Wind and Ash

“Go to sleep, Dara”. Small, button nose girl with dark brown hair looked up from an old worn out book. Her mother, from whom Dara inherited her hair and ivory skin, caught her eyes that resembled her father's dark chocolate brown. Dara was unhappy about retiring to bed. It meant laying down on bed while curiosity bubbled in her chest.

“Mumma I am reading about the female warrior, Alexandra of Seriva.” 

She hopped it would be enough of reason for her mother to let her remain awake past her bedtime. When her mother didn't move from the doorway, Dara trudged to the bathroom with slumped shoulders. After getting ready for her bed, she placed the book aside and hugged her mother before getting behind her sheets.

As soon as Dara closed her eyes, she was pulled into one of her dreams. Darkness started to crowd her silhouette on the bed preventing the moonlight from entering the room. Breeze came through the window carrying the smell of ash.

***

Opening her eyes, Dara felt herself sitting on an invisible ground. She was surrounded by darkness from the abyss. She was never afraid of darkness. It always reminded her of her grandmother. Suddenly a brightness surrounded her. She squinted her eyes to adapt with the brightness. After her eyes got adjusted, Dara found a mirror before her. She moved closer to it and curiously observed it. A pair of icy blue eyes appeared on the mirror. She yelped but soon got mesmerized by it. The mirror disappeared and Dara found herself falling.

***

She sat up in a flash. Her heart thundering in her chest. A deep feeling of longing spread through her chest it pained her beyond relief. 

“Are you alright”. Maria, the healer, inquired. Her voice so soft that it blanketed Alexandra with warmth. She rubbed her chest lightly. Once again she dreamt of that fateful night. The night changed her life. The night that separated her from the known and thrown her into the unknown. 

With a nod she answered Maria's question and gazed at the mountains that were beyond. She was dragged to her thoughts. To the king who betrayed her and to the man who supported the king. The man whom she trusted and loved.

***

After a month of recovery and planning, Alexandra left for the borders of Seriva. Mounting her stallion, she made the journey to the borders. Upon arriving the periphery of the kingdom, she called upon the power of wind and entered the kingdom. 

Disguising herself, she entered the palace and reached king's chamber. She waited. As soon as the king retired to his bed, she came from the shadows. King opened his eyes but before he could utter a word his heart was pierced by the sword. Covered in blood, she came out of the room. She kept walking until the man, the commander, who broke her trust appeared before her. 

“As expected of you”. He smiled but it didn't last as he flicked his fingers and his sword appeared. 

With the thought to finish it for forever, Alexandra attacked him. The duel went on. It was flash of limbs and striking of swords. The man went on his knees as his sword went flying behind him. Without hesitation, Alexandra beheaded him while at the same moment he summoned the power of flame. Alexandra turned with palace.

***

Next morning, Dara woke up with a gasp. She made her way to the mirror placed on her dresser. Lifting the shirt of her night dress, she saw the fatal wound which the man gave to Alexandra. 

Hearing her mother's voice coming from downstairs, she went down and froze on her way when she saw the boy from her neighbourhood standing before her. The boy came towards her and pulled her in a hug, whispering the words that angered and made her feel in love at the same moment. Pulling away she looked into icy blue eyes that she dreamt, the same eyes which the man Alexandra loved had.