Chapter 5: Elysia (Patreon)

                                                            𝕰𝖑𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖆

Elysia found the difference between riding in the back of the wagon and inside in a seat interesting. Whenever she had traveled before, she found the tallest hay bale so she could see further than everyone else. Now she sat inside, covered by wood and fabric, not knowing what was going on outside. She didn't even have someone with her to help guide her along on her journey except for the driver who started singing an old melody about the forest she used to live by. And two flag carriers behind on horseback with Maddox's dark blue colors.

As she pulled at her dress to straighten up she realized how uncomfortable it felt. She would have hated to grow up in such intolerable clothing. Her father always had her dress in cheap dresses that were itchy but loose and easy to move in. Now, Elysia found it difficult to just slide across the padded seats to look out the window.

In hindsight, she realized that probably was not a good idea. She could see the castle she used to work in getting smaller and the people getting poorer as the carriage pulled them along the dirt path. It would be a long journey to the destination of Wellbourne and she had been told stops were to be minimal as they didn't want any chance of people catching a glimpse of the so-called "Princess". She had asked Conroy Maddox what he was going to do with the real Antonella. He had no answer as he simply motioned her to leave.

None of the Duke's family came out to say goodbye or give thanks for her sacrifice. They probably didn't even think of it as being hard. People like them rarely thought of anyone but themselves and that wasn't unjust to Elysia's mind. She took her duty to perform as a Marquees like a fine singer who would need to perform for the Queen's entertainment.

The handmaiden's mother coached her on the ways of higher society as much as she could as she dressed her in such little time. Elysia tried to reimagine their conversation in her head but came up empty as she closed the fabric to the window and looked over at her books that were tied over with velvet cloth and bright gold string. It was the only thing she was allowed to bring with her on the journey since she would need no reminder of her old life. Mother had said "Being married into a new family strips you of your old. You are not a Maddox anymore and you are definitely not Elysia. You will be a LeVane, their colors of gold and white are yours."

Elysia picked up the largest book and let her eyes glance around the pages. She figured they would be the best distraction as her reading speed was nothing to gloat about. It told stories of what was inside the blood forest, things she could have never imagined the witches to be capable of... happening to the soldiers who stepped foot past the barriers.

Having lived so close to it all those years, Elysia wondered why everyone was so afraid of it. She was more afraid of going to town where the nasty men and evil women looked at her like she was the same as them. Even though they wore metal shackles on their feet and hands they looked down at her for where she was from. The land of workers and poor wimps. That may have been true for many, but she was not the same as them. She found it calming to sneak past those barriers in the night and lay on the moss grounds examining the tree line that accentuated the bright and dreamy stars. At her home, the smoke from the butcher blocked any sort of visuals so it was a real treat to gaze at what was in the sky.

Hearing a knock in the front of the carriage, Elysia jumped upon hearing the driver's voice, "If you need to take a piss now is the time girl."

Her door opened and the men stepped out of the way. She wondered if they were going to have to treat her differently later in the journey. She only stepped out and oversaw the city they were passing through. "Where are we?"

"Outside of Tandona."

Elysia didn't have to hear anymore- she knew what that meant. "The land of soldiers and warriors." Smiling, the girl let the night air blow her hair back in amazement. The tales she heard from their swords were magical.

"The land of bloody cocky cocksuckers." The driver didn't seem embarrassed as a stream of piss landed on the bushes behind the carriage, steam raising from the difference in temperatures.

It didn't surprise Elysia, for she knew him to be a sour man when he would cuss in the stalls. He was the type of man she was used to being around. "We are riding through?"

He nodded, "Straight through." Opening up a cloth beside his seat, he handed her some bread and a jar full of preserves. "Eat up princess, then get some rest. We will be at your new home soon enough."

Holding the items in her arms the girl only glanced at the men who still sat on the back of their horses. They were probably waiting for her to go back inside to do their business so she only gave them a kind look before stepping into the carriage. She wondered what kinds of foods would be provided in a place such as Wellbourne: What did a Queen eat? She hoped it was as good as berry preserves.

Eating like the handmaiden she was, Elysia stuffed her mouth with the stale bread and peeked outside of the curtains the driver wanted her to keep closed. If her mouth hadn't been as full as it was she would have let her jaw drop, men and women alike lined up in lines even at the dusk of dawn listening to the instructions of men on horses. Their armor bright and big, their yells loud and heavy as mist settled on the only parts of their skin that were on display.

She searched their faces wondering if anyone would look back at her, but she was wrong. Their empty eyes didn't look at the carriage coming through curiously, but they did hold their swords up in the air as if they were offering it to someone. She wondered who it could be to but as realization hit her she let her curtain fall back down. They saw the carriage and knew to stop what they were doing to salute royalty, even if they hadn't any idea who was inside.

Dirty was an understatement as she held her stomach. Lying came easy to her when it was her only option but the fact that people of her same class were putting her on a pedestal made her feel sick. She was a nobody thrust into a world she knew nothing about.

"You are distressed?"

Jumping higher than she thought possible, Elysia studied the woman in all black who sat on the seat across from her. It was the same woman who had helped the Maddox family in their plan. She knew the witch was made from magic and bad gods, but she still looked around like she had walked in through an open door. "What are you doing here?"

The green eyes blinked slowly before tilting to the side, making the girl uncomfortable. She swallowed any nerves she had to satisfy her own curiosity. "You go by the name Onoris? How does one get that name?"

The Witch's eyes crinkled. "I'm here before you in spirit and that's the question you choose to ask me?"

"No," Elysia said quietly. Thinking carefully for a few seconds, she put her hands in her lap to seem more professional. "Why are you here?"

"The Maddox's sent you alone, I'm only here on behalf of who I serve." The witch looked out the window, creating a silence between them. She didn't bother being discreet as she watched the soldiers pass by. The only thing heard was the crunching sounds of the wheels running over loose rocks. "They worry about your safety now."

Elysia Let her lip curve, "I would happily take their daughter's place if that is what they wish."

"I wasn't speaking of the humans." Onoris leaned forward searching the girl's eyes. "What they did to you hasn't been done in centuries girl."

Holding her breath, Elysia tried to slow her heart rate down but came up unsuccessful as her mouth opened and she gasped for air. She didn't want to be a product of the underworld. When she got up from the floor after the witch held her face she still felt normal. Being like everyone else was all she wanted, but it seemed every day she fell further away from that wish. Now she was being sent to a world where pure blood ran, and there was no way someone with that status would see through the trickery.

"Don't be troubled." Onoris held her hand out and grabbed the girl's face again to bring her forward.

"I'll be married to a half-blood, he will notice my status. I am not royal."

The witch's covered hands cooed her cheek softly, almost comforting the girl back to breathing normally. "They have the blood of gods running through them but now...you do too."

It took only a blink From Elysia to give the witch enough time to disappear. When she noticed the woman to be gone, her eyes scanned the now dark interior and wondered if she had been dreaming. The sky was completely dark now and the only light came from the lantern swinging by the driver. Had she imagined that whole interaction?

Looking down at her shaky hands, the realization of what was happening hit her. She was going to Wellbourne to marry in place of the Marquees, become a princess and take a new identity of someone royal. She would forever be known as royalty and her old life would never be explored again. She would have to bear children and be a good wife. How would she be able to pull off such a long con? If they found out would the consequence be death?

She knew nothing of the Queen and Prince but she hoped they were at least nice. If they were made from the gods that had to mean they were...right?

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