"Eternal Dreams [two]" by Renee Reizman

Chapter two:

Age Five

-May 12^th, five years after birth-

Angel ran down the halls quietly. Maybe this year she would be able to get outside without anyone knowing. She kept her bunny plushy tucked in her arms. Turning left and right, Angel made her way down the long corridors of the castle. ‘Almost!’ she thought, as she turned the corner.

            “Daddy says you can’t leave your room.” A voice said from behind. Angel stopped running suddenly. She turned around slowly, looking upon her six-year-old brother. He also looked completely human, with burgundy hair and green eyes.

            “Eldon, I want to play outside!” Angel complained.

            Her brother shook his head. “Daddy says no. Go back to your room.”

            Angel pouted, but reluctantly did as she was told. The now five-year-old girl trudged back to her room, the only place she could stay without getting in trouble. She stopped in her tracks, looking over her shoulder to gaze back at her brother, anxiously awaiting her fate. “Don’t mention anything to daddy, okay?” she asked hopefully.

            Eldon looked to his sister, smirking. “I’ll tell daddy that you went out again. Wait until he takes away plushy.”

            Angel glared at her brother. “You’re so mean!” She darted back to her room quickly, hugging her bunny tightly. She couldn’t let it be taken away, and she wasn’t sure if her brother was being serious or not. All the girl knew was that her plushy was precious.

            Reaching her room the Angel gasped for air, stumbling onto her bed. She coughed a few times, harder than she had the year before. The condition of her health was slowly getting worse, inching along at an agonizing pace.

            Angel managed to stand up, placing her bunny back on her bed. The girl then searched behind her pillows, finding the orb that had been last years birthday gift.

            “I can’t let anyone take away bunny.” She said, looking about. “If I can zap people… maybe they’ll leave me alone. Maybe they’ll go away.” Angel stared at the orb for a few moments, eyes sparkling. “Mommy says I can use this to learn magic tricks.” She said aloud, knowing that nobody would be close enough to hear her. She looked to her penguin, which sat neatly against her pillows, next to the bunny. “Should I try? I don’t know what to do…” She held the orb tightly in her hands. The fiery color glowed softly, proving that the girl had magic surging through her body. “It’s so pretty” she whispered to herself, amazed by the color.

            Angel’s amazement was cut short, by the burst of her bedroom door. Angel forced the orb back behind her pillows just in time, as she whirled around to see the angry figure of her father, King Edmond Whitewing.

            “You were told not to leave your room!” the king seethed, his voice harsh. He glared at his daughter with a type of hatred never expected to be from one family member to another.

Angel whimpered. “I’m sorry, daddy.” She said quietly, her voice barely audible. She began to push her plushy’s off her bed to the other side, where her father couldn’t see them. The penguin plummeted to the ground, rolling along the other side, but the bunny did not.

            Edmond snatched up the bunny plushy before Angel could hide it. “It’s these kind of … toys, isn’t it? Planting ideas of myths and legends in your head. Next you’ll be some slut of a woman, planting enchantments into the minds of worthless peasants.”

              The girl looked at her father in horror. She couldn’t intake his words to well, being only a simple minded, innocent child. But she realized that at the word of ‘enchantments’ he was speaking of her mother. “Mommy would never do such things.” She choked out.

            The man glared at his daughter once more, his blue eyes blazing. “You don’t know half of the things in the world. You’re a stupid, arrogant child.” His hand went flying, stinging Angel across the cheek.

            The girl touched the side of her face. Hot tears began to pour from her eyes. She had never been hit before, and had never realized the hatred her father had for her and his wife. “Daddy…” she whispered. Her tears began to sting more.

            Edmond just looked at his daughter, angry and insanely. “Get in your bed and do not leave it…” he spoke through his teeth, his voice half a growl.

            “Give me back bunny.” She said, looking at her plushy. She still hurt, and did not know why she didn’t obey. But something was telling her not to, that she was stronger than that.

            “Get… in… your… bed…”

            “Give me back bunny!”

            Strong hands forced the girl upon her bed, her face buried in the covers. Sharp stings of leather came crashing upon her flesh, right between her wings. It was the most sensitive spot of her body. The girl screamed, her voice shrill. Tears streamed down her cheeks, each one hotter then the last. It felt like she was burning, this pain not going away.

