This blog is for me that others may read. I spend at least an hour on each prompt then go back and edit it then post it. If I come back to it I come back to it but if I don't then oh well. I have so many stories in my head and get depressed if I don't write something so this is more therapy for me. Enjoy!
Just 1 more blog post and then I can put this all together, edit it, then repost it as one complete piece.
Writing Prompts Used:
1. "Oh my God. You're in love."
2. I've seen how heartless the world can be.
Being a farmer’s daughter she loved the outdoors. Mara sat on an ivory fountain edge in the Hedone Gardens. Always her joyful escape. The fountain sat lifeless surrounded by palm trees and exotic flowers. The House was so much in need of money it couldn’t afford to keep the water flowing in all of its fountain statues. The only water there was kind of murky with browning lily pads floating without any frogs or fish to keep them company.
Mara heard a rustling behind her. She slowly pulled out her dagger that she had hidden inside her black robes. In one swift motion, Mara bolted up then turned around holding her cold blade to her own acolyte’s throat. Leila stood frozen, afraid to move, eyes wide with fear.
“Leila…,” Mara breathed a sigh of relief then put her blade away. Leila’s muscles relaxed. She put her hand to where Mara’s blade almost cut deep. One stroke and Leila would have been bleeding out before she could utter a scream.
“Sister Mara…,” Leila finally spoke.
“Thank you for coming,” Mara inspected her comrade’s glittering blue sari with approval, “you look very lovely.”
It was dark but Mara could see Leila’s flush cheeks though it could have been a result from her previous fright.
“What would you ask me to do?” Leila asked eagerly.
Mara reached into her pocket then pulled out a small cloth bag. She handed it to Leila who cradled it gingerly in her palms.
“I need you to sprinkle that in Euphemia’s drink,” Mara instructed.
“Just Euphemia’s?”
“I don’t want to poison the whole house hold,” Mara’s gunmetal eyes were like icicles making Leila shiver. “Euphemia won’t cooperate. As much as I would love to have her on my side I think Lupa would be a better fit.”
Leila nodded.
“Go now before you’re missed,” Mara sent Leila back to the house. She stood alone by herself for a moment, breathing in the cool summer air. After this moment of reflection she made her way back to the house with a new heavy weight on her shoulders. Although Euphemia looked at her with scornful eyes Mara would mourn her.
Despite its lack of funds the House of Hedone Patron Banquet didn’t give the impression that the house was in debt at all. Thousands of candles were alight, incense of rose and lavender wafted through the room having everyone giving into a romantic mood. Even the food was a menu of aphrodisiacs to make mouths salivating as well as other juices: oysters, shrimp, pomegranates, figs, etc. All was meant to promote the illusion of romance. While these factors fueled the lust of the patrons it was up to Euphemia’s girls to hook these big fishes in their nets. It was all about the fantasy.
Yet while some girls were having a fraction of success with their potential patrons, Constance was having not so much luck. Satordi didn’t look at Constance once. He spent most of his time with the other girls, mostly Aurelia who displayed the gift that was meant for Constance with pride. Constance’s resolve was beginning to waver a bit. Once in a while a young noble or two would try to strike up a conversation with her. Constance’s looks were no issue as she was probably the loveliest creature in the school but her charm and wit were not in the moment let alone her heart.
Constance kept touching the simple gold ring that Ion gave her. She caught him looking at her. She found herself smiling. Perhaps she should put the ring on. A life with a man who loved her seemed more appealing than the unsure one she was seeing now. A relationship built on trust and devotion and not on the fear that at any moment her man may get bored and she’d have the rough task of ensnaring another patron.
Just as Constance was about to consider running from this dance hall and leaving it all behind she felt a presence flop right next to her.
“Constance of Hedone all alone!” It was Leila. Her cheeks were flushed and eyes sparkling from too much wine.
“How much wine have you had to drink?” Constance moved away from her sister trying to escape the fog of intoxication that flooded her air space.
“I hate this no touching rule,” Leila complained in a childish way that hurt one’s ears with it’s sharp pitch. “So why are you by yourself?”
