Chapter 7: The Manifestation of Alys

Chapter 7 The Manifestation of Alys

Alysin wasted no time the next day seeking out knowledge of curses. Technically she had been cursed with the poison, but that, as we discovered, was classified as dark magic. What we did find was curses are usually linked with an item that is to be worn or consumed. We didn’t know how hard they would try or if they would try. Alysin was optimistic that  they would  realize she was just a nice girl who wasn’t trying to show them up. If anything, she was improving their business by making them think bigger and better.

It came as no surprise in the months to follow that many attempts were made to put a curse on Alysin. At first other entertainers would try to come forward and offer her petty gifts like scarves and hats. Soon they began to escalate into jewelry and secret gifts. After many refusals of exquisite rings, earrings, and necklaces and neglecting the mystery gifts, the entertainers caught on quickly that Alysin was far smarter than they had anticipated.

By mid fall, the attempts to curse  had ceased to exist for 3 weeks. We began to feel like we could relax. That proved to be a terrible idea. It wasn’t so much us letting our guard down, but how we forgot we were still being watched.

Before I knew that we were still being watched, Alysin made a new friend. I recognized him from standing toward the back of her performances.  He looked young, but his ears defining him as an elf made me wonder if he really was since they age so differently than the average folk.

You have an admirer, I informed Alysin after a performance. Knowing who I meant she blushed a little.

I’ve noticed.

I see you like him to some degree? A deeper shade of red crossed her face and for a moment I thought I was going to loose her to Van.

Yes, but I don’t see why he’d come to the same show over and over again without saying saying something. You would think he’d be bored after watching the exact same thing over 10 times this month.

Perhaps you should introduce yourself to him. Horror of the thought flashed across Alysin’s head before I added, just to tell him to come next month. We both chuckled under our breaths, the redness in Alysin’s face subsiding. As the audience continue to disperse, so did Alysin’s admirer. There was mild disappointment with his absence, but sure enough he was back the following day.

Alysin gave a slight variation to her usual route for the month, now feeling feeling pressured by the presence of the familiar face let alone acknowledging the she did have an interest in him. This of course was well received by the crowd. The applause at the end was full of energy, begging for more dazzling entertainment.

As the crowd moved on, I noticed the young elf lingering, looking intent  to approach Alysin. Knowing my thoughts, she began to gather up her things to avoid having to talk to him or make eye contact. It was endearing to know how self conscious she was of her worth when feeling someone had found favor of her in their eyes. Then again, being singled out by people had proven many times for Alysin to be disastrous, so there was a hint of nervousness with the unknown intentions of this folk as he drew near.

“Hi,” the elf said almost shy like. Alysin looked up as though she hadn’t noticed him. The poor girl was already blushing in his presence.

“Hi,” Alysin managed to say.  She averted her eyes, looking humble to be in his presence.

Ask him if he liked the performance or for his name, I told her, trying to get her to fill in the few second silence.

“Oh,” she responded to me at first before directing her question to the elf, “Did you like the show?”

“Oh yes. It is quite amazing the animals you create with the fire and have dancing around,” the boy responded with a smile that stretched ear to ear, “Who is your teacher?”

“I actually never had one,”  Alysin said feeling a twinge of embarrassment for being untrained.

“You’re kidding me right?”

“Nope. I never had enough money to pay for a tutor,” Alysin confessed. The elf seemed to be in disbelief by the words coming out of Alysin’s mouth.

“Then you must be a true sorceress. There is no way someone untrained in their magic gift should be able to harness their magic in the way you do it,” he said in complete wonder, “I’m lucky to keep a ball of fire going in my hand. Muro (muhr),”at the word a fireball appeared in his hand.  He tossed it back and forth a few times before he lost control of it and it fell. Before it hit the ground, Alysin took control of it, bring it back up to eye level.

“I suppose you just need to practice more,” Alysin advised. The boy scoffed, but Alysin didn’t seem to notice. She was really loving how easy he was to talk to and was reminded of how she use to be able to talk with her brother all the years to go like she did now.