            After what seemed like ages, the pain stopped. Her back ached, and the girl could do nothing but cry. Hours upon hours she lay there, almost immobile. The pain was unbearable, and Angel could not believe what had happened. She was so innocent; she had never hurt anyone or anything in her short life. And yet, why was she hated so? Was being pure such a crime?

            More hours passed. Angel stayed in the same position, still managing to shed tears. She didn’t know how she could handle to do so, but thoughts were filling the child’s mind. Most could not be comprehended.

            There was an interruption by the clatter of dishes. A woman’s voice echoed through the chamber. It was from one of the servants, Julianne. She had come up to serve Angel her dinner, as she always did. Normally she was kind and calm, but now her voice trembled. It was filled with fear and urgency.

 “My goodness! Someone get a doctor!”

Scrambling of feet could be heard from all around. Angel was oblivious to it all. Soon her room was filled with servants from the castle, each one with a horrified tone to their voice.

“Who would do such a thing?”

“Oh my, it’s horrible.”

“The poor child!”

The shouts were all over the place, everyone so horrified by what happened. But a strong woman’s voice rose over all the shouts. She, too, seemed to be trembling, but the hint of her fear was very small.

“That is enough. Away with you all.” She said. The woman walked over to Angel, gently placing a hand on her back. “Hush, my child… everything is going to be fine…”

“M-m-mommy?”

“Yes, yes. Don’t speak… whoever did this to you…” her voice stopped short. The woman focused her attention upon Angel’s wounds. Her magical abilities were set to work as she healed the girl. Soon, Aurora’s magic sealed up the cuts upon Angel’s back, leaving only scars that would remain forever. The woman picked Angel up into her arms, rocking her back and forth slowly and softly. She sung a sweet, yet saddened tune. It was an old lullaby, meant for comfort during a time of rejection.

“Hush my child, don’t you cry.

For dreams will fill your clouded mind.

And to bear heavy wings, never to fly

Will hold the answer you’ve tried to find.

Grasp eternity within your hands,

Or we shall fill our hearts with grief.

When the pain subsides from soiled lands,

None will lie other than the thief.

Sleep well until there is first light,

Or gaze upon the starry sky.

Prayers may be answered in the blackened night.

And thy shall shed a tear, in hope to cry.”

Her voice died down. It was an odd lullaby, but strangely comforting. The little girl seemed to have calmed down, but her whole body was filled with pain. “Mommy, what is sorrow?” she asked softly. “Have I done something wrong?”

Her mother did not answer her. She couldn’t bear to tell her daughter the truth. Aurora didn’t dare take a risk of upsetting the child anymore. She just sat next to Angel, rubbing her back gently. “There, there. Tell me, who did this to you?”

“I can’t say. If they find out… they’ll hurt me again!”

“Angel, please. Tell me.”

“No!”

Aurora didn’t say anything. She stood up from the bed, taking her hand off Angel’s back. “Rest now, my child. In time, this too, will pass.”

-May 17^th, five years after birth-

            “I want you to leave to do some training, Ryne DeLucan.” The king’s voice was harsh and raspy, in a tone suggesting that he was highly aggravated.

            “But, your Highness…I can’t just leave. What about your daughter?” protest the young man.

            “What of her? She’ll be fine. All my children are safe.”

            Ryne looked to the king, taken aback. “How could you say that? Did you hear of the attack upon Angel a few days ago? Her whole back was drenched in blood! It was so horrible… and to think that such a girl could survive that pain! It’s a miracle!”

            Edmond, who had his back to Ryne, turned stiff. He pursed his lips together, narrowing his eyes a bit. “Yes… a miracle…” The king turned around, looking coldly to Ryne. “It’s becoming darker and darker times. Our enemies are building up their strengths…sooner or later there may be war, as our conflicts keep getting higher.”

The man sighed, shaking his head. “Ryne, I need you to go out. Train your abilities, you will prove vital to our army. A sorcerer like you could benefit thousands of lives.”

            Sir DeLucan looked at Edmond for a long while. He did not want to leave the castle, allowing Angel to be left alone without anyone to care for her. Ryne noted that Dyne was away, training just as he had been commanded to. Ryne knew that he could not let so many people suffer, for it would be unjust. “When is Dyne coming back?” he asked cautiously.

