Chapter Two: Kari
12 years ago…
The thunder storm raged outside as the young girl sat in an abandoned house curled up to keep warm. Tears rolled down her eyes with each crash of thunder and each flash of lightening. The girl looked to be around five years of age. She had dark skin that was covered in dirt, dirty red hair that hung to her waist, a filthy dress that was torn in various places and a green ribbon that was tied to the end of her messy hair and somehow was still in very good condition. The girl continued to cry until exhaustion finally took over and she fell into a restless sleep.
As the girl slept she dreamt of another world. A world where the sun never set and there was no pain or despair. In this world she belonged to a family that loved and cherished her. The girl smiled as she ran in the fields with another girl the same age who looked just like her but with much shorter hair. The two girls smiled and laughed as the rolled around in the grass. Suddenly the thunder outside gets much louder and the girl’s dream began to crumble. Dark clouds began to cover the sky and the girl screamed as lightening struck down and the ground began to crumble. She tried to reach for the other girl’s hand but it was too far away. The thunder crashed again and the girl screamed and jumped awake. She breathed heavily as she looked around the abandoned house. The girl heard a creak coming from nearby and she began to back away. “I heard it from this direction,” said a women’s voice.
“We should take it slow, whatever it is might be startled by us,” replied a man’s voice. The girl stood up quickly with a terrified expression on her face.
“Don’t come any closer,” shouted the girl her voice squeaking with fear.
“It’s a girl,” said the woman with surprise. “Don’t worry we won’t hurt you. We just heard someone screaming and wanted to see what was going on.”
“Who are you?” asked the girl nervously.
“I’m Eclipse, Eclipse Vale and the guy with me is known as master Jigon. I promise we aren’t here to hurt you.” The girl remained quiet for a long moment before finally telling the two strangers her name.
“My name’s Kari,” she replied timidly.
“Are you ok Kari, are you hurt? We heard a scream coming from this direction.”
“It was just a dream,” replied Kari.
“Where do you live?” asked Jigon.
“All over, I don’t really have a home.”
“Then come with me,” said Eclipse suddenly, surprising both Kari and master Jigon. “We’re coming in ok?” Kari nodded her head and the remembered they couldn’t see her.
“Ok,” she replied softly. Two bodies walked into the dim light of the room and Kari could make out some of their features. The woman was very beautiful with a tall slightly muscular build and brown skin. She wore light armor over a tunic and pants with black boots and a sword hanging from her waist. Her long silver hair was tied up in a ponytail and her blue eyes while fierce were also very soft and welcoming. The man standing next to her seemed a little rougher in character. He was slightly taller with paler skin and a muscular build. His face was shaven clean to show his youth but his gold eyes showed that he had seen a lot in his few years of life. He wore similar armor as Eclipse and also wore a sword on his waist. His black hair hung loosely around his face and barely touched his shoulders. He smiled at Kari and she immediately felt all her fear disappear. Eclipse began to look the girl over and her eyes lingered longest on the bow at the end of Kari’s hair that was the only thing on her that was not dirty or torn.
“That ribbon, when did you get?” asked Eclipse
“It has always been there,” replied Kari. “Kirai sleeps in here.”
“Kirai?” asked Jigon confused.
“Kirai is a djinn of wind. He is my only friend.”
“You can control djinn?” asked Eclipse surprised. “Where are you from?”
“I don’t really remember,” replied Kari sadly as she looked up to the ceiling. “Can I really come with you?” asked Kari skeptically.
“Of course, I’ll take care of you from now on.”
“I’m so happy,” replied Kari with a huge smile on her face and then she suddenly fell to the ground startling Eclipse who ran forward to catch. Eclipse held Kari gently in her arms and sighed with relieve when she found that Kari was still breathing.
“She’s probably extremely exhausted and who knows what kind of food she’s been living on.”
“What will you do with her?” asked Jigon. “Do you really plan on taking her in?”
“Of course I do. I should get here back to the inn and clean her up. You should go ahead of me. I’ll report in later if anything else happens.”
“Alright,” replied Jigon with a nod of his head. “Just be careful.” Eclipse nodded her head and watched as Jigon disappeared.
Present Day…
Kari woke up with sweat dripping down her face. She got of bed and opened up her room window. The cool night breeze came in and cooled off Kari’s face as she stuck her head out the window. She sighed heavily because it was the fifth night in the row that she had the same dream. She didn’t understand what it meant and she wished more than anything that it would stop and at the same time she wished that the dream would never end because in that small moment of light she was sure she had found someone just like her. Kari moved away from her window and walked over to her bed; she sat down and looked at the time. It was 6’oclock in the morning. In another hour she would have to get up and get ready for school. She knew that she would never fall back to sleep so she decided to get a head start on her morning.
