"Don't Say Sorry Vol.1" by Lyna Utano
Ch.1 Chill Dusk and Scalding Meeting.
As I exit the Pilgrim Tavern, I find the chill of dusk has settled in, stinging my cheeks as if to mock me. I must have been hustling for a good few hours now, with no luck.
It's my first day in this city, a place I naively hoped would be different. But it doesn't matter where I go, I am still Amacia Glasse, the useless- and talentless- bard.I sigh, closing the tavern door with a deliberate gentleness so as not to disturb anyone more than I already have.
"I guess there really is no one who wants me?" I muse to the emerging stars. I see the heads of shadowy clouds rolling in and consider finding a bed for the night.
But no! I may be useless, talentless, clumsy and frail, but Amacia Glasse is not a quitter! If the city won't have me, there must be somewhere else, I just need to go there! I have heard of an eldritch tower close by, I'm sure I might find a friend there. I just need to traverse the roads, infested with goblins and wolverines and-
"I don't think I can get there alone..." I moan to the stars yet again. To my surprise, I receive an answer:
"Senorita, you will surely catch sickness with such sad words. A harsh night calls for warmer words, si?"
I wheel about to the intruder, surprised and embarrassed to have been heard. I am ready to apologise and scamper away, but the words catch in my throat at the sight of the man.
Tall and limber yet belaying obvious strength and poise. He stands with a confidence I can only envy, twirling a beautiful chocolate brown moustache between his dextrous fingers. Clad in a fashionable shirt, tight to his toned muscles, and- as he takes a step closer- cloaked in a delicious fragrance of Amnian fruits. His cape, lay across his broad shoulders, shimmers like cerulean moonlight.
He is, in a word, beautiful.
He furrows his immaculate brow. "Apologies, Senorita, if I have startled you. This is not being my intencion."
"No!" I cough out, releasing my suspense. Is it fatigue making me feel so weird? "I just, uh, sorry."
"Why do you apologise? No-" He raises a hand from his sheaved sword, a beautiful slender thing, "This is not important. You are saying you cannot get somewhere alone? This will not do. Emire Favier never lets a beautiful girl be alone if he can be helping it. Tell me of your quandary, senorita."
"Amacia, I'm, um, Amacia."
"Amacia!" He says with a smile. Can a mortal smile really be so enchanting? "Tell me all..."
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
Anonymous
Ch.2 Tall Tower and Silver Light
As I walk behind him, gazing up at his graceful form, I ponder how I ended up in this situation. I had been ready, teetering on the edge of lonely despair, when this man- Emire Favier- whisked me away into the night.
I had explained my plan, to find companions at the Eldritch Tower, and accepting no complaint he had insisted that he take me there. "The night can be dangerous, no?" He said, his voice like elfsong,"But senorita, it is also beautiful! I am thinking of no better thing than to walk with a beautiful lady in this incredible moonlight. To walking the slopes of Mount Celestia, this I prefer with no doubt."
Having found myself with no words, only a dashing heart and burning cheeks, I could only accept. But now that we were out here, was he bored of this? I had barely spoken a word- I still could not find any- and I wasn?t nearly as pretty as the girls I am sure are usually welcome by his side.
Still the words do not come, so I resign myself to watching his graceful steps. He has an entrancing gait: practiced steps and purposeful strides. I cannot help but be spellbound by those feet, even though I should be watching for danger!
All of a sudden, he stops, and I nearly walk into him. I look up to apologise, to find him looking at me. Our eyes meet for a moment, but I am forced to look away or else be trapped in his gaze.
"It is a shame to look down so, senorita?" he says, quiet as the night breeze. I hasten to apologise- I really should have been watching for monsters- but he continues, "there is such wonder above, soon to be stolen by the storm! I would not be missing it, Amacia."
Stowing away my apology, I look up. He was right. Like a crack in the curtains, the stars poured glittering silver through the last break in the dark clouds. A river of spider silk spun in brilliant patterns.
I gawk in amazement, passing my sight over all the vast sky. I see the gentle curves of the clouds, illuminated by that dim light, as they pass over the looming castle wall. Had I really been so distracted to have not noticed this castle, not five paces to my side?
I hear Favier laugh gently over my shoulder, the sound tingling my cold-bitten ear. "One moment, Senorita, I will show you something." He says, his voice trailing gently away. I turn to see where he has gone, to find him halfway up the castle wall! He climbs, graceful as a cat, and just as quick. Fear trembles my legs as I bid him not to fall, searching my memory for a spell to save him if needed.
But my worry wasn't necessary. Before long he reaches the top and stands proud over the buttress. Stars glitter to either side of him and illuminate his silhouette, appearing as wings upon his shoulders. In a fleeting moment of fancy, I see him take flight.
It was beautiful.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
Anonymous
Ch.3 Somber Rain and Hidden Melancholy.
It was inevitable that the storm would come, yet still we were caught in the open. I am certain had I been faster, had Favier not needed to slow to my step, we would have been away from the cold shower. But Favier raises no complaint.
"Come, Amacia." He says with an unfaltering smile, snatching my wrist and pulling me from the road with a gentle tug. I fight the urge to freeze beneath his touch and follow to the shade of a great tree.Away from the rain, I watch icy breath leave my lips, erratic with my stolen breaths.
"I would not have you be freezing, senorita!" he says, deftly preparing a small fire- such skilled hands! "I curse I had not considered the rain. You should not have suffered it."
I feel a sting to see the loathing on his face, even as it remains beautiful. I must speak, even if only now!
"I-I don't really mind the rain." I stammer, awkwardly. "It has... its own kind of song, I think."
What am I saying! Must I be such a terrible bard here, in this moment?
"I agree!" comes his response, holding my thoughts, "there is a heart in all things, no? A beauty its own? Oh, it pleases me you notice it, Amacia."
I look to him. If there was a beauty in all things, the beauty in that smile trumped them all. Even still, where before I saw simply an enchanting spell,I felt like I saw him now- Emire Favier. Was it an illusion too, this connection that fluttered so loudly in the eves of my soul?
"I, um, I'm sorry Favier. We could have been warm and dry by now if I wasn't so slow..." I force out the apology that had hung on me. I couldn't bear the guilt of this happiness I had stolen with my own failure.
I look down, ashamed. I cannot face his gaze. But a moment later, I am looking at his spotless boots and, with a gentle hand beneath my downturned chin, I am pulled to look into his binding gaze once more.
"You say you slow us, Amacia?" He says, the words carried aloft on his sweet breath so close to me, "I say this is good, si? If I walk swiftly, I am not having this surprise."
"Sur-surprise?" I question, body itching for escape from this intoxication.
"The surprise of your company. Of what pleasure it is being, Amacia. I would ask the gods to stop time if I must to have this night with you go on. So do not be saying you are sorry."
Exasperated, I release the breath I was holding. A plume of white washes over his dazzling features.
"I- I'm sorry. My breath, it must be cold..." I manage.
"Then I shall warm it up." He retorts.
And leans closer.
Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
Anonymous