Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ the Necklace of four Elements ❯ Chapter three ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3

`wake up Aithne, the sun's rising already.' Mendes voice traveled through the chink and the girl opened her eyes. She felt better after having a good meal and a good night sleep in a warm bed. She opened the shutters and climbed out, putting on her boots but forgetting her cloak. Mendes stood with his back to her, on the table waited breakfast. `how long have you been here?' the girl asked while walking to the table. `two days, want some tea?' he asked while turning around. `um… yes, thank you.' She answered and wanted to sit down when Mendes eyes fell on her dress. `girl! What happened to your clothes?' he asked and Aithne saw that her cloak still laid on the bed. `it… a dog… it was a playful dog who jumped me. He only wanted to play I'm sure, but when his owner called him back he had ripped of my sleeve.' The girl hoped that the man would believe her. She didn't want to tell him, hell, didn't even want to remember what had really happened. `well you can't travel in that! You'll have to buy some new clothes.' The man said while pouring some tea and sitting down. The girl relaxed a bit and sat down too, nipping the tea. `now tell me about the necklace.' she demanded softly. Mendes looked at her, took a sip and began. `the balance between the four Elements is very important, it's disturbing will have disastrous consequences. Without water there is drought, drought means fire, fire burns trees that hold the earth, the earth crumbles, wind will blow to freely, nature can't grow, creatures can't live. You see it? Balance is needed for a world to live, you can restore that balance. Because you protect the Elements they will let you use them.' The man paused and took another sip. Aithne swallowed her bread and stared at him. `you say I could let it rain?' she asked and Mendes nodded. `for example.' He mumbled and took some bread. “he's crazy!” the girl thought. `and who's that dark magician then? Sullivan… what does he want?' she asked, trying not to sound mocking. Mendes signed and his gray eyes looked estimating. `Sullivan lives somewhere north, he's a great evil Aithne and like your opposite I guess. He doesn't have any power over the Elements yet, but he will have demons who can influence fire.' The man said with low voice and saw the questioning face of the girl. `Aithne, how much do you know about the dividing of the Elements?' the man asked and the girl shook her head. `nothing.' She answered and Mendes straightened his back. `there are four races, ore at least there where four races in the beginning. The humans, the dwarves, the elves and the demons. Long ago these four all had their own element to protect, but the races changed and the ones who could control the elements grew thin. I believe that nowadays there are only few elves, demons and dwarves who still have the Element. I know I'm the last human who can control air. When the elements felt threatened they knew they had to choose a new way to get protection. So they choose a young soul, and to recognize it she would wear a necklace.' The man told and stood up. They had finished their breakfast and the man poured himself some more tea. `I'd like some too, please.' The girl whispered and Mendes filled her cup before sitting down again. `now, let me see the necklace Aithne.' The man said and the girl took it of and laid it on the table. She felt odd, like she missed a piece of herself, but she pushed the feeling aside. Mendes pointed at the wood and the girl looked. `these four rounds stand for the four Elements. From big to small, Earth, Water, Fire and Air. The spiral stand for the soul that reborn. This pendant will give you the right of the Elements, they'll recognize you and lend you their power. Again Aithne, never loose it.' The man said while the girl hang it around her neck again. `tell me Mendes, if you can control air, then which Element do the other Races have?' she asked, getting curious. The man took a sip of his tea. `the Element Earth was protected by the dwarves, they like to live in the mountains ore under the ground. Earth stand for truth and trust. Dwarves are very likely to tell you the truth even if you don't want to hear it, but they're very strong friends. Elves were the guardians of water, they're intelligent and had learned to adjust themselves like water does when his path changes. Water will always find a way, just like love which it stands for. That's why some elves and dwarves can't get along. To tell the truth and to be kind to someone doesn't always mix. Demons protected Fire, this Element did stand for pride and power ones. then something went terribly wrong and now all you have are some dark creatures who've grown to stupid to know fire. We guess somewhere the demons forgot their pride and wanted the power so badly they'd do anything to get it, which turned them bad. Most of the demons died in their mutual battles ore because of the chaos that formed. Now fire is a broken element who always gets connected to chaos and destruction. It's a very sad story and we're still not sure what went wrong. But