The Sorceress and the Tapestry

Chapter One-1

Chapter OneAlmost four months had passed since Lord Dragon’s attack on the castle. The gates were being reinforced, and the walls had new guard towers that wrapped around the structure. A moat had also been ordered, and it would have the addition of spikes sticking out of the ground. Amethyst sat on the windowsill, staring at the construction with the cool breeze caressing her face. It was a warm morning, and her hair was a light red. While she sat there gazing at the remodeling, she spotted a kitten sprinting across the garden.

It chased a mouse as it squeaked. The kitten managed to grab the mouse, and it tossed it in the air. The kitten quickly caught it and noticed Amethyst on the windowsill, so it released the mouse and ran towards her, climbing up the vines that crept towards the window. Focused on what Lilith had told her, Amethyst almost did not notice a meow and the kitten rubbing its head on her arm. She moved her hand to pet the kitten and sighed as she spoke out loud.

“The whole story of Lilith helping Lord Dragon in the forest is odd. Is that the reason she left the Imp because he made her change her mind?” Amethyst sighed and moved her eyes to the mountains. “I don’t know if I should believe her story. Maybe Aurora is right, but Lilith is a good friend.”

Amethyst sighed again. She wanted to leave, but King Conrad would not allow it. She was only permitted outside the castle for schooling and nothing more. The King felt that his daughter’s lives were still in danger, so when they went to the institute, an army would escort them. While Amethyst petted the kitten, her mother entered.

“Ah, there you are,” she said in a cheerful tone. “I have been looking for you. What are you doing up here alone?”

“Looking at the mountains.”

“What is wrong?” Melanie walked over to her.

“I’m wondering when I’ll be able to visit Nira.” Amethyst sighed and waved her hand in front of her to form an ice ball.

“I know the attack was something that made Conrad a bit paranoid, but he has good intentions.” Melanie began to brush Amethyst’s hair. “However, there is something else that is disturbing you. You have been a bit distant lately.”

Fear came over Amethyst as her eyes glanced at her mother’s belly. “I’m fine.”

Melanie squeezed Amethyst’s shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. The journey wasn’t that awful. Although, there was something—” Amethyst stopped herself and shook her head. “Never mind.”

“What did you find?” She leaned closer to her face.

Amethyst was not sure whether to tell her mother about the woman with the fox mask and what she had said. Amethyst sat quietly as her mother took up space beside her.

“I know what you went through must have changed your view of the world, but it must not affect you. Not everyone is out to get you and—”

“Excuse me, My Lady,” interrupted a servant as she entered the room. “The king requests to speak with you. He is in the garden.”

“Thank you. I will be there shortly.”

“He informed me that it is very urgent.”

“Very well. Amethyst, we will continue our talk later.”

She nodded and gave her mother a hug. Turning back to the kitten, she noticed it wore a hat and red tie as the kitten’s eyes stared at her.

“Why are you wearing…Lilith, is that you?”

The kitten smiled at her and started to laugh uncontrollably. It laughed so hard that its body popped like a balloon. Confetti floated in the air, which Amethyst was not amused.

“Lilith, stop playing games.”

She searched the room to see where she had gone. Heading to her closet, she put on her shoes.

Lilith giggled that it echoed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that it took you a while to figure it out.”

Lilith appeared in her human form in front of Amethyst with a broad grin. Amethyst was about to grab her, but she disappeared and reappeared on the windowsill. Lilith began to act like a cat and stretched on the ledge. Amethyst was not in the mood for jokes, so she glanced away.

“Geez, I’m sorry. What’s gotten into you anyway?”

“It’s just that—” Amethyst sighed and shifted her sight to Lilith. “I need a way to head east to save my mother.”

“Don’t tell me you still believe what Dragon told you. He only came here to steal that rug.”

“I know, but what if this Sorceress can help? I…I don’t want to lose Mama.”

