Yla

Chapter 6: Under the Moonlight (Part 1)

Eight Years Later

Years passed, Yla grew up to be a lady, she was about to come of age very soon and many things had changed since she was ten. She had become a proficient wielder, focusing her talent into enchantments and sensing rather than healing, she became a skilled huntress earning her a reputation even with the travelling merchants. She also developed a slight penchant for fighting warriors to practice her skill in both the short and long blades, Cleon had always lectured her about this but she enjoyed the thrill of the fight, especially if there was a wager involved. 

With her growth she blossomed into a delicate beauty much like her mother but with the angst and adventurous nature of her father. She had grown out her dark wavy hair whose length was at her elbow, her warm brown eyes that looked at her opponents and prey with vigor accentuated by her soft lips and her rosy cheeks. She was considered as a beauty by many, and was pursued by many suitors, but she made a rule that she will accept their affection only if they can defeat her, and in the last two years of the challenge none had succeeded. 

Yes life has settled, slowly it's moving forward, it has become a routine, no matter how many years have passed at night she would still face the melancholy when she laid down on her bed, in her mind she was still alone. 

Sunrise. It was the second week of spring, Yla woke up at the first crow of the chickens, slowly she eased out of bed and sluggishly made her way to the bath, she was so tired the night before for fighting three challengers that she just went to bed in her clothes, she was disgusted with herself, what would her mother say to her. She opened the tap and soon as the cold water touched her skin a cold shock ran down her spine making her jolt and hitting her head on the bathroom wall. Rubbing her head she wished to have warmed the water with magic, but she was too out of it to think. When she was able to finish her cold bath she dressed up in her working clothes, a pair of trousers that were loose-fitting by the legs and her shirt, she tied up her hair high and went out to gather her breakfast.

The sun was just peeking out of the horizon when she got out of the door, her breaths created small puffs of smoke, it was another cold spring morning, but soon it will warm up when the sun is up. Despite the cold Yla began with her work, she walked towards the coop and let them out, she tossed dried corn and oats for them to eat, she also refilled the water for them. She proceeded with collecting the eggs and cleaning out the coop, yes rural farm life, nothing too complicated, if you work hard you will eat. The sun was up when she finally finished her chores, she was about to go back inside to prepare breakfast when her friend Mionette walked into the yard, she carried with her some bread. This morning she wore the yellow scarf that Archeos had given her last winter, her red curls fell down her shoulders perfectly framing her face, her blue eyes looked at Yla with worry. Mionette was older than Yla by a year, she was taller and in Yla’s opinion she was really beautiful, she’s graceful and ladylike unlike herself who wouldn’t back down from a brawl. Mionette is the youngest daughter of the village leader, and they had been friends as far as she could remember, and when her parents died Mionette didn't leave her side, she acted as her older sister. 

“Good morning”, Yla said as Mionette walked up to her

“YOu didn't wait for me!” She said in annoyance.

“I’m sorry, I forgot”, Yla lied, she knew that Mionette was busy the previous evening because her brother got injured while sparring with the other boys and Yla didn't want to trouble her anymore. “Look there are still a lot more to be done. Would you like to have breakfast with me?”

Mionette just stared at her already giving up the argument and smiled, she walked up to her and took the basket of eggs from her, “why are you so responsible? How can I keep you as my baby sister?” Yla just laughed at her as they walked back to the house. 

Breakfast was fun, even the process was enjoyable, Yla made Mionette’s favorite scrambled eggs with chives to make it up to her and help her relax after the ordeal of last night. After eating they began with the other chores around the house and the farm. They prepared the remaining eggs for salting and harvesting the fruits and berries for drying and for jam, she wanted to prepare for the arrival of the merchants in the village. In the middle of their work with the Jams Mionette brought up a topic that Yla was avoiding since winter.

“So, we were wondering who you will be dancing with at the Spring festival?” she asked as she passed the blueberries through the strainer.

Yla was holding a knife at that moment as she was peeling a peach, she dropped the knife in surprise, as she didn't expect the question, Mionette laughed at her.

“I see that you’re still not ready for that one”, she teased as Yla picked up her knife just going back to her peach.

“Do we need to make more jam or syrup?” She shrugged the question away, Mionette sat beside her and held her hand for a moment and made an expression telling her that she needs to deal with it. Yla loves how much Mionette cares about her but she really didn't want to deal with it.

“Look Yla, your coming of age soon, and for certain there’s one boy around here that’s bound to ask you if they can be your escort for the festival, well... that is if you haven’t beaten them up or even if you have they might still not have given up”, Mionette was really not letting it go today. She must really want to talk about this, Yla thought, and she was right most of the boys around the village already tried to court her since she was fourteen but no one was up to the task. Because in Yla’s opinion if a man wants to court her, he should be able to measure up to her father, not an easy feat. 

“Mimi, I’m not comfortable with other boys... I can’t even stand talking to them, much less dance. I spar with them a lot but... after that I’m not exactly required to speak with them”, she explained hoping that she would understand.

