An...Experiment...
The candlelight flickered off the walls, casting odd shadows over the paper and and ink bottle on the old oak desk. Staring absently at the quill in her hand, Saible allowed the image to blur, foreground and background merging. sudenly, she snapped her gaze back into focus and frowned at the paper in front of her. It was frustrating, she thought, trying to write down one's feelings.
It was usually so easy to write. Essays for the local paper (under alias, of course), little stories for her sister's children, and letters to mother and father. Words just flowed out of her brain like water from the mountains in springtime. So why was this so difficult? She turned her gaze to the crisply folded sheet of paper on the left corner of her desk. Her name was neatly written out in Finn's deliberate hand, along with the address, 295 Oliver Alley.
She wasn't quite sure how to react to living in an alley, and the sight of it on the envalope still disturbed her slightly. She brought her mind back to her previous contemplation, reaching over and opeing the letter, reading the words over and over again, until they blurred on the page. They were just so...poetic. Yes, that was it. Poetic and frank. She never doubted a thing he said, and it was wonderful. "If only I could tell him that.." she muttered under her breath.
She carefully folded the letter and placed it back in the envalope, setting the whole package on her desk once more. Gazing out the window, she spied the moon's light catching on the steeple of the church accross the alley. Seized by a sudden strange compulsion, she pulled er boots on over her leggings, threw on a light cloak, and trotted downstairs and out into the snow.
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Finn was tired. Dart to Saber City was a ridiculous ride, and one that no sane person would ever reasonably attempt in a day. Then again, he was far from sane. With a slight smile, he nudged his horse into a slightly quicker walk, slowly cresting the last bend in the path. Below, spread out like an Ordisian landscape painting, was Saber City. A sigh of longing escaped his lips as he gazed at the city, nestled in the valley, with the mountains on all side. If you listened carefully enough, you could even hear the sea to the west, waves crashing rhythmically against the shores of Torrodeyn. Stiffly, he dismounted, taking Kiska's reins lightly in his hand, and leading his mount down the twisting path that lead to the city gates.
He hated to admit it, but aside from being tired, he was also quivering with excitement. "You should relax, Finn, she might not even be there. You didn't tell her you were coming," Kiska said wearily, head nodding withthe rhythm of his gait. Finn shot a glare at his horse, them looked up at the moon. "She'll be there," he whispered softly.
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Saible walked slowly accross the alley and around to the imposing front steps of the church. She climed them, taking her time, barely feeling the cold on her skin, and reached the large oak doors. She opened one, and it fell open silently on well oiled hinges. She stepped inside, suddenly trepidant, and closed the door behind her. It pulled to with a slight thump, and then there was silence. The moonlight filtered in through the stained glass windows, mixing with the light from a hundred candles, standing solemnly around the large sanctuary. She walked forward reverently, gazing up to the expanses of the dark dome above her, imaginig that it went on forever, reaching up to the home of the gods...
She felt a light touch on her shoulder, and spun around, broken from her reverie. The priest was standing behind her, a kind look on his old face, his hands folded into his loose brown robe. "Are you here for a confession, my child?" he asked softly, his voice echoing through the room. Saible shook her head, her dark hair falling softly around her face. "No, father," she responded, a slight flush coloring her cheeks, "I - I'm not sure why I'm here. I haven't heard mass in years." The old priest nodded, and put a withered hand on her shoulder. "The gods sometimes call us in strange ways, my child. You are welcome here in their house. Stay as long as you feel the need." Saible nodded her thanks as the priest turned away.
She turned slowly again, to face the north end of the building, which was lined with dark marble statues of the gods. She approached slowly, taking careful note of al their faces. The Trickster, the All Father, The Earth Mother...they were all depicted in sharp relief, each with their own personalities and expressions. Walking past the statues, she entered the area where the town members convened to hear mass every Thursday evening. It too was expansive beyond belief, the roof stretching out of her sight, and was lit with many candles. The long benches in front of the alter were empty, their occupants at home infront of their fires, trying to banish the winter chill. Taking off her cloak, Saible knelt in front of the alter and was silent, not sure what to do next.
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Finn had very little trouble at the gate, Not that he had expected any; his papers were all in order, with all the necessary documents present. Silently, he led Kiska through the streets and alleyways of Saber City, wending his way between the silent buildings until he came to Oliver Alley. "Only Torrodeynians would be silly enough to name their alleys," Kiska muttered under his breath. Finn just shook his head. The two of them came up to the small two story apartment at the end of the street, and Finn knocked lightly on the door. It wsa opened by an old woman, her face lined and creased, her wispy white hair tucked up under a kerchief to keep it off her face. She leaned against the doorway, wiping her hands upon her apron, and stared coldly at him.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" she demanded, eying the rapier at his side with an expression of distrust. Finn took a deep breath. "My name is Finn Eagleness. I'm looking for Saible Greenmeadow. Is she here?" he replied softly, unable to hide the longing from his eyes. The old woman's expression softened instantly at the mention of Saible. She looked accross the alley to the steps of the church. "She went over there,in somewhat of a hurry, about a half hour ago," she said, gesturing towards the building. Finn was gone almost before she had finished. "Thank you!" he called over his shoulder.
