With My Dying Breath - The Savior

Mel held onto the edge of her chair as if it were the only thing keeping her soul attached to her bones. She hated the days when Ms. MacIntosh came to tutor her, spending countless hours reading boring textbooks about people who were already dead.

Those hours could be used for something more useful; like being outside, or training, or anything else that would get her away from her tutor.

Mel glanced to the solitary window that was in the library. Some days she appreciated the window, allowing her to have a view while Ms. MacIntosh’s nasally voice droned on about who knows what. But today, that window felt like bars to her prison cell.

“And so ended the War of Kingdoms, bringing peace to all four Kingdoms that rest on the beautiful continent of Ceris. Each country had their border set in stone during the meeting of Kingdoms where the peace treaty was drafted. Never again did the Kingdoms go to war after that. This has remained so for over three hundred years, and the people never again saw bloodshed.” MacIntosh finishes, looking up at Mel with a dissatisfied grunt. “Were you listening to anything I was saying?”

“What? Oh, yes! The War of Kingdoms.” Mel says, flipping a page in the book as if she had been following along the entire time MacIntosh droned.

“Then what are the four names of the Kingdoms that fought?” MacIntosh asked, trying to catch Mel in the act. Little did MacIntosh know, Mel has been playing the game of pretend for far too long.

“Mezrovia, Tromore, Etolia, and Kohrene.”

“And which King reigned in our beautiful Kingdom during the time of the War?”

“King...Julian?” Mel asked, trying not to make it sound like a question.

“And what of the Queen at the time?”

“Sage.” Mel said more firmly, “Your Queen was named after an herb.”

“Your Queen?” MacIntosh says with a twinkle in her eye, her Kohrene accent drawling out the word your as if it were stretchy. “Don’t you mean our?”

Mel takes a moment to put a leash around her temper. The last thing she wanted was MacIntosh making things difficult for Willa, especially since it was all about to come to an end. It’s been thirteen years since Mel had been home, but she still would never call Kohrene her Kingdom. Mel knew who her Queen was, but she went by a different name. Mel called her mother.

“Yes.” Mel said in a quiet tone. “Our Queen.” MacIntosh let out a mighty humph and closed the book she had been reading from. She stood, her knees cracking with the effort, and gave Mel a withering stare, righting her glasses on her nose.

“Now, in light of your soon to be arrival at the Castle, let’s do a bit of review.” MacIntosh said. “What was the previous King’s name?”

“King Silas.” Mel replied, not needing the aid of her book for these questions. MacIntosh made a point to bring this story up every lesson, so Mel was not surprised she would bring it up in their last one.

“And why were you brought here to Kohrene?”

“Because of the prophecy written in the Sacred Scroll.”

“And what did that prophecy state?” MacIntosh asked, leaning forward with a wicked hunger in her eyes.

“That on my twenty-first birthday, I would break the curse that is upon the land of Kohrene.” Mel added with steel in her tone. She had recited the words for years, both publicly and to herself. It was important that the story remained the same.

“And what of your father?”

“What of my father?” Mel asked.

“What is to happen after you lift the curse?”

“Peace.” Mel whispered. “There will be no more war between the Barbarians and the Kohrene’s. There will be peace in our lands.” MacIntosh gave a victorious humph.

“I do hope you know what you’re getting yourself into girl.” She said, “If I were King, you would have been dead a long time ago and the Barbarian’s slaughtered alongside you.”

“Well it’s a good thing you’re just a tutor then.” Mel says with a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face. For a brief moment, Mel thought MacIntosh was going to erupt in flames based off the color of her face. It would be an interesting way to end the lesson. Far more interesting than the lessons have ever been before. But to Mel’s dismay, MacIntosh indeed did not combust. She didn’t even say goodbye as she stormed from the library, letting the door slam on her way out.

Thirteen years of tutoring and Macintosh didn’t even bother to give her a parting glance.

