Kellryia - Chapter 1 - Revised 6/14/10

I’m dead. There was no way I could have survived. I was lying down, unable to move, inside in what appeared to be a church, people standing over me. Yeah, I’m dead.

The last thing I could remember were the faces of my father’s murderers and how they snarled at me at being discovered.

Tears came to my eyes as I registered the pain in my entire body. I cried out as one of the men snapped my right arm back into place, the bone tearing through my muscles. Their hands continued to prod and adjust my legs as well, and I tasted blood when I bit down on my lip.

A hand came behind my head and a silver spoon filled with a mysterious brown liquid was brought to my mouth. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation when I decided to take the spoon into my mouth. I just wanted the pain to end.

My head was lowered back down onto the hard surface on which I was laying down and I closed my eyes, swallowing the bitter liquid. It was the most awful thing I’d ever tasted. Doing as any child would do when taking medicine, I wrinkled my nose and stuck out my tongue. I scraped my tongue against my teeth and salivated in my mouth, trying to get the taste out.

Slowly, and blessedly, my head began to feel numb and dizzy, the affect continuing throughout my body. Now why couldn’t they have given me the medicine before they decided to realign my limbs?

I moved my eyes about the space. The ceilings were arched and were held up by large stone columns. The art on the walls depicted people clothed in long tunics lined with fur, holding coins up to the sky in offering. Colorful shapes projected onto the tiled floor as the light shown through the stain glass windows. Looking down to the end of the cathedral, towards the pulpit, I saw the many rows of wooden pews lined up before the enormous copper-piped organ.

“Alton’s light shines brightly on you, Miss,” said a priest, with thinning hair and a round face.

I smiled at the priest of Alton, familiar with the god. In fact, Alton was my favorite deity. God of protection and good, he was one of the three original deities of Kellryia. Alton’s symbol that lay in the priest’s hand was a crescent moon inside a sun that surrounded the silhouette of a mace.

“What happened to me?” I asked.

“A traveling merchant passing through town found you barely alive near the city walls.” When I tried to move, he stayed me with his hand. “Many of your bones were broken, you should rest.”

Healing magic was powerful, but not instantaneous. “Thank you,” I said with a sigh.

“Priestess Ella will tend to you now.” The priests left to go upstairs.

Stories about her traveled far and wide. A cleric of Alton, Ella was good, pure, brave, and beautiful. She accomplished many good deeds and expanded the current cathedral I was laying in with her personal earnings.

The original Alton church was merely a small temple consisting of one room made of wood. With Ella’s donations, the church was expanded and became worthy of calling a cathedral, adding a second floor where worshipers could rest and personal quarters for Ella and her family. The stone building also was befitted with bell towers and stain glass windows. The cathedral of Alton was the finest church in the country of Aldien.

Ella approached and smiled down at me, her dark curls hanging over her shoulder while her green eyes sparkled. Radiating purity, she said, “Hello, my name is Ella Martin, and you are?”

I gave her the name of my cousin. “Lillian Kerr.”

“Nice to meet you, Lillian.” Her eyes shifted away from me for a moment, as if she heard something from across the room. “Where are you from? I’ve not seen you about Aldenshire.”

Aldenshire was a good sized town east of the Dragontail Mountains, north of the Orc Badlands, and in a country where it was a rarity if there wasn’t snow on the ground.

“I am from here, my lady.” The vision of my father’s bloody body on the floor of our house flashed before my eyes, and tears prickled. I didn’t hear what she may have said next, but I felt her hand on my shoulder.

“Miss Kerr, is something the matter?”

I wanted to tell her what happened last night, but the men’s faces still haunted me. They’d nearly killed me once, if they found out I was still alive, they would surely to it a second time. “I’m feeling much better now, thank you,” I lied and moved to sit up.

“Do not strain yourself, and do not hesitate to come again should you need help,” Ella said, smiling, and made no move to stop me from leaving.

I gently rose from my pallet with a slight groan and hobbled to the front door. I struggled opening it. Why did they have to make them so humungous? With one last pull, using my whole body weight, the door opened. Closing the door behind me, I nodded courteously to the guards standing outside the cathedral.

