The One They Call Novaria (Ch. 1: Younger Children)

The One They Call Novaria (Ch. 1: Younger Children)

It was 1389 in the world of Trilind. A miraculous moment had occurred moments before for the royal parents. In the country of Maple, Queen Bayrayla was lying in bed cradling one of her new daughters. Beads of sweat were still on forehead from her strenuous labor. The King was sitting in a chair beside the bed, his hand resting on the woman's shoulder.
"I'm so happy," Bayrayla whispered, tears in her eyes.
"I love you," Nergithin said in a soft voice.
King Nergithin planted a kiss on his wife's cheek. The nurse was standing silently by the couple. She handed the cleaned newborn to the father. He looked at the second child's red face. He smiled.
"She has brown eyes," Nergithin noted.
Bayrayla and Nergithin had locks of blonde as well as blue eyes. The Queen had dark blonde hair past her shoulders and light blue eyes. The King had short hair, his hair a much lighter color than his wife's, his eyes much darker too. Both were in their mid-twenties, a new couple as well as fairly new rulers to the kingdom.
"This one has blue ones," Bayrayla replied.
Nergithin held the daughter in his arms closer to the other one to compare.
"Other than the eyes, I'd say they are going to look exactly alike," he laughed.
Bayrayla laughed too, "I have a name for this one."
"What is it?"
"We should call her Novaria. Nova for the stars. Her eyes look like the heaven above us," Bayrayla noted, looking at the ceiling above them and imagining the night sky.
"And her?"
The King and Queen switched babies. The Queen brought the daughter close to her chest.
"Mordavince," she replied.
"I like both names. It's a shame we didn't have a son though," Nergithin added.
"Maybe next time we will have a son," she giggled, kissing her husband.
"Ma'am," the nurse, Khisneyla, interrupted, "I should really take them and clean them a little more."
"Go ahead. I will be seeing their faces for years to come, I will not, but miss them momentarily," Bayrayla replied.
Khisneyla picked up Mordavince. She started to pick up Novaria, but paused.
"She's smiling," Khisneyla whispered.
The parents looked quickly at the daughter.
"She shouldn't know how to smile for a few months," Khisneyla told them.
"She must be a quick learner," Bayrayla laughed.
The baby laughed with her. Khisneyla gasped.
"I do believe we should expect wondrous things out of her. Only an hour old and she is smiling and laughing. Just think where she will be in ten years," Khisneyla whispered.
The nurse finally scooped up Novaria.
"They will be back in your arms in a matter of minutes," Khisneyla assured them.

A little over four and a half years went by. Novaria and Mordavince were running through the halls of the castle, their identical curly brown hair, bouncing. Their shoes tapped the floor loudly as they sprinted from room to room. The marble floors echoed throughout the castle. King Nergithin listened from his office area. His head was in his hand as he read a letter that had come in the mail.
"Girls! Girls, please stop running!" Khisneyla instructed, waving her arms as she followed after them.
Khisneyla was given the duty to watch the twins right after their birth. She was their guardian when their parents couldn't be. It was hard for her at times. Khisneyla was a round woman of about thirty-four who nearly bounced as she walked. Her hair was always stringy with a hint of gray and hung in her face from working all days with the troublesome twins.
"Novaria! Mordavince!" Khisneyla called out.
The girls were much quicker than their care taker. They disappeared up the stairway. Moments later, Mordavince began crying. She ran down the stairs at full speed until she went head first into her mom's leg.
Bayrayla looked at her daughter. Mordavince glanced up with teary eyes. The Queen's hands cupped the child's face and she squatted to the girl's level.
"Why are you crying?" Queen Bayrayla asked.
Anyone in the world of Trilind would feel fear at seeing the Queen. She was a very stern woman, more so than Nergithin himself. However, under her tight face was the kindest heart of all. She had grown to a very mature and beautiful woman in the course of four years. She also had learned to use a strong hand on the kingdom in order to keep things in line. However, when she looked upon her daughter's face, there was no stern look.
"Dry those tears," Bayrayla instructed.
Novaria came sliding to a halt on the floors at the sight of her mom. Khisneyla grabbed the girl by her sleeve as she turned to run again.
"I've got you now!" Khisneyla said triumphantly.
Novaria sulked and turned to face her mom.
"Novaria, what have you done?" Bayrayla asked.
"She croak," the girl mumbled.
Mordavince put her face against her mom's chest and sobbed some more.
"She is doing what?" the Queen asked again.
"She make a croak," Novaria whispered, slightly incoherent.
"Tell me what is going on," Bayrayla instructed Mordavince.
The girl went to speak and instead of talking, she let out a croak. It was the call of a tree frog. The noise made Novaria laugh. The girl grabbed her sides in her giggling fit.
"Novaria!" the Queen said bitterly.
Novaria quit her laughing and looked at the floor. It was true, Novaria was unlike most children. It had been evident from day one that she possessed a strong ability to perform magic. Magic wasn't very common among people and those who had it, barely had enough to do simple feats. Novaria had a strong force within her. Usually, the ability to perform magic became stronger as a person matures, but already Novaria was doing amazing things.
