The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

As he came close to the dock in Erialla, Brynn had two thoughts. The first was that the kingdom before him was beautiful. The shoreline was full of white rocks and had neat little homes scattered across it. In the distance, he could see the Celestial Palace, with its white walls and dark gray roofs. It looked as if it was watching over the city below it. His second thought was he wished Amelia was there to see it with him.

It would be a common theme for Brynn as he experienced things in Erialla. He wished she was by his side when he first entered the palace and met the king and his family. He wanted Amelia’s opinion so badly on the quiet prince and ill-tempered princess. As he settled into his lessons and met his fellow guardians, there were moments he could put Amelia out of his mind and focus on learning new skills, but she quickly came back into his thoughts the moment he had time to breathe.

He did enjoy learning to use his magic. It was like something within him had woken up, and it made him see the world in a new way. Before, he had never really thought of most other people. He did not think ill of almost anyone, but he never considered their feelings or thoughts. As he connected more and more with his magic in training and worshipping his goddess, he became more interested in the people around him.

Prince Tristeen often stood by Brynn during Lesson. Brynn didn’t mind as the prince was quiet and kept mostly to himself. The only drawback was that it often brought the prince’s sister, Princess Melwa close to Brynn.

“Your form is awful; I hope you know it,” she said, shaking her head one afternoon as they trained.

“Master Ruan doesn’t seem to think so. He says I am doing extraordinarily well for a beginner,” said Brynn.

“He just wants to stay on the good side of your kingdom and father. Most everyone will tell you whatever you wish to hear. “

“But not you,” said Brynn.

“Why would it matter what I say to you? I will be shipped off to Tildia to marry some prince I have never met in a few years. I doubt I will ever see you again after your time here,” said Princess Melwa.

“You are betrothed?” asked Brynn, somewhat surprised.

She nodded. “I have been for some time. My father wanted to make a connection, and I think he was happy to be done with it. I don’t believe he thinks I can attract many men.”

Brynn looked her over, seeing her dark hair and eyes. She was not bad-looking though a little taller than most women. “Perhaps your sparkling personality is too much for most to take.”

The princess’s eyes narrowed. “And what about you? Who does your father wish to marry you off to? You are the spare, aren’t you?”

“I am the second son, but he has never tried to find me a match,” said Brynn as he moved his hands in front of him, trying to copy what he had seen the master do.

Princess Melwa moved behind him and reached around him to grab his hands. She slowly positioned them a bit further apart. “So you are not betrothed to anyone?”

Brynn let his magic run through him, hitting the targe perfectly in front of him. He turned to look at the princess. “Not officially.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Then you have someone in mind for a wife?”

He nodded. “She is beyond any woman I have ever met, and I am here in an effort to prove worthy of her in some way. Everything I do is for her.”

The princess laughed. “Young men are so easily persuaded. You think you love this woman now because she sent a few kisses your way. After a few months here, she will fade from your mind.”

Brynn put a hand in the air and called on his magic, feeling it swirl around him. It was a strange feeling, making him feel warm and protected. He thought of the times he had been around Amelia as she used her magic. Hers always reminded him of the sun or fire. It was bright and strong and made one feel as if life itself mixed in with it.

As he thought of Amelia, his magic responded. It wound tighter around him as something like a small tendril reached out as though searching for something. It made him smile, knowing it had recognized his connection to Amelia, a Light Bearer. He could feel its longing to find her and join with her magic.

“Excuse me, Princess Maelwa, but you have no idea what you are talking about. My lady is more than you can know. She is extraordinary in every sense of the word, a powerful Light Bearer with a kind heart. She is also the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

“A Light Bearer?” Princess Melwa raised an eyebrow. “She has trained with her magic?”

“Since she was twelve. You may have heard of the battle in my kingdom a few years ago, how the users of the dark magic threatened my palace?”

Melwa nodded. “Word of it reached here.”

“Without Amelia, we would have been lost. She took out at least a fourth of the dark army herself.”

Melwa looked him up and down. “She must have been young. Unless you are interested in older women.”

“She was fourteen,” said Brynn. “She is the second-highest-ranking Light Bearer in our kingdom, and many think will soon be the master herself.”

Melwa laughed again. “Then perhaps you have better taste than I thought, though I worry about your sense. Do you think you can hold her attention being so far from her?”

Brynn thought of his night with Amelia, of the declarations she made him. “ I am very secure in what I share with her. Amelia is careful with her words, and she has said some very specific ones with me. I have no doubt if I stay my present course, she will be my wife.”