Mel sighed, standing from the chair she had been sitting in for the past six hours. Even though her temper was still settling, she couldn’t stop the weight that lifted off her shoulders.

That was her last tutoring session ever. She would never again have to sit under the teachings of Ms. Macintosh, or any tutor appointed the grueling task of dealing with her. Mel made her way over to the window and stared out at the rolling lands of Dewmire Estate.

It was a great expanse of green hills and birch trees that all belonged to the royal family of Kohrene. Dewmire was where she had been taken when she first arrived in Kohrene; young and soaking wet.

Willa had met her at the front entrance, her kind face concerned as she took in the state of the child’s clothing. Willa had led Mel straight to a great fire in the sitting room, the same one they now sat around every night, giving her hot chocolate and a blanket. She didn’t say anything as Mel cried, sipping the hot cocoa between heaving sobs. She only stood by and watched as the Barbarian child fell apart, and then when the child had fallen asleep from exhaustion, Willa helped carry her upstairs to the rooms that would be her lodging for the next thirteen years.

Thirteen years. Mel thought, the number seeming impossible. She shifted her gaze to the front drive where a carriage awaited. Servants were already loading it with trunks of Mel’s clothing and belongings that she would need when she arrived at the castle.

It’s been thirteen years since she arrived in Kohrene from her true home. Thirteen years since she’s seen or heard from her family. Thirteen long years since she felt the ocean breeze at her back, the sand between her toes, the feel of the hot sun against her bare arms.

The first few years at Dewmire, she expected her father to come for her. She waited and waited on the front steps of the Estate, searching through the skeletal hands of the birch trees for any sign of him. Then one day, she decided that she would rather spend that time drinking hot cocoa and eating sweets with Willa then sit on a cold stone staircase alone. She never waited again after that.

But now, as Mel watched the servants lug the final trunk into place, she couldn’t help but feel that hope stir again.

She was being summoned to court by the King. King Aleksander Barrington, formerly known as Prince Barrington, wanted her to reside in the castle until her twenty-first birthday. The hooded King of Kohrene has finally summoned her to be the puppet she was.

She had feared this day since she arrived.

Mostly because it was all a lie what her father had said to King Silas thirteen years ago. Mel was no curse breaker. She was no daughter of a prophecy like many thought her to be. She feared the truth would be discovered while she was still here in Kohrene.

She would be killed, or even tortured, for her crimes.

But she also feared this day because of the mystery that surrounded the King.

The last time she had seen the King was when she had been taken from her home. He wore the famous hood the King’s of Kohrene were known for. One that was dark and obscured their features from the world. But she had also felt the tremor of King Silas’s magic that day. She had felt the power of it rolling off of him as she knelt before him in the sand, begging him to spare her family.

It was hard to believe that Silas was dead. They had received a letter last week announcing the his death. But, it wasn’t until yesterday that they received another letter stating the new King’s summons.

Willa had cried as she read the words the doomed Mel, handing the letter over to Mel with shaking hands.

Mel had retreated to her room after reading it, not wanting the Estate to see her break down as well. But there was a fundamental difference between why Willa had cried and why Mel had.

Willa saw Mel as the Savior of their Kingdom.

But Mel only saw herself as a liar.

“Melantha?” Mel turned at the rough Kohrene accent, knowing that only one person called her by her full name in the Estate. Most addressed her as Barbarian, Mel, or even girl. Willa stood in the doorway, her sapphire eyes bright as she looked to Mel. She smiled, the wrinkles around her mouth and eyes still strange to Mel. Willa always seemed so young in Mel’s mind, so carefree and loving. Even though wrinkles lined her face, there was youth in her eyes and smile.

Willa came to stand beside Mel, looking out the window to the loaded carriage. She put her arm around Mel, the sensation foreign. Years ago Mel might have tensed under the touch, shied away from it as if it burned her. But now, Mel craved Willa’s hugs and comfort. It was the only thing that made her feel human.

