A/N Get ready for a history lesson! I know it's kind of boring but it will become important to the story. I tried to make it as interesting as possible :)
Later that night, after the light has been drained from the sky, I am in the Parlor reading. I haven't read the novel in about two years, and with its familiar words, I am overcome with a sense of nostalgia. It's slim and titled "The Seven: A History". It is quiet in the parlor, and I read long into the night.
CHAPTER ONE Many years ago, there was a prophecy. There were to be seven women sent from the stars to save the inhabitants of Laeris. They would repair the damage from all the wars won and lost. The words of the prophecy have been passed down through generations, and there are many varieties. But one thing is for certain. The prophecy is true, and The Seven are real and may be living among us.
I remember when it was announced that the Queens of Antoine were two of The Seven. At this point in time, they are the only ones who have been found. The kingdom of Antoine watched as the sisters grew until they stopped growing. I think they turned twenty-five years old this year. I continued to read. The Seven will continue to age until they reach eighteen years old. Our world was quite accepting of the idea of The Seven. Who doesn't want to be saved? However, over the years, rumors came to light. These rumors said that The Seven were gods and that in addition to them being able to save our world, they also had the power to destroy it. Some people thought that the prophecy had been misinterpreted. They thought that The Seven would not save us, but destroy Laeris to prevent our destruction from spreading to other planets.
The chapter ended there, and I eagerly flipped the page.
CHAPTER TWO Each member of The Seven possesses an ability. One of The Seven is capable of saving people from death and another can go back in time without any reality-bending consequences. Others could control the four natural elements, or cause ground-quakes powerful enough to tear Laeris apart from the inside out. And one known as "The Architect" can manipulate an object's molecular structure. She could turn glass into steel, and sand into salt. Her telekinesis and molecular manipulation allow her to build a variety of structures with her mind. In ancient myths, The Architect rose cities out of the ashes of our world. The final two are known as The Harvester and The Fortune-Teller.
Those are the queens of Antoine. If I am correct, Rosaline is the Harvester and Astra is the Fortune-Teller. The Harvester can manipulate the ground to grow whatever she wishes. The Fortune Teller is the most powerful of The Seven. She commands her legion of stars and can align constellations. With her abilities, she can control destiny and fate itself.
I was invited to the coronation. Rosaline's flowers were everywhere. They looked more than beautiful. They were otherworldly. Ethereal. In the ancient myths mentioned earlier, it was said that The Harvester could manipulate light and would instruct the sun on when to rise and set. The Fortune-Teller, however, was the opposite. She raised the moon at night and created every shadow on our world, bringing contrast to Rosaline's light. And while she is the most powerful and the alpha member of The Seven, The Harvester is, without a doubt, her second in command. Without one, there would be no order in our world.
While it is true that the members of The Seven are immortal, when all seven have been discovered they can perform a ceremony. No one knows the exact details, but after the ceremony is completed The Seven are made ageless instead of their previously immortal state. They can die, but they must be killed. Illness, murder, the like.
"You should go to bed soon." I hear Eliza say. I look up and see her on the stairs. I've always known she was beautiful, but even in the shadows of the staircase, she shines brighter than any star. "You're probably right. We have quite a day ahead of us." I put the book away, and follow her up the stairs. I open her door for her and close it when she's inside. I enter my room at the end of the hall and lay on the bed. Tomorrow we will visit the rebel's bunker or "Secret Base" if you will, and I am beyond nervous. I can only hope that I make a good impression.
+++
She visits me in my dreams that night. It's not the first time, admittedly, and it won't be the last. I'm back home, outside the palace. She is sitting on a stone bench, her back to mine. It's dark out, but the moonlight bounces off her hair, and she's in her blue dress. The one she was wearing when I first met her.
"What will you do about Frederick?" She asks, her voice strained. She must have heard me behind her.
"I hadn't thought about it," I admit.
"It would be helpful," she says. "To have him here."
I walk around the bench to face her. I almost don't recognize her. She is looking straight ahead, staring into nothing at all. Her bright demeanor has slipped, and her happiness is replaced by distress and slow tears that trickle down her cheeks before finally falling onto her dress.
"Did something happen?"
"I heard him, talking to my mother. About you. He's going to ask the king for your hand."
"I-"
"Would you say yes?" She interrupts.
"I don't know."
"You have to choose. The clock is ticking." She warns me.
"Choose between what?" I ask her.
"I think you already know."
That's when I woke up.