we do know that there's a man out there that formed a pact with the demons and that he wants to break the other Elements too. Then Air, this Element stands for freedom and curiosity. Freedom is very precious to humans and they're the only one of the races that travel around the world that much.' Mendes finished with a smile and Aithne took the last sip of her tea. `you do understand that you take my precious freedom away do you?' she asked watching her cup. `I told you already that that's necessary to save the world. Now…' the man said and laid a little purse on the table, it jingled and Aithne couldn't help but wonder where the man got the money from. `you're going to a tailor to find some new garments. A pair of trousers, a tunic and a warmer cloak, you're going to need it.' The man said and Aithne blinked. `why do I need trousers?' she asked confused. And Mendes dark brows lifted. `well… one, because your dress is ruined and no good, second because it will ease traveling and third because you'll ride a horse better in trousers.' The man grinned but Aithne looked frightened. `do I have to ride a horse?' she asked softly and now the man blinked. `of course. How else would you want to travel to Kern, on foot?' he asked mocking. `I, I'm just not so good with horses.' The girl whispered and Mendes frowned. `you can't ride one?' he asked and Aithne nodded while she bit her lip. she was a bit afraid of horses. she'd like to look at them and she knew they could be nice, but still she got nervous when she got to close to them. She didn't understand why she feared them, she had been following a wolf through an unknown forest without fear after all, but riding a horse, no. `mm fine, I guess you can ride with Liam then, he doesn't use a saddle.' Mendes said and stood up. `Liam? who's Liam?' the girl asked and the man turned. `did I forgot to mention him?' he asked nonchalantly. `Liam's an old friend of mine, unfortunately he doesn't really like people. That's why he isn't here now.' The man said and walked to the back of the room. Aithne looked at her empty cup, she was a bit afraid of horses and now she had to ride one sitting behind an old hermit who didn't use a saddle!? `Aithne the sun's getting high, go to the village and make sure you return before the night alright?' Mendes spoke from the back of the room and the girl stood up grabbing the purse and putting on her cloak. She walked out and down the hill without looking back, suddenly the thought of running away crossed her mind, but it faded. Running was no option, Mendes had known she would go to the Hill village, maybe he had a way of tracking her down. She still wasn't sure if she believed everything, but the man didn't really let her a choice. If it really was her task to protect the Elements and to save the world, then she couldn't go running could she? Aithne signed and looked down at the village. “Me, a girl, saving the world… ha! I don't even dare to ride a horse…” she thought and again began to wonder why she was doing this, she hadn't said yes but… she hadn't say no either. “what does it matter anyway? I've got nothing to loose and nothing to win. I wish you were here mom, I miss you so much.” The girl thought sadly. Even on the crowded squire, she felt so lonely and cut of from the rest. A signboard with needle and scissors led her too the workshop of a tailor. A big woman with a kid passed the girl on her way in and smiled friendly, Aithne smiled back but not without effort. She heard a soft ring when she looked around, the shop was empty. `just a minute I'll be right with you miss!' a high voice, filled with enthusiasm, sounded from somewhere behind the shop. Aithne walked to some dresses that where laid out to view, they where beautiful. `how can I help you miss?' the slim woman stepped into the shop and smiled broadly. `I need a pair of trousers, a tunic and a warm cloak, please.' The girl spoke clearly, but began to feel nervous under the questioning gaze of the woman's gray-blue eyes. The tall woman tugged a strand of her style black hair behind her ear and stepped closer. `you're not from here are you? And what girl needs a pair of trousers?' the woman asked with high voice. `I'm from a farm in the south but I was born here, I came to visit my grandmother Ebe but…' the girl fell silent, why did she even bother. `I need the trousers because I'm going to make a long journey, will you help me ore not?' she asked and straitened her back. The woman's face grew soft. `I'm sorry dear, Ebesa was a good friend of mine, Laia have her soul. You're going to find family? You shouldn't travel alone you know, not many good men out there on the road.' The woman said with soft voice and Aithne relaxed. `thank you, but I'm not traveling alone, I'll be fine.' The girl said. `good, now let's find you some clothes. I don't think I have trousers your size.' The woman walked around the girl and then towards the counter. `take of that cloak dear, it's worn, you can leave it here.' The woman said and came back with a tape-measure. Aithne slowly took of the cloak and laid it on a nearby chair. `by Laia! What happened to your dress? It's ruined!' the woman spoke loud as soon as she saw the blue