Mel buried her head in Willa’s shoulder, her tears stinging with unwanted tears.

“Come now, dearie.” Willa said softly into her ear, “Is it really so bad to go to the Royal City?”

“Without you?” Mel cried, her head still on Willa’s bony shoulder. “Who’s going to remind me to take a bath?”

Willa chuckled to herself as she pulled Mel away, turning her face so their eyes met. There was water collecting in Willa’s eyes as well as the two stared at one another.

“I certainly hope I taught you better than that.” Willa whispered, patting Mel’s cheeks. She gave a great sniff as she fanned her eyes. “Now. None of this sadness! I have a surprise for you!”

Mel laughed, wiping the tears away as she followed Willa out of the library. She had known of the surprise; Willa had been unable to stop talking about it. Yet Mel was not prepared for what she saw when Willa led her into the dining hall.

A table was spread out before her in the center of the room, full of delicious food and sweets. She looked around the room to find a handful of smiling faces.

“It’s your going away party. A celebration that the end is finally here!” Willa announces to the room, which erupted into cheers and applause. Mel couldn’t hide the smile as she recognized every face in the room. They were the only people that had cared to know her since she had arrived. There was John, the cook; Marissa, the hand maid; Harper and Quinley, the two guards that always kept an eye on her; and several others that she would make sure to thank.

Mel grabbed Willa’s hand, who looked as if she could burst with pride.

“Thank you, Willa.” Mel said, giving her hand a squeeze.

“Did you look at the food?” Willa said.

“Of course! It smells delicious!” Mel replied, turning to look at the food yet again. But this time, she froze. For the food did smell delicious, but it was the typical Kohrene style dinner she had grown accustomed to.

The table was full of foods from her home, from the Barbarian lands.

Mel looked back up to Willa, her eyes wide and face pale.

“We were able to pull a few strings and get some ingredients from across the River. No one knows except those in this room.” Willa said with a mischievous smile. “It know it isn’t home, but it’s a reminder that you’re almost to the end.”

A sharp knife of longing and regret twisted deep in Mel’s heart, making it almost impossible to hold the tears and panic at bay.

“This...I...I don’t know what to say.” Mel said, trying to ignore the small voice in her head.

Liar. Liar. Liar.

“There isn’t anything to say!” John the Cook spoke up, his round belly shaking with laughter. “I’ve cooked illegal food all day! Better to go to the gallows with a full belly then starving!”

The small gathering chuckled as if this were a trivial matter, but the truth was. They all could get in trouble for this small act of defiance. Mel wasn’t sure how she had gotten so lucky with the handful of people here. Life these past thirteen years could have been much worse than it was, even if it was difficult growing up in enemies territory.

Mel indeed did indulge herself on the delicacies, and as she ate, she found tears in her eyes. Memories flooded her mind as she ate different foods; memories of her family, of her friends, of her life before.

She talked with those around her, she laughed, she cried, and at the end of the night, when Willa had a few too many glasses of Barbaric Gin, she stood to give a toast, to the Savior of Kohrene.

“There are not too many that know the truth of who Mel is. Those of you who are in this room are among the few who recognize her for what she is to this Kingdom.” A huzzah rang out through the room and Mel’s smile became more of a sculpture than a genuine painting. “Thirteen years ago King Silas hired all of us to watch Mel, a Barbarian princess. Now, I know most of us hated the prospect, but the money was good. They said it was for the greater good of the Kingdom, that Mel would free us from the curse. The King said that if she survived to her twenty-first birthday, and destroyed the curse, we would be greatly compensated for our service to the Kingdom.” Willa looked to me, tears yet again in her eyes. “But I never thought that when I looked upon that young Barbaric child, I would one day look upon a daughter. It breaks my heart to see you go, my dearie. But I know there are much greater things in this world for you. Keep the way you are, stay strong to that character of yours, and you will find your way.”

