Self Sacrifice

This Challenge is inspired by the modernist classic, The Sun Also Rises. So, for this Challenge, we’re asking you to include a bull at any point in your story. Whether your bull makes an appearance in the streets of Madrid amidst 1920s matadors, or is just a pewter statue on the mantle in an old library, the remaining details are totally up to you. It can be real or fake, appear in art or in a dream — as long as it makes an appearance in your story, anything goes.

Sacrificing Myself

A scowl curled on my lips as one of the servants yanked my hair working to put it in place. My long pink hair was being formed into an intricate pattern of loops and curves around my yellow face. As a gnome it’s a sign of stature to have intricate hair for women the bigger the wealthier you were and we had to show it. As for the men, the larger and fancier the hat the more prominent they are. Men had it a lot easier; they only had to put on their hat while we were stuck for hours trying to make our hair look good. I was grateful to see the final touches of adding a spray to make it glimmer a bit more. “Princess Elliana, your outfit is ready,” a servant with bright green hair said. I turned and sighed looking at the elaborate contraption of a dress it was.

I hated mornings this was every morning and more on evenings that we had some kind of celebration. I gasped as they pulled the corset tighter. If I had my way I would burn those things.

Then came the show. I headed down the hall and saw my sister. She was smaller and fairer than I was and loved dressing up and showing off. Her long purple hair was curled in places and set up like it was a fountain. Her yellow face smiled up at me. “Did you hear our brother should be coming back today?”

“Gina,” I scolded slightly. “We still haven’t gotten word, it's just about time he should be home,” I responded coolly so as not to get our hopes up too high.

“Yeah but it’s something to look forward to,” my little sister continued optimistically as we passed the library.

I didn’t hear the rest getting lost in thought thinking about how much I would rather be in there then paraded off to my father and the royal court. I caught on about her talking about some boy that she thought was cute as we finally entered the throne room where our father sat. Behind him was a giant silver head of a bull. It was our ancestral symbol. The eyes were painted red and made me uneasy. Our mother sat at our father’s side as my sister and I approached. We bowed respectfully. “It’s good to see our fine daughters on such a day” her father spoke, the same words he spoke every day it seems.

In unison we respond “It’s a pleasure father, mother”

Then it’s to business the two of us are to sit and be there for certain meetings especially visitors from other kingdoms. My sister loves this part and I zone out thinking of the latest book I had read. It takes forever and I wish I was allowed to bring my research in, but father didn’t think it appropriate for a young lady. I was lucky I was able to do research at all.

Finally it is time for our studies and we are changed again. This time it is more comfortable attire as we sit with tutors. Hours of that pass swiftly. It is my true passion and my teacher has been surprised with my ability to learn.

We are changed again for dinner, where we sit and smile. All this pain and agony of getting ready only for a few hours of use. It’s a painful daily occurrence. I excuse myself to go to bed early unable to take anymore of this torture.

I take a deep breath as my servants free me from the evil contraption of a dress and finally I am alone. For these next few hours I have no obligations, no requirements on me. For the first time all day I feel able to breathe. I wait until I’m sure everyone else is asleep and slip out of my room. My slippered feet head down the hall and down into the depths of the castle into the belly. It takes a bit of work to know all the secret passages the way I do. I head into the dungeons, the cold dampness sinks into my slippers and I remind myself to change them before I return to bed. I am careful not to disturb anyone as I head to the cell I had gone to many times before. It was decorated simply and a little nicer than the other cells with a curtain that could be closed. I looked in hoping my timing wasn’t off when I see the large figure move on the bed. “Ellie” a gruff happy voice said.

“Hello, Arrowen” I greeted as my half brother came into view.

He was large for a gnome about the size of a dwarf and had green skin. He looked a little deformed perhaps from the battles he fought or from the way he was born. It didn’t matter to me. He had larger eyes and great tusks although one was broken. He was covered in new cuts and bruises. I feel my heart break a bit as I touch his face. He closes his eyes, enjoying the touch.

He was half orc and half gnome. It was kind of difficult to explain but my mother’s affair was what got my teacher to be a prisoner at the castle. When my brother was born it nearly killed our mom.

I pulled out the keys that I had stolen a while back and opened the door to slip in. I handed him the newest book I smuggled to him. “Wow thank you Ellie, I already finished the last one” he said smiling with his crooked half smile.

