The Figurines Year of the RosesFloral SeasonLysia's bedroomAltsas Lyza  THE IVORY FIGURINES ARE A GIFT from Lud so I put them into the basket and push them under my bed. The figurines are very beautiful, each one with it's peculiar and intricate design. They are five of them; five nude females with different patterns craved into their skin. They all had huge breasts and fat thighs and wide empty eyes that stare at nothing. If my mother or Isla see anything wrong with my so-called fiance giving me such a gift, they don't utter a word about it. The figurines haunt me, their lifeless eyes taunt me that's why I hide them from my sight. My mother had delivered the figurines this morning after breakfast. She held the box w

The Fire Year of the RosesFloral SeasonVillage of ByninAltsas Mavli I TUCK THE POUCH and matchbox Ghost gave me and mount the mare that Cirok stole for us. He didn't say what it was, just that it is a lethal concoction that can put a whole village on fire if used wisely. A shiver ran down my spine as he tossed it to me and grinned showing me yellow teeth. I wonder how Rhani knew this guy. And I wonder how he even got the 'lethal concoction'.  The mare — Hijar, which means messenger of death in Kintilese — snorts as we reenter the forest. I pat her head, leaning on her neck and wrapping my hands around her. It took us mere hours to arrive at the village when we were making our escape and I wonder why the securit

The Bud Year of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsas Isla I DON'T KNOW why Lyza brought me here. She refuses to say a word to me about anything. I know the events of yesterday has taken a toll on her. She stands by the bank of the river and does nothing.  I don't mention the hunger pangs that plagues me or the fact that I'm suffering from an insufferable headache, I don't want to bother her. She barged into my room this morning as she usually does and whisked me away before I could go to the dining room for breakfast. Spinning on her heels to look at me, she grins. "What is going on with you and my broth

The Thunder Year of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsas Isla  I TRY TO STEADY my breathing. And what if he knows what I'm doing? He was the one who suggested running to me only days ago. My fists clench and unclench at my sides. "What do you think I'm doing?" He shakes his head slowly not answering my question. "You are not coming with me, Isla." "Why do you care?" I hiss out. "Why shouldn't I come? You not wanting me to come is not a real reason." "It is,"  he licks his lip, "I don't want to be held responsible for what will happen." He hesitates, "the old man is looking forward to this, okay? We

 The Highlands Year of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsas Isla  IT'S TWILIGHT when we enter the deserted plains of the highlands. There is nothing but acres and acres of rustling trees and whistling breeze. I've become suddenly uneasy, it just dawned on me that we are going to spend time here, the sooner I get out of here the better.  Our pace has slowed down greatly, and any moment from now, I'll fall off this horse from exhaustion and spend the night unconscious, tomorrow morning too. "When are we going to get there?" I whine. "Where?" Kyan asks, his eyes set ahead.