Brynn continued to train, growing more powerful every day. His master seemed impressed, and even Princess Melwa admitted he caught on quickly. In his free time, Brynn ate with the royal family or went out to the village with the princess to drink at the closest tavern. The prince would eventually join them after staying behind at most lessons. It took some time, but the prince proved to be a sensible companion, and Melwa was at least entertaining.

Every night before he would go to sleep, Brynn would write Amelia. He would tell her everything he had learned and all he had seen around the city. He wrote of his longing for her, of his enduring love and feelings he could only promise to show her as words were never be enough.

For the first few months, he received lengthy letters from her. She spoke of her own lessons and how they had grown so strenuous that she often went home to eat and sleep. She talked about his father and the conversations she had with him. She wrote on and on about missing him and thinking a hundred times a day how she wished to tell him something. Above all, she continued to tell him her heart was his, and she hoped every day brought them closer to once again being together.

The letters came very regularly until they didn’t. At first, he thought maybe Amelia had just become too busy and exhausted to write, but a week went by and then two. After a month, he started to worry about her. He wrote his father, asking if anything had happened. When no reply came back, Brynn began to think perhaps all letters from Evalmore were being delayed.

He knew it was coming close to Amelia’s eighteenth birthday, and he hated that he could not be there for her celebration. He went into the city on one of his afternoons off, trying to find the perfect gift, but what could he possibly find that was worthy of one such as her? He finally decided on a white stone necklace he found in a shop close to the palace’s gates. It was made of the stones found on the crystal cliffs of the kingdom. He had seen them once and wanted Amelia to see them so badly. He could at least give her a piece of them.

He sent it off with a long letter, reminding her of his love and begging for some word from her. When her birthday came and went, and he heard nothing, he began to have doubts. He knew he shouldn’t, but it could not be helped.

“Have you still not heard from your love?” asked Melwa one night at the tavern as Brynn slowly drank his mead, not saying much. “I am guessing you have not since your mood continues to be terrible.”

“Perhaps it has more to do with always being around such a hateful woman,” said Brynn. “What right do you have to be so unhappy? You are a princess of a beautiful kingdom, and your fate doesn’t seem too bad. I’ve read one or two of your letters from your intended. He seems a decent fellow.”

“I would like to decide my own fate, no matter how wonderful a man I have been tied to without my permission. Is that so hard to understand?”

Brynn shrugged and took a long drink. “Being born to privilege means you have certain responsibilities. I bet many in the poorer parts of the city would gladly trade places with you. I am sure some of these higher borns would as well.”

Melwa sipped from her cup. “I am not ungrateful for the life I have, but I still have a right to complain as I wish.” She looked at Brynn. “Why should you be so unhappy? Just because this woman you have idolized wants nothing to do with you anymore? I am sure you will be better off. When you eventually go home and see her, you will see she was not as wonderful as you thought.”

Brynn drained his glass and called for another. “You are wrong, and she has not forgotten about me. Something is off. Not even my father has written me.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t want you to know the truth. He might be trying to protect you,” said Melwa. “You should face reality, Brynn.” She turned in her chair and looked over the busy room of the tavern. “Think of the possibilities now. There are several lovely women in this room, and I have no doubt many of them would love to spend some time with the younger prince of Evalmore. You could travel soon and gain quite a reputation if you like. Many women love the idea of a carefree charming prince that requires no obligations. They will let you do what you will, knowing they will have to give you nothing else but secretly hoping they can tame you.”

“That is not me,” said Brynn.

“It could be,” said Melwa.

“Leave him alone, Mel,” said Prince Tristeen.

“Why do you care, Trist?” asked Melwa.

“He obviously doesn’t want your advice on this matter. Can’t you just sit here and provide him with some companionship and reassurances? I agree with Brynn that something is going on beyond just his lady not writing him. Perhaps the seas by your kingdom have been rough, Brynn. That could slow down post quite a bit.”

Melwa sighed. “He is right. You shouldn’t despair. It is strange your father and Lady Amelia should not write. What about your brother? Have you not heard from him?”

“My brother would never write me. We do not get on,” said Brynn.

They were all three quiet for a moment before Tristeen put his mug down. “You should come with us on our summer travels. We will be leaving in two weeks, and I know father and mother would like to have your company. You have wanted to see more of Erialla, and this is your chance.”

Melwa nodded. “You should come, and when you get back, I am sure you will have a mountain of letters waiting for you. You can continue writing your lady from everywhere in the kingdom and even send her a few trinkets from your travels.”

Brynn saw the wisdom in what they were saying. His training was going well enough to take some time off, and his father told him to experience new things to increase his knowledge and maturity. He could find sights he wished to bring Amelia to see after they married.

“I will go if your parents will have me, and I will be grateful for it.”