“To the Savior!” Harper and Quinley shouted, raising their mugs.

“The Savior!” Everyone echoed. They gulped their drinks down in one go while Mel stood frozen, watching everyone around her.

Liar, Liar, Liar.

Mel took a sip of her drink, trying to smile and go along with the revelry. But after another few minutes, she feigned exhaustion, and slipped away to her room.

The truth was, Mel was far from exhaustion. Her arms and legs ached for the need to use them, for the need to move and get as far away as possible from the lies that her father had spun all those years ago.

The truth was, Mel was not their Savior. She was just another player in one of the many games her father liked to play. She was a pawn in a much larger game of chess that was played between her father, King of the Barbarians, and King Silas.

And now that she was only a year away from turning twenty-one, she feared she may be taken off the board.

Mel entered her room, feeling as if it had only been yesterday when she woke up in here with heavy blankets wrapped around her. She had never moved rooms since she arrived. Willa had tried to convince her to one of the larger rooms in the upper floors, but Mel had liked the large windows in this particular room. She didn’t feel as trapped in here as she would have in the upper rooms.

The room was empty now, bare of anything that would have once been hers. She had gotten rid of most her personal effects; the little acorns she collected, the colorful rocks she found, the shells from the creek. All of it was now in the trash. The only thing that remained were her night clothes and what she was to wear tomorrow on her journey to the castle.

Mel took her time changing into the soft cotton of her night clothes, her mind lost in thought. She sat in front of her vanity, brushing the long tangles of dark hair, thinking about what tomorrow could possibly hold. It was well past midnight, and Mel knew most of the Estate was already asleep. But she couldn’t stop her mind from racing, her heart from running.

There was a soft shuffle of boots outside the door. Mel watched as the door opened and a tall figure stepped into the room, shutting the door with a soft click. When he turned, their eyes met in the mirror. Mel’s bottom lip immediately quivered as she stood and wrapped her arms around Finn.

“I came as soon as I could.” Finn said, his voice deep and calming as the waves of the ocean. Mel didn’t say anything as she sunk into him, the earthy scent of him wrapping around her. Finn’s calloused hands ran up and down her back, comforting her as she fought another wave of sadness.

This was another reason Mel dreaded leaving. She would have leave behind her only friend, Finn.

“Who’s going to train me when I get to the castle?” She whispered, leaning back in his arms. A sad smile spread over Finn’s handsome face. She had thought that several times as they trained, how handsome he had looked, but never thought anything more than that. It had only seemed like yesterday when she had forced him to teach her. She had watched him for several nights practice in the forest behind the Estate, and after about the third night, she had surprised him by walking out and demanding that she be taught.

Finn didn’t give up much a fight after she threw a dagger straight at the bullseye.

“I’m sure you’ll get by just fine.” Finn said, reaching up to wipe a stray tear away. “Besides, who’s to say I won’t be transferred to the Castle? I submitted my request to the Captain.”

Mel pulled away, sitting on the edge of her bed as she said. “It’s a fools hope.”

Finn sat next to her, as they had done many times since they were younger.

“Gee, I appreciate the boost of confidence.” Mel chuckled as she bumped her shoulder into Finn’s.

“That’s not what I mean.” She sighed, “I’m just not that lucky.”

“Says the Savior of the Kingdom.” Finn replied causing Mel’s hands to curl into fists.

“Right.” She whispered. Finn turned towards her, reaching out to gently guide her face so she was looking at him; at the gentle angels of his face, the dirty blonde hair that fell in soft waves, the gray blue color of his eyes. Mel had always thought he looked like a fallen angel from the paintings in her history books. There was a classical appearance to him, one that she thought belonged in an art museum and not on the battle field where he said he spent most of his time.

The battle field fighting her people.

“You need to have faith in yourself, have confidence.” He said, “Well, not too much. You might have too much to begin with, but you can’t loose it now.”

“But what if I fail. I’m a Barbarian, Finn.” Mel whispered. “I don’t fit in.”