+++
I wake to Eliza standing over me, holding a garment bag. "Are you ready for something wonderfully modern?" She asks, quoting herself. "What time is it?" I mumbled. "Time to get up." "That doesn't answer the question, Eliza." "Well, the sooner you get up, the sooner we can go." "Fine," I said, as I sat up from the bed. She zipped open the bag to reveal a light pink blouse, covered in delicate lace. "That's beautiful!" I said, praising her work. "There's more." She replied, before unveiling a pair of pants in a light lilac color. I'd never worn pants before. "Oh, my parents would hate this," I said, as I eagerly slipped them on. "I don't doubt it. But your parents aren't here." She said with a quick wink. "I also made us some flower crowns this morning." She motioned for me to follow her, and she led me into the room where she fixed my hair yesterday. On the vanity, I spot the crowns. The fresh green leaves match the small, delicate white flowers perfectly. "They're not practical, and honestly kind of silly, but I thought they would be fun." "They're beautiful. You've outdone yourself." I say to her. "I'll do your hair for you. Up or down?" She asks as she grabs the hairbrush. "Down, please." "Of course." She spends the next fifteen minutes brushing my hair in a way that makes my hair full of light, effortless waves, and pinning my hair perfectly in place. When she's done, Eliza gingerly places the crown of flowers in my hair. "I have to go get dressed, but I'll meet you downstairs. I'd wear your black flats today." I nod and leave to go get the flats. After slipping them on, I walk downstairs to the kitchen. "Looking good, your highness," I hear when I enter the kitchen. Two of the guards are sitting at the table, and I recognize one of them as Kaylen. "Thank you. Are you hungry?" I ask them. "Always!" They say in unison. I decide to make french toast, and no one complains. When Eliza walks into the kitchen, she says that "She must be in heaven, because nothing smells this good." Her dress is simple but classy. It's knee-length and belted, and is a light navy blue color. "You should wear a crown more often," I tell her. "I do look good in them, don't I?" Yes, Eliza. You do.
+++
After we've eaten breakfast, we take the wagon from the train to the other three farms. After we have gathered the information we need, we visit the Erin's farm. We go inside and ask about what they produce, and then Mrs. Erin leads us outside to the cellar. She opens the doors for us and as we go down the stairs I hear her whisper "Good luck," before closing the doors and plunging us into darkness.
Later that night, after the light has been drained from the sky, I am in the Parlor reading. I haven't read the novel in about two years, and with its familiar words, I am overcome with a sense of nostalgia. It's slim and titled "The Seven: A History". It is quiet in the parlor, and I read long into the night.
CHAPTER ONE
Many years ago, there was a prophecy. There were to be seven women sent from the stars to save the inhabitants of Laeris. They would repair the damage from all the wars won and lost. The words of the prophecy have been passed down through generations, and there are many varieties. But one thing is for certain. The prophecy is true, and The Seven are real and may be living among us.
I remember when it was announced that the Queens of Antoine were two of The Seven. At this point in time, they are the only ones who have been found. The kingdom of Antoine watched as the sisters grew until they stopped growing. I think they turned twenty-five years old this year. I continued to read.
The Seven will continue to age until they reach eighteen years old.
Our world was quite accepting of the idea of The Seven. Who doesn't want to be saved? However, over the years, rumors came to light. These rumors said that The Seven were gods and that in addition to them being able to save our world, they also had the power to destroy it.
Some people thought that the prophecy had been misinterpreted. They thought that The Seven would not save us, but destroy Laeris to prevent our destruction from spreading to other planets.
The chapter ended there, and I eagerly flipped the page.
CHAPTER TWO
Each member of The Seven possesses an ability.
One of The Seven is capable of saving people from death and another can go back in time without any reality-bending consequences.
Others could control the four natural elements, or cause ground-quakes powerful enough to tear Laeris apart from the inside out. And one known as "The Architect" can manipulate an object's molecular structure. She could turn glass into steel, and sand into salt. Her telekinesis and molecular manipulation allow her to build a variety of structures with her mind. In ancient myths, The Architect rose cities out of the ashes of our world.
The final two are known as The Harvester and The Fortune-Teller.
Those are the queens of Antoine. If I am correct, Rosaline is the Harvester and Astra is the Fortune-Teller.
The Harvester can manipulate the ground to grow whatever she wishes. The Fortune Teller is the most powerful of The Seven. She commands her legion of stars and can align constellations. With her abilities, she can control destiny and fate itself.
I was invited to the coronation. Rosaline's flowers were everywhere. They looked more than beautiful. They were otherworldly. Ethereal.