“Well that’s not fair I just got it to you yesterday,” I teased back pushing him slightly.

“Well I only had one fight. It was kind of a slow day, so I got to read a lot. It was nice.” he smiled.

I tried smiling but sadness clenched my chest. “Finn still didn’t make it back today there is no word yet, but no reason to worry yet. He probably got too busy celebrating his victories.” I continued trying to change the topic.

“I’m sure he always dominates the competitions even given his size,” Arrowen grinned proudly.

“You could beat him” I added and his face flushed a bit.

“In strength maybe but he definitely can run better than me and nobody wants to see a monster like me win.”

I was about to respond when I am startled as a voice behind me gasped “princess!” I jumped about a foot into the air and Arrowen quickly hid the newest book.

I turn to see one of the guards staring into the cell at me “Princess what are you doing hurry you’re going to get yourself hurt!”

He drew his sword as he opened the cell door to come in and ‘save me’. I groaned I had been so careful with the timing someone must have messed up the guard schedule. Arrowen moved back as the trembling guard threatened him.

‘Sorry’ I mouthed to him as I picked up the old book “really he wouldn’t hurt me,” I sighed letting the guard escort me out.

He yelled something at my brother before locking the door. I make sure to kick his shin as he turns angry at how Arrowen was treated. For a long time he had thought he was a monster. It wasn’t until recently I had been able to help him rise above what others thought of him. He was smart, very smart. I’d taught him to read and since then he continued to devour books.

I ignored the guard as he scolded me about the position I put myself in and how orcs are monsters. He continued and I worked hard to keep my anger in check but I wished I was allowed to do spells and I could blow this loud mouthed guard up. I hated how my father treated him, how everyone did. I hated this life. I am escorted to my room and locked in. The next morning I was woken as my father burst into the room, his orange face turning almost red with anger. “What is this I hear of you sneaking out at night?”

I curse to myself I hadn’t expected the guard to tell father it probably would get him punished pretty severely for letting it happen. “It was not a big thing,” I started.

“You were in the cell!” he bellowed at me and my head turned as his hand went across my face. “You have no idea how lucky you were that that monster didn’t kill you!”

“HE’S NOT A MONSTER!” I am surprised at my own voice, “YOU ARE!”

This time I fell as his hand went across my face. “Do not speak to me like that you are a child and girl you do not understand anything of such matters.” he snarled darkly.

Tears flooded my eyes as I tasted blood from my lip. He’d never hit me that hard before. He proceeded to excuse me from the rest of my duties of the day and forbid me from leaving my room. It was surreal I was in a fog not processing all that he said.

Anger filled me to the very tip of my ears. I need to leave. I couldn’t leave Arrowen. He had it worse, forced to fight in gladorial rings as the monster everyone wanted to defeat.

I stayed in my room all day and not even food was brought to me. This didn’t surprise me and I didn’t really care, I was too angry to eat. In fact I’d actually have preferred this if I had my books but there was nothing and the boredom was killing me. Night fell and still I was locked in my room.

I had to see if Arrowen was ok. It wasn’t hard to rig something to get me out my window and down into the lower parts of the castle. I was surprised to find so few guards. I still cautiously went to Arrowen’s cell. I looked inside and couldn’t see anyone. “Arrowen?” I asked cautiously.

“Looking for someone?” a voice said behind me and I jumped turning to face the captain of the guard.

“Where is he?” I demanded.

“Gone” he responded, approaching me.

I backed up nervously “Where?” I say trying to demand but my voice shakes.

“You will not find out, just give up and take on your role as princess” he said and his black eyes were fixed on me, very cold.

Tears started to swell in my eyes and I ran toward my bedroom door. The guards made me more uncomfortable than the prisoners. I didn’t need this house, this money, or any of it! I just wanted to disappear. Arrowen was gone, I’d caused more problems for him. I rushed back to my room and the guard outside had it open for me. I glared at them and threw myself onto my bed.

Now I was acting like a dramatic princess. I took a deep breath. I couldn’t stay like this; there was much more to life. I went to my desk and pulled out a letter inviting me to go to a special school of magic. I had rejected the idea not wanting to leave Arrowen behind, but we couldn’t stay here things weren’t going to change. I needed to build a place to bring him when the time was right. New determination burned inside my chest as I pulled out blank parchment and started my response. I was going to save my brother and live my own life.