“Who said anything about fitting in?” Finn replied. He let his hand drop, letting his hand settle on his knee. She watched him tap his fingers in a slow, methodical way as he thought. “They won’t expect you to fit in. I think you may be surprised to find that life in the castle won’t be so different from here.”

“Says the man who has never been there.” Mel retorts, “Or met the new King.”

“I hear he’s not too bad.”

“I hear he’s a brat who expects to get what he wants.” Mel stood, stretching her arms high above her head. Finn chuckles, standing with her.

“Trust me, you’re going to be fine.” Finn says. Mel turns to look at him, her eyes taking in every detail. Silence fell between the two of them as they watched each other, possibly for the last time. “What?” Finn whispered, his gray eyes stormy in the dark room.

“You’re the only friend I’ve ever had, Finn.” Mel said, the realization sinking in her like a heavy stone. “I know it may have been forced at first...”

“You threatened to cut my throat with a knife if I didn’t agree to train you.”

“But you really are my friend and I will never forget that.” Mel finishes. “I just want to say thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me a chance.” Mel replied, looking to the ground. “For looking past the Barbarian part of me, and seeing...me.” Mel met his gaze again and found that there was a profound sadness looming in Finn’s gaze. His body was tense as he watched her, his hands curled into loose fists at his sides. He didn’t say anything as they stood there, the inevitable coming too soon.

“I wish I could go with you.” Finn whispered, “I wish I could help you more.”

Mel only shrugged, looking to find that the moon was on it’s journey down.

“You did more than you realize.” Mel said, coming to stand before him. She reached out and placed two fingers to his forehead, then to each cheek. Her finger’s gently touching his skin. It was an old Barbaric tradition, one that was still common in her lands today. She had explained it to Finn a few weeks after they had first met.

It’s a recognition of loyalty and humility, one of friendship from one soul to another. She had said to him one night under the swaying branches of the birch trees. It’s a high honor to be given by a royal of the Barbaric family. If you’re lucky, maybe one day I’ll bestow it upon you.

She rested her hand over his heart, the beat of it stirring into a faster rhythm.

“For defying the odds and being a friend to a lost princess.” She whispered, “And for teaching me the ways of combat, an honor that would have been stripped from me upon my arrival.”

Finn’s eyes were wide as he watched her, his breath barely moving as they stood so close.

“I pray the gods won’t keep us apart for long, and that one day, I will have the honor of fighting by your side.”

“Let’s hope that fight is with each other, not against.” Finn adds. Mel chuckled as she gave him one last hug, memorizing every feel of him against her.

“Let’s hope.”

The next morning was a blur of events that Mel hardly had time to process. She was awoken by a frantic Willa, who had supposedly overslept, and thrust into a tedious process of preparing her for her arrival at the castle.

Hand maids flurried around her with various powders, oils, perfumes, brushes, pins, shoes, and other things Mel had no idea their use for.

She watched in the mirror as she was transformed into the perfect image of a Kohrene lady. Her gown was a bland green color that clashed horridly with her skin tone, and her dark hair was curled and pinned up in a fashion Willa said was popular amongst the younger generation.

Mel was certain only bees found hair like this fashionable.

After she was declared ready by Willa, she was given breakfast, which she hardly touched, and ushered out the door. She had hardly given Willa a proper hug before she was pushed into the carriage and bumping down the cobblestone road towards the capital city of Kohrene.

Mel watched out her back window as her life at the Estate vanished behind the horizon.

She sat forward in her seat, smoothing the wrinkles of the green dress. It didn’t feel like she was heading to the castle. She had dreamt of this moment many times before and even now she felt as if she was still living in a dream.

But there was danger in thinking that way.

You always woke up in dreams, but in reality, you wouldn’t wake up if someone plunged a dagger through your heart.

Mel felt around her thigh to where a dagger was strapped to her leg. It had been a parting gift Finn had given her right before he left her room.

