Ashes of Lily

Nihility

“Build up more fire!!” “Bring in more wood !!” “Make room for the nobles to pass!!” These were the yelled words that repeated in the capital’s main square as Lilian was brought - mostly dragged - in front of the podium adorned with flowers she recognized were from her garden. It was yet another cruel blow directed towards her without the least bit of mercy. She had always adored her garden and would spend hours reading about the different names and origins of the flowers she sought from merchants of all walks of life. She bid for the rarest plants and spend her budget on that instead of other luxuries. She took pride and felt unparallel delight each time she ventured into her garden in the mansion. Yet now, her flowers were wrapped around wooden pillars, lifeless and wilted, much like her. She was once again lost in the realm of previous lives she had: one where she was nothing but a poor healer in a mountain village. She was orphaned and left with a crippled grandmother who took in an unknown child and spared the crumbs of bread. The child was hardworking and persevered to aid the kind sickly old woman who provided the warmth of a place called home. She ran errands and did odd jobs just to afford a loaf of bread and ran back home. She would beg the healers of the village to teach her in exchange for doing the heavy chores that they had no time or effort to do; even then, she gave more than she received. Surely, a life of measly recognition accompanied by a vast thirst for knowledge, a bright mind, and an empty stomach would have been nothing compared to the one she has lived thus far. Oddly enough, she yeared to that past for, at least, she was given a hug every day and a thank you every time she helped relieve the pain of some elderly or soothe the pain of the kids that kept falling down while climbing trees and sparring in the woods. It was short-lived nonetheless: an undeserved life that was abruptly ended by the hands of…who? An unexplainable fire? Mercenaries? For what? They had no wealth and no worth. Who? Why?

A sudden atrocious pain exploded in Lilian’s head that made her cough blood and lose the last bit of strength in her legs. “Die, witch!” “Suffer more!” “Blasphemous sinner!” shot up some voices among the crowd with disdain. “Stupid b***h!” granted one of the guards that were dragging her and forced her up to her feet. “Drop the act you piece of trash,” he said close to her, and continued " You’ll rot in hell”. They climbed the last three steps of the ladder leading to the top of the pyre and stood facing the nobles and commoners. The crowd bustled with agitation: some in excitement to see an execution take place for the first time in decades and a witch trial at that, and others were there to ascertain a feeble faith they had in an attempt to glorify a God they have no understanding of. But even then, amongst the crowd, overwhelmed by a turmoil of helplessness and livid anger, stood others, very few, who were witnessing yet again another unjust happening where their lady was at the very center of. Lilian was too far gone in the recollection of past episodes to recognize the jarred faces of those who served her loyally and held so much love for the kindest and most tender soul that has ever graced their lives and high society. She was now being dragged to the pyre in shackles befitting traitors and warlords and with nothing but rugs draped over her boney shoulder that stuck out. They beheld the sight of the once beautiful and innocent maiden now resembling a shabby child. Perhaps, she is no more a child but it surely seemed she possessed only that much life in her: a life of a child abandoned on the side road of the slums, starved and slighted for they have no kin or a haven.

“THE GRAND PALADIN IS PASSING JUDGEMENT!” announced one of the escorting guards as a booming sound shook the crowd. Lily looked up ahead and saw the supposed husband staring her in the eye. One fleeting glance around and she recognized the rest of the marquis family along with her own, the duchy. " Why……me ?” she whispered to herself and look back at the executioner who she once loved and trusted beyond a shred of doubt. He was the most handsome man she has ever seen and she fell at his feet swayed by his sweet words. She was blind to his flaws and put his words above anyone else’s. Yet, she now lost every ounce of affection and faith. She lost it all as her blood and love conspired to offer her as a scapegoat to cover up for their ungodly deeds. Everything she endured was in vain: the ridicule, the sleepless nights, the pain, the blood punishments, and the mucky secrets she swore to take with her to the grave. It was all in vain. She wanted what she did not deserve for things were beyond her understanding. She wanted to honor a family that shunned her, to gain the recognition of a father who scorned her, to attain a precious place in the heart of a husband that stepped on her. It was all in vain.

" Lilian the cursed witch!” spoke Grand Paladin Lumen in an authoritative voice as he held into his supposedly blessed saber. " You are hereby stripped of your title and shall be recorded in the temple’s archive as a devil’s claw,” he continued with firm certainty. “I take it upon my honor and upon my duty to slaughter the witch that has slipped unnoticed and caused grief among us,” He sighed and added, “It pains me deeply to lay you to your grave but it is the illusion you have cast with you wicked ways to twist my being to your likes,” Lilian thought that if this was the final show of self-sacrifice and entitlement meant to garner everyone’s pity and respect, then it was utterly shameless and despicable. “May Lychnus be my witness as you shall be burnt for your sins and buried in the Forest of Maledictus”

Upon his last word, the crowd cheered twice as hard as they have initially as if justice is finally served and on that podium, sneering looks mixed with conniving smirks were the combination that snapped the last string of rationality in Lilian’s mind. “Say your last words, witch!” Duke Anguis stepped forward patting the shoulder of her ex-husband in a display of support and approval. She has reached the lowest lows and sunk to the bottom of hell. Nothing was worth it. She looked at the Grand Paladin with scorching hatred and uttered, " I served you day and night, I sacrificed everything for you. I curse you, lowly man! I curse everyone who did me wrong! My spilled blood will burn your souls in the abyss and I shall watch!”

She tilted her head up as a gush of wind blew. Closing her eyes and breathing her last breath, she spoke the words no one she still capable of, “Burn, Lily” Fire broke out of nothingness and shrieks came from every direction except the pyre where she burnt. She burned in silence. The silence of an oath.