As Kari walked down the stairs for breakfast she heard voices arguing with her mother. It wasn’t the first time she had heard these voices but it was the first time that she felt afraid. Her adopted mother Eclipse had found her when she was five years old and had raised her as her own child. Kari loves her more than anything in the world and she didn’t know how she could survive without her mother by her side but Eclipse was a soldier bound to a lifetime of servitude to the Holy Army. She was in fact general of the northern armies and her duties had kept her moving around a lot but for the last two years she had been able to stay in one city. As quickly as the stability came, it was just as quickly beginning to crash down around them. Rumors of war had been spreading around the kingdom and war would mean that her mother would have to be gone for an indefinite period of time. Her mother had been using all her power to keep her and Kari in Rigon city but her pull was waning and the queen wanted her in the holy city to begin battle plans.
Kari stood midway down the stairs listening to her mother argue with the messengers and soldiers. She knew that her mother was fighting a losing battle and she did her best to hold back the tears trying to force their way out. She needed to be strong for her mother so that Eclipse could leave knowing that her daughter would be ok. After what seemed like hours, Eclipse finally sighed, the sign that she had given into defeat. She said her goodbyes to the messengers and let them out the house. As Eclipse walked through the living room and towards the stairs, she saw Kari sitting looking a little distraught. “I suppose you heard what just happened?” asked Eclipse but it was a question that she needed no answer to and so she continued to speak. “The queen has summoned me for the third time and refuses to take any other answer but yes. It seems that the kingdom of Ilese is beginning to move towards our borders with a rather large and menacing army. It is time for me to return to the battle fields once more. I’ve set up living arrangements for you with a close friend of mine. You will not remember him but you meet him once a long time ago. Anyway he is a good man and has agreed to take you in. You will leave early tomorrow morning. You should start packing your things.”
“Why can’t I go with you?” asked Kari even though she knew the answer to that question already. Her mother would say that the battle field was no place for a young lady and Kari would mention that her Eclipse herself was a young lady when she became a soldier but Kari would not win the argument because her mother would give her this piercing look and she could say no more after that. Instead of going through the scenario, Kari shook her head and quietly walked upstairs. When Kari returned to her room she closed the door and proceeded to remove the ribbon tied around the end of her hair. The ribbon was the only thing she had left of a life she couldn’t remember. Kari released the spell on the ribbon and it glowed brightly for a moment. When the light was gone a small fairy like creature sat on top of the ribbon. The djinn was 5 inches in height with light green skin, long silver hair, and blue eyes. He looked at Kari with concern as she moved about the room pulling out clothes and other necessities for her trip. When she was done packing she sat down on her bed and starred up at the ceiling wondering what her new life would be like.
The next day Eclipse woke Kari up early for the trip to her new home. “I promise you’ll be safe where you’re going,” said Eclipse as she stood next to the black car that was there to pick Kari up.
“Yeah but what about you?” asked Kari in reply. Eclipse smiled and hugged Kari tightly before opening the car door and gesturing for her to get in. Kari starred at her mother for a long moment knowing that it might be the last time she saw her. The impatient driver grunted, Kari sighed and reluctantly got into the car. She watched her mother through the window until there was nothing left to see and then she cried silently as the car drove her to her new life.
After a couple hours of driving the car finally came to halt in front of a huge estate that Kari recognized immediately as the Jigon estate. Whoever Eclipse had connections with, they were pretty powerful connections thought Kari as she stepped out of the car. The driver hardly waited for her to close the door before he sped off and Kari was left alone. Nervousness racked her body as she starred at the iron gates wondering if she should approach them. Before her mind was made up, a middle aged man approached the gate from the inside and they began to slowly creak open. He motioned for Kari to come forward and she did so hesitantly. She followed the main to a small building not too far from the gates and wondered where he was taking her. “Move it!” shouted the man harshly as he pushed her through the door. Kari’s face was showered in confusion as she stumbled into a room filled with mostly with sealed boxes and crates. A single light hung from the ceiling casting a dim glow and making the shadows seem eerily large. Kari looked around very dazed and fear begun to creep in. The man walked into the room and quickly closed the door behind him. “I’m sorry about that,” said the man after he had closed the door. “The mistress said that we were to treat you harshly and I couldn’t go against her orders out in the open. She would’ve known and that would’ve meant trouble for me. I hope you’re alright?” Kari nodded her head unsure of how to respond the man sudden apology. Kari starred at the man closely and in the dim light and she could the see the deep shadows etched into the wrinkles of his skin. She looked into his dark grey eyes and knew immediately that he was telling the truth.
“Why am I here? What’s going on?” asked Kari
“I thought you knew that you were sent here as a new servant. Didn’t anyone tell you?”
“That’s not true; my mother said I would be staying with a friend of hers.”
“Well I guess you’re mother was ly-“
“She would never lie to me!” shouted Kari angrily. “You’re the only lying now tell me what the hell is going on here?”
