A Knight's Lilies

“To sail the stars, that is the dream of all sentients whether they believe or not. But they need not fear, for Astralis is a merciful Goddess who will forgive our mortal transgressions. Who will lift the people of Cyndralia into the great yonder and into the heavenly courts where peace will reign ever after. So have faith. Remain steadfast in your prayers. For ye are all blessed by the stars. ” - Konrad Geissel, Arch-Bishop of Neun Carad, "Sermon to King Edelin's Court"

Her small eyes shot open, pain and screams echoing in her head as she remembered the fire, blood, and death. She could see the small terrified girl under the rubble staring back, watching with horrified silence as the massacre unfurled before her. The crying and tears as the older girl gurgled her last breath. So vivid, so close.

She shook away the nightmare, purging her mind from the strange thoughts as she furrowed her brows. White, white marble tiles, she was on her roof. She felt the silks of the bed linen and soft blanket, and feelings of familiarity blossomed warmly. Satisfied she jumped down to the floor and rubbed her feet on the carpet. A comforting and fuzzy mood overtook her and a smile appeared on her face, the disturbing nightmare forgotten.

With the nightmare forgotten, a new problem arose as a low droning buzz pricked at the fringes of her sanity. At first, she tried to deal with this new irritation by hoping it would go away. When it didn't, she headed for the door to her room, assuming a small walk would do her good as the carpet gently tickled her feet. On her tiptoes she turned the doorknob and gave it a firm push. She shuffled out into the hallway and winced at the cold tiled floor below.

A small annoyed groan escaped her lips. Usually an attendant or two would be nearby, or another adult. But though the cold annoyed her, she peeked curiously around and chuckled at the thought of being free. Throwing caution to the wind she sprinted around in her nightgown, giggling furiously as she jumped all around the hallway, her footsteps echoing throughout the brilliant halls. She ran and ran, taking the chance to rearrange decorations, toys and plants that lined the marble hallways. Running until she managed to bring herself to her sibling's room at the end of the hallway, smashing her hands against the door, hoping to lull her sibling awake.

Armoured clanks reverberated from within and a chill went down her spine. Suddenly feeling nervous, she shuffled awkwardly backwards and apologized, scurrying behind a small decorative stand, being careful not to disturb the vase that rested on top of it. The click of the door froze her and the low droning grew louder, buzzing so annoyingly that she could barely focus. From behind the door a dark fuzzy figure emerged, nothing but a blurred outline that seemed to clank around menacingly.

She put her hands over her mouth, her instincts screaming for her to be still. A moment, then two, then an untold handful passed by when noises from behind the bend at the end of the hallway drew the fuzzy figure away.

“Saphye!” A masculine voice cried out.

Her ears perked up and she turned to face the direction of the noise. Suspense filling her muscles as she stared worryingly at the hall. A brilliantly armoured figure, large and imposing clad in black, white, and bits of crimson with a bevy of cute drawings all over it. Recognition filled her eyes and she tumbled out of her hiding place.

“Papa! Papa!” She squeaked and a sigh of relief washed over her as the figure bent down to ruffle her hair.

She saw her sapphire eyes reflected in the shiny parts of the armour, her dark bed hair now thoroughly tousled, though she had always found the armoured gauntlet annoying whenever it caught a hair or two in the clinks between the armour. Looking up quizzically, she stared at the visor that blocked most of his face beside his black bloodshot pupils, the little eagle symbol on the side now dyed with a splotch of red as she felt papa sigh, but this time in a more tired tone.

“Mama?” She queried with a squeak and knew that mama would always set papa on the right track whenever he grew weary.

Papa quietly nodded and stood back up, holding out a gauntleted hand for her to take. Despite disliking the cold inhuman feeling of the metal, she obliged, remembering how sad papa had gotten that one time she refused to hold his hand. Another dark fuzzy figure appeared at the far end of the hallway and papa sprinted at it, dragging her along. She could not keep up and as they rushed at each other her feet hurt as they were dragged along and she began wailing.

It was but a moment and the dark fuzzy collapsed in a heap and papa picked her up, cradling her quietly in his metal arms as she continued crying. Breaking into a rushed sprint, her tear filled eyes barely registered the hallways and rooms that they passed, only feeling the occasional teardrop or two that snuck its way out of papa’s visored helmet. Loud metallic clanks and screams grew louder as they ran, the sounds eerily similar to her nightmares and she wailed louder at the uncomfortable thought.

Her wailing only ceased when papa finally came to a halt, and she recognized the grey walls that marked the places she couldn’t go. Sniffling back her snot she looked up at papa and he only let out a depressed breath as he carried her gently, treading carefully into the grey hallway. Saliva dribbled down her cheek as she forgot to close her mouth and she grumbled in frustration. Papa took one look and just snorted in amusement making her stick her tongue out at him.

Together they made their way forward and papa stopped before a heavy set of oaken doors, setting her down on the damp wooden floors, giving the door a few rhythmic raps as she looked on. The door swung open as a loud set of footsteps creaked on the wood behind them and papa quickly wrapped his hands around her eyes.

“Close your eyes, it's a surprise present.” Papa said and she obeyed, clenching her eyes shut.

“Weh?” She asked.

“Shh close your eyes and you'll get a present soon, okay?” His voice quivered and she could hear papa’s sadness, but obeyed nonetheless as she felt him shove her into the room, the door closing with a click behind her.

A slender pair of hands wrapped themselves around her as a choked gasp came from above her.

“You…you’re ali-here!” The soft feminine voice soothed her, only a slight pause bringing her some doubt.

“Mama?” She asked with her eyes closed and mama pulled her into a warm little hug.

She was happy but disliked the strange sticky moistness that came with mama’s hug. Yet, mama’s hug was so familiar she ignored the smell of iron and kept her eyes shut as mama pulled away.

“What did..he…did papa tell you?” Mama rasped airily.

She paused and considered her words, “Ehum, papa said close eyes and presents later.” She chirped.

The slender hand patted her head once more and she felt mama plant a weak kiss on the side of her cheek and giggled. Perhaps taken by the mood mama also shared her giggle but broke out into a coughing fit.

“Mama?” She asked in concern.

“Shh…ahh…mama is fine. Just promise me,” Mama wheezed, “Look ahead or no presents.”

“O-okay.” She replied worriedly, “But what about big and small brothers?”

Silence was her only response and she could hear mama’s ragged breathing and felt a sudden rush of energy that caused her hairs to stand on end. Curious, she fought the urge but opened her eyes anyway.

A hole in the room held a brilliant purplish star-scape that greeted her. Like a window to the sky, dark purples and blacks painted the background as stars of all colours and sizes flickered and shone brilliantly against the backdrop. In the distance a gassy pinkish purple cloud held another cluster of lights and her eyes darted all around the window.

“Wow.” She exclaimed.

A cry echoed outside the doorway, a scream that sounded much like papa.

“Mama…” She began and the door was kicked in.

Unable to help herself she turned around as her mama screeched.

“Don’t turn around! Don’t you dare hurt argh!” Mama cried out in pain and she watched as a dark fuzzy figure pulled a red sword out of mama. Mama dropping to the floor in a whimper.

“Mama?” She asked timidly, a sickening feeling rising in her stomatch.

“De mu hen svitor?” A silky voice asked as it pointed at her. His armour was green, dark green with weird birds.

“Kill her too.” A more gruff one replied. Black and white, eagles like papa.

As metal flashed in front of her, shining from the starlight, her terrified reaction reflected off the blade. But before she could speak or say anything else, she tumbled backward into the window in fear.

Time to Forget