“By the way, my name is Alysin,” she said, tipping her head in his direction.

“I know who you are Alysin van Delia, Lomisc little star!” the elf responded.

“What? I’ve never given myself such a title.”

“Obviously you never needed too. I’m east of Lomisc in Aundhir and though we are 3 days journey, story has been spread that you have brought great revenue to the town in the past 2 years from your show of display. You’re pretty much a novelty attraction.” Alysin was now in disbelief.

“That’s silly. I’m just a performer of many,” she debated. I added in my thoughts about the other performers greatly disliking her and that brought some reason into view, “I suppose that would make sense to how successful I’ve been... You haven’t told me your name still,” Alysin said, attempting to take the spotlight off of her.

“Oh, sorry,” he said with some hesitation, “Um, heh, my name is Eroyhind (Er-row-hin-d). Most people call me Eroy for short.”

“Just Eroyhind? You seem to know my full name. Is that all I’m to know of my biggest fan,” Alysin teased. There was something on his mind as he decided whether or not to give her his full name.

“Eroyhind Mjlæathin (Mil-ae-ya-thin),” Eroy said. His demeanor seemed intent on seeing what Alysin now would do. She just smiled like she just beat him at a game.

“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Mjlæathin. Now how is it you’ve been able to stay here for almost a month, 3 days from home?” Alysin asked. Some relief seemed to ebb into Eroy’s face.

“The same way you seem to be able to go where you please at age 13.”

“Well stalker, if you’ve done your homework, then you know I had good reasons to leave my home. What are yours?”

“Well, I’m 19 for one and old enough to go anywhere my young, adventurous heart desires. I just so happen to be enjoying the entertainment here and you have been a great source of inspiration that here in a few weeks when I return home I’ll have a report for my teacher to see if he is able to help me replicate the amazing wonders you perform,” he paused in his explanation, “that is unless you would like to teach me?”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but I wouldn’t know where to start,” Alysin said honestly. She really wouldn’t since no one’s taught her how to channel it with verbal instructions. Eroy smiled.

“Well, then I suppose in a few weeks time I’m destined to return home.” He looked away for a moment. Alysin’s eye too looked away, her heart wishing the conversation hadn’t been so warm and wonderful. Everything in her head gave her hope of Eroy possibly being someone great to her, but knowing he was to leave soon left little hope that this possible courtship could be lasting.

Eroy looked back and observed Alysin’s soft demeanor. Something in him seemed to hold him back, yet the eyes looked like he had set upon a decision about what was to happen between them.

“Alysin,” Eroy began, “would you mind if I shadowed you for the next few weeks? I feel drawn to you and would really enjoy getting to know you more if that wouldn’t be too bold of me to ask.” He looked nervous, as though Alysin was so superior to him and the thought of her accepting someone as inferior as he was out of line. However, I knowing Alysin, knew before she said it, that she would be pleased to have his company. Both were giddy and Eroy nearly whooped his excitement as he walked away after promising to be at the Tavern she stays at first thing in the morning.

That night as Alysin talked to one of the Tavern maids about the young elf she met that day, she discovered some interesting news. Eroyhind Mjlæathin is the elf Prince of Aundhir.  The maid said it couldn’t have been him because it would have been a grand occasion and it would be known by now if it was him.

Alysin went to her room, unphased by the news. If he was the elf Prince, wow. What an honor that she found favor in his sight. If not, then she still had someone who she thought was quite charming. We also decided not to pry either since that was quite possibly one reason he was hesitant about giving his name or he was seeing if Alysin would fall for the Prince’s name better than his own true name. Only time would tell.

Something else that was interesting that night was the sudden surprise of Aly. She was overly excited to hear about this Prince. I was a bit surprised how easily Alysin slipped back into talking to her imaginary friend when last I had heard her talking with Aly was around age 10. But even before that it was rare for Aly to suddenly show up after Sin manifested. I let the girls chat and play while I curled up for a good night sleep.