“Then you should dance with Archeos, he’s a good dancer”, but Yla knew that Archeos will was going with Mionette, and she didn't want to infer with anyone’s plans. 

“But you guys already have plans I don't want to get in the way.”

“Fine... Archie might get angry as well since I didn't even ask him...but what about the Spring dance, you are not telling me that you're sitting it out. If I don't see you there I will skin you alive with your Papa’s knives!”

“I’ll be there... one way or another”, Yla laughed at her thinking about Mionette wielding her father’s knives and running after her. 

Though she was laughing at Mionette, Yla knew that she was right, she had been thinking about not attending the festival but with no one asking her for the festival it was impossible, to add to that she hasn’t even have a dress for it, she didn’t have any idea about dresses and was too embarrassed to ask, if only her mother was with her. 

It was late in the afternoon when they finished all the chores and Mionette bade her good-bye for the day. When Mionette was gone Yla decided to arrange the firewood for her bath when Cleon passed by. Cleon was the village blacksmith and Yla’s mentor on weaponry, he used to be a soldier for the capital but decided to settle down in Fadia. Today he had his dark brown hair tied back into a ponytail instead of it's usual bun, his burly arms and well hone body covered the entrance to Yla’s yard easily, Yla ran to him giving him a hug. She was like a father to her and she was always so happy to either him or Sivelle. 

“You seem to be working hard today”, he said to her as she let go of the hug

“I’m just finishing up”, she gestured to the firewood, “what do I owe for this visit?”

Cleon was excited, Yla thought as he spoke, “We would like to know if you are free to join us for dinner tomorrow evening?”

“Tomorrow? Dinner?” she asked back

“Yes.”

“Might I ask for the occasion?”

“It’s nothing big”, Cleon’s excitement was at its peak, “our son is visiting us tomorrow, and we haven’t been able to see him since he was very young.”

Yla’s jaw dropped when she heard it, she stared at Cleon with shock, she hugged Cleon for a second time, she knew that their son was taken away since he was a child, and Yla never met him but they say that he was just a little bit older than her, and that he was very talented that’s why he was taken, Yla never knew who took him especially with neither Sivelle nor Cleon discusses it. When Cleon invited her Yla felt like family, she felt like she belonged somewhere and that she was part of something, and a feeling of great honor swelled in her chest that all she could do was smile at Cleon in excitement. 

The blacksmith didn't expect that Yla would react like that, at first he thought that the girl will be bothered by the invitation and might not accept it but with the smile on her face he knew that she would be happy to join them. 

“Cleon, do i need to bring a gift or something?” she asked him already thinking if she could spare one of her best strawberry preserves

“No that isn’t necessary.” he responded chuckling at the already flustered youth, “but... Seville would suggest that you wear a dress.”

“Oh!” Yla bit her lower lip and scrunched her nose, “hmm...I’ll check if I have one in the closet.” Cleon laughed at her more, from her childhood Yla always sported a pair of trousers and kept a boyish look, and a dress was very rarely seen on her. Cleon laughed and bade the girl farewell, it would be nice to see her dress a little bit more of a girl, he thought.

Yla finished the rest of her chores and went to soak herself in the warm bath, it was amazing how warm water can relax you after a whole day of chasing around chickens and harvesting fruit trees. Even though Cleon told her not to bring anything she still wanted to give a welcoming gift to their son, she remembered that tomorrow she must go hunting as the supply of her meat was a bit low and the butcher had also asked if she can get some fresh meat, what a busy day tomorrow will be she thought, to add to that she needed to find a dress for dinner. 

After dinner Yla went up to her room and checked her closet for any sign of a dress, and thanks to Mionette and Cana slipping some pieces of clothing into her closet she was able to find one. For one thing she likes wearing a night dress when sleeping as it was soft and comfortable. Finishing up getting dressed and drying her hair by the window, the light of the silver moon shone down on her. Slowly she pushed away the curtains and gazed at the wondrous full moon.  Transfixed at the silvery orb in the heavens Yla felt a calming presence washed over her. Inside she felt a call - a duty that she must do, it enveloped her, it urged her to do it bidding and she dare not deny it. She moved around the house and changed her clothes into one of her few dresses, it felt like there was an occasion and she needed to prepare, barefoot, she walked into the forest.

Silently she ventured on her feet on the cold earth, deeper into the forest she went and the nightingales began to sing, the wind was whistling and in her head she heard ethereal music and songs that called to her. Half aware of her actions Yla, stopped at the shore of the forest lake, she closed her eyes and listened to the music in her head and without hesitation Yla stepped on the water and the spot where her foot was on was frozen. Slowly Yla walked on the lake towards the middle where the light of the glorious full moon was on show. As if by habit she began to move in a dance, a graceful and flowing dance attuned to the songs of the nightingales. Since she was twelve Yla had found herself in this trance, the call of the forest and the moon, to dance to honor the misty silver orb that hung in the starry sky.