Kiska looked at the reins that Finn had dropped in the snow. "I guess it's up to me to ask if you have anythingn to eat," he said with a bit of a sigh, taking great delight in the woman's shocked expression. She gestured to a manger full of hay at the side of the building, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Kiska rolled his eyes. "I'll take that as a yes," he drawled, and proceeded to munch contentedly at the hay.
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After a few minutes silence in front of the altar, Saible started to speak. "I'm not sure why I came here today," she said softly, " and I'm not even sure if anyone is listening..." she trailed off, still hesitant. Behind her, there was a small creak, but she paid it no attention, to involved in her own contemplations. After a time of thought, she continued, her voice stronger and more sure. "I suppose I do know why, if I think about it. It's because I'm confused. I'm confused and frustrated." she paused, collecting her thoughts. "I'm in love, I think, " she continued softly, " and in the course of the past few months, I've been told so many wonderful things, I can't even list them all. He's so...poetic, and he's so loving. His letters are filled with such beautiful words, I'm just not sure what to say, except to thank him."
On impulse, she stood up, and began to pace. "And that's what's frustrating. I'm flattered that he feels that way about me, and I'm honored by his love, but I can't tell him that!" she placed both her hands on the altar and hung her head. "When I try to write it down on paper, the words just...disappear..." her voice grew softer, and a tear rolled down her cheek. "I just want to tell him...how much he means to me...how much I love him...but I can't find the words..."
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Finn entered the church with a feeling of peace. He had always liked churches. Something about the majesty of it all. It made him feel like he was six inches tall, in a good way. It was o much bigger than he could ever be, and it inspired awe in his soul, which not many things could do. He looked slowly arounnd the sactuary, and seeing no one, proceeded on to the congregational chamber. As he approached the door, he heard Saible's voice, and slowed, not wanting to disturb her. He quietly opened the door to hear her say, "I'm in love, I think." He stopped dead in his tracks, deciding suddenly that it might be a good idea to just wait and listen.
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When Saible had finished, she sank to her knees once more in front of the altar, eyes closed, biting her lip to keep from crying as the tears rolled down her cheeks. A look of pain on his face, Finn stepped forward quickly, reaching out to comfort her. She heard him and looked up, quickly wiping the tears from her face. As she stood up, recognition dawned on her face, and she stepped forward to meet his embrace, her face tucked tightly against his chest. She clung there like a child and cried. Finn stroked her hair and held her tightly. "Saible, my love," he whispered brokenly in her ear," please, I cannot bear to see you cry. " Saible looked up, her eyes still bright with unshed tears. "i'm sorry," she said quietly. Finn just pulled her close, and took a deep breath. "Oh Saible," he breathed, "I love you."
She pulled back. "I- I know you do," she replied, a slight blush coloring her cheeks once more. 'I- I just-" Finn interrupted her, putting one finger lightly to her lips. "I know." he told her gently, "I heard." Saible looked down at the floor. "Oh." Finn smiled and tilted her face up so he could look her in the eye. He kissed her lightly. "You don't have to say anything, my love." he told her softly. "All I have to do is look in your eyes and I know more than you could ever tell me with words."
"Besides," he contined, a small smile still on his face, "what kind of love would this be if it could be constrained to mere words? " Saible returned his smile, and moved closer. Finn held her, and she sighed softly, saying the only three words he needed to hear to feel six inches high. " I love you Finn."
Finn held her close and thought of the long road back to Dart, and the work he had to do, and the pain of leaving once more. Then he pushed all thoughts of reality out of his head. "And I love you, my dear. And I love you."
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Wow...that was interesting. Obviously, characters of Finn and Saible are c- me, since I fabricated them. Not really sure where this came from, but there are strong influences from many sources. My own experience, history class, my own imagination, and The Man in the Iron Mask, to name a few. The setting is Saber City, in the country of Torrodeyn in Arterea, the world where I set most of my writing. To see tha absurdity of Finn's ride from Dart(a trading town), do feel free to view the map here (Dart is on the peninsula, north of Saber City). I'm not really sure what else to say about this...Finn will probably be featured in subsequent writings, as he has an upcoming role in No Quarter, a novel which I will explain at a later date. If there are typos, which I'm sure there are, please forgive me, but I'm tired, and the hour for sleep draws nigh, so I'm not going to check it over. If you read the whole thing, then thanks! If you didn't, I understand!
~K