Lilith hopped off the windowsill and came closer to her. “Listen, I told you these people just want to cause trouble. You saw how Eris only wanted that thing from the fruit and…ugh, I can’t believe it. How did she find out? I was so careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“Huh? Nothing. Hey…” She ran back to the window. “If you want to head east, why don’t you just jump out and ski away?”

“I can’t. I promised Mama I won’t do anything like that. And the king has forbidden me from using my powers.”

“Wow, now you know why I don’t like living with normal humans. All they want to do is control you.”

“That’s not true. The adults care about our safety. Also, you seem to love the institute, and everyone thinks you’re amazing.”

“Yeah, I am pretty amazing.” She grinned. “So, how are you going to save your mom if you won’t disobey them?”

“I don’t know.”

Amethyst slid on her shoes, then glimpsed at her reflection in the mirror. Her journey on finding the fruit changed her view on herself. Able to use her power on command had made her a more powerful magical being. Amethyst ignited her hand, and the flame completely covered it. The fire produced many colors as she rotated her wrist. Lilith stared at the flame, then asked how she felt about her abilities to control her powers. Amethyst looked at Lilith in the mirror’s reflection and noticed that they were about the same height. She stood there a few seconds, then a smile came over her.

“What are you so happy about?” Lilith asked.

Amethyst turned to her. “I’ve got a plan. Can you go to my village and bring Nira? She’s my friend.”

“What are you planning?” Lilith narrowed her eyes as she smiled.

“I need her to help me with something.”

“Like what?”

“Just go get her—please—and I’ll explain everything.”

Lilith crossed her arms. “First, tell me, then I might go along.”

Amethyst sighed and shook her head. “You can be so stubborn at times.”

“Same goes with you.” Lilith punched Amethyst on the arm.

“Fine.” She rubbed her arm. “Nira’s going to take my place so you and I can head east.”

“I don’t know about that.” Lilith stared out the window as a bird flew by. “Heading east isn’t going to be easy. It’s not like heading to the mountains. Also, it’s more dangerous.”

“I thought you enjoyed danger and causing mayhem.”

“I do,” Lilith did not turn around as she hid her concern about the plan. “but I want to make sure you won’t be scared.”

“Lilith, I face things that would scare anyone.” Amethyst headed to the window and watched the guards milling about. “I need to see the Sorceress and save Mama.”

“But what happens if it’s just a trick?” Lilith removed her hat and spun it in her hand. “Eris said the same thing and lied to you, and this might be the same.”

“It could be, but Lord Dragon seemed concern about Mama.”

“What makes you think he cares about her? Does he know anything about you or your mom?”

“Please, I beg you.” Amethyst dropped to knees.

“Oh, don’t do that. It makes you seem weak.” Lilith lifted her up. “Sure, I’ll do it. But how’s your friend going to take your place?”

“I’ll tell you everything once you bring Nira.” She held her hand with a smile

Nodding, Lilith turned into a bird then flew towards the village. Amethyst dashed to her closet and was about to start packing when Lilith flew back in and chirped.

Amethyst turned her head and frowned. “I don’t speak bird.”

“Testing you,” she laughed. “Anyway, you never told me where you used to live.”

“Just head towards the river and follow it until you see a row of trees. You should see a road there that goes to the village.”

“Right, then I’m off. Oh, one more thing, what does Nira look like?”

“She has long, light brown hair, and she should be wearing a white apron with a blue star on it.”

“Blue star. Okay.”

Once Lilith was gone, Amethyst started to pack up some clothing, for she did not know how long the journey would take. Just then, Aurora entered and viewed Amethyst tying to stuff a suitcase.

“Amethyst, what are you doing?”

“Oh, hey Aurora,” she nervously answered. “I was just…um…cleaning out my closet because some of these dresses are old. Also, since I’m a princess, I should—”

“No, you are up to something, and where is Lilith?” Aurora was suspicious as her eyes moved from the case to her then around the room.

“What?” She grinned. “I’m not doing anything. I’m just throwing away some old clothes.”