“Francisco is that you?” asked a female voice that sounded a bit muffled. Kari turned around just as a hidden door behind her was slowly creaked open, behind the door stood a plain looking young woman with indiscriminant features. If she had been in standing with a group of people she was sure to go unnoticed. The woman was lightly tanned with short blonde hair and dull brown eyes. Kari studied her carefully wondering what the woman was planning to do. The woman smiled gently at Kari and it was this woman’s smile that completely changed her face. The woman seemed much more beautiful when she smiled, her smile alone stood out against her plain face. It seemed to have a calming effect on Kari and her worries and anger began to slowly fade away. “You must be the new girl,” said the woman. “I’m Alexa, it’s as pleasure to meet you,” said the woman with a slight bow. It was a gesture that caught Kari off guard; she had never had anyone bow to her before. Kari blushed slightly and could only nod her head in reply. “So do you have a name,” asked the woman.
“My name’s Kari,” she replied timidly. The woman smiled and nodded her head.
“Kari, such a beautiful name. Well come on let’s get you changed and acquainted with the house and staff.” Kari nodded her head and followed Alexa out of the room.
Kari walked out of the bath house looking clean refreshed. She wore a long black off the shoulder dress with a white apron. “Aw you look so adorable,” said Alexa causing Kari to blush slightly.
“Thanks,” replied Kari in a voice that was barely a whisper. Alexa reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a short silver chain with a white wing attached to it. The pendent was similar to the one Alexa wore. Alexa’s pendent had two blue wings attached to it.
“This is for you, it’s like an identification card,” said Alexa as she handed to Kari. Kari looked it over and found her name carved into the back of the pendent. “The one wing represents your rank and you can get up to four rings and the color represents what types of duties you have. White represents cleaning duties. The wings also show which rooms you can enter for example you can only enter rooms with one white wing above them.
“Let’s walk around and I’ll tell you more about this place.” Kari nodded her head and quietly followed Alexa out in the busy hallways of the mansion. “Let’s see there are also volunteer jobs you can take on depending on your rank,” began Alexa as she ushered Kari around the mansion. “New jobs are posted every week and the good thing about these jobs is that you get to keep all the money you earn on them so it’s a good idea to take on some when you have time. Well we’re here,” said Alexa and the stop walking when they step into a huge hall that is mostly quiet except for the few people walking through it. “I have to get back to work soon but master Viran will be here to show you around properly. Master Viran is very kind so don’t worry too much. I’ll be seeing you later since you’ll be my new roommate starting today. I’ll catch you later,” said Alexa and she started to walk away when she suddenly remembered one more thing. “Oh and also those of higher rank should be addressed as master or lady. So I’ll see you later.” Kari nodded her head feeling very nervous but she kept it to herself as she watched Alexa disappear behind one of the exits. Kira began to wonder if this is what her mother really had in mind for her when her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the soft sound of footsteps entering the room.
A young man around the same age as Kari walked in. Kari starred at him in awe, he was extremely beautiful. The young man had silver-blue hair that he kept tied in the back. He had light skin that helped bring out his fiery red eyes. He wore a white collar shirt with black slacks that on him looked like they came off a designer rack. On his right wrist he wore a bracelet that resembled two dragons wrapping around each other with the heads framing a small blue crystal. On his waist hung a custom made short sword and around his neck hung the same silver chain that Kari just received but with two red wings and one blue. The young man looked at Kari and smiled causing Kari to slightly blush. It was the same reaction he got from all girls and he found it very annoying. He knew exactly what would come next.
He would speak to her and she would nod her head never answering his questions because she was probably very shy. The young man wondered why he was sent here when he had requested to be removed from this job. Despite the girl’s reaction he noticed that she was quite beautiful, probably one of the best looking girls he had seen out of academy he attended. She was the type of girl that would easily make other girls jealous of her even if she didn’t try. He turned his back ready to walk out, hoping the girl would follow and was surprised to hear her speak. “Um lady Alexa said that a guy would come to meet me here but-“ The young man quickly turned and glared at her before she finished her sentence. He had never been mistaken as a girl before and he didn’t like it at all. He was surprised to see that she looked frightened and his anger quickly began to fade. He started to laugh and Kari starred at him curiously. She watched as the young man continued to laugh. “Um did I say something funny?” asked Kari confused. “I don’t like people laughing at me,” she said angrily as he continued to laugh.
“I’m sorry, you’re the first person to mistake me for a girl,” replied the young man she began to calm down. “My name is Viran, just Viran, I hate being called master and I am most definitely not a girl.”
“I’m sorry,” replied Kari. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Well we should get started miss Kari.”
“Kari is just fine,” replied Kari with a soft smile on her face. Viran nodded his head and proceed to walk out the door with Kari following closely behind.
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"Pray" he says
"I can't" is my simple reply so then he asks me
"Why?" I shrug my shoulders
"I really do know but I can't tell you"
"Why?" he asks again
"Pray" I say
"What?" he's confused
"Your answer is always pray" and then I walked away...
"I can't" is my simple reply so then he asks me
"Why?" I shrug my shoulders
"I really do know but I can't tell you"
"Why?" he asks again
"Pray" I say
"What?" he's confused
"Your answer is always pray" and then I walked away...