“I’m not as attractive as I thought I suppose,” Constance shrugged averting her eyes for fear she would give her true thoughts away with just a look.
“No that’s not it,” Intoxicated Leila saw through the lie. “Playing hard to get again?”
Constance and Ion locked eyes again. His eyes contained such hope in that moment. Unfortunately Leila was more alert in her drunken state. She caught the glance and gasped, “Oh my God! You’re in love!”
“What?” Constance sputtered. She gripped the ring she was rolling in her fingers out of sight from curious eyes.
“I know the look of love when I see it,” Leila leered.
“You’re too drunk,” Constance retorted.
“But I’m right,” Leila shrugged. “Does he love you?”
There was no stopping her now. Constance sighed, “He says he does. He says that he has money and that we could run away together. He could support and love me despite my inability to ever have children…”
“Sounds romantic…,” Leila cooed. “But what about your father and sisters on the farm? You said you had to help them. Does your man have enough money to support them?”
Constance actually forgot about them. Her love for Ion blinded her sometimes. No. There was no way Ion had enough money to support a dying farm and 5 unmarried daughters. The fantasy couldn’t hold up in reality…
“I don’t know what to do…,” Constance found herself lost. Caught between her heart and her head not knowing which road to take. “On the one hand a patron provides security; money for my family and their children.”
“But no love,” Leila nodded. “Without love life doesn’t seem to be worth living…” Leila looked over to Mara who was talking with Lupa and some nobles.
“What am I going to do?” Constance mourned.
“Have you given up already on your Viceroy?” Leila wondered. She hiccuped making Constance smile a bit.
“He seems to have given up on me,” Constance nodded towards Satordi flirting with Aurelia giving her the impression that Aurelia was the only woman in the room.
“And here I thought you were the top of your class,” Leila yawned. The alcohol was getting to her. “Don’t you know he’s playing hard to get?”
“Maybe I’m just looking for an excuse…,” Constance reasoned.
“Well stop it!” Leila ordered. “The Constance I know gets what she wants. If you want the Viceroy go get him but if you want your other suitor then go get him and the consequences be damned!”
Once in a while Leila could give valid points. Mostly when she was filled with champagne or wine. Alcohol had a tendency to bring out the sage in some people.
Ion went out for some air. The looks that Constance had been giving him all night gave him great hope that she would say yes! His ecstasy was enough to get him high. Just as he was savoring the imminent taste of victory a rough voice soured it all, “Nice party, right?”
“Finn…,” Ion grumbled. “What do you want?” Finn stood there in his tattered cloak. A mark of the followers in the Army of Light besides the tattoo.
“I take it you’ve met Mara Pert?” Finn croaked.
“What of it?”
“I need you to kill her,” Finn said simply.
“You can’t be serious,” Ion scoffed. “We’re in the middle of a party! Euphemia is watching my every move!” Euphemia was more determined to have Ion to herself than ever. This was the only time he managed to slip away.
“I don’t care,” Finn’s voice hardened. “Remember what I said about your courtesan. She will taste the flames of her sins. The Quadrants won’t miss another dead whore.” Ion lunged at Finn, gripping him by the neck then shoving him up against the wall.
“You touch her and I will put an end to your revolution,” Ion warned.
“And implicate yourself?” Finn choked.
“Without Constance I would have nothing left to lose,” Ion promised.
“And does Constance know about your allegiance to us?”
Ion stopped.
“I don’t suppose she does,” Finn grinned reminding Ion of images of the demons painted on frescoes on churches. “I bet she’d love to know where all that money you saved came from. From betraying those closest to you. From the blood of the innocents…”
Ion loosened his grip on Finn who sucked in a big gasp of air.
“I doubt you’d be her knight in shining armor then…,” Finn finished with a dry choked laughter.
“What do you want me to do?” Ion surrendered.
“Just simple woman’s work,” Finn pulled out a small bag then dropped it in Ion’s open palm.
“Poison,” Ion concluded.
“It’ll be quick if that makes you feel any better,” Finn adjusted his brown tattered cloak.
It didn’t but there was no point in saying so. Ion accepted the grim task. The only thing that kept him walking back into the loud banquet hall was the sight of Constance’s bright face looking up at him with love and happiness.
