Untitled Fantasy Novella

Cora Mela

I was, at one point in my life, happy. Though I was cursed from the day I was born, I did not know it then and so I was happy. I was a girl named Mela. Out of respect, everyone called me Cora because I was noble, but had not yet come into my full title.

My father, Summus Calto, is from the oldest family of the Vagus tribe. The Calto family is a family of chiefs, and so, when the Vagus tribe settled in the region just south of the Creber Mountains, the people built a palace for the Calto family.

My mother, though I never knew her, came from a great family of warriors. She died giving birth to me, so I was raised by my father and my nurse, Uda.

As a young girl, I was allowed to wear the clothing of the tribe: a loose-fitting tunic that came to my knees, sandals, and a beaded anklet made of water buffalo antlers. When I was nine years old, Uda said she would not commission the seamstress to make me new tribal clothing when I outgrew my current clothing. Because I was noble, I had to eventually start wearing conventional dresses and shoes. I would be interacting with nobles from other lands and they all dressed conventionally. I had seen the designs for my new clothes. They were very lovely and the dresses were long enough that I could still wear my anklet secretly underneath.

The villagers were, of course, allowed to wear tribal clothing and many of them did. Some of them even preferred to live in tents like in the old nomadic times! I imagine it would not be so horrible; the weather here never gets colder than enough to allow for a slight frost. I knew some lands had snow. I had never seen snow, but I had seen drawings of it. It seemed spectacular. I was sure when I grew older, I would travel to other lands.

That was before everything went bad. Back then, I thought growing up was about pretty dresses and travel, and, eventually, betrothal. I had seen the plans for my dresses and knew of the foreign feasts and balls I would attend, but my father had not yet spoken to me about my future husband. I was not worried. I knew he would get around to it soon.

Aluc

I had known about Mela's fate since I was about seven years old, and, although she was my friend, I never told her what I knew. It was better to stay out of noble affairs. Besides, I trusted her father. He was a great Summus and I was sure he had good reason to keep it from her.

I found out on accident. Mela and I were playing some sort of game. I was hiding from her in Summus Calto's study. I did not expect anyone to come in, but after a few moments of hiding, Summus Calto came in with my mother. They were talking about the Curse. It was awful. I was so terrified for Mela that I swore never to hide in that room again.

A week later, I was hiding in the council chamber. I knew the council wasn't meeting that day and that Mela would never think to look for me there, so when I heard the door open, I was surprised. It was Summus Calto himself. He must have left something behind because he seemed to be looking for something. When he looked under the table, he saw me hiding there. He was furious.

"What are you doing there, boy? Spying?" He pulled me out from under the table by the ear. He was roaring with anger. That was the day Summus Calto decided I was too old to be Mela's playmate. I was old enough to overhear his discussions with his advisors and to understand what they were saying. Therefore, I was old enough to be put to work as a household servant. I was to work in the stables, which was fine by me; I love animals.

I knew this day would come, and yet I felt unprepared for it. I was upset, not because Summus Calto had scolded me, for he had scolded me before. Summus Calto is a forgiving man. I knew he liked me and my family. I was upset to leave Mela and, of course, Mother. Mother would remain in the palace as Mela's nurse and companion while I would have quarters in the stables. I still remember how my ear stung that first night alone.

Two years later, when Mother thought I was old enough, she told me about Mela's curse. It was surprisingly easy to pretend I was hearing it for the first time.

Summus Calto

I am not saying that before everything went bad, things were good. They were in some ways. I still had Milea, for one, and we were young and very much in love. On the other hand, I did not have Mela, and that was a problem. Milea and I desperately needed an heir. The people adored me as Summus; the tribe was at peace; everyone had plenty to eat, but they were still concerned that there was no heir.

One afternoon, when I was hearing grievances of individual villagers, a man approached me. I had noticed him before, waiting his turn. He was not wearing tribal dress like the other commoners that had gathered, and so stood out to me.

"I know a doctor who can help," was all he said. I looked the man in the eyes and motioned for him to come with me into my study. When we were alone, I explained, "My family has had the best of doctors in the land."

"Doctor Formus is a very different kind of doctor," the man said.

"Never heard of him. Where is his practice? In the village?"

The man shook his head. "He lives in the Creber Mountains."

I stared hard at the man. He was thin, of average height, but it was impossible to tell his age. He had hair so blond it looked almost white.

"Doctor Formus can give you and your wife a child," the man continued, "A girl."

I nodded.

"Doctor Formus is a sorcerer. Would you allow him to use his magic?"

I knew very little about magic, but the thought of a baby girl brought me such joy, I answered, "My wife and I would try anything if it meant we would have a child."

"I will send Doctor Formus to you," the man said, "Under one condition."

Of course, I thought, I will reward him for his help. I will pay him however much he asks.

"On your daughter's eighteenth birthday, you will turn her over to me. She will be my wife."

I could not help but laugh at the request. "You would inherit everything I own!"

The man just stared at me as though he were making me the best offer in the world.

I could not stand it any longer. "Who are you?" I demanded.

"I am Martos of the Scani tribe. My people inhabit and control the eastern region of the Creber Mountains."

The name Scani sounded familiar, but I was sure I had never done any sort of business with the tribe, nor with the Martos family. Why had I never met any Scanis, our neighbors to the northeast? Where had I heard those names before?

Martos continued. "It would be a grand alliance to join our peoples."

"Vagus is a peaceful land. We have no enemies and no need for allies."

"Summus Calto, there is evil in this world. It is far greater than the evil within humankind and it is the enemy of all who are good, including you."

I nodded. "You are right. However, I cannot help but think you are after my wealth."

Martos laughed. "I have no need of your wealth. My father is the richest man in all of Scani." He reached into his jacket and produced an enormous jewel unlike any I had ever seen before. I was amazed. From his conventional clothing, I could tell Martos had money, but this proved he was truly rich. The jewel was the color of honey. I could not take my eyes from it. I was about to agree to Martos's terms. It seemed a good idea to combine our wealth. I reached out to touch the strange gem, but in a flash, it was back in Martos's pocket.

"I am sorry," I said. I looked at Martos and something was not right. I felt I should not trust him. "I think I would rather keep trying for a child the usual way," I added.

Martos smirked knowingly and then he was gone.

That night, when Milea came to bed, she looked beautiful. I wanted her and I knew she would have me, but not enjoy it much. She had been so tired and worried lately.

"My love," I said, hoping to pique her interest, "I had the strangest offer today." I told her about Martos and Doctor Formus.

"And what did you tell him," my wife asked.

"I told him we would rather do it...the other way," I suggested.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you are so beautiful," I said.

"Calto!" she exclaimed. "You are in no position to turn down such an offer!"

"Milea, he was asking an incredible amount! He wanted the entire manor! Our future daughter! Everything we own!"

"You are a fool," was all she said. Then she turned away from me.

All night, I considered the offer. Martos was certainly rich and he seemed young enough that he would still be attractive to my daughter eighteen years from now. I still could not tell his actual age. Perhaps Milea was right. Perhaps I had turned away a good offer.

The next morning, to my surprise, Martos was back, waiting his turn again. This time, I took him to the front of the line. "I accept your offer," I told him.