            “Late this year. Perhaps around the holidays.”

            “Don’t you think that may be quite longer than needed for training? Dyne already has skills far better than any other knight in the castle. Not to mention, he knows how to use a little magic. Can’t he be sent home sooner?” Ryne protested. He wanted Dyne to be home with Angel, for if he had to be sent away he didn’t want the girl to be alone.

            “Sir DeLucan, do you find fault with the way I plan things out?” Edmond said smoothly, a dark shine in his eyes. “Dungeons aren’t very nice places to spend your summers in. But at least they provide plenty of shade.”

            Ryne hesitated. It was a threat to be sent out. He shook his head and spoke up, “Forgive me, my Lord. I find nothing wrong with your methods.” He paused, and then continued, “ When am I supposed to leave?”

            Edmond nodded. “Apology granted. I would like you to leave exactly one month from now. You’ll be gone for about fourteen months after that, and you’ll be home in no time.”

            “Fourteen months? That long?”

            “Preparations are important, my friend.” Edmond turned his back away from the man once more. “Go now, I grow weary of this conversation. You have one month to get ready, spend your time wisely.”

-May 20^th, five years after birth-

            Angel sat in the great hall. For once she had been allowed out of her room. She was able to laugh and play with her three sisters: Lilianna, Gwendolyn, and Patricia. Lilianna was the eldest daughter of the family at the age of twelve. Gwendolyn was second at the age of ten, and Patricia, who was a twin sister to her brother Eldon, was six. Angel was not very close with Lilianna, and especially not Patricia, but she did have a good relationship with Gwendolyn.

            Angel, and everybody else, referred Gwendolyn to Gwen. The reason Gwen liked angel was because she was in love with birds. Angel’s silver wings reminded Gwen of her feathery favorites, and Gwen was one of the very few members of the family that had a general idea of what happened to Angel when they were out and about.

Most of the siblings thought that their younger sister usually did something wrong, or was just too sick to do anything at all. They had no idea that she was almost completely innocent, and her only fault was having magical abilities. None of the children in the family knew the truth except for Dyne and Gwen. However, Dyne was much older than any of the other children, and could only be considered a child by the standards from his mother, for she was a person with true agelessness. Gwen knew what happened to Angel too, but she only knew vague parts. She saw through most of the lies that were given to them, saying how attempting to go out side was the reason Angel was so brutally hurt. Or that Angel had defied her teacher, and had to be punished by staying in her room all day. The ten-year-old older sister knew that Angel was hurt by one of their parents, because she had experienced many threats from her father on separate occasions.

But now, most of that did not matter. Angel was having fun playing with her siblings, smiling and laughing. They were waiting for their teachers to come for home schooling. All children in the Whitewing family were home schooled. Their mother and father did not believe that a child should be sent to a public school, and that being educated in the castle would do them good. Lilianna insisted that it did not help out with life experiences, and therefore, it didn’t teach you anything but facts. The queen had answered the statement with a wave of her hand, and that made it clear for the subject to be left alone.

After a few minutes went by, four teachers entered the main hall. Each was carrying a business-like black satchel slung across their shoulders, filled with books, papers, inks, quill pens, rulers, or anything else needed for today’s lessons. They were four men, each carrying a different personality.

Mr. Williams was Lilianna’s teacher. He was middle-aged, tall and thin. He had a long neck, like a vulture’s, and his voice was hoarse and raspy. His hair was receding, making a slight bald spot that he constantly wiped, especially when he was agitated. Mr. Williams was a strict and cold man, but was considered to be an excellent teacher.

Mr. Donors was fairly young with dusty brown hair and cool, brown eyes. He was said to be an amusing teacher, one who liked to laugh and joke around with his students. Mr. Donors was known for his mathematic skills, considered to be one of the most intelligent math teachers in the country. Mr. Donors, the calm and entertaining scholar, taught Gwendolyn.

Mr. Rowley was a short, bowlegged, wicked man. At first he looked like a typical ‘fat friar”, who loved to joke around and help unfortunate people, but Mr. Rowley was an exceedingly greedy person. Many times he would just give up teaching if he felt that his student did not comprehend, but still take the money he expected. Mr. Rowley was Patricia’s teacher.

