Fiction

         Felix ran non-stop, not looking back to see if his angry-father was still after him. He ran until he could not go any farther so he stopped and dropped on the ground. After lying on his back for a few minutes, he sat up. When he got up and looked around, he was amazed that he came so far, but he didn't know where he was because he had never been so far from his district before. His joy was cut short, however, by a painful feeling in his stomach: he was hungry, but that meant nothing because he had nothing to eat. 

     It was then that he heard someone singing down-hill. Although he couldn't make out the words, the voice to him was as the voice of a nymph. He followed the sound and it led him to a pond where he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He jumped from tree to tree heading down toward the pond, all the while trying not to make a sound, trying to get a better look at her.

     Felix had a good enough view of her, but he wanted a closer look. But, as he tried getting closer, he stepped on a twig, which snapped under his feet. "Who's there?" the maiden demanded.

     "It is I, my good lady." He came out into the open like one enchanted.

     "Do I know you?" 

     "No, I do not believe so," he said coming closer. "I doubt I would ever forget meeting you."

     She stared at him as he stood upon the hill-top. The sun was going down and he stood up there like a silhouette. He came down. She stared at his dark skin and hair. She fell at his feet. "Who am I among the daughters of mortal man to behold your beauty? A curse upon me and my father's kindred if you will not have dinner at my house this evening, O Mighty Prince!"

     "O Daughter of the Sun, Queen among the stars of heaven, I pray you, sing not my praises, for I am the least of mortal men."

     Felix stared into her eyes and was mesmerized. Her skin was light brown, with cheeks as bright as a leaf in the Fall Season. Her eyes were light brown, and her hair reached to her back. Felix felt his heart melting at the sight of her.

     "I am Felix of Amedi. What is your name?"

     "I am Mirrabel of Lumiel, My Prince."

     Felix placed his hand on her cheeks, and they stood there gazing into one another's eyes. She took her eyes off him though reluctantly and pulled three robes she had drying on a dry-branch. "Please, My Lord, you must spend the evening at my place," she said. "My parents will be pleased to meet you. As you can see, we live in isolation, living so close to the border of the city."

     "I would be delighted," he said.

     "It is settled then," she said. "Please, follow me!"

     She folded the robes and carried them in front of her as she struggled to make her way up-hill. "Allow me," he said and took them from her as she led the way.

     Felix wasn't sure what to expect as they walked farther into the woods. He figured, even if she lived in a hut, it would be better than sleeping in the open woods. But the sight, which was before him, took his breath away. The house was enormous. It was a three-story home. Virtually no one in Siloh lived in a three-story home. Only the few marvelously rich could afford such luxury.

     Mirrabel ran to the front door and opened it up for him and he went in. The house was dark: if not for a few scattered lamps burning, everything would be pitched-black.

     "Honey, you're home," he heard. A female figure came out into the open. She was a lovely black woman, darker in complexion than Mirrabel. "What's this? We have a guest?"

     "Yes ma'am! Felix," Mirrabel said, taking the garments from him, "this is Kristabelle, my mother." Mirrabel disappeared for but a moment and returned and the clothes were gone.

     Mother?-he thought.-I would have guessed an older sister. "Pleased to meet you madam...! Thank you for your hospitality."

     "We are always pleased to have visitors, Felix. Do join us in the dining-room for supper! You will, won't you?"

     "I will. Thank you!"

     Mirrabel took his hand and they walked through a long hallway and eventually entered a room filled with lamps burning. A man sat at the head of the table. When Felix drew closer, he was surprised to find that he was a graham-complexioned man.

     "Marvelous," he exclaimed, "we have company."

     "Yes dearest! The gentleman's name is Felix. Our daughter met with him by Wormwood Pond."

     "My name is Carlos, Felix. It is a pleasure to have you in my home. You must tell us what brought you here later. But now let's eat. Mirrabel, dear, bring a plate for Felix!" he said and sat back down. She went into their armoire and pulled out an expensive plate and silver ware as well as a glass and placed them next to hers. They were all seated. The table was very long, capable of seating more-than a dozen people. At the center of the table was a roasted duck sitting on herbs and next to it were rolls and, on the other side, green peas. Felix did not need to see in the pitcher to know what was in it: he could smell it. It was red wine.