Mordavince didn't appear to possess any magic. Occasionally, a dog would turn it's head as she spoke to it or a zipper on a visitor's pants would seemingly unzip itself, but if Mordavince was magical it was hardly much to brag about. Normally, it took two parents with magical abilities to have a child with them. It was very recessive gene. However, neither the King or Queen could do a simple card trick let alone change someone's voice.
"Novaria, you listen. Change her voice back," she ordered.
Novaria made a swiping motion with her left hand. There were several small sparks of purple. Mordavince smiled.
"Momma," she whispered excitedly.
The Queen kissed the top of the girl's head.
"I speak no croak now," she said delightedly.
The girl pranced away from her mom. Novaria stood glued in her place as Nergithin walked heavily into the entrance hallway. He was still staring bewildered at a letter written on cream paper.
"What are you reading?" Bayrayla asked.
"Something that arrived this morning. I'm not understanding. It's very odd," he told her, handing her the paper.
"It's an invitation, Nergithin. Someone wants to meet as at the docks tomorrow morning. Did the envelope say whom?"
"No, I'm sure it is probably your sister being silly."
"No, not Tyabuth. She is going to be here this evening with my mother," she reminded.
"Even more reason I think your sister wrote it. She will be in Maple. Your mother, Jeapursah?" Nergithin asked warily.
"Yes, and my aunt. They are all staying this evening," she replied.
Nergithin laughed and shook his head, "When were you planning on telling me?"
"When you found time to talk to me," she giggled and she kissed her husband.
Novaria suddenly tugged at her mother's clothes. Bayrayla turned to Novaria.
"I want a tiger," Novaria mumbled.
"We've gone over this so many times. Not until you are ten," she told her.
The girl sighed heavily, "That's too long."
"Tigers are big. It will eat you," Bayrayla said, trying to convince her daughter for the hundredth time that tigers were too much to handle.
It had been a dream for the twins to have a tiger and a lion. It was a childhood fantasy that was destined to never happen. There were plenty of other creatures for one of them to take home, but all they seemed to want was a lion and a tiger.
"When were your relatives supposed to be arriving?" Khisneyla piped up.
Bayrayla looked behind her. Khisneyla was peering through the window.
"This evening, I thought."
"They must be here quite early then," Khisneyla mumbled.
The King opened one of the doors and then the other. The morning light flooded into the entrance room. Novaria winced and put her small hand in the air to help block the sunlight from reaching her eyes.
"Grandmother here?" Novaria asked, understanding now what was happening.
"Yes, and your Aunt Tyabuth and Great Aunt Shelitia," Bayrayla told her.
Novaria brushed past her mom and ran to her father's side. She put her hands on the wall and stared outside. There was a small carriage coming to a halt with a pair of robust Clydesdales looking about excitedly. The horses were more than likely about the same age. One bit playfully at the other's ear.
"Herseiroes!" an older voice snapped.
The grandmother of the girls was straightening her wardrobes and fussing at the horses. Her hair was gray and her face full of wrinkles, but she was the older version of Bayrayla. Jeapursah was a forceful woman and when she ruled the kingdom in her day, people fell to their knees in fear rather than respect. Normally, the royal familis stayed in the castle all their lives, but Jeapursah lived with her daughter, Tyabuth. Tyabuth was several years younger than Bayrayla. At a mere twenty, she was a beautiful woman in her own ways.
Tyabuth and Jeapursah did not reside with their family for the loved to travel the world. Trilind was a vast kingdom. They had already visited seven of the fourteen recorded countries. Other than Maple they had been through Pine, Oak, Birch, Elm, Hickory, and Sycamore. Their next stop would be Palmetto, a series of islands off the mainland of Pine and Oak.
Aunt Shelitia stepped out of the carriage last. She was the older sister of Jeapursah. She was a very vile woman who never stopped frowning. Her eyes were always furrowed, her mouth in a tight scowl. She seemed to never dress in anything, but black. Her eyes were a foggy gray and her hands scraggily with her age.
"Make this a quick evening," Aunt Shelitia grumbled.
"Are you going to be leaving tonight?" King Nergithin asked, a feeling of relief coming over him.
"Yes, I want to see the world before I'm too old to walk," Aunt Shelitia seemingly growled.
Nergithin didn't reply. He led them into an quiet living area to help the three women settle from their travels.
"I could use a glass of water," the old woman noted before the King could leave.
Nergithin rolled his eyes and motioned for Khisneyla.
The King whispered in her ear, "Go find what the servants are doing. I can't put up with this."
"Yes, Sire," she replied and scurried off.
Mordavince stepped into the room and smiled. Her curly hair bounced on her head.
"Mordavince, right?" Tyabuth asked.
"Yes," Mordavince whispered bashfully.
Suddenly, Novaria appeared. Novaria was much less bashful than her sister. She walked straight up to Shelitia and paused. The two looked at one another momentarily.
