EPILOGUE: THE SUN
Year of the Bougainvillea
Frigid Season
The Palace
Altsas
Isla
I AM SO EXCITED. Today, I'm expecting mother and father's visit as well as Mavli's. It's been ages since I saw them.
Throwing off my blanket, I jump off the bed and to my feet. A shiver runs down my spine the second my feet touches the cold ground. I slip my feet into slippers and huff out a breath which floats as a thick cloud of fog in front of my face.
I'm not surprised to see that Kyan isn't on the bed, he has always been an early riser. I'm sure he is already getting the orchard ready for my parents' arrival breakfast.
The Decision Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The throne room Altsas King Tus III I SIT COMFORTABLY on my throne made of polished gold and adorned with precious stones but my heart is disturbed. I haven't slept well in the past few nights and I haven't eaten properly either. How can I be happy when something threatens the very stability of my household? I dismount from the throne and pace to the balcony of the stone throne room. Looking down, I'm faced with the marvelous sight of the orchard, the stream that flows across it and the bridge that looms over it. I catch a glimpse of the horses race past under the supervision of the stable attendants and grooms. Wh
The Market Day Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The Hut Kintil •Isla• TODAY DAY is a market day which means that most of the adults will be going to the market to buy and sell some much needed goods. I sleep in a little and wait just long enough for my parents to leave for the market. I pull my fur blanket tighter over me and wait to hear my parents' departing footsteps. The Torrid Season is characterized by freezing cold nights and scorching hot days. Mavli lays snoring softly beside me, I sit up and wa
The Onyx Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The Path to the River Kintil • Mavli• "IS SHE OK?" Cirok asks me watching Isla as she quickens her steps, her springy hair bouncing on her shoulders and soon disappears from our sight. I shrug my shoulders. "She's fine." I reply. I'd do anything for a cold drink at this moment, I can't wait to dip in the river to evade this torturous heat. "How did you sleep?" Cirok asks with his huge eyes on my face. I wonder what he sees when he looks at me. Frankly, I'm no beauty compared to Isla, I'm very plain. The only attractive feature is the small mole
The Storm Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The River Kintil •Isla• MAVLI RUNS TOWARDS ME, her feet slapping loudly on the hardened earth. She is smiling and yelling my name. "Isla! Isla!" She runs into the river with full speed splashing water on me and drenching her dress. "What is it?!" I ask terrified," what happened? Where's Cirok?" I glance behind us but there's no sign of the tall male. Panting, Mavli kneels in the river to catch her breath. I quickly rinse the last of lather
Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The River Kintil •Mavli• SOAKED TO THE SKIN, I run as fast as my legs can carry me. My dress clings to me like a second skin and I feel my dripping hair stick to my forehead, cheeks and nape. I just knew she won't be happy for me. But I didn't know her envy ran so deep that she unleashed a storm and in the Torrid Season! What would the people say? Would people suspect her? The stupid girl is going to get herself hanged if she doesn't control her witchcraft. My heart is beating as loud as the talking drum and my legs wobble under me. I have to reach the market as soon a
Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The Orchard Altsas Kyan I HAVE JUST RETURNED from my hike and I am yet to greet my parents after three weeks of being apart. I am reluctant to face my parents especially my father, I'll do whatever I can to evade his concerns on marriage. The old man keeps smothering me each time he sees me and that is part of the reason I go on frequent hikes. The other reason I evade the Kingdom and my identity as Prince is to find myself and remind myself that there's more to life than delicious food and impressive clothing and a beautiful throne. Exhausted and parched, I trot to the palace orchard and sit under the nearest tree. I free myself from the weight of my sword and
The Raid Year of the Lilies Torrid Season The River Kintil Isla I LAY STUNNED ON THE WET GROUND, my fingers are digging into the dirt, my hair and dress are plastered to my body and I'm sobbing; the salty tears roll down my cheeks and some seep into my mouth. I don't know how long I've been lying down here but I know that it's been long enough for the storm to be an ugly memory of a few moments ago. The soft wind that blows is icy and sends shivers down my spine. The hair on my body stands on end and I feel goosebumps rise on my skin. My head is throbbing aggressively and my heartbeat has lessened to a numb thump in my chest cavity. And one name pulsates in my throbbing,
The Scars Year of the Lilies Torrid Season Unknown Road Unknown Place Mavli MY EYES OPEN SLOWLY and I immediately wish it hadn't. I want to sleep this nightmare away. I wish I'll woke up in the hut beside my sister like I did yesterday. Yesterday feels like another lifetime. It's funny how I took the simple bliss of being at home, of being with my mother and father and sister for granted. I'd give anything to be with them right now. I wish I can turn back the hands of time. The huge cart moves beneath me almost fluidly, its rhythm is almost comforting. I can hear the cantering hooves of the horses that pull me further away from the only life I've ever known.