     Felix had never had a better meal in his life. The duck was tender, just the right amount of seasoning; the rolls were warm, the butter rich. Even the peas were good, and he hated peas. But the wine was another story: every sip that he took, he had to close his eyes and hold his breath. He couldn't believe that he found pleasure in wine before that evening.   

     "How is everything, Felix?"

     "Words aren't enough to express my delight, Sir."

     Kristabelle looked at her husband and smiled. "I am so pleased to hear that you enjoy my cooking, Felix."

     "If you don't mind, I would like to know what brought you out here," Mr. Carlos said. "Not many people are willing to come this close to the border of Siloh."

     "Well, sir, I am on a quest."

     "A quest? What sort of quest?" Mirrabel asked.

     "Don't make it sound so bad. I think it sounds interesting," Mr. Carlos added.

     "But, pray, do tell! What exactly are you searching for?" Kristabelle asked.  

     "It is not thirst for adventure that has me on this quest. Rather, it is fear."

     "Fear?-Fear of what?" Mirrabel asked.

     "I fear the coming of prince Diamond. I have been awakened to the reality of Siloh's impending destruction. I wish to find shelter in the Sanctuary."

     There was a moment of silence across the table. Suddenly, Mirrabel got up and walked out. "Dear, come back!" her mother pleaded. But she kept going.

     "Please excuse me," Felix said. He pushed his chair back and went after her. She led him to a garden in their backyard. When he got outside, he found her sitting under a tree. "What's wrong?" he asked while approaching her. 

     She wouldn't look at him. "I think you know."

     He sat next to her and swallowed. "I was hoping that you would come with me? After all, you're not safe here. Neither you nor your parents."

     She embraced him. "You know I cannot do that. This place is all I know. I am not an adventurer like you. But why do you not stay here with me? My parents like you. Plus, we need the help around the house. Father would be glad to have another man around to help him with the manly-chores."

     Felix grabbed his hair out of frustration. "I don't understand?" he said. "I just don't!"

     "What is it that you do not understand?" she asked, rubbing his shoulders.

     "There is a judgment coming ever so close, yet it is being taken so lightly. Can't you see? Do you not understand? This will prove ill for you."

     Mirrabel wiped her eyes, got up, and went in, not saying another word.

     Felix sat there, his gaze set to the darkening-sky. Then tears began running down his cheeks. He had both hands over his eyes, weeping for the woman he loved. Eventually it got dark and he went inside, where he was given a well-furnished guest-room with a most comfortable bed, but thoughts of Mirrabel troubled him too much for comfort.

     All night, he had terrible nightmares of Siloh burning to the ground. In the dream, he was close to the Sanctuary, but having spent too much time at Mirrabel's house, the prince came just when he was about to enter the Sanctuary. Needless to say, when it was morning, he was ready to go. He didn't even bathe. He was in the process of getting ready to leave when Mirrabel came in and sat on his bed.

     "So you are leaving me!"

     "I must."

     "Is there something wrong with me?" she asked and went behind him and embraced him, placing her head on his back.

     He turned around and moved her away. "Why would you ask me such a ridiculous question? You know my feelings for you."

     "Well, if there wasn't something wrong with me, I know you would have gladly stayed." She sighed. "I drive everyone away."

     Felix put his sandal on and fixed his robe.

     "Lady Mirrabel, my leaving has nothing to do with you. To tell you the truth, I am even more distressed at your staying than you are at my departure."

     Mirrabel fell at his feet and wept, pleading, "Felix, don't abandon me!"

     Felix pulled her to her feet. "You're sounding very much like a foolish girl. How can you sit here and ask me to forfeit my freedom for a few years of pleasure, and spend the rest of my life in a dungeon?"

     She crossed her arms like a child. "You do not care for me."

     "I do care for you. You know that. If I didn't, I wouldn't have tried to persuade you to come. I believe the problem is you do not care for yourself. If you did, you would take heed to my pleas."

     "Your pleas?-Why should I take heed to your pleas? Your warnings are ridiculous! You speak of a judgment hidden from everyone else but you! You're mad!"

     "Mad you say? Am I not justified for calling you foolish? How can you care for my safety when you do not care about your own? I know it cannot be that you do not believe in the existence of prince Diamond. This very city we live in exalts his majesty. Moreover, there are none wiser than his servants, nor are there any happier."