"What is your problem?" Shelitia demanded.
Novaria scrunched her face, "You're ugly."
Tyabuth stifled a laugh and Jeapursah gasped. Aunt Shelitia got a little more comfortable in the chair and her frown deepened.
"You are a despicable child! My niece has given birth to an unworthy child!" Shelitia suddenly shouted.
Novaria didn't appear to care about what Shelitia had to say. The girl grinned innocently and left the room all together, a dance in her steps. Mordavince watched her sister leave then sat beside her aunt.
"Are you bad like Novaria?" Tyabuth joked.
"No, I am good. I don't do magic," she giggled.
"Silly children. They all want to grow up and be magicians," Jeapursah stated.
"No, Novaria do magic lots," Mordavince piped up.
Tyabuth and Jeapursah exchanged glances. None of them knew about the abilities of Novaria. They were in the midst of wondering what Mordavince was speaking of when Shelitia gasped.
"There is a snake!"
Tyabuth drew her legs up on the sofa and stared at the floor. A green snake was slowly slithering it's way towards the women. Mordavince wasn't frightened, chances being she was accustomed to seeing things like snakes appear out of thin air. Novaria pranced in and watched the worried face. Then, with a mischievous grin she picked up the snake.
"What was that cry for?" Bayrayla demanded, stepping into the room.
The Queen looked at the serpent sliding through the child's fingers. She closed her eyes and led her daughter outside where she instructed her to release the snake.

"Food is coming here in a second," Khisneyla told everyone.
They were seated at the dining table. Though there were many seats, the family was all packed into one corner of the table. Novaria had been placed across from her sister. Aunt Shelitia sat, irritably, beside her.
"Pheasant?" a servant asked, holding a large covered plate.
The servant place the platter on the table and lifted the lid. Steam rose from the pheasant and the two girl's grinned and took a whiff of their meal.
"Lamb, chicken, and potatoes too," a second servant announced.
The food was laid before them. It was a delicious meal they soon dug into.
"How was your trip?" Nergithin asked, trying to break the silence.
"Fine," Shelitia replied.
The Aunt sawed at her chicken and then diligently ate the piece on the end of her fork. Mordavince yawned. The girl had eaten hastily and with a filled tummy, was being overtaken with the desire to sleep. The girl put her arms on the table and rested her head on her arms.
"She looks rather tired," Tyabuth laughed.
There were a few laughs, but nothing seemed to liven up the family.
"I heard the Cyprian stream may eventually cause the tip of Cypress to break off," Bayrayla pointed out.
"We haven't been to Cypress yet. We went to Birch and it is a massive town full of tourists these days. We spent plenty of Ponx there," Jeapursah explained.
Novaria sighed heavily and Shelitia looked at the child.
"Can I have a mint?" Novaria asked.
The Aunt didn't reply.
"Can I?" the girl asked again.
"I have no mints on me, child," she spat.
Novaria crossed her small arms and frowned like Shelitia.
"I see one! I want it!" she said loudly.
"You listen here! I am not taking this attitude! I do not have any mints!"
"LIAR!"
Everyone gasped. Nergithin stood and pointed at Novaria. The girl didn't mind the fact she was being scolded and would probably be beat after dinner.
"I see a mint! It's in your pocket!" Novaria yelled.
Shelitia sighed and reached in her pocket to prove there wasn't one. Her scowl suddenly vanished and she had a look of shock on her face. She pulled her hand out and in her hand lay a single mint.
"I told you!" Novaria said, hurtfully.
"I didn't...I had no idea! How did you know?" Shelitia demanded.
"I saw it...I saw in your pocket," Novaria explained.
The woman handed the mint to the girl and everyone looked at the Aunt.
"That girl saw right through my pocket. I never pulled it out because I didn't know I had one in it. Novaria is definitely a special case. Only one person out of every hundred thousand people can see through things and those who can don't see things clearly. Novaria saw clearly. I can tell. This child has a rare and special gift and probably more still waiting to be found within," Aunt Shelitia explained.
Novaria beamed though she didn't understand her Great Aunt's words. After the incident the dinner table came alive with talking. The topic continued to be about magic throughout the night. Novaria listened excitedly. She liked learning new things and her Great Aunt knew lots of things she didn't know.
Eventually it was just too late for Novaria. The girl yawned and began fiddling with her curly brown hair at the table. Mordavince shot awake for a second and watched as her sister messed with her hair. Mordavince pulled at her curly hair too then rested her head on the table once more. Finally, Novaria was exhausted.
Novaria yawned and there were a few sparks of purple before all the lights in the dining room went out. Everyone was silent and Aunt Shelitia giggled.
"I guess I we need to get going on the road. Seems the kids think so too. I'll be seeing you guys in a year or so. Take care," Aunt Shelitia noted, rising from her chair and motioning for Jeapursah and Tyabuth to follow.
Novaria hadn't heard though because she was dreaming of the tiger she wanted.