Origin of Ines

Who Are You

Opal walked her horse down the dusty road that headed into the sea side town. The closer she gets to the ocean the more she has to shield herself from it's pull. The Houses were scattered along the main road, now start to look more planned out. The road changes to cobble as she walks through the wall gate surrounding the main city of Graymere. 

She can feel the pull of her mate, if there were no buildings in the way she could find her with her eyes closed. Wandering closer to the sea Opal stops in the busy market. Letting her magic wall down just a fraction. She is guided to a trinket cart. An old woman is sitting on an old yellowed cushion near the cart. "What is it you are looking for?" The old woman says.Opal giggles and reaches for a sparkling bobble."Nothing in particular, they are all so beautiful! Did you make them all?"The old woman stands looks at Opal and says,"I know the one for you."Opal's smile starts to fade, "what do you..."She trails off as the woman brings out a box.It is ornately painted, a portrait of the sea with a woman swimming in the water. The frame outlining the picture is opals. Shimmering white with blue, pink and purple dancing through it.The old woman says,"Take this now and save a life. Loose it once and hear the call. Loose it twice and all is lost. Loose it thrice to control the tides." She goes to open the box and the woman slams her hand down on top of it. 

"You were not listening!" Anger filled her voice."I said take it to save a life, not open it!"The old woman hisses. She picks up an orange velvet bag with rope ties slips the box inside and shoves it into Opals hand. "Tie that to your belt and don't loose it!" She then immediately packs up her cart and leaves hurriedly, forgetting her cushion.Her horse nudges her, snapping her out of watching the old woman walk away. The sun has hidden behind the buildings, it is later than she expected. She followed the winding road to the sea side inn. Dropping her horse off at the stable she asked if there was still room in the inn."You will have to go in and ask Seeta" said the man as he lead my horse to a stall and started to brush her. The inn was lit dimly, but still felt welcoming as a petite woman came over and greeted her."Long travels I see" as she looks me up and down. "How can I be of service to you?" Her loving voice and a mother's smile makes me feel at home."I need a bath and a bed" I say with a smile."Food and laundry too by the looks of it!" Seeta says kindly."Yes, thank you" is all I can say before she is leading me to the bath and takes all my cloths. The bathwater is nothing fancy but it is warm and my body quickly relaxes. There is a bar of soap that smells like rosemary making me feel rejuvenated from my long trip. She comes back with a robe and leads me to my room where my food is already waiting. "Just leave the dishes outside the door." Seeta said right before shutting the door. I lock the room, and eat as fast as the hot soup will let me. Yawning I realize how tired I was from traveling. I crawl in to bed pulling the covers all the way up to my chin. I smell lavender and sea salt before drifting off to sleep. The Roster crowing startles me awake. Putting my freshly laundered cloths on, I notice that now also have the same lavender and sea salt smell as the bed sheets. My belly rumbles reminding me I only had a bit of soup last night. I gather my few possessions so I won't have to return to this room. An orange velvet bag, coin bag, and a dagger all of witch I keep on my belt.Down stairs I take a seat watching Seeta greet everyone with a smile, while taking orders for breakfast.

                                                                      ****

Seeta strolls through the inn kitchen happily humming to herself as she makes breakfast for the sleeping patron's. The roster crows letting her know Ines will be in with the morning eggs and milk.

"Good morning mama!" Ines calls as she sets down her pale of milk on the counter.Then carefully takes off the egg apron, setting it in a bowl set out by the stove to make the rest of breakfast. Dad butchered a pig for the inn the wonderful smell of cooked pigs fat filled the kitchen."Ines off in your daydreams again I see!" Her mama scolds in a teasing voice."Those eggs aren't going to cook themselves!"Seeta says as she walks out to the front room that is starting to fill with last nights travelers and a couple people from town. Ines can hear her mama gracefully moving around the room charming all the travelers into buying a good breakfast before moving on. As she gets closer to the kitchen I hear her say"Don't forget to buy some of my delicious travel bread!"With a smile on her face she turns to me, "Ines that will be five bacon with eggs two milks and three Ale's."My father comes in just then."Rhys come sit have breakfast."Mama says with a loving but commanding voice."I'm just grabbing something as I go, one of the horses through a shoe."He says and places a kiss on top of Seeta's forehead."I know you lovely ladies have this all under control. I know when I'm not needed."Seeta swats at him with a towel playfully.Then grabs five plates and rushes out to the front room. Grabbing the milk and ale I follow her out the door. She points and I pored glasses of milk or ale. At the second table, Seeta sets down one plate. Then unexpectedly a shiver runs through my body, as the most beautiful girl I have ever seen gets my attention by touching my hand. Her eyes were brown, but that doesn't do her justice! They were sparkling brown rays of light so big and bright full of knowledge and wit."Ines are you not listening!" My mama says exasperated.I immediately snap out of the staring contest just as fast as I was sucked in. "Well poor her a drink then!" Mama cheerful voice coming out strained.As I poor her ale, I swear her hair is flowing in a breeze of her own making. It is strawberry with streams of gold like a sun lit wheat field ready for harvest. I am immediately drawn to her! I want to know everything about her, where did she come from? I need to know her story! Lots of travelers tell a story or two when they come through. Maybe she will stay awhile and tell me hers. I will ask mama if I can be done with my morning chores, and get lost in her magical eyes again!"Ines wrap and pack the traveling bread on the cooling rack."Mama calls,"Then you can run along and bring them to your father."I hurry through the chores, hoping I don't miss seeing the majestic girl in the dining room. Running the nine loaves of travel bread to the stables so father can pack the horses before the travelers leave."Hey girl" a sing song voice calls.I look around but don't see anyone. I turn to keep heading to the stable, when I feel the most excruciating pain! Felt like when I got to close to the stove top when I was little and burned my hand. The pulsating pain radiates down my legs. Nothing I could see hit me. My mind screamed run! You're not on fire! Run! My heart was pounding wildly, running, faster, faster I have to get away! The pulsating burning in my legs is slowly lessening. All I can think was find somewhere to hide, but where was safe! Running past the stable, a girl grabs my arm, jerking me into a stall."Come with me!" She says as she grabs her horses rains.Pushing me onto a horse with out even giving me a chance to respond! She hops up on her own horse and and leads us through the winding hills toward the city.She feels so sick! Bouncing up and down as the horse galloped away from all she knows! She wants to scream out help me, but she stops herself. Who ever attacked her was searching for her she could feel it in her bones!They galloped for an eternity, it seamed not even slowing as they entered town. When they reached the edge of town she slowed to a trot."Who are you?" Comes out as almost a whisper, as I try to catch my breath, and keep my breakfast down at the same time.She reaches over and touches my hand. Shivers run through my body, I snap my head around to look at her. It is her, those brown Ray's of light charmingly looking at me. She rescued me, my heart!"I'm Opal, you are lucky I got to you in time!" Opal says happily, flashing me a smile that sparks feelings I don't understand."I'm bring you to the Anointed!" Opal sighs"we have to hurry. We have to get you away from the sea, Until you learn how to control, well you're going to find that out soon enough."Ines doesn't know what to think, who does the most beautiful girl I have ever seen think I am! Get me away from the sea! I was born at sea. At least that's what mama always told me."The sea gave you to me Ines", mama's voice echoing in my head.Tugging at her necklace she sullenly thinks, now it seems the sea is taking me away.