I briefly noted the thatched roof cottages that were three stories tall, and were of half-timber construction. I stepped into an open courtyard where merchants set up their stands, selling miscellaneous things. The snow was drifting around the buildings and the riding horses stepped through to make paths for the pedestrians. The people were all dressed warmly, men wearing cloaks and leather boots, the women wearing full skirts and shawls. My eyes glanced up to the blue sky, which I noted had more than one moon in it. Breathing in the subzero air, I coughed on its dryness. Despite the inability to breathe deeply, I realized the air was clean and smelled of pine needles.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know the layout of Aldenshire whatsoever. So, I just hustled out and blended with the others, going with the flow. I kept my eyes open for a store to buy clothing, and – wait. I couldn’t buy a thing, because I didn’t have gold. Inspecting my other possessions, I had my diamond studded band that my father had given me a while ago, and some other silver jewelry.

Realizing that wasn’t happening, I looked for a jewelry store, or something similar. I searched the marketplace area and decided that I really need to find a nice place to sell my ring. These merchants wouldn’t be able to pay the price I wanted for it.

I searched the store names, Jareth’s Sword, The Shield and Forge, Arcania’s Wands, The King’s Jewels – ah, there we go. I took a deep breath before I pushed the door open. The store sparkled and shimmered with all the gems and gold that lined the walls and tables. I walked toward the owner, a gnome. Who else? I laughed.

“Good day, Miss,” he greeted. His springy gray hair curled around his face and his blue eyes smiled through his delicate gold-framed glasses. “How may I help you?”

“Hello,” I said lamely. “I would like to see what you can offer for this.” I showed him the diamond ring.

“Hmm,” the gnome said and took the ring into his small hands. “Hmm, interesting. The diamonds are quite nicely cut,” he said as he looked through his eyeglass. “And of good color and clarity.” Looking up at me, he said, “I’ll offer…sixty gold.”

I knew this was a large sum of money, especially for a peasant. But I knew it was worth more.

“Surely the ring is very unique and well crafted. Eighty gold,” I countered.

“Yes, I’ll hand that to you, it is unique. Hmm. Seventy gold, then.”

I mentally sighed. I didn’t have time to haggle anymore. “Deal.”

The gnome smiled, probably out of greed. He stowed the ring away and gathered the coins of gold. He counted out seven stacks of ten coins. “There you are, Miss. Thank you.”

I stuffed the coins into several of my pockets, noting that I needed a pouch. “Thank you,” I said, and left the store quickly.

Clothing store, clothing store, I needed a clothing store. I hustled down the narrow path lined with stores, again searching the names. The Happy Badger Tavern, Leather and More, The Blue Dragon Inn, The Red Hat Clothiers. Ah ha! I dashed into the store and a bell alerted the owner of my presence.

A round figured lady of midlife age came forward from the back room. “Just a moment, sir,” she called over her shoulder. The woman was jittery and high strung. “How can I help you, dear?”

“Sorry,” I said. She was obviously busy. “I’d like something a little more in fashion. A dress. Something simple.” I needed anything to help disguise myself.

“That shouldn’t be any trouble, but I won’t be able to start until tomorrow. I just lost my assistant, died in childbed, poor thing.”

“That’s terrible.” It was also not uncommon, even with their healing magic, for a woman to die while giving birth. “Can I help?” I asked without hesitation. I did have some experience with sewing.

She looked at me carefully, seeing my fine clothes, clean hair and skin, and my well fed form. “A lady, such as you, surely…”

I interrupted her. “I am no lady, Madam.” I thought about how she might see me. Being in my mid-twenties and unmarried, a woman in my situation would either be a spinster or a widow. I went with the latter option. “I am widowed, and have no means to live.”

Nodding, I could see she understood and that she was too busy to care much about my experience. “Come then, Mrs.…”

“Kerr. Lillian Kerr.” I immediately felt relieved when I stepped into the back room. Soon I would have decent clothes, employment, and a place to hide from the men who killed my father. I knew they wouldn’t let me go so easily. I had seen their faces, had witnessed the murder itself. They wouldn’t stop hunting me until I was dead.

“I am Mrs. Salisbury, nice to meet you. We’ll discuss the particulars later.”

I followed the woman to find a man standing in front of a mirror, dressed in a long jacket of red velvet and high black boots. His long platinum blond hair spilled over the collar and down his back. The energy in the room changed abruptly as he stiffened and slowly turned towards me.

