The Last Mareta

Chapter 1

I’ve never noticed how beautifully the water felt against my skin. I’m not surprised at that fact though. It was always him. The only man that could make me totally oblivious to my surroundings, the man I owed my heart to… my life. His callous hands always felt ever so delicate and mesmerizing against my pale skin, his beautiful sea green gaze holding me en-fixed in a trance. He held the keys to my heart. And now…

Tears well up in my eyes as the memories flood my mind and the pain finds its way to my heart. I knew I had lost all that I had ever loved. I now lay in wonder, what if I chose better.

***

Once upon a time, there was a great kingdom, Vertica, they called it. She was powerful, but her kings and generals where gravely corrupt. Poisoned from within. She didn’t have much time before her legend died along with her people as her rulers lived only for themselves. She was doomed for destruction. Not until she found favor in the eyes of the gods through a little girl.

Drea, a soul born through the most beautiful and purest of love, in a falling kingdom, had found favor in the eyes of the gods of their kings and was blessed. She was the key to Vertica’s redemption. She was called, the Mareta. Sadly, gods aren’t so generous and every gift comes with a price. As the Mareta, she would possess the strength of armies and attain immortality throughout her lifetime, but will never live beyond 80 years.

As prophesied, she brought nothing but glory to her people and they knew not defeat at war. Vertica had finally found its savior! But as every good story comes to an end, so did the story of the first Mareta. Drea was met with her death the very hour she was born, the night of her 80th birthday. The whole kingdom was taken aback with fear now that their savior was no more, but the gods had promised that with the passing of one Mareta, another shall be appointed. She shall come in the form of a girl that is newly of age. No Mareta shall refuse her position, for her only calling was to serve her kingdom until her final breath. Some saw this as a blessing but for others, it was the worst kind of curse.

Centuries went by and Vertica was stronger than ever. Under their new protection, they were not only safe but possessed the power to conquer kingdoms and overthrow kings. With time Vertica grew in size and status and no one was willing to wage war against them. From Drea, to Na’ale, to Tarrah, to Stephanie, to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was the Mareta before me and the most beautiful one at that. Elizabeth’s reign brought countless victories and fame to the land of Vertica. Kingdoms feared Vertica just as much as they feared death. She was the dream of every man with her flawless features. She ruled over Vertica like a self-appointed queen and gained herself the resent of the King.

Elizabeth’s reign was short lived as she grew greedier and unsatisfied with her position. She wanted to have it all, every corner of the earth under her feet. She sought complete immortality, one without death conditions. Her greed brought her to an early grave as she was killed mysteriously in battle at only 70. This brought fear into the heart of the people of Vertica who began questioning the possibility of an existence of beings greater than their gods. It was a mystery that no one seemed to have answers to. Since the Mareta had died ten years before destined time, Vertica was without its protector and spies and barbarians were starting to grow bolder and what was once a peaceful kingdom was starting to rare violent crisis and out roars. When the king saw this he declared that the new Mareta be found. Though she would be 10 years younger, her presence will welcome stability throughout the land and among the people. Therefore all the 8 year old girls throughout the land where summoned before the king and his chief priest who was the mouth of the gods. It was on that day the Gods chose to frown upon me and chose me to be the Mareta. Little did I know that I would be the last Mareta to ever live.

***

“Catherine, what shall you wear to the princesses coming of age ball”, Melina complained, rampaging through my out of fashion ball dresses that I never found the time to update. She continued, “I will call a tailor to have you fixed up in something that looks good with that hair of yours”.

“I choose not to be offended by your words”, I added knowing fully well that she was right.

Growing up in the castle is just as grand and as lavish as you could ever imagine. For royalty that is. For me it was tolerable, juggling trying to fit in to please the Princess, Danna and her mother, Queen Susan who were purely and solely materialistic and being tough enough to break human bones on the king’s command, taking lives and not feeling a thing. My only friend is my personal maid, Melina, who is a tall Egyptian with the deepest green orbs and hair as dark as coal and occasionally Gareth, the physicians only son, who due to the nature of my trainings I meet when his dad has to caters to my injuries and I get a lot of those.

I always had a soft spot for Gareth but couldn’t figure out how to let it show through my tough demeanor and even tougher Skin. Tomorrow night, he would be there. It felt like every time I met him was my first and I was so taken by his presence and I hoped he felt just the same. As much as I hated to admit it, I hoped Melina would be able to make me look lady like for the ball.