The Threads of Fate

"You don't belong to us Maela." A strong hand squeezes my shoulder from behind and I'm grateful to Kallias, my guard and close friend, for the support because my entire world as I knew it, is tipping, and I know in this moment everything is about to change, and not for the better. "What do you mean I don't belong to you?" My voice cracks with utter disbelief. Possibilities and questions swirl like a windstorm through my mind. Where did I come from? How did I end up here? but all that I can manage is "Why are you telling me this now? I'm seventeen, nearly an adult, why wait this long to tell me the truth? "Looking back, it starts to make sense. My parent's distant coldness to me. My silver hair and emerald eyes compared to their black hair and dark eyes. The castle staff sneering at me, and my inability to join the other royal children in their activities and family outings. My voice has an edge of anger at how completely unfair this feels, and then my mother and father share a look as I see my mother put a hand over her stomach and it hits me. "You're with child?" My eyes grow wide with realization, I'm no longer the heir to the throne of Thelaria. Confusion and hurt cloud my mind and tears sting my eyes. My mother reaches out as if to comfort me but withdraws her hand at the last moment. "The guards found you at the castle gates when you were barely a week old. Your father and I had trouble conceiving an heir of our own and the kingdom was starting to whisper about us being unfit to rule if we couldn't produce an heir, so we decided to take you in and pass you as our own. This knowledge isn't meant to hurt you Maela, we aren't trying to replace you, but the heir to the throne of Thelaria should be pure of blood, you understand?" Her eyes bore into my own as if trying to force me to understand this cruel revelation. "There are other uses for you here Maela, just not royal ones." I had heard enough. I shove my chair back and storm out of the room, Kallias close on my heels. "Princess" He starts, I whirl around glaring at him "Don't you dare call me that anymore, I am no princess, and I will not spend another moment living this horrid lie, watching a child grow up to take my place in this castle!" I snarl at him. "Princ- Maela, you can't just leave, your life is here, your family is here, where would you even go?" I know what he is saying makes sense, but my mind isn't willing to see reason right now, I can't see past the blinding hurt I feel. " These people are not my family. They lied to me, used me until it no longer served their purpose, and I have been replaced, tossed out like trash!" I leave him at the base of the stairway and storm to my room, throwing open my wardrobe shoving a few outfits into my bag tears streaming down my face. How could they? Why did they even bother taking me in if they were just going to throw me out? The betrayal burns hot in my chest, but I keep moving, the sooner I get out of this castle of lies the better. Next, I move to my bookshelf and stuff my beloved collection of stories from throughout the kingdom inside, along with my most valuable jewels and a bag of coin. I'm momentarily distracted by a knock to my door and inside slips my ladies maid Adira. She curtsies briefly before addressing me "My lady, we must speak urgently. She pulls a piece of parchment from the pocket of her skirts and hands it to me. The paper is old and faded but the ink is still visible. The hastily scrawled words read "The key to Embercrest." What is this, Adira?" She looks behind her to ensure the door is closed and leans in close to whisper to me "My lady, this paper was found in the basket with you when you were dropped at the castle gates, as well as this." From behind her she produces a bag and in it is a blanket in near perfect condition. Embroidered across the bottom is the name Kimora. I'm more confused than ever and I need answers. "What do you know Adira? What does any of this mean? Is this my real name?" my patience is growing thin from all the information that's been forced upon me today. "I've been with you many years my lady, but my presence here is no coincidence." She once again reaches in her skirts and hands me another piece of paper, this one worn, but well cared for. I carefully open it and am surprised to find a map. It's elegantly drawn in an array of colors; some I've never seen before. In sweeping letters across the top of the map is the word Embercrest, just like on the note left with me. "What is Embercrest Adira? I've never heard of it before." Adira takes me by the hand and leads me to the bench seat beneath her window. "I was sent here to protect you, Maela. You are the rightful heir to Embercrest, a once powerful kingdom that was taken in a brutal battle by traitors to the crown. Your parents fought long and hard, ultimately passing you off to loyal servants who brought you here to save you from danger in Embercrest. The traitors searched high and low for you Maela. This was the safest place for you to be." My mind is reeling with this new information. It all seems impossible. I believed I was heir to Thelaria all my life and to find out in one day that I am not a blood heir to one kingdom but heir to an entirely different one, and one that is in the hands of traitors, nonetheless. My head is spinning. Are my parents alive? Did they give their lives for me? Where do I go from here? I don't get a chance to ask any of these questions because there is a sudden commotion outside of my door. The sound of clashing swords and shouts fill the air, freezing me in fear, I look at Adira who is attempting to shove my dresser in front of the door. Another loud bang makes me jump into action and I run across the room to help Adira push. We successfully get my dresser underneath the latch of my door just in time for someone to attempt to kick it open on the other side. "Maela! Open this door right now!" I recognize the angry voice of Davin, head of the royal guard. "Come quickly my lady!" Adira grabs my hand and leads me to the far-right wall of my room where she draws back my tapestry and pulls a strange looking object from the pocket of her skirts. The object is oval in shape and no larger than the length of my palm. It begins to glow as Adira uses it to draw strange symbols on the stone. Another crash from the door sends it flying open and I let out a surprised scream as Davin and Kallias come crashing through the door swords drawn and circling each other. Davin makes the first move slashing his sword forward so quickly I barely see the blade cut through the air but Kallias is ready for the move and easily darts out of the way, swinging his sword around and delivering a blow to Davin that sends the large guard sprawling across the floor, he recovers quickly though and kicks Kallias' feet out from beneath him and I scream as his sword nearly knicks Kallias' ear. Davin is once again thrown back by a kick to his chest and Kallias is on top of him in moments, resting his sword at the base of Davin's throat. "Well go on boy!" he spits at Kallias. "Kill me if you think you're man enough." Kallias considers him for a moment before he delivers a blow to Davin's head that knocks him unconscious. "What are you doing here Kallias? What's happening?" He rushes over to look me in the eyes, his blue to my emerald. "You have to leave here Maela; you have to go right now. The king and queen learned of your plans to leave, and they have ordered your death." The wall suddenly starts to glow, and a bright swirling light erupts into the room blinding them for a moment. "Adira! What's happening?" I reach for her hand. "We have to go now my lady." "Go where?" She takes my other hand and looks meaningfully into my eyes with a slight smile on her lips. "Home Kimora, we're going home." She pulls me towards the portal, but I stop short. "Wait! Kallias, come with me!" He looks at me with a bewildered expression. "I can't go with you Maela; this is my kingdom and my home." I give him a pleading look "Kallias once they realize what you've done, they'll kill you, please come with me, you've been my protector and my only friend, please don't leave me now!" I cry. He stares long and hard into my tear filled eyes and finally nods in agreement. "Okay everyone take hands, the portal won't stay open much longer." Adira grabs my hand, and I take Kallias' in my free one giving it a reassuring squeeze. I'm terrified of what's on the other side of this portal, but staying in Thelaria is no longer an option. All my life this is what I've secretly been longing for. What I've been missing. My birth right and my destiny lay just on the other side of this portal and I'm ready to reclaim what's rightfully mine. With a deep breath and a nod from Kallias we step into the unknown.

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