When you’re in the castle, there are many people who will try to get rid of you. Some don’t want the curse of the Kingdom to be lifted, so be prepared at all times.

Little did Finn know that most should be worried about her plunging the dagger into their hearts. She was sent here by her father for one reason. Not to break some made up prophecy, but to retrieve what was rightfully ours.

The Sacred Scroll.

It was the only thing that made sense to Mel. It would have been the only reason her father would have agreed to this ridiculous treaty between Kohrene and the Barbarians. The Scroll had been taken from us by them, and who better to return it than one of his own? The Lost Princess of the Barbarian Nations?

Mel smiled to herself at the thought of her return home, to her father with the scroll in hand. She couldn’t wait to see the look of utter surprise and pride on his face as he watched her walk down the sandy beaches holding the scroll.

For once, she would be the Savior of her nation.

The carriage bumped, sending Mel into the air with a yelp. She looked out the window, to find that they were finally exiting the birch forest and entering the outskirts of the capital city. Mel watched the scenery as it stumbled by, taking in every detail. If she was going to return home, she needed to know the landscape of what was around her.

Yet what surprised her was that she found utter destitution. Many of the villages they passed through were made up of poor farmers that stood only to spare a glance at the carriage. Mel had lived a better life than these people here, and she was their enemy. She watched as children ran after her carriage, smiles on their faces but bellies bloated with hunger. Women were out toiling in the fields, their hair brittle and thin, their eyes hungry as they looked upon the finery that was the carriage.

What kind of King would let his people live in such horrible conditions while his enemy was treated with more respect?

Mel sat back in her seat, shame and guilt filling her as she passed through.

It only got worse the closer they got to the Castle.

It seemed that other’s had known she was arriving today, and she watched as people lined the streets trying to get a glimpse of their Savior. Some cheered and waved their hands, other’s stood silently with hatred in their gaze. When they passed through the gates that led into the Capital City, Mel was shocked to find crowds of people waiting for her. A guard entourage came around her carriage as she made her way through, shielding her from the crowd that had lined the streets to the castle.

She could hardly believe what she saw.

People followed her path to the Castle, some singing her praises others yelling their hate. Some flung flower petals in her path and others whipped rotten vegetables that splattered on her windows.

Mel sat in the carriage, her heart pounding as she tried to keep from the windows. It seemed it only encouraged them if they saw her face. Yet nothing she did could stop the words from reaching her.

“She’s here! Our Savior is here!”

“Kill the Barbaric Bitch!”

“Make way for our future!”

“Make her pay for their crimes!”

Over and over a verbal battle was waged with Mel caught in the middle. The City was divided on what they thought of her, and it seemed Mel had no decision in the matter. At least they all didn’t hate her, even if their love was won from a lie. She had come expecting everyone to despise her for her heritage.

No one loved the Barbarians.

The carriage bumbled through another gate, and the world fell quiet around her as they made their way onto the castle drive. She held her breath as she slid closer to the window to catch a glimpse of the historic structure.

It was massive, standing taller than any structure she had seen before. It was made entirely of stone, each block fit together like a puzzle. The carriage stopped in front of a grand staircase that led to a large oak door. Other than that, there seemed to be no windows or other entrances to the castle.

Which seemed strange to Mel.

It was a cold looking home for the monarchy of Kohrene, one that did not welcome outside eyes or prying noses.

The door to Mel’s carriage opened and a footman helped her onto her feet. She tried her best to walk with confidence, but the sound of the crowd behind her still reached her ears. They were calling for her blood, for her blessing.

Mel walked up the stairs, not daring to look behind her, but focused ahead where the doors to the castle were opening.

Mel tried to catch more details of the outside of the castle before she went in, but it seemed like a fortress. A dungeon.

A prison.

And as Mel walked through the doors and into the castle, she couldn’t help but feel just that as the oak doors slammed close with a resounding bang.