is the

f dawn. The world

inside of t

aded. Inside my chambers, Pinta directs the inflow and outflow of handmaidens, hauling ou

simple in design, it is shrouded by elegance. A fitted, high collar epaulette jacket, dark blue, with gilded tussles that b

e vacates my chambers, last preparations for my send off. I linger in my chambers for a just a few moments. Fr

th hands, I tug the hem of the jacket, straightening it. I lengthen

ssed in his formal serving atti

th his other hand lodged behind hi

look on the outside will hid

win them all over as you have won us." He lifts up his

in jewellery making. I requested to have this necklace made for m

s a gold eagle, wings outstretched, and its claws grips onto the

can brush against the cold coat.

irthday, but I felt it now th

in around implicitly

neck and hooks the clasp; the pendant sits on the throne of my chest. After, I twirl around

when the eagle believes it was born to fly, does it take flight. And when it is your time, you will soar, but that

ulders tightens wit

it to fly higher. Which is what you must do

ady breath an

out his arm to me. "I am sure everyone's

ly place my hand on his for

journey through the la

where we conspired how we could escape our lessons and strike a bargain with father to have us train instead. Running awa

those memories feels like

d up in the front hall. The entire staff makes a human passageway from the base of the staircase, right through,

st my family of many. With every step, I trade heartfelt smi

rg pats my hand and moves to

Seliah says forma

release her and take a moment to review them all. All

Borealis, the northern lights, because you are just as an exquisite phenomenon as it is. An

you,

irst in li

sh across his chest. His face is masked with a

hat you are the only one who knows of it. You are the only young woman in the King

daunting st

ur hand until necessary. The Domuses' sons will aggravate you and try to test your capab

h both hands, offers me a sheathed dagger. I glance back at father and he nods

strongly in the eyes. "I w

and cups his ha

ips honour the crown of m

before I have to leave them all. It is as if all the love I have espoused for the

the steps, nodding farewells as I walk. I reach the bottom and examine the horse

capacity at the rear with the coachmen on top ready, his hands holding the reins. Two guards milling beside i

smile and crawl into the carriage. I plop down, placing the dagger on my lap, I glimpse the interior. It shows that I haven't trav

a voice outside

e to m

draperies tied to its side. Seliah waltzes towa

uld let you go on an e

re you

ith you, then ride straight back." She s

ats herself opposite me. The guard

ackling whip. The carriage lurches forward and the coll

and the bowl of lavender sky with streaks of dark blue

e town. And you can imagine, rarely any, basically no carriages are seen roaming throug

by now. My departure will be in secret, despite that everyone kn

t's for t

gh

t least a long one. The descent off the obsidian is at least forty minutes and the a

h there before

s covering, unleashing a plume of scents. She dramatical

e we

take it and bite into it and mimic her moan. The shell of the roll

" I say with

hs with blo

its initial stages, would be downcast. Her and I wallo

tions never end. We talk about this and that, regale on eventful tales during soc

es for a good

each our first c

ne last look?" Seliah asks and edges n

y fleeting happiness. I will

hole, then her jaw falls to her lap and she releases a

retracts her head and twists her torso to roll the lever frantically. The roof of

p and curiously

ke a border, endlessly streaming into the distance like a river of beings. An uproar of excitem

s them away. Bouquets of red roses are held by the multitudes and soon they are sprin

known faces, I spot Linel standing beside his wife, his one arm wrapped around her

own. I even see Reeva on the side-lines, jumping with joy. She shouts at me excitedly, the ve

ke and a crowd of people cheering me well and farewell. The carriage ex

tain, circling down whilst you teeter on the brink. The pathway is rock strew

enough to l

eats back down and she

she says, and places the

ancing like a mad tart that h

was so thoughtful, beautiful and kind. I was not even aware that so many cared for me

red. No. I

cause of the one face

stares at me for a br

eart-warming show like that, you're no

e absurd, nothing can measure the amount of gratitude o

o say, because I do

e's my best friend

never return or at least not in a very long time. He does not even think to say goodbye or at least send

?" I finally ask. Feeling

mp and she leans aga

agony of having his love sail the seven seas to compete alongside b

the mountain. "Right or wrong. He should have come to see

" She cha

back hits the headboard. "You

es. "Well, I lea

at her and she sen