Kione ~Chapter Three~

Chapter 3 1

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Kione raced up the servant’s stairway, afraid the words Waitsen had spoke were true. The Old Mother couldn’t be sick. Granted she was old, but she had always been old, ever since Kione had met her. Wise women were not supposed to die! They were to live and help those around them and Kione still needed help.3

Kione remembered when she had first been adopted into the castle. As a small runt with a big mouth she had a lot nerve stomping around the castle spouting her point of view on things. Kione felt a small smile forming on her lips. What a revolutionary she’d been back then. With the help of the Old Mother she had continued to change the King’s view about the surrounding countryside by learning the subtleties of the matter and only pressing the most important issues.              4

Kione’s feet flew over the last few stairs and she slowed to walk so as not to startle the Old Mother just in case Waitsen had been untruthful. Oh god how she hoped he had lied. Things had been uneasy in the castle lately and without the Old Mother she wouldn’t know how to confront it.     5

Kione rested her head on the door trying to get her bearing. “Come in Kione, I know you’re there.” 6

So much for bearings, Kione thought. Sighing, she entered the room. The Old Mother’s room was small, even smaller then the regular servant’s rooms. When the King first summoned her to the castle he had treated her like a guest, offering her a chamber and everything. He didn’t even seem offended when the Old Mother declined his invitation, wishing instead to stay outdoors where she felt more comfortable. 7

From what Kione understood she had been brought to the castle as a healer. The King almost immediately after that banned anyone from seeing her. Nobody really listened to him though and saw her anyway. They were either curious, or they firmly believed in her powers. No matter what the reason everyone walked away satisfied unlike how it was when they had gone to see a Doctor. The Doctor’s medicines always seemed to cause more harm then good, and then they had the nerve to charge! The Old Mother refused payment, saying it was her duty to help God’s creatures. Then again, she was always choosey about who she considered to be apart of God’s creatures. 8

The servants often gossiped that the reason the King refused to see the Old Mother was that she had once made him go bald when he had used one of her potions, which would explain his thinning hair. If this were true then Kione was sure that the Old Mother had plenty of reason for doing it. One time Kione had asked about whether or not the gossip was true and the Old Mother had replied, tight-lipped, that she never made mistakes. Kione smiled at the memory knowing that she would hold it close to her heart forever. 9

“How’d you know I was there?” This was almost like a game they played; the Old Mother could always tell when she was approaching. No matter what was happening this conversation stayed the same. Today though Kione almost wished it hadn’t, giving herself a little more time to think.       10

“I’m losing my wits, not my nose,” then softer, almost like she was talking to herself the Old Mother said, “The nose is always the last to go.” She let out a racking cough before beginning to laugh. “I may not have any wits about me, but I’m be able to smell for miles away.” 11

“What are you talking about? You’re not losing your wits, you’re perfectly sane.” Kione was confused by the Old Mother’s words. None of what she said made any sense. This wasn’t their usual bantering dialogue. 12

Kione walked further into the room, shutting the wooden door behind her. The room was drafty and she was glad someone had had enough reason to get a small fire going. Taking a few more steps she stood next to the rocker where the Old Mother rested. Kione decided that she should have a new room or at least move into Kione’s quarters; she would ask the King’s advice. He would most likely agree with her, the room was just to small and narrow for anyone to possibly live in. Looking around the cramped room Kione was overwhelmed by disgust. There were messes everywhere and a thin layer of dust coated most things. Kione would remember to reprimand the servants for their lax performance later. 13

“The room’s fine, now what have you come to see me about?” 14

“Waitsen said you were sick and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” 15

The Old Mother interrupted her mid sentence, correcting her, “Dying.”16

“Wait, what did you say?” Kione said without even pausing for breath. 17

“I said I’m dying.” This time the Old Mother was gentler when she spoke, almost apologetic with her tone. “My shadows wrapped tightly around me tonight, love.” 18

“No mother, you must fight it!” Leaning over her mother’s armchair she shook her by the shoulders. “Please I beg of you to wait, it’s not fair to have you leave me too!” 19

The old mother let out a crackle that soon turned to a dry wheeze. “You of all people should know that life is anything but fair.”  20