     "I do not deny the existence of his majesty because I, too, am a servant of his. I do, however, deny those so-called heralds of his, putting everyone in a panic about some silly judgment. We all know that he is a loving king. He would never bring harm to his subjects."

     "You're a faithful servant of his majesty's you say? When was the last time you paid taxes? If he is your king as you have so claimed, tell me his laws and decrees!"

     She remained silent.

     "You cannot because you are not his servant as you have said." He turned from her and said under his breath woefully, "None of us are."

     "What makes you think he cares about us and what we do? He is a mighty king with riches beyond our understanding. What are our taxes compared to his glories and splendor? He has no need of us."

     "That is not for you to say, Mirrabel! You are the subject and he is your lord and king. Such judgment is his and his alone. It is not for you to say when it is time to stop paying tributes; that is what distinguishes a rebel from a faithful servant." Felix' feelings for her slowly atrophied, for no longer did he behold her as the lovely maiden he once crossed-path with in that enchanted-pond, nor did he crave her presence as once before. "Lady Mirrabel, it is clear that you and I cannot be. Our destinies are like light and darkness, the day and the night. But I do thank you for the kindness that you have shown me. However, I have to go. Farewell, my Lady." He bowed to her and left the room to take leave of the maiden's parents.

     He found them in the dining-room eating breakfast. "You're leaving already?" Kristabel said. "At least have breakfast with us before you go, Felix"

     "Thank you, Ma'am. I am grateful to you and Mr. Carlos. Words are not enough to express my gratitude. But, I fear I can not stay a moment longer. I was visited during the night with visions of fire and destruction. I pray that you will excuse my seeming rudeness. I really am grateful for the kindness that you have shown me. I hope that the king will likewise show kindness to you in that terrible day to come. I'm sorry. Thank you again."

      They looked at each other and said nothing. He knew they were offended but he had to go; he couldn't risk it; so he walked toward the door. He was about to leave when he heard Mirrabel's voice:  "Are you leaving already?" He was turning around when something struck him on the head and he fell unconscious.

     When Felix woke up, he found himself on a chair in a darkroom, and when he tried to free himself, he could not, for he was bound with cords. "Who is the heartless coward that dared attacked me with my back turned?" He shouted. "I challenge you: untie these ropes!" He heard footsteps creaking down the wooden-stairs and he held his peace, waiting for the criminal to show his face.

     "Are you hungry?"

     "Mirrabel? What is the meaning of this?"

     "I cannot let you to go."

     Felix was furious. "Untie me this instant, Mirrabel!"

     "I told you, I cannot do that. You‘re a danger to yourself!"

     "I'm a danger to myself?" Felix reiterated. "Why do you say that?"

     "If you only knew the risk you were taking."

     "I know the risk I plan to take! But surely it is not a risk compared to living in this accursed city."

     "Living in this city is not a risk!" she replied sharply. "We were fine until those heralds came, proclaiming rebellion, sending our young and old into a mental craze, searching for some imaginary Sanctuary!"

     Felix looked troubled. "It is clear that you have no regard for our king or his warnings. Even though I'm troubled by your decision, nonetheless, it is your decision. Therefore, I have to respect it. But I would like you to respect mine as well."

     "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Felix. I won't allow you to put yourself in danger."  She passed her hands on his face and kissed him on the cheeks.

     He shook his head in disgust. "Release me this instant, you daughter of serpents!"

     "You're angry. I know you don't mean it. Now sit still. I'll be back with breakfast, okay?"  She went up the stairs. In a few minutes she came back down with a bowl of hot porridge. Then she took a spoonful and said, "Open wide!" He sealed his lips shut so nothing could go in. "You need to eat now. There'll be nothing else until dinner."

     "You mad witch! I would rather die of starvation than to eat your rat poison!"

     She swallowed, her eyes red with tears. "You don't mean that!"

     "Yes, I do! And you know what else? You're crazy! I wish I never met you! Now you might as well go dump that mess outside because I don't want it!"

     "How dare you speak to me that way!" she said and wiped her eyes. "Who do you think you are, anyway? You'll eat when you're told to eat!" She grabbed a cane leaning against the wall and started beating him violently. She chastised him until he bled, then she threw the bowl of porridge on him, mangling it with his blood. She went back up the stairs furious.

     When Mirrabel got upstairs, Mr. Carlos saw that something was bothering her. "What's wrong?"