Aurora walked towards her and stared into Amethyst’s hazel eyes. She knew that Amethyst was not a good liar. Amethyst smiled at Aurora and slowly backed further into the closet to continue grabbing the clothing.

“Also, I haven’t seen Lilith.”

“No,” Aurora insisted. “I know you are plotting something. I can see it in your eyes.”

Amethyst faked a laugh. “Good one, but seriously, I’m not doing anything.”

“You better not. You promised both our parents you would behave. I would hate it if you were lying to me.” Aurora grabbed her by the hands. “We are sisters, and we should trust each other.”

“You can trust me.” She said it without looking directly into Aurora’s eyes.

“I hope so.” She released Amethyst. “Finding out our mother is pregnant with our baby brother is a surprise to me. Not being able to tell anyone about it is killing me.”

“I know, but we can’t; it might cause a lot of problems for us.”

“Right. Well, do not do anything foolish.”

Aurora left and closed the door behind her. Amethyst sighed with relief and continued packing. Once finished, she returned to the window. There was no sign of Lilith, so Amethyst sat down on her bed and thought about how she was going to head east—how she would find the Sorceress. While waiting, she heard someone shouting from outside, so she went back to the window and saw an owl carrying Nira be the back of her dress. Nira had her eyes covered with her hands and shouted to be released.

“Hey, red, I’m back—and I got your friend!” The owl screeched.

The owl flew inside with Nira and dropped her on the floor. Lilith transformed back into her human form and stared at Amethyst with a wide smile. Amethyst shook her head and gazed at her friend, who was trembling.

“Nira, are you okay?” Amethyst walked to her.

“Ameth, is that you?” Nira peeked from her hands. “What in the world just happened?”

“Sorry about that, but I told Lilith to bring you here.”

“You could’ve just come to visit me. You didn’t have to send your crazy bird to grab me.” She looked at Lilith. “Where did it go, and who is she?”

“I’m sorry about that.” She hugged Nira. “Lilith, what did you do?”

“Nothing.” Lilith placed her hands on her chest and shrugged her shoulders. “She was walking with a basket on her head, and I saw the blue star on the apron and flew towards her. Then I grabbed her and flew back here.”

“What?” Amethyst lifted her head. “Why didn’t you introduce yourself?”

Lilith shrugged again and sat on the bed. Amethyst glared at her and shook her head.

“Ameth, what’s going on? Who’s this girl, and how is it that she can change?”

“Hey, why does she call you Ameth?” Lilith asked.

“It’s a nickname.”

“It doesn’t suit you, maybe red or blue due to your hair, and it sounds better.”

“Okay, can we focus here? I need—”

“I knew it!” a voice shouted from behind Amethyst.

She turned around, and there stood Aurora in the doorway. She walked in and stared at Amethyst with a disappointed face.

“You made a promise to our parents, and I just said that we should trust each other.”

“Yeah, about that—”

“I am sorry, but whatever crazy scheme you are up to, you must stop.”

“Hey, Goldie.” Lilith jumped in front of her.

“That is not my name. You must address me as Princess Aurora.”

“That’s not going to happen, Goldie.”

Aurora pushed Lilith away. “Now, what are you planning here?”

“I just have company coming.” Amethyst walked off. “That’s all nothing suspicious happening here.”

“No, tell me the truth,” Aurora stomped her foot. “or I am going to tell Mother.”

“Wow, she got you on a short leash.” Lilith smiled.

Nira just stood there looking at everyone with a puzzled expression.

“All right, all right!” Amethyst relented. “I’ll tell you, but close the door.”

Aurora did as she was asked, standing by the door for as she waited for her explanation. Amethyst rubbed the back of her neck and stared at Lilith, who was digging in her ear with her finger. Amethyst made a disgusted face, then took a deep breath and stared at Aurora.

“The thing is, our mother wasn’t saved. She’s still going to die when the baby is born. The woman with the fox mask told me this, and Lord Dragon told me to head east to find a Sorceress who will be able to save Mama. However, our king…I mean our father won’t let me go anywhere without an escort and—”