Once more time slipped by quite quickly. Eroy kept his promise and was outside the Tavern first thing that morning. He tagged along for a hunt and proved even he with his arrows was quite skilled. The two bonded and before Alysin knew it, it was time for Eroy to leave for home. He gave her a token to keep, a coin with the Aundhir’s emblem (a griffin) on it and a kiss on the cheek as a promise he’s come back.

Alysin held coin close to her heart. She had never received so much as a kind gift and love from any one person her whole life like she had the 2 weeks she got to spend with Eroy. Part of her wanted to go, but the Tavern and the people who lived and went there were very much like family to her despite the tension between her and the other performers. Let alone the idea of traveling off with the elf alone seemed indecent to do.

Eroy did return frequently. It became well known around town that Alysin was being courted. All were happy for her, even the other showmen, though their joy was for selfish reasons.

Winter melted into spring. Spring brought forth warmth. Then the warmth began to swelter into Summer. The day of Alysin’s birthday, Eroy had been gone for a month now. Alysin had hoped he’d be back for it, but had lost hope.  She was feeling hurt, but she was coaxed to come down stairs immediately.

In the square the square there was a great fan fare. We could hear the announcement of the Royal family from Aundhir arriving. This was mid afternoon that they had made their arrival. Everyone, including Alysin, seemed to be surprised by just a grand and unexpected affair. But what no one had anticipated was seeing Eroyhind in the midst with the King and Queen. He looked very different from what she had seen him as. He was dressed in fine clothes with his hair groomed in fine braids adorned with his circlet. It was almost unbelievable to see him in just rich attire. It was unreal that the past many months she had been seeing the Prince of Aundhir!

As the commotion died down and the Mayor of the town came out to properly greet the royal family. He was obviously rushed to put on his best outfit deemed acceptable to be in the their presence. Before whisking them away, Eroy had an announcement to make.

“People of Lomisc. Our presence not by chance. We are here today to celebrate with you a special occasion. Today is Alysin van Delia’s 16th birthday! Lomisc’s little star is grown up!” There is a shout of joy and complete admiration as understanding dawned on everyone that the elf Alysin was dating truly was the same Eroyhind they knew to be the Prince.

Alysin was pushed forward to go stand with Eroy. You would have thought all the years of performing would have made her less shy, but her face was red and her eyes averted from the attention she was now in the middle of. Oh how she kicked herself mentally for doubting he’d forgotten about her and her special day.

The King and Queen had planned out a grand celebration for the whole town to enjoy, even hiring some of the local entertainers to perform.I suppose they were somewhat more grateful now to have had Alysin happen in their town to the sudden small wealth they now carried.

The day was coming to an end, the festivities beginning to die down. Eroy got up to thank the town for letting him and his family intrude on their town for this occasion. But before he finished he began to tell everyone how when he first came out to see the little star of Lomisc, how his one goal was to be perceived as any ordinary folk. How he was enchanted by her and it had taken 3 weeks to muster up the courage to approach her to say hi, and how that had been the best decision ever. He was also relieved to find that she didn’t know who he was just from his name and how it truly made him feel she grew to love him for him as a common folk and not the royalty he is.

With that, he knelt down next to her presenting her with a ring and asking her to stay with him throughout the rest of their lives. Alysin, unable to control her emotions wrapped her arms around Eroy and kissed him. When she broke she enthusiastically told him yes. The town cheered. The love there was greater than any single person could hold. Tears were flowing left and right and even I felt the need to paw at my eyes from the overflow of joy in Alysin’s heart. If only I had known then how bittersweet this all would be in the following 12 hours.

Eroy kissed her long and hard before placing the ring onto Alysin’s finger. The ring was a rose. the petals were different shades of gold and nestled in the heart of the petals a gleaming diamond. The stem coiled around her ring finger just right. Then I felt the shift.

Alysin?  I asked.