     "He refused to eat, so I had to chastise him."

     Kristabelle ran her fingers through her daughter's hair. "Give him time sweetheart. He's upset. But, please, make sure he doesn't end up like the others! We can't afford to have anyone else disappear under our roof! People are becoming suspicious!"

     "I was younger then. Plus, he's different from the others, mother! He's an absolute gentleman. He hasn't even touched me yet. I think I love him. I just wish he could see that."

     "Be patient. Things like this take time."

     "I know. But I guess-I can watch my temper a little better." She smiled at her parents and then went to their cooking room, there she took a wet rag and poured some water from a stone canister into a bowl. She went back down the stairs to tend to his wounds. She found him conscious, but looking awful. She walked up to him carefully in the dark. "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have lost my temper like I did!"

     Felix looked up at her, still weak from the beating. "Why are you doing this to me?"

     Tears began running down Mirrabel's cheeks. "Oh Felix, I wish I didn't have to."

     Felix kept his gaze upon her and noticed some sincerity. "But you don't have to. I can see that you believe what you're doing is right. But please, if you care for me as you say, I pray you to release me so that I can continue my pilgrimage."

     Mirrabel stared at him in wonder and noticed burning fear in his eyes, but it was something beyond her understanding. She decided to sit next to him on the floor by his chair. "Why is that place so important to you, Felix? Tell me! Please. I have never seen such determination."

     "I once thought as you do, and took this dilemma very lightly. I thought all heralds were frauds, trying to change our ways of life. But yesterday, I met a herald, who was different. He was stern, Mirrabell. I could tell as he was speaking, the sanctuary wasn't just an idea to him. It was real: the judgment was real, and prince Diamond was real. But as he was heralding his king's message, some of the people challenged him in verbal combat. Even though he was all alone, and there were dozens of them, more gathering together as he spoke, he was never intimidated. Not one of us could stand to his wisdom. His message made the wisdom of our philosopher sound foolish. But he didn't win me over with his message just yet. I loved how he argued and I knew that there was something to his message, but I just didn't see how important it was. But what came next opened my eyes, showing me how seriousness it was."

     "What do you mean?"

     "They gripped him off his horse, Mirrabel, and dragged him off to the executioner. For what reason, I do not know. But in that instant, I knew I had to get the directions from him before they decapitated him and lose any hope of salvation. To be truthful, I did not know if he would have hearkened unto me, considering his predicament. But to my surprise, despite his predicament, he wanted to help me. He even called me son.  But what amazed me the most was his death: the second before they murdered him, instead of cursing, he cried:

I regret I couldn't do more for you my king!

And, in that instant, I knew he was a righteous man with his king, and that the city was guilty of shedding innocent blood. Worst of all, this was not the first. I knew I had to leave the city before the king's judgment fell upon me. I ran home to warn my parents, but they would not listen to me. Instead, they tried to discourage me. My father even tried using force, but I escaped. After running for a long time, I found myself in hunger, and that's when I heard your voice and met up with you.

     "Oh a thousand curses upon that day! I beg of you, please allow me to continue my journey! I have never been so afraid in my entire life." He broke down crying.

     Mirrabel also wept. "But, Felix, if you go I will never see you again! You don't know how much I care about you!"

     Felix, seeing his fate, bowed his head with tears running down his cheeks. "Then I pray you, my Lady, end my life. I have no reason to live."

     "How can you say that? What about me? What about us?"

     "Please leave me be. I wish never to see your face any longer. Though your cheeks shine as the sun in a bright summer day, your heart is as cold as ice in a winter morning. Allow me to die of starvation if you will, but I do not wish to see your face any longer."

     She slapped him. "You do not wish to see my face?"  She ran back up the stairs in bitterest rage and came back down with her father's sword. She raised the sword above her head. "You don't want to see my face? Very well, you will never see my face again. You will never see another face again."

     "Go ahead! End my misery!" But, just as Felix was about to close his eyes, outside, by the window, he saw a long beautiful white shape rushing by: it was so quick that he wasn't sure if it was a vision or if he was simply delirious, but, in that instant, the rope biding him crumbled like thin baked-clay. He immediately tackled Mirrabel to the ground. Covering her mouth, he knocked her unconscious, lest she called for her father. Sneaking up the stairs, he made his way out and ran, leaving the borders of Siloh.