Constance felt a renewed sense of courage though it seemed that it would take all the charm she could muster to enchant the Viceroy again.
Aurelia’s annoying high pitched laughter grated against Constance’s sensitive ears.
“Constance!” Aurelia cried. The wine was getting to everyone tonight. Aurelia was usually so reserved. Perhaps it was a sense of impending victory that made Aurelia so intoxicated.
“Lady Constance,” The Viceroy’s cold smile and tone cut Constance deep but she never gave the impression of being hurt by them.
“Viceroy,” Constance curtsied.
“I thought you’d gone,” Aurelia chirped.
More like she was hoping. Constance only smiled however and spoke eloquently, “I was never much for parties I’m afraid. The noise can unnerve me sometimes.”
“I remember when we first met that you were alone,” Satordi recalled. “Perhaps that’s how you like it… Or is it the type of people you find unsettling?”
The question was unexpected. Constance searched in Satordi’s cool spring blue eyes for a hint of the meaning behind his words.
“I suppose company is a factor,” Constance agreed. “I prefer the person I spend time with be interesting.”
“Despite rank?” Satordi asked. “You seem to take pleasure wherever you find it I’ve seen.”
Aurelia popped in feeling left out of the conversation, “I was just thanking Viceroy Satordi for his gift. The one you so frivolously threw in my direction.” Aurelia held out her delicate bronze wrist to display the sparkling bracelet.
“Technically you just grabbed it from the poor cadet like a hawk eying a mouse,” Constance fired back to Aurelia’s ire, “I never had a chance to touch it.”
“I should apologize, Lady Constance,” Viceroy Satordi’s tone was dry, “had I known your preference for things less refined I would have given you a simple gold circlet to adorn your wrist.”
Constance began to realize that Satordi may have seen her with Ion. She blanched at the accusation. Satordi smiled in triumph.
“It’s not so much the gift as the person giving it,” Constance gritted through her teeth. The Viceroy frowned. Aurelia felt left out again. It were as if she didn’t exist. Then others came into the conversation.
“Viceroy Satordi,” Mara walked up to the three of them, her face the ideal look of sobriety.
The Viceroy held up his nose as if suddenly smelling something truly horrendous. Mara’s protests included firing upon government buildings and attacking politicians in the streets.
“Miss Perth,” Satordi acknowledged politely. “You’re far from the fox holes and catacombs you and your Black Dahlias like to scurry in.” Mara only smiled cordially in response.
“Lovely evening, I didn’t think I would ever call this place home but it’s not a home unless you miss it and I’ve missed Hedone,” Mara beamed. Constance had only heard stories about Mara Perth. Mostly from the bitter Euphemia. Mara seemed to have filled into her body. Where once Euphemia called her gangly and ungraceful, now in her early 30s Mara was more natural and elegant. Mara turned to Constance asking, “I see Hedone still produces the finest girls. Like supple fruits on the vine. Tell me have you went through the graduation process?”
“Yes…,” Constance and Aurelia suddenly became uncomfortable. “It was… hard at first but I understand it had to be done.”
“No monthly cycles that’s for sure,” Aurelia interjected. “I don’t miss those.”
Mara nodded to Aurelia but turned to Constance, “But still it’s a big commitment. There’s no turning back once you lie on that table…”
“I made a promise,” Constance looked to Satordi, “I promised to uphold the traditions of Hedone and support my family. Once I commit myself to something nothing in the world can change or divert me.” Satordi’s face was unreadable but his eyes held some hope that Constance still had a chance.
“Then your parents named you well,” Mara raised her wine glass to Constance in congratulations.
“It must be difficult for you to hold so steadfast,” Satordi reasoned. “Your resolve never wavers?”
“She’s almost robotic…,” Aurelia’s words were filled with scorn. She was losing the battle though frankly she was never on the board in Constance’s opinion.
“True, Aurelia,” Constance agreed. “And sometimes I feel like that I will lose my resolve but as long as I have hope at achieving my goal my heart will remain devoted to my cause.”
