A Fractured Paradise

Summer Day

“Gather children, it’s time I told you the history of our people.”

Caeli, Larissa, Darius and young Prince Maximus raced each other to the king and queen. A warm summer breeze whipped around them.

Auraka.

Caeli smiled at Larissa’s intrusive thought. Her best friend would often attribute the wind to the Goddess Auraka.

“The wind is the breath of Duniwa. Auraka is the Goddess of Life, Healing and Motherhood. It only makes sense that the wind is Auraka reaching out to us.” Larissa would say.

Caeli thought this was a strange concept of thinking but loved it all the same.

The four sat before King Vitus and Queen Cassiana. The queen leaned against King Vitus, her hands resting upon her protruding belly.

“Now children, you are of an age that I feel you can understand some of what happened to our people. You see, Caeli’s parents, Larissa’s father and I are not from Adyta nor are we from Duniwa itself. We come from a place called Paskoi. Your ancestors were once guides of the dead, aiding those lost toward the after. It was a beautiful place, much like Adyta.” Queen Cassiana paused, seemingly lost in a memory.

Caeli looked at her friends, their faces showed intrigue. Though she already knew of this story. Her parents had told her, five years prior, of the tragedy that befell Paskoi. Yet she sat and listened as her teacher had instructed her.

When your royals speak, you must give your full attention.

“When we were thirteen something happened in a neighboring vale. Their queen had died and their king demanded that our people return her soul. But that was not the purpose of our people and the queen’s soul had already been collected by the shadows. When someone is taken by the shadows they simply cannot return to this realm. The beings became angry and attacked our home. Your parents and I were some of the very few that had managed to escape. Seven of us ended up here, in Adyta. But when our people first arrived it was not well received, and we were enslaved. No, Larissa, using our powers was not an option. We had just lost our home and were in no shape to fight. We were grateful to just be given a chance to live.” Queen Cassiana had been reading their thoughts, stopping Larissa from interrupting her tale. “I was taken to work for the king. It was there I met your father, Maximus. He was fifteen. I first saw him while he was training in his father’s army.”

“You radiated with the light of the sun.” King Vitus smiled.

“Upon your grandfather’s death, your father changed everything in Adyta. Our people were freed, given housing and fair pay. He saved our people.” Queen Cassiana glanced up at King Vitus.

“When we wed our people truly became one.” King Vitus laid a gentle kiss upon the queen’s head. “Maximus, Larissa, you are the shining examples of what Adyta can be. A place for all people to live happily. Never forget that.”

Larissa and Maximus nodded. Caeli felt a pain in her chest, almost as though she felt guilty.

Do not let my husband’s words bother you sweet girl. Your parents were together long before we settled here. They had no desire to find others as they already had each other. You are perfect just as you are. My dear girl, you will face much adversity in your life, but know that you are never alone. Always fight for what you believe in and people will follow.

“Darius, Caeli, do not take my husband’s words to mean that you are not also special, shining examples in your own right. The friendship you four have, despite your differences. That is the true example of Adyta. Friendship among all. Be shining examples of that, my brave little ones.”