Train Spirits

Everyone wanted to marry Rhida. From the baker with his overflowing stomach to the one-eyed bandit collecting alms at the corner store. Suiters came from all over the kingdom long before the King even announced his decision. The young and mighty archers from the Silver Forrest came every month even though the gatekeeper never let them through.

Then there were the seafaring Miters from Nover whose boats and crescent ships blocked the harbor for several days. It took the King a full firing range to finally evict them from the shores. They have not returned even with the proclamation.

Last year the Dwarves made a special visit to Port More, carrying large cargos of gifts and other merchandise that alarmed the town. Some said that it was a dowery for the fire girl. Others believed that it was the bounty paid to the king’s father years ago and was returning it following good relations with Cleft Mountain.

However, the rumors soon died away with a caravan last May in which both the Princess and Rhida took part. The display showed off some of the palace treasures, guards, armory, damsels, and even a parade of musicians. The main event however was a surprising dinner that night at the main palace saloon.

Surprise Party for Rhida at the Palace

Hundreds of Morens attended including me and my two friends Bobby and Maverick. At the function, the King announced an important event that would put all of Port More’s riches at the disposal of all its citizens. The news would be revealed at the annual Sun Festival.

The celebration roved into the night hours until tired townsfolks slowly dragged their feet and overfilled stomachs home. Some became too drunk to walk and remained on the sidewalks after the palace guards evicted them. Others who were wealthy enough, left in caravans, chariots, or on horses.

As a little boy, Maverick and I roamed the Royal Apple Orchard during the annual festival. We spent most of the afternoon eating blue glazed apples and watching the wild dancers throwing fire tongues and zapping magic dragons. The parade would eventually move away from the Royal orchard and we would sneak into Lord Balkan’s vineyard.

One such winter, as we moved towards the vineyards, a strange fireball appeared in the sky. It came so fast towards us that we had no time to evade its impact. The fireball grew bigger as it came closer to us and before we knew what was happening, it engulfed us.

The object came so fast that it knocked us to the ground, flushing us with dirt and apple leaves. The flare from the fire blinded my vision and I could not see or hear anything. Something landed on my chest and I quickly pushed it away.

I thought that we were dead or at least burnt but it only died away as fast as it had appeared. The dust and leaves swirled around us for a while longer until it too subsided. The object caressed my hand and I would have pushed it away again, except that it felt human. Soft, incredibly soft, and warm.

When the air finally cleared, I was surprised to find a little girl tugging at my arm. She was all dirty and covered with mud, as much as we were, but her hair was impressive. Dirty, but stood on its ends.

Most of us have low, well-kept hair, and even women tend to wear a plait or a long flowing ponytail. This girl had her hair upwards. It appeared white at the time but we soon discovered that it was as red as the fire. And even had the shape of a burning flame.

None of us knew what to say or do. We were very frightened, shocked, and dumbstruck. Maverick passed out first. He just hit the ground with a soft thud. Thanks to the apple leaves and the mud.

I wanted to ask her name or where she came from but the guards came running towards us with pointed lances and strained bows. I tightened my grip on her hand and tried to run. She held me back. Solid, unnerving stance from a little girl from a fireball.

One of the guards extended his hands and tried to grab her. He wrung his hand in pain as an invisible parameter seemed to shield us. Angered by the pain, he thrust his lance which bounced to one side and he lounged forward hitting his head against the barrier.

He was the second to pass out that evening.

After others tried more gingerly, they became convinced that an unseen force or shield protected us on all sides. They deliberated with a tall, burly archer and he went to fetch the Princess.

You could see Princess Dayla a thousand times and never tire of gazing at her beauty. Her mother was an Elve who married the King to offset a quarrel with the Dwarves. Somehow, the princess took her appearance and molded it into her human stature.

Today was no different than before. She came over on her roan and dismounted without missing a single stride. She stared at us for a moment before approaching the shield. I had never been this close to her and noted for the first time that her eyes were dark green.

Suddenly, she reached her hand inside the shield and grabbed my left arm. Her cold, freezing hand trembled against mine and I joined Maverick and the palace guard.