by Morgana Shee
Part 8
Morgana looked around. The dream had come into focus somewhat. Everything was dark though. Morgana knew she was sitting somewhere, holding someone's hand, and that someone was crying softly. Morgana looked down. A sliver of light was visible on the floor. Morgana realized they were in a closet or some kind of room.
Morgana thought a minute. She felt smaller than she really was. Maybe she was younger in the dream. That was it. She was a child. Then the person next to her was...Elwyn, her sister.
Morgana began to hyperventilate. No, no, no, no, she thought wildly. I don't want to be here. I don't want to remember this. I need to forget, forget....please wake up.
Elwyn's tiny fingernails were digging into Morgana's hand. That brought Morgana back to reality. Think, she told herself, you need to do something...something...
Morgana tentatively reached out her hand for a doorknob. Elwyn gasped something inaudible as Morgana twisted the knob.
Light spilled into the small room. Morgana could make out Elwyn clearly now. Her silver hair was long and wild, covered with small wildflower petals. Her hands were covering her mouth now. She looked beyond frightened.
Morgana tore her eyes away from Elwyn and looked around her. They were in Fell Andred. She could smell fresh bread baking in the oven, but she couldn't see anyone.
Then she heard it. A crash. Someone screamed. Morgana realized with a sense of doom that it was her mother. Morgana jumped out of the closet and ran for the front hall. She could hear scuffling feet and muffled screams. When she reached the doorway she slithered into the room.
Someone was holding her mother's arms behind her back. It was a man, but Morgana couldn't recognize him. But she did know he wasn't Finderlais....
The front door swung open violently just as Morgana was about to jump on the man holding her mother. Several men scurried inside yelling orders. Every one of them was not Finderlais.
Morgana hid behind a chair that was beside the great staircase and watched the men. One had a sword of some kind and he was waving it at Morgana's mother. Morgana gasped silently. They couldn't hurt her mother! No, no, no....
They were all talking in a language Morgana couldn't understand. It was some language from Irenahl, she knew, but she couldn't place it. She hadn't heard many.
The action seemed to be dying down when a tall man came to stand in the doorway. Morgana couldn't see his face because he was framed in light. The man yelled an order at the man holding her mother. That man threw her on the ground. It took all of Morgana's self-control not to rush at that man and scratch his arms.
The man in the doorway laughed as Morgana's mother tried to climb to her feet. She was a small woman. No taller than a Mystic Tree, barely a tree at all. And besides that, she was a Quislai. They weren't known for physical strength. Right now, her mother's gold hair was spilling around her face. She tried to catch her breath enough to rise but she was too weak.
The tall man laughed again and spoke to her mother, this time in the Finderlais tongue, "You're too weak, Calla. Don't even try to fight. You're greatly outnumbered," he strode over to her, "Where are the children, Calla?"
Morgana's mother looked up, her gold eyes blazing, "You can't have them. They are mine!"
The tall man kicked her in the stomach. Morgana thought she was going to be sick. She felt queasy. The tall man stood up slowly, looking around. He was searching for something. Morgana tried to conceal herself even more.
When the man's gaze swept over the chair Morgana was hiding behind, he smiled grotesquely. Morgana shut her eyes. From the floor, Morgana's mother let out a shout, but was silenced by the foot of another man.
Morgana could hear footsteps coming closer. She shut her eyes even tighter and held her breath. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She thought that everyone in the room would be able to hear it.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her hair and lifted her from behind the chair. Morgana kicked and screams, lashing out at her captor. Another hand came around and held her still. She was set back on the ground again. Morgana screamed softly as a hand grabbed her chin and lifted it up.
Morgana found herself looking into grey eyes. Grey as her own. They held fury and rage and something harder for Morgana to recognize. It was a certain knowing look, a look that grandmother's give their grandchildren when they see them. It was almost loving.
Morgana looked up at his hair. Black as a raven. Her gaze swept back down to his face again. Slowly, the man smiled at her. Morgana screamed louder than she had ever screamed before.
Morgana jumped out of the bed quickly and flung on her robe. It was chilly in her room. She poked at the fire in the fireplace. It was still dark outside. Morgana pulled a chair up in front of the fire place and sat. She really wanted something hot to drink, but Suzette probably wasn't up and Morgana didn't even know where the kitchen was.
Morgana stared at the fire, thinking. She thought about her past for a while, sweeping over the memories of her mother and Elwyn when they were young. They used to sit in the sun and watch the clouds drift by. Elwyn would run off for a while while Calla, Morgana's mother, braided Morgana's hair. Elwyn would always come running back with handfuls of wildflowers. She would then sprinkle the petals into everyone's hair. Calla would laugh and grab both of them into a big hug. Morgana loved her mother dearly. She had been kind and wise, unlike any Quislai Morgana had ever met. And her mother had been so beautiful, just as Elwyn was now. But then Elwyn had been the child of two pure Quislais. Elwyn was only Morgana's half-sister. Morgana was a disgusting crossbreed, caught between two worlds. Her mother being a Quislai and her father being...human. Often she had been sneered upon, laughed at. But her mother had always defended her, saying Morgana would be the greatest sorceress Findahl had ever known one day. Her mother had been right. She was a powerful sorceress now.
Morgana picked her Staff up from the table and examined it. It was light-weight and very well crafted. The top of the Staff was very intricately designed. Two ivy branches curled around the top, holding a shining ball. That was the seat of it's power, that ball.