garment. `it was a playful dog, his owner didn't watch him.' Aithne answered, repeating the lie. The slender woman looked at her for a moment, but then shrugged. She took the tape-measure and began to measure all the curves the girl had, making her feel slightly uncomfortable. `well, maybe you're lucky.' The woman whispered and Aithne wasn't sure to whom she said it. Suddenly the black-haired woman walked away to the back of the shop, pulling the girl with her by her wrist. `here you go, take that thing of and I'll fetch you a tunic.' The woman said and pushed the girl behind a screen. Aithne took of her dress and draped it over the edge of the screen, if se tiptoed she could look over it. `my name is Kysdel by the way, what's yours girl?' the woman said while draping a red brown garment over the screen. `Aithne.' The girl answered and tugged the tunic over her white undergarment. It had a V-neck with laces and she quickly tied them. The girl could hear the woman grumble something about the dress, like it was a great sin to ruin innocent clothing. `well, nice to meet you Aithne.' The woman said while walking away again. `where will you travel to, if I may ask?' the voice sounded distant and the girl peeked over the screen, she didn't see the woman. `um, Kern.' She answered, not really sure how much she could tell. `that's uncommon, most people travel around it.' Kysdel's high voice suddenly sounded close and a dark green garment was draped over the screen, followed by a soft brown cloak. `try this.' She said and Aithne took the green trouser, she looked at it. Suddenly a soft bell rang and Kysdel walked away. `what can I do for you miss?' the high voice sounded in the shop and Aithne didn't follow the conversation when she tried on the trousers. They where too long and too high and almost fell of her hips. An unsure smile caressed the girl's lips. “look at this, I'm wearing a trouser, because an old man told me to get one. I'm going to leave everything I know behind to follow two strange old guys, to believe a story without much prove. Did mom cry that day because she knew this?” the girl thought and then put the cloak on. It was a nice, warm cloak and it had a hood. It was thick to hold her warm at night and perfectly made to hold of rain as much as fabric could. The soft bell rang and the slender woman came back. `and? How does it fit Aithne? Let me see.' Kysdel spoke curiously and the girl stepped in front of the screen. `I like the cloak very much and the tunic fits well, but the trousers…' she spoke with a frown and Kysdel chuckled. `I know it's weird, let me try something.' The woman said and walked towards a closet, rummaging through it she found what she was looking for. She walked back and tugged a braid, leather belt around the girl's waist. `there! It holds the trouser up and it does your nice figure justice.' The tall woman grinned. `take of the trouser so I can shorten it, it will be done in a minute, just wait here.' She spoke with the enthusiasm again and Aithne quickly undid herself of the garment behind the screen. The slender woman took it and walked towards the counter. `would you like to keep your dress Aithne?' Kysdel asked and the girl paused. “If I'm leaving everything behind, I might as well leave that part of my memory too.” She thought, but her mind wavered. `could… could you keep it here while I'm gone? I don't know for how long that is but… I hope I will return in this village in the end.' Aithne said and waited for answer. `you mean if I can stock it here for you?' Kysdel asked. `I won't take it with me on my journey, but I would like it back when I return here, so if you…' the girl was interrupted. `I guess I have a spot somewhere, but if you don't return in two years… I can't guaranty it will be here forever you know.' The woman's high voice lowered. `I know, as long as possible is long enough, thank you Kysdel.' Aithne answered and smiled. if she wasn't back here in two years, she probably wouldn't come back at all. `here you go, try it again.' Kysdel's voice was close again when the trouser was draped over the screen. The girl tried it on, the waist was good now but the legs where still a bit long, she would trip over them. She stepped in front of the screen and the woman tugged back her hair before nodding. `perfect.' She whispered. `but the legs…' Aithne began. `you'll tug them into your boots of course, that will keep them from dirty ground. Well what do you say?' the slender woman waited for the girl's decision. “here goes.” The girl thought swiftly before looking up. `great, I'll take them.' She answered firm and Kysdel smiled. Aithne paid the woman with Mendes his money and stepped outside. It was still busy on the squire and the girl watched how people tried to sold their goods. She looked at the sun, it was after noon already. Slowly the girl made her way through the people, looking at the goods, she still had some time. Finally she began to climb the hill towards the little house, but when she almost reached the fork she turned around. She was being watched, she was sure but she didn't see anyone. The girl signed and gave herself a mental scruff. “I'm becoming paranoia.” A smile crossed her face.