In the ancient myths mentioned earlier, it was said that The Harvester could manipulate light and would instruct the sun on when to rise and set. The Fortune-Teller, however, was the opposite. She raised the moon at night and created every shadow on our world, bringing contrast to Rosaline's light. And while she is the most powerful and the alpha member of The Seven, The Harvester is, without a doubt, her second in command. Without one, there would be no order in our world.
While it is true that the members of The Seven are immortal, when all seven have been discovered they can perform a ceremony. No one knows the exact details, but after the ceremony is completed The Seven are made ageless instead of their previously immortal state. They can die, but they must be killed. Illness, murder, the like.
"You should go to bed soon." I hear Eliza say.
I look up and see her on the stairs. I've always known she was beautiful, but even in the shadows of the staircase, she shines brighter than any star.
"You're probably right. We have quite a day ahead of us."
I put the book away, and follow her up the stairs.
I open her door for her and close it when she's inside.
I enter my room at the end of the hall and lay on the bed. Tomorrow we will visit the rebel's bunker or "Secret Base" if you will, and I am beyond nervous. I can only hope that I make a good impression.
+++
She visits me in my dreams that night. It's not the first time, admittedly, and it won't be the last.
I'm back home, outside the palace. She is sitting on a stone bench, her back to mine. It's dark out, but the moonlight bounces off her hair, and she's in her blue dress. The one she was wearing when I first met her.
"What will you do about Frederick?" She asks, her voice strained. She must have heard me behind her.
"I hadn't thought about it," I admit.
"It would be helpful," she says. "To have him here."
I walk around the bench to face her. I almost don't recognize her. She is looking straight ahead, staring into nothing at all. Her bright demeanor has slipped, and her happiness is replaced by distress and slow tears that trickle down her cheeks before finally falling onto her dress.
"Did something happen?"
"I heard him, talking to my mother. About you. He's going to ask the king for your hand."
"I-"
"Would you say yes?" She interrupts.
"I don't know."
"You have to choose. The clock is ticking." She warns me.
"Choose between what?" I ask her.
"I think you already know."
That's when I woke up.
+++
I wake to Eliza standing over me, holding a garment bag.
"Are you ready for something wonderfully modern?" She asks, quoting herself.
"What time is it?" I mumbled.
"Time to get up."
"That doesn't answer the question, Eliza."
"Well, the sooner you get up, the sooner we can go."
"Fine," I said, as I sat up from the bed.
She zipped open the bag to reveal a light pink blouse, covered in delicate lace.
"That's beautiful!" I said, praising her work.
"There's more." She replied, before unveiling a pair of pants in a light lilac color. I'd never worn pants before.
"Oh, my parents would hate this," I said, as I eagerly slipped them on.
"I don't doubt it. But your parents aren't here." She said with a quick wink.
"I also made us some flower crowns this morning." She motioned for me to follow her, and she led me into the room where she fixed my hair yesterday. On the vanity, I spot the crowns. The fresh green leaves match the small, delicate white flowers perfectly.
"They're not practical, and honestly kind of silly, but I thought they would be fun."
"They're beautiful. You've outdone yourself." I say to her.
"I'll do your hair for you. Up or down?" She asks as she grabs the hairbrush.
"Down, please."
"Of course."
She spends the next fifteen minutes brushing my hair in a way that makes my hair full of light, effortless waves, and pinning my hair perfectly in place. When she's done, Eliza gingerly places the crown of flowers in my hair.
"I have to go get dressed, but I'll meet you downstairs. I'd wear your black flats today."
I nod and leave to go get the flats. After slipping them on, I walk downstairs to the kitchen.
"Looking good, your highness," I hear when I enter the kitchen. Two of the guards are sitting at the table, and I recognize one of them as Kaylen.
"Thank you. Are you hungry?" I ask them.
"Always!" They say in unison.
I decide to make french toast, and no one complains. When Eliza walks into the kitchen, she says that "She must be in heaven, because nothing smells this good."
Her dress is simple but classy. It's knee-length and belted, and is a light navy blue color.
"You should wear a crown more often," I tell her.
"I do look good in them, don't I?"
Yes, Eliza. You do.
+++
After we've eaten breakfast, we take the wagon from the train to the other three farms. After we have gathered the information we need, we visit the Erin's farm. We go inside and ask about what they produce, and then Mrs. Erin leads us outside to the cellar.
She opens the doors for us and as we go down the stairs I hear her whisper "Good luck," before closing the doors and plunging us into darkness.