Morgana softly recited an easy Quislai spell and waited for it to take affect. The Power first swirled up the ivy branches and then down onto the ball. The Power shot out into the direction Morgana was pointing the Staff. Morgana could see the product floating in the air after she lowered her Staff. She picked it up.
The Findahl Rose smelled heavenly. The petals were soft as cat's fur and they curled lightly at the edges. The only thing that set it apart from Irenahl roses was it's color. The red was almost metallic, like silver, but that wasn't what made it look that way. It glowed with a light all it's own. Tiny balls of light swirled around the flower and onto Morgana's hand. She smiled. Findahl Roses had healing properties. Not like Malthrum which was a physical healer, but emotional. Morgana instantly forgot all about her horrible dream.
She sat with the Rose in her hand for a while longer and then got up and returned to bed. She set the Rose on her nightstand and smiled at it. Then she turned over on her side. The instant her head hit the pillow, she fell into a peaceful sleep.
Everyone was seated at the table when she entered. No one was eating yet. Morgana realized they had been waiting for her and apologized quickly before taking her seat. Across the table, Cadal looked her oddly. Morgana only flashed him a smile.
"Morgana!" said Signor Gallura cheerfully from the head of the table, "I see you've slept very well. I'm glad to see it." He picked up a scone and shoveled it into his mouth, disregarding Celeste's chiding remarks.
Celeste smiled across the table at Morgana. Morgana forced a smile and looked to the figure seated beside her.
Aurin was looking quite handsome this morning. At that instant he was looking across the table at Celeste who smiled at him courteously.
Signor Gallura patted his mouth with his napkin, "So, what is everyone doing today. It's a gorgeous day."
"Well, father," said Celeste excitedly, "I was going to go into town to look for fabric for the Florentine Ball. I was wondering if Morgana would also like to go to find fabric."
Morgana looked up from her meal, surprised. Celeste probably knew Morgana disliked her. Why was she being so nice?
"Of course I'll go," said Morgana, "I have no ball gowns with me anyway."
Gallura laughed, "Well, Celeste has an eye for fashion. She'll no doubt find you the best fabric available." He smiled at his daughter.
The rest of breakfast was uneventful. Morgana was content just eating her food. She wasn't up for a big conversation. After breakfast, Morgana returned to her room and changed into another outfit suitable for shopping. Suzette also came to help her.
When she arrived back downstairs, Celeste and Aurin were having a chat. Morgana cleared her throat to get their attention.
"Ah, there you are, Morgana," said Celeste cheerfully, "Now we can be off. Aurin has graciously decided to accompany us."
Morgana glanced at Aurin who avoided her gaze. Wonderful, Morgana thought. He hates me now.
"Where's Cadal?" asked Morgana. That caught a glance from Aurin.
"Oh, he's busy working," said Celeste, "I personally think he needs a little vacation from all that work, but I can't seem to persuade him."
"I bet you can't" said Morgana under her breath. Aurin heard her and gave her a look. Morgana ignored him.
Florence was bustling with activity. Merchants were actually down on the streets trying to sell things.
"Everyone must be getting ready for the Florentine Ball," said Celeste gleefully, "All the eligible people I mean." She laughed.
"Of course," murmured Morgana.
Celeste dragged Morgana and Aurin all over the city looking for the perfect fabrics.
Morgana had seen many that she liked, but Celeste was adamant about finding the most exquisite fabric. They finally did find the fabric at the last store in the city. Celeste picked out deep purple velvet for herself and red satin for Morgana. Morgana wondered about who was actually going to make the dresses, but Celeste told her not to worry about it.
The rest of the week was spent in preparation for the Florentine Ball. Every day, though, Morgana would pack away more of her clothing for her trip home. She couldn't wait to see Fell Andred, Vulpecula, and Luna.
Morgana actually found time to chat with Cadal a couple times. He showed her all the new chemicals and compounds he had made. She stared at them in awe. He confided to her that he had used his Red Staff to make some of them. Morgana warned him to be careful. The Inquisition was gaining speed and anyone who wasn't orthodox would be slain. He laughed at her concern, but she warned him again anyway.
Two days before the ball, Celeste and Morgana's dresses arrived. They had to try them on immediately, they were so excited. The red did look wonderful on Morgana especially with her grey eyes and black hair, but the purple looked even more exquisite on Celeste. Morgana resented her for it.
The day of the Ball, Suzette and two other maids helped Morgana and Celeste into their gowns and did their hair. Morgana's hair was curls with a hot iron and pinned to the top of her head in a cascading waterfall. Celeste had opted for a more severe style, pinning her hair very high on her head, as was the latest Florentine fashion.
They both looked radiant. The men of the house thought so too as they descended the great staircase. Cadal was to be Celeste's escort and Aurin was Morgana's.
As Morgana took Aurin's arm she said, "You look extremely handsome this evening, Aurin."
He turned to her slowly, "And you look beautiful, Morgana. I've never seen you wearing something this intricate." He smiled.
So we've made up, thought Morgana. That's good. She was determined to have a good evening with Aurin and Cadal. She was going to avoid Celeste as much as she could.
Gallura ushered all of them into the carriage quickly and climbed in himself. He motioned for the driver to go.
Florence looked beautiful this evening. All the lampposts were lit. They looked like dancing fireflies. The building the ball was being held in was huge. It was lit from ever corner so it shined. Myriads of carriages were lined at the front entrance and Morgana could hear a man announcing the arrivals.
Aurin slipped his arm through Morgana's and smiled at her. She smiled back, but she couldn't shake the queasiness in her stomach. Something was going to happen tonight.
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