What Jiji? a high pitched voice responded.

You don’t sound like yourself.

I don’t know what you could possibly mean. Maybe you the one who’s heawing funny. And like that Alys gave herself away to me. Her mind was like her 5 year old self again. Being center of attention was exciting and becoming a princess was even better. I knew it was well worth having her get to bed as soon as possible. Thank goodness the proposal happened so late in the day, there is at least a chance Alysin won’t give herself away to everyone else.

All of this had happened in the matter of seconds and Eroyhind thankfully kissed Alys’s hand and bid her a good night. Tomorrow morning she would travel back with Eroy to prepare for her wedding.

Alys skipped back to her room. With the door shut, she and Aly began to chatter about the excitement of her becoming a Princess. I worried some that those i the next rooms or down stairs would hear the vocal play, but it sounded as though people came into the tavern below to continue the celebration in Alysin’s honor.

A few more hours had past and it was well into the night now. Alys had finally laid down trying to rest when suddenly her bedroom door flew open. Instinctive to her 5 year old self she went invisible, taking me with her. She scrambled to the corner of the room staring with wide eyes at the folk dressed in black and decorative masks entered the room.

“We know you’re in here little girl!” one folk growled. 2 of the 6 figures lingered in front of the door to prevent Alys from sneaking out. The men then began to make quick work of destroying her room, throwing books across the room, ripping her pillows and bedding. Her clothes were thrown on the floor only to be dealt with like the bed.

Glass shattered next to Alys’s head, a scream almost escaping her lips. The scare made her jump unfortunately onto a shard of glass and now Sin took over. She glared at the men in her room destroying her things.

Come on Sin, just kill all 6 of them. They’ve been asking for it. They know your power and fear it! Delia tempted Sin.

I’m not a murderer Delia! But these folk will pay for the things they’ve done to me! Sin promised. Delia seemed pleased at the thought. By this time the men had finished what they set out to do. They obviously didn’t want to harm Alysin, but to terrorize her.

“You finished?” Sin bated. This caught their attention, their bodies shifting as they alerted to the question. One of them took to it, most likely the very performer who’s been set on getting rid of her.

“Take a good look at this room little girl!” he yelled, sticking his finger out in the air as though to jab Sin with it, “If you don’t get out of our town, you’ll wish this was all we had done!” Sin gave a small, audible chuckle, all the figures tensing as their attempts to scare her were being mocked.

“I’m afraid if you dared to do anything remotely similar to what you’ve done to this room you will find yourselves groveling under my power,” Sin retorted. It was more than the folk could stand.

“I thought that ring was cursed!” one of the folk shouted at the leader.

“Didn’t you curse the ring with the child mentality?” asked another. It was obvious the leader was at a loss for words. By the way he kept clenching and unclenching his hands, he was under pressure to appease his fellow peers who thirsted for revenge on the girl who stole their limelight.  I had almost thought he was about to storm off, but he managed to pull one more trick out of his sleeve.

“Well, then,” he started slow and calculated, “how does feel to know your true love was only working for us?” Sin’s head jerked up to it’s full high. The other’s posture’s seemed to relax as they grunted their consent to the question at hand.

“Don’t try to lie to me,” Sin spat back. The folk smiled knowing he hit a nerve.

“He did a grand job at fooling you then hasn’t he,” he continued, letting the words come out slow, to let Sin be able to hear him clearly, “Too bad you’ll have to find out tomorrow he’s already gone without a goodbye. Did you really think he’d fall for a penniless street performer when he can have any girl he wants?” With that, the men all left, leaving the bitter words fresh in the air.

A pang of hurt rushed through Sin. Was it lies? It did seem too good to be true... and how was it that the very ring he gave to her did curse her for a moment with her childish complex? For once, Sin felt an emotion I had never known her capable of holding. Though none of the men purposely attacked her in the room physically or with spells, Sin was left paralyzed on the floor in a new found pain even she couldn’t bare. Sin now was suffering from a broken heart.