Nilly Haghani
Arnavaz
The light of the afternoon sun was caged by the gray clouds that brought the news of a mighty storm from the highlands . Jason walked out of the stable, holding the reins of a light, brown stallion whose every merry step was energizing . He was determined to go to the church, hoping the sadness of a best friend’s parting would soon abate. That very day, after King Miller’s leave taking, Conrad and his young boy, Carlos had left the island for a long voyage to the east. Jason knew well he could not stop him, nor could he ask the reason of his journey. He only knew that this man, meant peace and fertility to Lunarfield, and without him, many things would go wrong.
It was a pleasant ride to the northern mountains. The cool wind blew through the waving grass and sang a happy song as did the gypsies passing by, thanking God for another day of staying safe in the wild.
Every now and then, after a rapid flash of light, thunder roared in the sky and echoed above the green hills _where the air was laden with the heavenly scent of wet wild flowers.
Jason rode to the church behind which, a line of ragged bluish mountains rose against the evening sky.
Crossing a wide lake, he saw the old walls of the abbey coated by an expanded rose bush that gave the whole place a shady appearance .The words of the writing he had read that morning mingled his thoughts and his head ached because of the pressure.
He did not know what it meant to feel cramped in a halo of hope .But just after he stopped his horse, and the first sign of what he apparently waited for ran by like a ghostly shadow, he trusted that something good was about to happen. His horse whinnied and snorted madly, turning his ears backwards.
''What was that?”He asked himself, trailing the footprints, which led to the building of the church
He roamed about for some while, and having found nothing, he went inside.
It was too dark inside the building and the only thing seeable was a torch-lit path between the two lines of seats.
“Someone’s here, Father!”Said a childish voice from the altar.
The priest’s voice echoed” We are alone child.”
“No we’re not!”Said the first voice.”They tell me!”
Jason listened well while not letting his presence be noticed.Anyhow, the sound of someone’s running feet made him sure he was unwanted. Curiosity drove him outside in the pouring rain. He walked the way to the old gravestones and took a look at the scene of the resting place of the dead. Although nothing could be clearly seen, he soon spotted a child kneeling by a lonesome grave.
Through the rush of the rain-drops, it was too hard to recognize the stranger, so he approached for a better look. Suddenly, the child, who was all wrapped in a black sheet, rose and ran away. Jason, apparently controlled by some unseen force of impertinent courage, hurried to his horse and mounted. As he slightly moved his whip, the beast galloped across the graveyard as if he possessed invisible wings. Jumping over a trunk, he took a turn to the main road. His horse was up to his knees in water and mud, soaking like a wet, brown blanket.
In a short while he saw the child showing up at the end of the road and shouted’’ Stop! I won’t hurt you! Stop!''
The girl ran past the rose bushes by the side of the road and entered the forest, which lay at the foot of the northern mountains, seeming to have stretched its branchy arms to cuddle the light. The terrible weather seemed to have no effects on her will.
Her escape finally ended in a treeless area in the middle of the woods where one more step could endanger one’s life. The density of the forest trees closed her path. Therefore, Searching for a way out, she tried to cut through the trees with bare hands.
''If you wish to live, do not go any further.'' Jason said, and stopped his horse a few steps away from her.
She turned back quickly, picked up a sword-like stick, held it like a weapon and glared at the king with a low guard. ‘‘You seem courageous, my little friend, ‘‘Said Jason.' 'But you don't need to be now. I am not your enemy''
All f a sudden, some rumbling rose from behind the trees.
''Come this way now!"Yelled the king. Startled as she was, the girl turned to run, but tripped over the bare tree roots and fell into a wolf trap which injured her left thigh immediately. Her sudden scream was alerting to everything that lurked behind the trees.
The king took a quick look around to ensure no peril was there to threaten their lives.
''I did warn you.'' He said, and knelt beside her to free her from the trap. ''who are you?"
The girl kept quiet and only scowled in reply.
Jason looked at her face and said ''I am certain you know who I am, and you surely know that it is quite foolish of you to ignore my word. So I ask you once more, who are you?'' The girl looked around in doubt and in a voice, which sounded nearly no different from silence, answered” Arnavaz.'' ''Arnavaz!?That is your name?”
Meanwhile he pulled her leg out of the trap and, keeping pressure on the wound, tied it with a torn piece of his riding hood.Pain nearly choked the young girl, but she remained still and silent.