“That doesn’t mean it has to be cruel!” 21

“Hush child, do not let your temper get to you. You will do many great things in your life and I am just an old lady holding you back. Beware though, not everyone will care for you as I have.” 22

“Nobody has ever cared for me like you, and yet they all leave me anyway.” 23

“I’ll not stay to hear you speak such nonsense.” 24

“But you’ll leave me no matter!” 25

The old mother stared off into the fire mesmerized by it. “My soul is an old one; it does not listen to the foolish pleas of mortals.” 26

Kione collapsed to the floor, her head lying in her mothers lap. “Please then, do not let them take you till morning.” Kione raised her head, sobbing, and spoke into the rooms air, “You hear me? You can’t take her… She’s all I have left.” 27

The old mother gently stroked Kione’s hair, trying to sooth her. “If it helps then I will stay until morning. Rest yourself now for when you feel the rays of morning kiss your face it will be my last goodbye to you.” 28

~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~~`~29

Kione walked the foreign land in utter amazement at the sights before her. Here was a grassy paradise covered in beautiful wildflowers. The sky a clear blue with puffy marshmallow clouds floating by. Climbing up the hill in front of her she wondered if anything else could surpass this place. It was almost like it had come straight out of her dreams or a painting she had just walked into. As she reached the crest of the hill her mouth hung open. 30

“Beautiful isn’t it?” 31

Kione searched around for the location of the voice and for the first time noticed the woman lying in the tall grass, using her hands as a pillow behind her head. She was gorgeous, a rival to any goddess. 32

She had dark brown hair almost as black as the raven’s wing, her big eyes were the same blue as the sky and Kione even noticed the clouds reflecting in them when she approached closer. The woman’s skin was had a healthy glow, but nowhere near her own bronzed coloring. Standing over her Kione felt plain and incomparable next to the beauty. She wore a cream sundress that somehow had escaped getting dirty, looking down at her own cloths she felt like a slop. That morning she had been in such a hurry to help out in the village that she had put on her old discard dress. The brown confection was in such terrible shape that not even the maids would wear it and had begged her to get rid of it. Kione sighed, feeling pity for herself. 33

“This is no place to feel down, it is magical. Any wish your heart desires can come true.”      34

Plopping down next to the woman she gazed out over the hill. “Anything?” 35

The woman’s laughter bubbled out like clear spring water. “Be patient Kione. Look there at the sky, do you see those clouds?” 36

“I see many clouds.” 37

Propping up on her elbows the woman pointed towards the sky. “Look there.” Slowly she moved her finger conducting an invisible symphony and the clouds parted, reforming themselves. A small gasp escaped Kione’s mouth as she starred at her memories of was her Mother, Father, and the wise woman… 38

“How did you do that?” Kione said, awestruck with grief as she continued to stare up at the clouds. 39

“I told you, when you’re here you can do anything.” 40

“But, I don’t understand.”41

The woman interrupted her. “All in due time Kione, all in due time. Look up at the sky again.” She pointed her finger once more towards the sky and moved the clouds out of the sun’s way. The sun grew so bright Kione had to cover her eyes to keep them from hurting. When she felt it was safe she opened her eyes again and blinked several times trying to get used to the rays of light shinning through the darkened room. What had that been all about? 42

Her surroundings came back to her suddenly and she jerked her head out of the Old Mother’s lap. “Old Mother…” Kione looked into the Old Mother’s face and realized she was gone; the suns touch upon her face had been her last goodbye. Sobbing, she hugged the Old Mother tightly to her, afraid to let her go. She was all alone in the world now. Sure there were others around, but none of them meant as much. Why couldn’t one of them have died instead? 43

Kione didn’t know how long she lay there before there was a knock on the door. “Kione? Are you in there?” Kione didn’t answer and lay unmoving even as Waitsen entered the room. “I am sorry…” Kione knew he was trying to console her but it didn’t matter, nothing mattered. 44

“Please, go Waitsen! Now.” She spoke harsher then she meant to, but right now she just needed to be left alone. Kione tuned out her surroundings so that even if Waitsen had something before he left she hadn’t heard him.45