Finally, there was Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor was an elderly man, living at an age found in the mid sixties. Mr. Taylor was an easygoing man, who wore thick spectacles so he could see his students clearly. Most said that he spoke cool and crisp, but barely over a whisper. He moved and spoke slowly, catching the attention of anyone around him. Mr. Taylor was one of the best teachers around, and was the kindest old man one could encounter. Mr. Taylor was Angel’s teacher.

The men stood in the room, each with their different sizes and personalities. The four girls quieted at the sight of the men, standing up attentive, waiting for commands.

“We’re going to start with science today.” Said Mr. Williams.

“Mathematics for us.” Chirped Mr. Donors.

“There’s a big geography test today, Patricia” Added Mr. Rowley.

“And we’ll be doing literacy.” Finished Mr. Taylor.

The girls nodded in unison, and followed their teachers to the separate rooms in which they learned. Angel picked up her baggy skirts, and followed Mr. Taylor briskly.

“I love literacy, Mr. Taylor. Can we read all day?” Angel asked. She loved to read and write, finding any type of story absorbing.

“We’ll see, Angel. We’ll see.” Mr. Taylor replied softly. After a minute or so the two rounded the corner, starting down another hallway.

“Is that a ‘no’? Grown-ups always say that when they mean no.” Angel retorted.

Mr. Taylor stopped in front of a large door. He placed his feeble fingers on the knob, twisting it slowly. “My dear, there is no definite answer. If one of the other teachers needs to use the books for their lessons, then we won’t be able to read the whole time.” He allowed Angel to enter the room, as he stepped in himself. “But if that’s not the case, then yes. We will be able to work on literacy the whole time.” Mr. Taylor shut the door. He found his way to a desk, placing his satchel upon it. Removing two books, he handed one to Angel and kept the other to himself.

            “Now let’s start where we picked off. Ah, yes. Page one hundred thirty two. Hmm… Angel, you seem to find this book rather easy.”

            Angel opened up to the page where she was instructed to read. “Well, the words are easy, and the letters are big.” Angel placed a tiny finger at the sentence she had left off at. She looked up at Mr. Taylor before she began. “Am I not supposed to read?”

            Mr. Taylor chuckled, looking back to Angel. “It’s not that, dear. It’s only that most people your age are still working on the letters of the alphabet by now. They don’t get the chance to read whole books or even large paragraphs until later. Plus, not many children learn to read at all. You’re just… gifted. The smartest student I’ve had in a long time.”

            Angel screwed her face into a half smile, half frown. “But I’m not very good at math.” She tilted her head to one side. “Or science for that matter.” She paused again, looking up to the ceiling as if she were in deep thought. “I can’t remember my geography too well… and I mess up my facts a lot…”

            Mr. Taylor chuckled again, shaking his head. “Oh, my, it’s not wise to doubt yourself, Angel. How about… you’re the best reader I’ve had in a long time. We can work on those other subjects later.” He watched Angel as she smiled widely and nodded. “Now, let’s continue.” He started off the first sentence of the paragraph, as Angel picked off where he left off. It was an odd mystery book. Something involving the death of one man, with many suspects involved. A sort of detective had to figure out who committed the murder, in which many plot twists and confusing odds and ends were involved. About four or five pages had been read off, with little commentary of how a word was to be pronounced, when someone burst through the door.

            “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk to the girl. It’s rather important.”

            “Oh, why now? We’re in the middle of a lesson.” Mr. Taylor said irritably. Normally, the man was not disturbed. But when in a lesson, any form if interruption was annoying.

            “Please.” The voice belonged to a man, who said it urgently. It hesitated, and then continued. “I guess it can wait. Contact me when the lesson’s over.”

            Mr. Taylor, who now felt guilty, shook his head. “No, no, it’s alright. It’s not a very interesting part of the book anyways.” He cleared his throat, and shot a glance to Angel. “Go and see Sir DeLucan. Go on.”

            Angel had hardly looked up from the book since. She thought that it would have been rude to shoot her gaze up from the book. But at the sound of Ryne’s name her gaze shot up like a bullet. She nodded quickly, and scurried over to Ryne. “Y-yes?” she stammered. It was rare when she heard Ryne speak with urgency.

