you live in the forest?” he responded

“No.”

“Then no, I promised my parents to send you home and that’s what I will do.”

Yla sighed, “suit yourself,” she then walked into the forest with Ogami close behind.

“You know I didn't expect to meet you soon Lady Nymph”, Ogami called out to her.

“I can say the same to you”, responded Yla taking the path towards the lake.

“Don't you think it's dangerous going to the forest this late.”

“I hunt these woods more than you could imagine, I think I could take care of myself.”

They walked on until they had arrived at the lake, the sky was clear and the moon was reflected in the water, Yla took a deep breath of the crisp spring air, being here was so calming. Ogami stared at her, again she glowed in the moonlight, she was truly beautiful. 

“You know, you didn't have to tell your parents that you wanted to dance with me, I don't want you to feel burdened by that promise. I can handle myself,” she said to him in a gentle voice, she sounded sad. 

Ogami looked at her, this young lady is coming of age, she was beautiful and smart, very independent, unlike many of the women that he had met with his brother, she was different. She was already plagued by suitors and dealt with all of them her own way, he understood why his parents took her in, she was sweet, caring and really just amazing, Only a blind man would pass up the opportunity to get to know her better, and like many before him, he might end up blind or bruised if he tempted his fate, but he did.

“Yla, I promised my parents that I’ll dance with you, and my father will beat me up if i go back on my word”, he said to her.

“But... I barely know you... I can't dance with you”, she responded, already feeling anxious and awkward just imagining dancing with him.

Ogami saw her hesitance, and it was a normal response to a stranger, and he wanted to gain her trust and make her feel comfortable. He had to think of a way to rouse her interest which seemed to be slithering away by the minute; he remembered what his father had said, Yla measures men by challenging them!

“I see, how about a wager?”

“A wager”, Yla chuckled, “I don't picture you as a person who would scuffle with a girl.”

Ogami walked close to her, he had a sly grin on his face, “You right, but you never limited the wager to a fight, right?”

Yla shook her head laughing, this is a smart guy, “you must be making fun of me, don’t take this challenge as a joke.”

“I’m not. If I win this wager I’ll dance with you in the spring festival and if you win I won’t bother you about it ever again.”

Yla pondered, this was a good solution, he was persistent, and Yla was amazed, he couldn’t possibly be interested, but if she won she could get rid of him, “fine, what’s the challenge”

“It's a simple one, one with magic”, he explained to her and walked to the banks of the lake.

“Well that’s a bit unfair, based on my senses you're a powerful wielder and will not have any problem winning.”

“Isn’t winning the point?” Ogami laughed, “don't worry, this one will be easy for you, I’ll replicate the spell you did last night on how you walked on water. So if you please I shall see you in the middle of the lake.”

He gestured to her to walk on the water, Yla shrugged her shoulders, took off her sandals and stepped onto the lake. Her every step frozen and melting soon as she lifts her foot. Yla didn't know how she did it, but she had always done it since she was very young and no one else knew about it. When she got to the middle of the lake a small area around her was frozen, and Yla called to Ogami who was in awe seeing her just walking as if it was solid ground. Ogami, not wanting to lose his chance to impress a girl conjured magic directly from the earth, it  was so much magic and almost impossible to control, he then filled the magic in his body, he uttered a spell under his breath, took his first steps praying it would work. Yla watched him intently, as he wobbly stepped on the water. The water around him froze, it was not as small and concentrated as Yla’s but he did it. Slowly he walked towards her, Yla was smiling at him calling him to get to her. He was almost there when Yla ran to him and hugged him tight, “that was amazing!” said Yla excitedly, and letting him go remembering that he was still a stranger. Ogami felt a sudden surge of magic pouring into the earth, being caught by surprise he lost focus and fell into the water with a big splash. 

Yla panicked as he saw him bob up and down flailing, he didn't know how to swim she realized, thinking of any way to save him unknowingly placed her on the water and said, “water by my command, freeze!” after she uttered her words the whole lake froze, which included Ogami, whose chest down was frozen, he stared at Yla with disbelief and began laughing.

“Really? This is the best way you came up with to save me!” he laughed at her, somehow he found it hilarious while Yla was panting, without answering Yla managed to melt the portion of the lake where he was and pull him out. Soon as Yla’s foot was off of the lake the ice shattered and melted away. It didn't escape Ogami’s notice that for some reason Yla was able to control nature without the use of spells or too much magic, as she was part of nature, it only made the wielder more curious about this maiden. But all of his thoughts vanished when Yla faced him with a smile on her face, the way her eyes sparkled made him lose his train of thought, nothing in the world could make him take his eyes off her, not even the large amount of magic that was suddenly injected in the earth could faze him. For once all he could focus on was the stunning young lady smiling at him.

“You are one of a kind”, he whispered.

“I’m sorry I didn't quite hear you”, yla asked him, he was snapped out of his daze 

“I-i.. I said I won”, he responded taking his eyes away from her, he felt his cheeks grew hot and the cold water didn't felt cold for a moment

“Half won”, Yla giggled, “I still had to drag you out of the lake, but I guess a win is a win. I’ll see you at the festival Ogami.”

Soon as ogamo was done wringing his clothes, he was finally able to walk her home, but before leaving Yla handed him a towel and told him that he could just leave it with Cleon, they then bid each other good night and Ogami went on his way. As Yla closed herr threshold she caught sight of her dress for the festival, for the first time she was excited for it, and for the first time she smiled to herself at the thought that a boy will take her to dance.