Untamed Light

Chapter Two

     "Carrie darling, it's going to be alright," mother sighed defeatedly. "He isn't going to look like a toad and he is a nice young man."

     "How do you know that he isn't some face-bashing woman abuser? What if this messes with my powers when I come to them on my birthday?" Carrie vented as she continued to pace inside her room. "I didn't even get a dignified notice of this, much less a voice!"

     They had been going at it for well over a hour, the anger inside Carrie refusing to diminish. How could they do something like this to her? Her, their only daughter! To a complete stranger! In fact the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. It just wasn't right! She at least deserved a courtship!

     "Look Carrie, it's not that we don't love you nor that we want you to marry off. But you have a special destiny, and with that comes a special man. This young man was born only a few years ahead of you, and he has his own special mark and abilities that he has had since a child. Please, darling, trust us," her mother pleaded as she walked up next to where I was leaning against the wall.

     A tremor shot through my arms, shooting from my fingertips a white-lightening spark. Gasping, I looked down at my hands in disbelief. My mother hurried over and examined it with gently, making sure there were no burn marks on my skin.

     "How did I do that?" I wondered out loud, looking up at mother with fear and amazement. 

     "I am not entirely sure dear, but I would say your emotions are drawing out your powers. Keeping better control of your temper might be a good thing until you learn more about it," her mother replied thoughtfully, letting go of my hands to massage her temples. 

     "Can you at least tell me this: does he and his kin know of who I truly am? You say he is special, but does this mean he knows of me?" I sighed, fisting my hands into balls and rubbing them together nervously.

    Giving her a reassuring smile, her mother gave her a hug and whispered, "Only him and his immediate family, I would never risk letting the whole world know who you truly are until the time came."

     Resting my head on mother's shoulder, I let out a sigh. There was no point in hiding from this anymore, I wouldn't of had much more time to be matched as it were and at least this man was nearly as different as she was. How different was the question she wanted answered, and there was only one way to find out herself.

     Straightening myself out of my mother's embrace, I wiped away the tears that had been streaming down my cheeks and said, "Alright mother, I'm ready and willing to give this a try. But-" I added before her mother could open her mouth and squeal, "you have to let me wear my riding gear."

    "Absolutely not!" mother gasped, putting her hands on her hips. "You need to dress properly! We can't have you meeting your future in-laws in riding gear, they would deem it as an insult!"

     Crossing her arms and lifting an eyebrow Carrie looked her mother dead in the eye, "If they cannot stand the testy way I look in my riding gear, then they can get over it. I am not letting my future husband believe I am a book-kissing moron."

    After about ten minutes of trying to talk her out of it, her mother threw her hands up in the air. "Fine, but at least wear this for me."

     Reaching behind her neck, she removed the golden necklace that hung there and held it out to Carrie. It sparkled with the diamond etched into the heart-shaped designs, a lone pearl encircled in the center by sapphires.

     "This was handed down to me by mother, and her mother before her. It signifies the line of where we descended, the Alu Migam. The stories of our people have changed over time, but a small portion has still made it through the generations," mother said excitedly, grinning as I stared in shock at the necklace extended towards me.

     "I always thought father had given this to you as a gift," I replied softly, gingerly taking it from her mother's hand.

     "It is a well-guarded secret between the women, at least that was what your grandmother told me on my wedding day," her mother grinned as she helped me put the necklace on.

     Looking down at the sparkly gems I asked, "Why is it a secret?"

     Frowning, my mother finished moving back her long hair and replied, "I am not sure what the real reason was for it, but I suppose that pearl was and still is a very expensive one. It was designed to seem useless, but looking closely at the underside shows the pure color."

     "Now, enough of this chit chat and time to get out of your morning attire! We have kept everyone waiting long enough! I'll meet you outside your door in a few minutes darling, and I'll try to fill you in on your husband-to-be and his family as we go down," mother shooed, gently pushing me towards her closet.

     Swallowing nervously, I took off my gown with shaky hands and looked for my best-looking rider's gear. After sifting through fluffy dresses and smocks, I came across what I was looking for. It was a long-sleeved black shirt with a red corset, tight black leather pants to go with it. Throwing on the cloths, I grabbed my spare pair of riding boots and walked over to the mirror.

     My reflection stared back at me, my white hair contrasting against my pink skin and dark attire. I grinned at the fact that my outfit made me look both ravishing and yet defying. Brushing through the last of the knots and slipping into the boots, I took one last look in the mirror before rushing out into the hall.

     "Well at least your fiancé will get to see exactly who he is dealing with," mom chuckled as I bit my lip in anticipation. 

     They started down the hallway, each step seeming to weigh heavier than the last as my mother started to tell me about my mysterious fiancé.

     "His name is Quinn Thacker, son of Barron Eric Thacker of Ravenswood. Your father described him as an honorable and respectful young man, although he speaks his mind quiet bluntly," her mother started as they turned the corner. "He has fought in skirmishes so he does have the skills to protect you, although his powers do have their own addition to credit that."

     Crossing my hands over my chest Carrie cut in, "What exactly are his powers?"

     Stopping for a minute, her mother looked in both directions to make sure they were alone before answering, "The only one that I was told of was his touch with animals. He can speak to them, influence their minds. What else I am unsure of, those secrets he must want to tell you himself."

