Just Bitter Nonsense

The journey doesn't take long. Through the window I watch the forest bathed in night, illuminated by the moonshine that scatters over the pine branches. Dragonia… a place supposedly in the sky, a beautiful and radiant place full of clouds!

"Are we almost there?" I ask, impatient to leave the human lands behind. Impatient to get out of these horrible clothes and into something more fitting to my new status.

"Just a bit more," Itzamatul says and leans forward, then taps the window of the carriage. "Dearest Opal and Lapis…" he speaks to the horses, "please, spread your wings."

Wings? I lean through the window… The transformation is fast, but to me it seems so slow and gradual, my eyes thirstily drinking in every detail. The horses shrink in size, their hooves stretching out until they become claws - radiant and shining, just like the gemstones their names represent. The mane gets shorter as it makes way for wings to spring between their shoulders — large, bat-like ones, shimmering and glistening in the sky that's gradually becoming lighter and lighter.

Dragons! Small, lithe and long dragons!

Opal and Lapis playfully chuff at each other, like kittens, and suddenly - we are being dragged up the tall mountain. A huge smile pops up on my face — how exciting! I scream in joy as I feel wind in my hair. I've never gone this fast!

Itzamatul looks at me with a light, gentle smile, with fondness. I pretend not to notice. Money, after all, does not a marriage make.

"You look lovely when you laugh," he says.

For a second, I believe him, even if I know my teeth are crooked, and that I'm no dame. But I'm too excited to care right now.

We make our way up a steep mountain. I gasp in awe — clouds surround us, but not like fog — they're golden and pink, yellow hues mixing beautifully with a tint of orange. A few ibises fly around us. I know it's impossible and they shouldn't be this high, but they're all wearing necklaces made of coins. I put my hand on the window, as if trying to touch them.

Itzamatul seems satisfied with my reaction. But how else is a girl like me, who's grown up in poverty, supposed to react? I am smitten.

I can see the top of the mountain as Opal and Lapis drag us up. But nothing prepares me for the sight that follows.

The palace stands atop of the mountain like a sight from a fairytale. It's not big — it's huge. While it isn't tall like the castles with sky-high towers I've seen during my travels, having what I can count are only two floors, it's wide and lengthy. Dark wooden roof — seemingly made from oak — stands atop decorated columns. Golden ornaments are scattered over the facade, and I can see they're work of a master craftsman, made by hands that were certainly not those of ordinary humans. Yes, I've met human craftsmen, yes, I've seen shining jewelry with intricate details, but nothing could compare to this.

In front the palace rises a huge fountain. Dozens of ibises stand around it, going on about their bird business, not paying attention to us. Even with all the noise the carriage is making they do not startle or fly away. Couple of smaller fountains are set around the larger ones in a lush garden that's properly cut and weeded, flowers blooming even in the middle of winter. In fact, it's warm here — and once again, it defies logic. Shouldn't it be much colder than down, under the mountain? But the weather is pleasant and lovely, light sun kissing my skin through the window.

Dozens of lamps decorate the pathways through the garden, made in forms of lotus flowers. I can see jade sculptures standing in eternal dances they lead.

I have never been more awe-struck.

"It's… beautiful," I whisper as my fingers touch the window glass, my body wanting to get out as soon as possible. Then I turn to my new Master. "I'd think the Lord of Gemstones would live underground, though."

He shakes his head. "That realm belongs to the Master of Thousand Deaths, Xac-Hapikern. And I always hated dampness and darkness of his horrid realm," he scoffs mockingly. "I am a man of finery."

He motions around us. "Isn't this much lovelier than some cave in the belly of the Earth?"

I must agree with him. It really is.

The carriage comes to a halt and he exits first, then opens the door for me and gives me his hand to help me out. I accept it, feeling warm. Nobody's ever opened the door for me.

"Please, after you, Anisezya."

"I prefer Enya," I say. The Niemi name… it is mine, yes, but it doesn't feel as such. It feels foreign.

He nods. "I'll respect that."

Dozen of ibises gather in front of us and begin dancing, their feathers fluttering in the light breeze. They seem quite choreographed, moving in the same rhythm, shaking their wings and tails, forming a beautiful dance. I gasp and clap.

Then, they still, and one approaches me. He bows and leans forward.

"Put your hand out," Itzamatul instructs me.

I obey. The ibis, with its beak, gently places a shining diamond necklace in my open palm. I am stunned.

"Allow me," Itzamatul says as he takes the necklace. I crane my back and move my lush hair out of the way as he ties it around my neck.

Oh I cannot wait to see what it looks like…! My eyes are glistening like a child's as I rush to the fountain to look at my reflection. I'd never consider myself vain… but I am just a woman, after all.

I cannot believe my reflection. Even my ugly face looks more beautiful with finery decorating it.

"Satisfied?" he asks with a light smirk as he joins me. I enthusiastically nod. I indeed am.