Satordi mulled over Constance’s words. He wanted to believe her but all he could see was her with that curd; their hands entwine and faces close sharing the same air. The honest exchange of their feelings made his stomach churn.
“If only I could believe that…,” Satordi bitterly swore. Constance’s smile shrunk. Perhaps she had to fight harder to win back the Viceroy’s grace.
Ion was in the banquet hall while everyone was still in the dance hall. The tables were all large squares covered in white and red linens with satin cushions for chairs. The wine glasses were all set full with water to help dilute the wine and champagne. Name cards sitting perfectly align with the gold plates and utensils. There in black and white was Mara’s name. It was last minute but Euphemia was nothing if not a cat who could land on her feet. She had the claws too. Mara wasn’t much of a drinker. She’ll want the water as he heard Euphemia dictate to the staff.
Making sure no one was watching he took out the bag then dashed the white powder into the cup and watched as it dissolved into the water.
“God forgive me…,” Ion prayed aloud. He quickly rejoined the party but little did he know that he was being watched from the shadows…
Now it was time to eat. Something to absorb the alcohol that had everyone so giddy except for Constance and Satordi who were still sober enough to exchange sullen looks. Euphemia sat Constance right across from Satordi so they couldn’t help but look at each other. Other people at their table were two noble men, Leila, Lupa and Aurelia. Mara was seated with Euphemia and Ion.
“Leila,” Constance noticed how light headed her young sister had become, “Maybe you should stick to water.”
“Perhaps you’re right…,” Leila sighed taking her water on her plate gratefully and gulping it down. The cool liquid quenching the fire in her throat down to her stomach.
Most of the staff was hired from the villages as Euphemia had to let most of her professional staff go due to low funds. The way they scattered this way and that around the tables like rats in the sewer was enough to make Euphemia ill. Constance better hook Satordi tonight or they may not hold the school open for much longer.
Once the guests and students were seated Euphemia pinged her glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Thank you all for coming,” Euphemia’s voice rang through out the hall like a bell, clear and loud. She knew how to capture an audience. “Welcome to the House of Hedone. Everyone.” Euphemia swiped her arm gracefully to the others she meant to welcome: Lupa, Mara, and Viceroy Satordi.
Euphemia’s smile was light enough to dwarf the candles. Everyone applauded in agreement. Once it died down Euphemia continued, raising a glass to Mara, “I’d like to welcome back an old student: Mara Perth.” Despite the sudden grumble Euphemia marched forward, “We may have our differences but no matter where you go in the Quadrants you’ll always find your way back home. I remember she went out to explore the Quads with a light heart so full of enthusiasm now much more reserved and wiser. I’ve seen how heartless the world can be and know how one may enter the world full of ideals only to be crushed.”
Mara raised her water glass in accord with Euphemia. Everyone raised a glass in unison. “Now I know there has been unrest concerning our way of life but though the fanatics may try they will never truly turn out the lights of Hedone,” Euphemia finished. Everyone responded with a “Here, here.”
“To Hedone and her traditions,” Euphemia announced, “may they like all traditions die hard.” Euphemia took a deep sip of her wine. Everyone else joined and drank their glasses. Suddenly a scream shattered the atmosphere.
Everyone turned to where the scream was coming from. Aurelia was on her feet, her mouth agape in horror the source of the horrifying sound. Leila was on the floor bleeding out her eyes, nose, and mouth, her once beautiful cinnamon skin now becoming more sickly and lucid. Suddenly Euphemia was feeling sick as well.
“Euphemia, you’re bleeding!” She heard Ion cry. Euphemia touched her upper lip and sure enough there was a warm sticky liquid running into her mouth.
“Poison…,” Euphemia whispered in shock. Mara looked surprised but not by Euphemia’s sudden nose bleed. Euphemia fainted before she could accuse Mara of any foul deed.
“Leila…” Constance’s eyes swelled with tears. The girl she thought of as a real sister lay dead on the floor. Without thinking Constance cradled the body as if it were a small helpless bird that had hit the glass window. Overcome with sympathy Satordi went to Constance’s side. Ion looked on, the sight of Satordi comforting Constance was like a knife in his heart.
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