“Alright. . .let's see if I have something to stop the bleeding . Sit here, my girl and don’t move.'' Jason said, reaching for his satchel.
Hiding his anxiety and interest, he loudly reported from his horse’s side, “There’s nothing here! But you can make it to the palace, can you not?"
Receiving no answers, he turned around and to his great surprise, found the stranger gone.
''How could she run away with that wound in her leg?'' He thought to himself, perfectly astonished.
He ran looking for her, neglecting the arriving of the nightfall.
Arnavaz looked behind and heard the unnatural rustling of the leaves that meant someone was intentionally following her. Just one more step she took and her whole life changed.
Jason's heart was filled with pity and with something else he never knew and never tried to recall either. Even walking in the palace corridors for two hours and a half and drinking three cups of tea helped him not a bit with the way he felt.
Arnavaz was now resting in one of the finest rooms prepared for the specially favored guests of the king, blaming herself why she had slipped down the slope in the forest and was obliged to receive help from Jason.
He had told his wife all about meeting her in the dark of the graveyard and how her serene face surpassed all the mysteries in the world. Her features spoke of her eastern blood and her long, wavy maroon hair gave her the look of an Asian warrior. Jason and Iris, both were eager to keep her ,but the king thought it dangerous to let her stay, because one of the important rules of the Godric Isles was to avoid eastern travelers, no matter how useful they could be or how much they were in need of help.
Before Arnavaz could leave her bed and find the chance to sneak around, somebody entered the room and she sank back in the bed, pulling the blanket all over herself. Jason stood before her with all his kingly grace. Arnavaz tried to stand up, but the king told her to be still.She crossed her arms and sat back.
''What were you doing in the graveyard? ‘‘Asked Jason, looking out the window.
There was silence for a few moments.
Jason turned and in a grave tone, insisted, “Answer!”
“I . . . was there to visit my father,” Answered Arnavaz.
‘‘Your father? “Asked Jason, with that soft smile of denial a father always gives a child when he doesn’t believe her story.
Arnavaz looked gravely at the window which was covered with raindrops from the outside.
“He is dead, Sire, “She said. “My mother too, I suppose.”
“Were they settlers? “
“Yes, .”
“How long?”
“Since I was a baby.”
“Who looks after you now?”
Arnavaz said nothing.
“You mentioned you were there to meet your father and then told me of his death. “Said the king.
Arnavaz looked downwards, silently shivering.
“Well . . .?” He sat closer.
“It is nothing you would like to know my lord. “Said Arnavaz finally.
“Well, try me.”
“If I tell you, you may not believe me and . . . call me deceitful.”
“I won’t! I give you my word.”
Arnavaz took a quick breath and said “I . . . I can . . . I can hear the dead, Sire. Everybody’s scared of me. No one should know about my existence, or they will try to hurt me. They call me a heathen.”
Strangely, Jason felt like he already knew her secret. He looked too thrilled that along with his face, his ears and neck turned red.
Anyhow, he put himself together, sat back and, breathing deeply, tried to look normal.
Arnavaz felt she was starting to perspire unnaturally. Jason quickly said “Don’t be scared, child. The medicine we gave you makes you sweat until the poison of the wound has left your blood.”
“What is it? It smells like mint.”
“Juice of the Blood Lily that only grows in the Rose Valley by the Phantom.”
“The Phantom?”
Arnavaz looked excited.
“It’s the name of a mountain. It’s the highest on the island actually.”
‘Yes, I think I’ve seen it. Its top is curved and always seems like a big, blue ghost. Some say it’s haunted.”
“Many places here are said to be perilous to set foot on, including that forest you visited today.”
“Why?”
Jason thought for a few seconds not to blurt out what was unnecessary for her to know, and then said” The forest is not a part of our territory.”
“Whose territory is it then?”Arnavaz asked, insisting.
“We never risk our lives to find out. I only know that once a man has crossed the line of wolf traps, he’s not expected to return.”
“Surely that doesn’t mean the same thing could happen to anybody else.”
“Well if you’re so fond of being an adventurous explorer, you have to know the most important rule of success: Fight for what’s worth your efforts.”
Arnavaz smiled and fell silent. Her eyes spoke a thousand words. Apparently Jason’s words had reminded her of something important to be done.