"Alright. Allow me to lead you to your chambers and give you a tour." He takes my hand and gently pulls me away from my reflection. "Since you don't need to unpack…"

I don't. The only things I've brought are my crystal ball and the pack of tarot cards. I have no other possessions. Nothing was mine in that wagon. Not even my life.

I let him lead me towards the tall columns that support the roof. Each of them is made from white marble, decorated with intricate carvings. I stop and admire them for a second.

"What do the pictures tell?" I ask as I point at the relief showing a grand battle.

"Ah," my new Master hums, "they depict my victories in the great Dragon War."

Indeed, the carvings show the enemies being slain by Itzamatul; sometimes in his dragon form, sometimes as Duarte, a man wielding a shining spear. There are more dragons on the columns — allies and foes, all waging a great battle.

"And losses?" I laugh.

"Have you ever seen anyone depict their losses?" Itzamatul chuckles and bops my nose with a finger. "You're not that naive, Enya. Dark stains on the clothes must be washed out for them to be pristine and beautiful."

I'd call him a liar, but I'm not even sure if he's telling lies. He certainly cares for his image. He's twisting it. But, who doesn't? I'd gladly paint over all the dark stains on my record with beautiful white paint if I could, make it clean and pristine, let it shine. Perhaps it is vain, perhaps it would make for a lie… but oh, who cares?

"And speaking of stains…" He motions at my outfit.

My mood dampens a bit as I peel eyes off the necklace around my neck and take a better look. This awful thing looks horrid and unkempt.

"Do not despair. I have someone who could help." Itzamatul puts his hand on my back and leads me towards the large entrance of the palace. In front of it, like two gongs, two large coins stand. "My own seamstress, in fact."

I cannot believe I'll be dressed by Lord of Gemstone's own seamstress. I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

"Now, please…" Itzamatul gently pushes me forward.

I flinch as I hear a shriek echoing down the hall.

"How dare you?! Do you know who I am?!" 

"Contessa, please!" Another voice joins in. There are rushed footsteps.

"I am the Seer of Gems, the One Chosen of the Lapis Lord, Seer of Aurea Palace! Madame Garnet, and I shall not be replaced— especially by some villager hilly-billy girl!" More shrieks. I instinctively move behind Itzamatul and grab on him.

"Don't fret," my new Master mumbles.

Behind the wall runs out a woman in her forties, silk scarf waving behind her as she marches forward, like she's on a mission with a license to kill. Her eyes open in surprise as she sees Itzamatul, but instead of stopping, she just charges forward even more. Her hair is curly and dark, reaching to her curvy waist, and her face is red from anger. She stops in front of us, catching her breath.

"I was told to evacuate my rooms! I demand an explanation!" she yells and points a finger at the Dragon Lord, who stands unphased.

"It's simple. I don't see why we would need more Seers than necessary." Itzamatul shrugs. I am in awe at how calm he is. "Madame Garnet, perhaps it's time for you to find other employment. I am sure there are many other establishments that need your services."

Madame Garnet cranes her neck to look at me. She is almost frothing at the mouth. "Is this her? The whore you've brought?"

"Let's keep this civilized," Itzamatul cuts her off.

It doesn't seem to help as she scoffs and laughs at me. "I see demise in your future, little girl. I see darkness and you being swallowed by shadows. You will not stay at this place, that's for sure." Then she looks at Itzamatul and laughs harder. "You're putting your money in a ship that will sink, my Lord. Reconsider it."

"Evacuate the premises at once." Itzamatul's eyes darken as he takes my hand. "We could've kept this fair and amicable. I could've found you a good place, different place."

"Surely you must be some Seer if you couldn't even predict this?" I rise my eyebrows.

Madame Garnet hisses like a cat and tightens her fists. Then she pushes between us and storms towards the door.

"I am cursing you both," she stops and turns to us with hatred in her eyes. "You will both live to claw your own skins off and lose everything you've ever held dear."

With that, she pulls the door open and slams them behind herself, causing the hall to shake, and one of the statues to fall down and break.

Itzamatul deeply sighs.

"Do not mind her," he casually says as he leads me forward, "she is upset, understandably so."

"What about the curse?" My voice is tinted with worry.

"Well, you are a Niemi. And I am a Dragon Lord. Do you think an ordinary Seer could curse either of us?" He laughs. "Enya, have some more faith. She is nobody. Her fortunes have been… sub-par. In fact, she told me my Seer will be a man, not a woman, and that I will find him at Raven's Point. I searched the entire mountain, and I found no signs of life."

Still, I worry. Maybe she was right. Maybe I'm not the Seer, and maybe all of this will be taken away from me very soon…

No. I cannot allow that to happen.

I only now got a taste of the life I want. Life I dreamed of.

"She is just telling nonsense," I smile. "Bitter nonsense, my Lord."