     Well that's a definitely food for thought. I pondered on that as we came to the door of the dining hall, my thoughts running wild with the various possibilities that Quinn might posses. Did he shoot sparks from his hands like her? Could he move things with his mind or cast spells like a wizard could? With each idea she became more and more affirmed that this marriage arrangement might actually not be so bad after all.

     Tugging my sleeves down I smiled and took a steadying breath before sighing, "I'm ready, let's go see them."

     I saw the tears in my mother's eyes and hugged her, trying to pass as much love and comfort to her as I was trying to give myself. My hair might get a little messed up from her wrapping her hands around my head, but I could smooth it out before going in.

     Her mother pulled back and sobbed softly, "My little girl is growing up on me, and even though you sure don't have the desire to do a woman's work, you have the purest of hearts and only the best of intentions. I am so proud of you darling, I want you to know that."

     "Mother don't worry, I promise after my duty as the chosen one of the Light I will settle down and be a good wife and mother," I laughed heartily as she leaned back and I ran my hands quickly to smooth the hair that had messed up a little.

    Her mother couldn't resist and laughed with me, taking me by the elbow and leading me to the door that separated us from my fate. "Ready?" she grinned, her eyes still glistening a little with tears.

     "Ready as I'll ever be I suppose," I sighed and bit my lip as mom opened the door. Taking a deep breath, I took the lead and  went in first.

     Her father was sitting next to a brown-haired man, his face showing his age by the wrinkles and grey in his beard. They were in a deep discussion and seemed worried about something, but the chatter stopped as her mother closed the door. Standing up, her father failed to hide his smile at what she was wearing.

     "Carrie, this is Barron Thacker," her father said as the other man stood up himself and walked over with him towards her.

     Gesturing the air with his hand, the Barron told her, "Don't bother with the formalities, you can call me Eric. You are, after all, soon to be my daughter-in-law."

     He stood around six foot four, her father standing just an inch above him. He was built very big for an old man, his cheeks high-boned and nose sloped sharply at the end. Unlike most barrons that she had met, he didn't seem to have a scowling face at her. Instead, he was smiling and the signs of worry from earlier had disappeared from his face.

     Smiling, I extended my hand and replied, "Alright Eric, I am Carrie, it's a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind me asking, where is Baroness Thacker and Quinn? I was told that they were here as well."

     "They went to explore the stables. My wife is rather fond of horses and Quinn thought it best to keep her occupied until you two arrived," Eric chuckled and winked, shaking my hand and a clap on the shoulder. "It would seem you fancy a bit of riding yourself by the way you are dressed," he added with a huge grin.

     The tension I had held inside me released at that, my smile becoming genuine. I definitely liked Quinn's father, he wasn't even acting like the snobby nobles around here. Even though they had barely met for four minutes, she had a strong feeling that they were going to get along great.

     "Thank you, I do actually. Mother disapproves of me riding out on my own, but I am more than capable of taking care of myself," I smiled back at him.

     "Carrie is very headstrong Sir Eric, your son is getting his equal in that department," her mother sighed as she nudged me in the side lightly.

     "Well why don't we all go and meet them outside? I'm nervous and delaying is only making it worse I'm afraid," I mumbled, blushing in embarrassment from my mother's words.

     "Don't be worried, he never liked simple girls and I am sure you two till get along just fine! But I agree, let's get that son of mine away from the animals and get this entire family together," Eric chuckled gruffly.

     They all headed out the front door, Carrie's father splitting off to the training grounds to gather her brothers up. The rest of them headed on out towards the stables, Carrie letting her mother and Sir Eric talk about news from their lands.

     The closer they got to the stables, the more certain I was that the butterflies all the peasant girls had told her about were finally hitting home. And it sure didn't feel very reassuring since this was the first time I had felt nervous to meet a man. I could only hope that I wouldn't get tongue-tied when I saw him.

    Wiping the sweat beading on my lip, I held my head high and straightened my back. If I was going to make any sort of good impressions, I needed to stop letting my emotions control me. 

     The ringing of hammers striking metal echoed as they passed the smithery, steam and heat radiating from it into the air. Mother called out a greeting to Hinden the smith, his bald head bobbing in reply as he continued to strike at the sword he was working on. His son Darell looked up and smiled in a way of greeting as he squeezed the bellows, soot covering his face from the fire as the pair kept working side by side.

    "Hinden is one of the finest blacksmiths I have ever met," Eric said thoughtfully, his beard bouncing in the slight breeze.

     "I wasn't aware you knew each other, where did you meet?" her mother inquired as they rounded into the corner to the stables.

     I gazed off into thought, wondering how I had been talked into this engagement so quickly and if Quinn was just as nervous as she about it all. Honestly I never thought my parents would marry me off considering how dangerous my life would become. 

     There wasn't much room for thought about having children or taking care of a household in her future. How could she? For all she knew, the Light could destroy her in the end. Eat away at her life essence until she became nothing but a husk, broken when she finally casted away the darkness that would inevitably approach.

    "No," I bit my lip again. "I can't waste time thinking of things like that. There's always hope!" I clamped down on my thoughts and swallowed them, pasting a smile back onto my face as they approached the stable doors.

    The sweet smell of fresh hay permitted the air, followed by horse manure and the shouting of stable hands as the guards announced our arrival. I rolled her eyes at how formal everything had to be, hearing a satisfying crack as I stretched my arms above my head. Whether I was really ready or not, I had to put my best foot forward.