The Oak

"In order to rise from the ashes. A phoenix first must burn."

-Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Talents

*****

The dawn rises over the hill outside my window setting the start of a new day. Rosalia comes rushing into my room holding a white dress bag containing what I know will be some extravagant ball gown.

"Aghhh" I grown displeased rolling over in my sheets lifting the Dooley over my head in the process.

"Miss Ilaria there is no need for such theatrics it's for your birthday. Your father has planned this ball for you, the least you could do is show some enthusiasm for the dress he hand picked for you!"

Rosa has a sharp tongue on her but father never minded such things and who am I to complain, the lady raised me from an infant after the passing of my mother. Rosa was my mother in many ways and it was ok for her to act like it.

After placing the bag on the lounge chair, Rosalia decided the best course of action was go tear the sheets from my body to the end of the bed while tossing a towel to me.

"Shower time, then breakfast with your father in the dining room, off to sparing practice, litterateur class followed by lunch. Then we will have the final fitting for your dress no if's or buts I will have none of that, now go!"

I drowsily lug myself out of bed to the ensuite letting the warm water take me.

****

Breakfast was quick, some toast with avocado and salmon as I was already running late for my sparing practice. There was nothing that I loved more then sparing with my best friend Fen.

Fen had been my friend for as long as I can remember; he had always been around as kids and we bonded instantly on our meeting.

"YOU'RE LATE!" and there he goes not even making it into the ring and already engaging me to fight, going for a strike that I dodge with ease, swiping my left leg out beneath him knocking him to the ground.

"And you missed. And miserably might I just add. You need to step up your game." I said straightening myself out dusting my clothes off.

"No fair! You had me off guard!"

"Off guard? I believe I was off guard. You instigated it. What is it you always tell me?"

"If you are going to attack always expect a reaction, don't let your guard down!" we say in perfect unison, his eyes rolling hunched over backwards, his head to the sky.

We get into a sparing match but we are both evenly matched throughout able to read each others every movement. We've been training together since we could stand. We could know what the other was thinking and react to it in every way possible, it was getting rather tedious but father insisted I train everyday. I needed to be able to fend for myself if I was ever in a situation. At least I had Fen with me for the most part.

We finish up our training and head off to our daily class today we have literature. Unfortunately I found it tiresome and not to mention a waist of time I can read and write and speak just fine. I'd rather learn something useful not how to spell 'discombobulated' I can do that already.

I doze off into a day dream for the rest of the class. Flashes of orange and yellows and browns cloud my mind over and over again. Something calling me, pulling me in. I'm in a field unfamiliar to me grass as green as emerald upon rolling hills a gigantic oak upon the highest one.

The voice calls out " Ilaria, Ilaria, Ilaria..."

"Ilaria snap out of it" I'm torn away by the hands of Fen "Ria? Are you ok? What happened? The class is over for the day, the teacher ran to get some help. You had been screaming. It's ok."

"I'm fine I'm just going to go for a walk outside I'll be back."

*****

I find myself standing at the front gate, heading to the fields on the outskirts of the property. Something about them seems so alluring to me but I can't seem to place it.

I become so lost in a daze that I don't sense my father approaching me from behind, taping my shoulder startling me.

"Ilaria it's time to come in I have a gift for you." He halts where he stands following my unknowing gaze "Ahh your mother's Oak. Beautiful isn't it, no mater the time of year the leaves always maintain that stunning auburn colour with only hints of green of the spring time showing for those 3 months. Fascinating really."

I hadn't noticed that was what had caught my gaze in the beginning but he was right of course. The different hues of orange reds and yellows swarm to make the most peculiar shade of auburn all year round. I don't believe I've seen the tree without the shade before, never even a fallen leaf. Oddly captivating that it may be the reason mother loved it so.

Father turned on his heals gaining my attention once more, for me to follow him through the courtyard back into the house, my mind still preoccupied on the thoughts of the tree. Why did I feel the need to go to the tree? What was it that was pulling me to it unknowingly all day? I guess I'll go see it later.

*****

"NO! I am not wearing those shoes! I can hardly stand on flat feet what makes you think I could walk 3 paces in those without falling face first into the walls or even worse the floor, and I mean what happens if I was to fall onto a person? My life would be overrrr!" I exclaim.

Dreading any and all of those possibilities. But of course Rosa being Rosa, rolled her eyes saying to "suck it up princess" helping me to my feet with out me knowing she had already placed the shoes on my feet.

Oh great now I'm falling.

"Fine. I suppose you're tall enough without the taller heals, but I insist you wear a smaller heal."

"Yes if I'm too tall I'll scare off all my fine suitors."

I swear if Rosa rolls her eyes any more then what she has in the past 15 minutes her eyes are going to be stuck to the back of her head.

Without realising Rosalia enters and exits the wardrobe cradling the dress bag from this morning, hanging it in sight to not touch the floor, unzipping it to the end carful not to nick the contents. Before my eyes is an elegant crimson red dress. The most beautiful dress I've laid eyes on. Rosa pulls me towards the dress my undergarments already on. She takes the dress off the hanger motioning me to step into it pulling the dress up my body and lacing it into the right position.

Taking a step over to the floor length mirror I take in the sight. Ever intricate detail of the design, the bodice of the gown was a heart neckline falling off the shoulders with the top of the neck line layered with Black embroidery upon the red fabric which was hitched at the waist and then lined as well with a red lace a shade lighter the the tuil beneath. While the fabric itself was feathered with leaf design red still with hints of black through out the design. The skirt would bunch on the floor fanning out further then my wingspan.

I take myself in turning to see my dad had walked in without me knowing for the second time today. I take in his expression but I can't tell what he is thinking as tears well up in his eyes. A light smile climbs his face standing from the love set near my window making his way towards me. He grasps my hand in his handing me a small ring box.

My eyes well up just the same as his as I open the box staring at what is in the little box a pair of gold earrings with a Dimond in them and matching was a ring. A gold band wrapping around meeting a grand Dimond in the centre with two small rubies on either side.

"Mums family ring!"

I run to hug my father this is the gift he wanted to give me.

"Happy birthday Ilaria. Your mother would have wanted you to have it."

My eyes holding to many tears to contain started falling from my face onto my fathers suit as he held me in his tight embrace.

_____________________________________

Thanks for reading guys.

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I try to update at least a full chapter each week if not more. Always open to any feedback on my novels.

Ps. This is my unedited draft

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Emily🥰