            Ryne looked at Angel with uncertainty. He placed his arm around her shoulders, and guided her out of the room. He left the door ajar, and spoke to Angel softly. “Angel, I have some news to tell you. Both good and bad.”

            Angel looked at Ryne curiously, blinking once or twice. “Can I hear the good news first?”

            “Yes, you may.” He smiled a little, crossing his arms over his chest. “It seems like Dyne is returning home by the holidays, Angel. He’ll bring gifts and such.” He noted that Angel was a little disappointed. The holidays were many months away. Ryne quickly added, “But don’t worry. The months will fly by before you know it! Summer’s full of lots of fun, right?”

            Angel nodded, and then smiled. “Yes, you’re right. I can’t wait until he comes back! I miss Dyne so much!” Angel threw her arms up in the air with her exclamations, showing a great deal of enthusiasm. She then cut short, lowering her hands. “Ryne, what’s the bad news?”

            Ryne shuffled his feet nervously. He looked Angel up and down, clearing his throat. Placing a hand behind his head he stammered, “Well… it’s… er… you see.” Ryne took one big sigh, and looked at Angel seriously. “I’ll have to leave by the end of summer. You’ll be on your own for a few months.”

            Angel’s face fell at his words. She looked at Ryne for a long moment, her vision partially blurred. Angel quickly tilted her head down, hiding her face. “How long will you be gone? Not forever, right?”

            Ryne shook his head swiftly. “No, of course not!” He then kneeled down, positioning himself to be the same height as Angel. “I swear, I wouldn’t leave if I wanted to. It’s just… well, your father asked me to. And I have to obey his commands.”

            Angel looked up to him, whipping her face. “You mean, you absolutely have to go? Because daddy said so?”

            Ryne nodded.

            Angel reached her arms around Ryne, squeezing him tightly “I don’t want you to leave! I don’t want you to go away!”

            Ryne was stunned for a moment or two, but he then reached his arms around the girl, hugging her close to him. “It’s okay, Angie. I’ll be back soon, you won’t even notice it.” He smiled lightly, pulling her back. He whipped a tear from her cheek to reassure her. “You can have fun with Gwen. Maybe even go outside.”

            “Do you mean it?”

            Ryne nodded again.

            Angel pulled her hands into small fists, drying her face as much as she could. She then smiled. “You can’t be gone forever, because then you’d be a liar.”

            Ryne laughed a little. He looked at Angel for quite a while, not saying anything. She was small, an innocent child, but he could not help but to be drawn to her. He could already feel his heart sinking of the thoughts of him parting from her. Suddenly, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Without another thought he stood up, beginning to walk away. “I promise to teach you sorcery when I get back.”

            Angel jerked her head up. She was surprised. Sorcery? Was that magic? Ever since she saw the glimpse of an enchantment she had wanted to do so. It was an aching desire, and those words filled her with hope.

            “Do you mean it? Will you really teach me?”

            There was no answer. Ryne had already disappeared down the hall, and was out of sight.

            Angel sighed, and turned around. She feebly pushed the door open, returning to the room. Mr. Taylor sat patiently at the desk. He had heard every word spoken, and knew that it wouldn’t be right to criticize.

            “We’ll read all day, Angel. If that’s what you want.”

            Angel nodded, slinking back to her desk. She picked up the book and starred at where she had left off reading. Mr. Taylor kept silent, watching Angel. He was about to start off reading, when he heard her say, “He’ll be gone forever. That’s why he was so sad.”

            Mr. Taylor shook his head, tapping the desk for her attention. “He said he won’t, and that was the truth. Sir DeLucan will be back soon.” He continued to watch Angel and after hearing to response he continued, “He’s not a liar, Angel. He’ll be back. Just wait a while. Time will pass quickly.”

            Angel looked up to her teacher, and then smiled. “He said he’d teach me sorcery. So I’ll have to wait until he comes back.” She turned her gaze back to the book, but the pages soon became distorted.

            Mr. Taylor folded drew out a long sigh, and pulled on a kind smile. “That’ll be all for today. Tomorrow. We’ll continue tomorrow.”