“Madam Salisbury, who is this lovely creature?” The man smiled as he bore his eyes into me, and I had a hard time meeting his gaze. From what I did see, his face was flawless.

“This is Mrs. Lillian Kerr. She is to be my assistant now.” The woman smiled at me.

“Is she now?” He looked over me, a peculiar expression on his face.

I lowered my head to avoid his eyes.

“Mrs. Kerr, kindly start hemming the things on that table there,” said Mrs. Salisbury, turning her attention to the man.

I gladly accepted this distraction. I took off my coat, revealing a green form-fitting wool sweater, draped it along the back of the chair, and quickly found a needle and matching thread. As I sat down to begin, I could see out of the corner of my eye that the man still watched me. I concentrated on keeping the stitches small and even, ignoring the man’s stare.

There was a ring of the bell from the front of the store, and I heard Mrs. Salisbury swear under her breath as she went to tend to the customer.

Great. I was now alone with this man, more uncomfortable than ever.

“So, Mrs. Kerr,” he said, smiling, “I couldn’t help but overhear your circumstances.” When I didn’t respond, he continued, “You don’t have the hands of a peasant.”

“Before the loss of my husband, I was privileged,” I said, continuing sewing.

“I see,” he said. “Still, you would be better off to marry again than to work your fingers to the bone.”

I jerked my head towards him, annoyed, “Are you offering?”

This seemed to amuse him. “I’m not the marrying kind, unfortunately. Though, the idea tempts me.” He smiled, as if enjoying a private joke.

As I looked at him, I had trouble looking too closely, as if something about him prevented me doing so. Frustrated, my eyes rested on the outer edges of him. “I’ll do what I must. And like you, I have no interest in marrying.”

In the blink of my eyes, he disappeared from where he stood. I heard his laugh close to my ear. Jumping out of my chair, I turned toward him aggressively. Taking my hands in his grasp, he laughed. “You are very amusing to me, and peculiar. I might have to visit again soon.”

His hands warmed my chilled ones, and for a moment they curled in his hold. It took a great deal of effort as I took my hands out of his and crossed my arms. “If you must, but don’t expect a warm welcome from me.”

“You wound me, Madam. Such hostility, and I believe I am undeserving of it.”

I dared to glance at him, and I grinned at his exaggerated look of despair. “Good,” I said.

“I do believe I’m beginning to enjoy your hostility.”

I had a hard time understanding his interest in me. Raising an eyebrow, I asked, “Are you a masochist then? Do you enjoy pain?”

“If it were from you, I believe I would.”

I noted his flirtations with mixed feelings. Having been without such attention for so long, it almost felt invigorating to banter with this man.

“I would do nothing to give you pleasure intentionally.”

Grinning, he said, “We’ll see.”

“If you don’t mind, I have work to do, Sir…” I prompted an introduction. Turning from him, I waited with too much anticipation of learning his name.

“No, you’re not ready for my name yet, darling. I’ll be at The Blue Dragon Inn, if you care to learn it.”

“Don’t wait up for me.” I leaned over my work, dismissing him, while I attempted to banish the scenario that played in my head.

Laughing once more, he turned and left the room.

Mrs. Salisbury returned, a form in her hand. “Another order. I swear, the work never ceases. At least we won’t starve,” she said with a laugh.

“I don’t mind,” I said as I smiled up at her. “I like to keep myself occupied.” Especially this evening, I thought. I didn’t want any excuse to visit that man.

“Thank the gods you happened upon my shop, Mrs. Kerr. I don’t know what I’d do.”

“You are kind to give me employ, Mrs. Salisbury. It seems that we desperately needed each other.”

“Yes, indeed. Now, let us discuss your wages.” Walking toward me, she sat at the table. “A great deal of the profits will be going towards paying taxes and upkeep on the shop, and of course there are times where business is more plentiful than others. I can pay you a gold piece per week, and then in certain cases, a bonus will be granted. For instance, our last client spends quite a lot. In fact, I do believe he is our best.”

“Indeed,” I said, agreeing easily. “Men of my acquaintance don’t care much for clothing.”

Laughing she said, “Oh yes, my husband certainly does not. But some have taste, and some do not. The Bard, he definitely knows what he likes.” After a confused look from me, she continued, “Only those who he wants know his true name. Otherwise, he is commonly called The Bard.”