” You have been so kind to me, Sire. But I must go now. I have to make it to the harbor before it gets too late.”
‘‘Harbor?” Jason asked, taken by surprise.
“Yes, “The girl responded, slipping out of the bed.”I need to find a ship that will leave for the east.”
Jason's eyes went wide as he asked” What’s in the east?”
“My family, I hope.”
“Which country?”
“Persia, my lord.”
“Do you have any money to journey to such far away land?” He tried to keep his thoughts in control.
“No, but I’ll work with the crew for payments. I have no fear of it.”
“Do you have any idea how foolish it is for a young girl to even speak of such a thing?”
“It may be foolish, but it’s probably the only choice I have. By the way, I’m fifteen and not a child, My Lord.”
“Of course, you’re not! But making big mistakes is even expected of a man of eighty.”Jason said, smiling.
Her words and ideas still seemed to him quite unbelievable and childish.
“I have lived on my own, for over five years, if you think my independence odd, I would not be surprised, for girls my age who have seen days like those of my past are too few. “She said
“No . . . no . . . I cannot let you leave like this!”Said Jason “You’re not even certain if there really is a family waiting for you there.”
“What are you suggesting, my lord? The whole kingdom detests me because of my ability.”
“No one ever will from this day on.”
Jason’s eyes twinkled.
“I don’t understand!”Arnavaz said, bewildered.
“I never wanted another child, but . . . I do now. Stay here with us and you will have all you need. We will give you the love and support we have given to our son.”
“No…there is no reason for you to love me. This is . . .”
“I promise you the best future. If you wish to return to your country, you will someday with wealth and power. Even with a crew and a ship of your own “Jason interrupted.
As he spoke, he laid his hand on Arnavaz’s shoulder and felt her slightly shivering. Cold sweat soaked her temples and she, puzzled by his non-stop promises, began to feel oddly pacified.
“There . . . is . . . nothing royal about . . . me, Sire.” she stuttered. “That courage and will you showed me today! Lunerfield needs people like you, and so does my family. Do you know how happy you will make my darling wife Iris by accepting this offer.” said Jason, filling her with false excitement.
The restless rainy night outside the palace windows cast its ghoulish shadow on the world as the wind wailed through the towers. It was so hard for the young, Persian traveler, Arnavaz to make any decisions.
The lightning tore the black sky and brightened up the room. Arnavaz was afraid of her own thoughts. What would she become in the future, if she agreed to stay with the king? What would power do to her eternal soul? Wasn’t this highly-generous offer simply ridiculous after all?
Everything she remembered of her past had turned into a shadow of only a lost memory. She could have a wonderful life as a princess, but that wasn’t all. Arnavaz was to deal with the rules, which had brought millions to their knees. However, she needed a home and the palace was the best one she could possibly find. Moreover, the king’s words sounded true. She could learn lots of things and perhaps, power would let her make some vital changes for the people she pitied. Thus, she finally managed to commit to a lifetime of kingly settlement in order to make a difference.
Soon she learned much from Jason, after her formal ceremony of adoption. Nevertheless, he forced her to keep her originality a secret for her own safety and be called by the name “Amaryllis”_ the name Queen Iris had given her with all her love.
Three months had passed. The youngsters of the palace were all older than the new princess, anyway she had managed to make friends with every single one of them , including Prince George’s two young teachers, Alexander and Delsa. There was too much to learn and even much more than George’s mere lessons.
Needless to say, he was an excellent learner and of course a book lover, but often seemed not to be accepting the young princess as his sister. At times when Amary would get evidently tired of his cold behavior, she would discuss the matter with the king and was always angry to hear him say “You’ll get along soon enough.”
Surely he cared not a bit for how she felt living in the palace.
“Why would he even bother to understand?”She always thought.
Living was rather easier, taking for granted some small hurtful things. Her nineteenth birthday had now arrived along with peace and hope. She had never forgotten that soon she was to be out of this splendid world, looking for her family_ the only thing she ever wanted from the world.
Now, she could hardly recall her hard days and journeys to places no man wished to be.
On the outside, she grew happier and more beautiful each day, but as for her inner feelings and wounds, she kept it all inside, cried her tears when the wind silenced her sobs, the dark embraced the truth in her heart and the weight of long nights shrouded the terrifying voices she heard.