Shadow Winged Prince

Chapter 4 - Unofficial Meeting

Instead of going to pack as instructed, Elyansa went to her favorite place within the compound. A large oatmeal colored stone balcony covered in moss, vines and exotic-looking flowers. A place only accessed through her room, which had its own personal courtyard. A place where Elyansa has found comfort during all the trials, tribulations and seasons of her life. She walks out onto the balcony and finds a place on the railing to hold on to and let out a loud aggressive exhale. She's overwhelmed with emotion and doesn't try to fight back her tears. The prince is sitting on a limb of a tree and feels embarrassed to witness this, so silently he makes his way down to inquire.

“Excuse me, um, are you alright?” From the far side of the balcony he asks. Here is the prince standing posing purposely as a tall dark figure in a hooded cloak.

Elyansa froze, quickly wiped her face. She squares her shoulders and turns to him, making an immediate assessment to choose if he is a friend or foe.

"Forgive me, I thought I was alone," she responds.

“No, I am the one who intruded. I should be asking for forgiveness. Pardon me.”

“No, please.. excuse my foolishness.” relaxing her stance, “Your accent and manner of speech.. You sound like a guest of the house. Again, forgive me for embarrassing myself.” She bows with her fist over her heart, the traditional greeting. “Welcome to the House of Night. I am Elyansa. Can I offer you any refreshments or wine or anything to bring comfort to your stay?”

“I have all that I need Elyansa, thank you, and your house has been very accommodating thus far. But.. if you could indulge me in a few minutes of conversation, I would be grateful. I am very interested and intrigued by Agharta. And I haven't had the opportunity to speak to anyone to educate me on it. Would you oblige me?”

She nods in agreement. Ceru sits on the stone bench closest to him but the farthest from Elyansa and removes his hood. She knows from reading his face that she has chosen wisely to treat him as a friendly.

“I've never seen the middle with my own eyes. It's so different here, even the air is thicker and sweeter, and it's really quite amazing.”

Elyansa now sees a handsome face in the light of the moon and what looks like a hump on his back. She also sits down on a bench, one located behind her.

“Because we're so close to the earth's core, it gives us year-round tropical temperatures. Hence the thickness, but it is also the energy of all living beings in the middle that gives off that sweetness you taste and breathe in. There is only peace here. The people who live here wish to live as a collective of love and have taken a vow to do so. Here no one puts themselves above nature. Here, we are all true aborisha. Constant students and admirers of nature.. That is also what keeps our air honeyed. Every living thing here contributes to the deliciousness of life by being the best people they can be. Yes, we are living beings with a wide range of emotions, but as a collective, we work hard to make choices from a place of balance. So we all have the opportunity to live beautifully.. Pfft, I’m sorry, I sound like an educator.”

“Are you?” he asks, already knowing the answer to the question.

“ I feel far from it actually, I'm really just a proud resident.”

“Hearing you speak about the middle evoked emotion in me. It would be lovely to hear residents speak of their homes the way you do. You would be a good representative for your people.”

Elyansa chuckles and leans back on the wall, “Thanks. So, what is it like on the surface?”

“It depends on where you are. The surface has gone through so many drastic changes over the years, but I will speak about where I am from..New Edo. The atmosphere is thinner, lighter and on the best days there is a crisp in the air. Some days it smells like magic and adventure, but lately it smells of rotten ambition and ego.. The people of New Edo aren't as committed to the unity of life. It is all a rat race, and a game of who is more superior. Every being for themselves.” Ceru adjusts his seat and changes the topic. “So! ..What's the first thing you would recommend an outsider to do or see while here?”

“Well, it depends on what you are into. Our food is divine, the walks through our jungles are life-changing, but.. we also have a brothel in the city that people say the same thing about.”

Ceru blushes immediately and starts laughing. Elyansa finds this amusing.

“Well..” Ceru starts, “Well, what would you do?”

“Definitely the brothel, then food and then the walk.” She is teasing him and is entertained by his innocent reactions.

“Noted.”

“Seriously though, my head is always in the clouds, the sky is what intrigues me, especially the night sky. Obviously, the middle doesn't have true celestials but it is still beautiful. Every few weeks, we have sporadic lights from the Borealis dancing in and across the false heavens. It is phenomenal. To fly through it and touch it is the dream. I will miss seeing them.” A silence passes through them and they are both comfortable within it.

“Are there many birds here, in the middle?”, asking another question he knew the answer to.

“Strangely enough, yes! We have thousands of birds, we have a sanctuary here on the grounds. And, if you didn't know, birds are very important to the mothers and we honor that, and them as much as we can.”

“That sounds amazing! I have read many things about the House of Night. Its members are seen as this planet's precious jewels. I see the black, red and white chevrons you don. You must be a hell of a woman to have such honor.”

Elyansa picks her back off the wall and sits erect. “You are well versed sir. More than you originally let on. And with a good eye I might add.. I am truly blessed and humbled to carry out these honors. I only wish to make my house proud.”

“So what's your favorite bird, if I dare ask?” Ceru asks, but it makes Elyansa shift in her seat, “Forgive me for being direct, I hope my question wasn't offensive?”

“Not in the least! I am not easily offended. In the House of Night, we have our favorite birds and then there are what we call our souls mirror.. Birds that represent our souls' true nature.”

“I am curious and I want to ask..”

“Don't. The souls' mirror is told only to those who need to know. Usually, only spouses, and since we mate for life, we know that they will keep our secrets til their death. So, I will only tell you about my favorite..”

“ELYANSA!” As soon as she was about to tell her enigma of company her choice, a servant called out to her. Elyansa was startled, popped up immediately and stood in the doorless entryway.

“Yes, I'm here.”

“Yansa, dinner has been served in your quarters as well as some paperwork that needs your attention has been placed on your desk.”

“Thank you, I will be there momentarily.” She stood there waiting for the servant to leave til she turned to face him. When she spun around to give him her answer, he was gone. Which made her smile a toothy grin.

“You're a stealthy one,” She said to herself. “WHEREVER AND WHOEVER YOU ARE, HOPEFULLY I'LL TELL YOU SOME OTHER TIME!” She yelled, but before she started to walk back into her chambers she yelled again, “ ALSO, THANK YOU FOR TONIGHT! SEE YOU AROUND STRANGER!”

Ceru watches from the tree, smiling proudly that she is the one.