Roses on Fire ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 2.

Marmoris was a beautiful town. Like every other town in Marin, it was built on the coast. Huge sailing ships and smaller boats were in the coats. Some had deep blue sails with Marin’s crest, a sea phoenix rising from the waves, while others had simple white sails. Sailors and fishermen were bustling around the ships or just talking and laughing next to them.

The houses were made of colourful woods, some blue, some orange, some red. The people were dressed in colourful clothes: women wore simple chiffon dresses, while men wore simple linen shirts and pants. Both the dresses of the women and the shirts of the men were colourful, Ivelle was sure that there was no colour in Sanctuary (nor in the Other World) that she hadn’t seen on the streets of Marmoris, and sometimes the dresses consisted of more than one colours. What surprised her was that the women’s dresses showed more than any other dress in Sanctuary: some was cut out on the back, others were split along the legs.

Ivelle immediately fell in love with the town. As she looked around everyone was laughing and chatting, they didn’t even pay attention to the newcomers. Some children were playing tag not far from them. As they got closer a little girl bumped into Adrastos. Her giggling stopped immediately as she looked up at the dark-haired man, dressed in dark and somewhat dirty clothes. She took a few steps backwards as Adrastos looked down at her.

Ivelle felt the locals turning towards them and looked at Adrastos nervously. The man just kneeled down in front of the little girl and reached out his hand. A small blue-white flower that Ivelle didn’t recognise appeared in his hand. He gave it to the girl with a warm smile.

“It will look great in your next crown.” he said pointing at the girl’s flower crown. With a bright smile the girl hopped back to her friends, her bright orange, off-the-shoulder chiffon dress waving after her.

Without any further word, Adrastos led them towards an inn. The name “The Silent Ship” could be read on the nameplate. The inn was filled with men and women all chatting, eating and drinking. A bard was walking around the tables singing songs of the sea. Adrastos walked up to the counter, where a tall red-haired woman was wiping glasses. Her emerald dress perfectly matched her hair. The girl’s eyes widened as she saw Adrastos.

“Tasina.” smiled Adrastos placing his hands on the counter.

“Prince Adrastos.” smiled the girl shyly and showed her hair behind her ears. That was when Ivelle noticed: they were elves. They had the same pointy ears as the elves, although contrary to the elves and fairies, their skin was tanned and not fair. In the meanwhile a tall man approached the counter and put his huge hand on Adrastos’s shoulder.

“Adrastos, my old friend!” he laughed as Adrastos turned towards him.

“Ardalion.” He said hugging the man. The two man started chatting loudly like old friends.

When Adrastos finally managed to get rooms for them the sun was already setting. Ivelle knew that she should rest, they agreed to leave early the following morning, but she didn’t feel sleepy or tired at all. She decided to follow the sound of music, chatting, and laughter downstairs.

She sat down in a corner and watched the crowd. The bard was still singing, while his audience was tossing coins in his dark blue hat. Unlike other alvens, the bard wore silk clothes.

“Faraway stars unnoticed by the eye,

Wishes too grand, dreams too wild,

What was once whole is shattered now,

Three flowers estranged, cold, hostile.”

As Ivelle listened to the song, the cheer of the crowd enchanted her, she was smiling to herself. When the bard finished the song the deray went on. Now the men started singing mariner song.

“The sea, the sea, my only love,

I cannot leave her behind,

And if one day I shall die,

Let me be one with my beloved.”

“You’re new here.” said the bard cheerfully as he sat across Ivelle.

“Is it that obvious?” she smiled.

“Oh I know every single alven along the coast.” he said with a cheeky smiled “And to be fair, it’s easy to see that you are no alven.”

“Fair enough.” smiled Ivelle again.

“Florian Snapdragon, at your service” he smiled bowing his head.

“Ivelle.”

“Just Ivelle?” wondered Florian „Smart girl. It’s no good to tell any fairy-kind your full name.”

“Why?”

“Because then they’ll be able to control you. They’ll have power over you.” he said leaning closer.

“I’ve never heard that before.” said Ivelle surprised. Lucky she never told anyone her middle name.

“Of course not. Elves and fairies claim that they don’t believe in this anymore. At the same time, they never tell their full name to anyone.” he winked, and Ivelle laughed “So what are you doing here?” he asked leaning back.

“None of your business, bard.” came Adrastos’s voice behind Ivelle. Florian winced and looked up at him.

“I beg your pardon?” he looked up at the man.

“I said none of your business. We don’t need a petty bard poking his nose into our business.” said Adrastos. The bard stood up resentfully.

“You should teach your friend some manners.” he said looking at Ivelle “And just to let you know, I’m the most qualified bard in whole Sanctuary. I studied both in Ravaryn and Saorsa Grand Academy.” he said turning to Adrastos and then went back to his lute.

“Grand Academy?” Ivelle asked, looking questioningly at Adrastos.

“They’re like universities and colleges in your world. The only difference is that the students are taught by Masters and not Professors.” he said shaking his shoulders.

“There are universities here?” asked Ivelle surprised.

“Five.” nodded Adrastos “Ravaryn is here in Marin. Saorse is in Lillaelux. And there are three in Sanctuary: Dracontine in Drauri, Zariya in Etealind and Noetic in Abonwan. Although there were two others too. The Velaris Grand Academy in Prigon and the Elysian in Cetia. The most prestigious Grand Academies. Now both of them are reduced to ashes, I’m afraid.”

“I really has a lot to learn.” Sighed Ivelle.

“Yes. But most of our history is already forgotten.” He looked around “Those who have long lives pretend these lands never existed. Those who live only for a short period of times, did really forget all of these.” They sat in silence for a while, looking at the crowd around them. The bard started singing again.

“So…they are alvens, right?” Adrastos nodded simply. “What’s the difference between them and the elves?”

“Their skin, their lifestyle and culture.” Explained Adrastos “Alvens are freer and more laid-back, more emotional. And they also believe in Cà and Inga.”

“Let me guess, two other gods?”

“Yes. The whole story is quite different from what they teach in Sanctuary.” He said examining the crowd.

“Tell me.”

“Cà and Inga were the first. They created us, the elves, the fairies, the alvens and the dragons.” He said again examining the crowd “They had three children: the oldest Ryuu, then Llyr and Keres. When their children became wise enough, Cà and Inga stepped back, and let them take care of their creations. Us. But Keres and her brothers had a dispute. So, the brothers made sure Keres was made the “bad goddess”. She became feared among the elves. Until my father and uncle had a dispute. My father turned to Keres.” He sighed. Ivelle nodded but said nothing. She had a lot to think about.