To onlookers and acquaintances she was merely moving from the large house, deeded over to her as a result of the divorce, into a smaller rental where she would now pay a much higher rent. Leaving only a few knowing her ex-'s name had never been removed from the deed; that she had been handed a fake, and he had just forced her off a less-than-prime piece of real estate.
To Perrie Stevens, she was being forcibly relocated, for all intents and purposes, from a large and desolate prison cell into a much smaller one. And one that she found as equally-uninviting. It was also too close, by her newly-guarded measure of comfort, to those who live quite well due to the substantial compensation amassed; for the services they’d rendered over the years. For their orchestrated manipulation of her every single naïve move.
From the moment of her delivery into their parentage, Perrie’s every action was intensely scrutinized; with end-results carefully considered to insure their continued control. This, of a child they would forever have to pretend was their own. Throughout her childhood, her every thought and belief was tempered to the will of those paying for and profiting by the overall deception. That all changed once she was handed off into the arranged marriage that ended, only of recent, after years of a long and dramatically drawn-out divorce.
Once Perrie opened herself to the harsh realization of her Awakening, she recognized those around her for what they were. As she fleshed out the many lies that surrounded her, she quietly watched with her own great interest as they lost their respective control. The one thing none could ever really do--- was break her will. Perrie’s spirit had remained always her own. Always the ancient truth they contrived to keep hidden; even from her. Especially from her.
The eviction notice to move came as a complete surprise and was meant to catch Perrie off her guard. She’d been given only a matter of days to get everything packed and to vacate the premises. It appeared her ex- had won again.
In haste she managed to pack those things that meant the most to her and got it all moved to the all-too-conveniently empty house; right next door to those whom had seemingly loved and raised her.
It was mid-Summer, and the day of the move sweltered in heat. Once all the furniture and boxes where in their respective new rooms, and her family and hired movers gone, Perrie locked the doors, wanting nothing more than to be alone.
She walked through the maze boxes, down the long hall and into the Master Bedroom. She pulled at the twin mattress, leaning against the wall, and let if fall to the floor. Completely exhausted, Perrie searched for the sheets and quilts. All she wanted was to make up a temporary bed for the night. She would grapple with setting up a new household in the morning.
The following afternoon Perrie sat, prioritizing and mapping out which of the rooms she would take on first. As she rose from the couch to go brew a pot of tea, a sudden fear rippled up her spine and through her entirety. Then came an overwhelming realization—with a rather shamed clarity—that she hadn’t given a very small and uniquely gifted item, even the first of her thoughts during the frantic pack to move.
Perrie's heart beat fierce and rapid as she tried to think where it was the last time she had seen it. Aside from actually having been years, the day she brought it home, and the last of which was the night she wore it, both were as clear a memory as if it had been the weekend past. But then, there has been much to keep her well-distracted.
'Think, think, think--- ' Perrie stressed. 'The most logical place to look first … if I even packed it at all … would be …'
With her heart still unsettled, she made her way to the back of the house; to the bedroom she had designated all her office and studio-related items. The room was stacked three and four boxes high throughout and there was little room to maneuver. Perrie had absolutely no idea where to begin her search. She stood immobilized, Frozen in place. Paralyzed by the thought of losing something so extraordinary, so other-worldly and out-of-time.
Then, almost as sudden as the fear in her rose, Perrie was Touched and soothed by a lost mother's voice, 'Its purpose has been served, My Daughter.'
Perrie closed her eyes. After drawing in a long deep, she exhaled and allowed herself to be Absorbed.
'The bead did what was intended of it to do.' Annessau declared. 'Calm yourself.' Her ancient voice stressed. 'No-o-o-o p-a-a-a-i-n."
The words echoed through her. As her shoulders fell hard and relaxed, Perrie let Annessau envelop and console her.
 |
She had been gifted his memory during the early days of her Awakening; but-- was left to remember his name on her own. She remembered only once she knew it would be of a musical quality.
'Irryilay...' she called again.
Not that he would answer. He was gone to her now. Destroyed for the selfish purposes of capturing, that which Dellasseea N’Syis so loved, and reseeding in the Past of a world long-declared Forbidden. Done with the intension of pacifying her; of pushing her toward accepting a dark compromise lain before her.
And now, she lives imprisoned and all that remains of Irryilay is…
It was only upon returning from a buying trip—meant to build on her artisan and beading inventory—that Perrie sat in her studio and opened one of the little plastic zip bags, and let fall in her hand a beautifully hand-carved horn bead.
As she rolled it around between finger tips, letting the light catch at the natural textures Perrie marveled at the grey-brown and ivory swirls of satin-like sheen, unexpected emotions emerged and tears began to well.
Her eyes widened and remained fixed upon the bead. Independent of the feelings overtaking her, her fingers stiffened and slowly began to fold over and sheath it. No longer focused on the bead itself distorted shadows veiled her vision. Perrie pulled her now fisted hand to her heart as a long-forgotten meadow came into view; just behind her eyes.
She could see Irryilay's herd foraging for sustenance while he stood watch on the rise. She felt the approaching doom sweep down upon the unsuspecting. Perrie heard bow strings release and the whirl of their arrows through the air. And she flinched when she heard the mortal cries of targets being met.
Perrie could hear the war-cries of the aggressors, Irryilay's frightful bugle and the nets thrown to ensnare him. She could see the steam of his labored breath billow in the air as he was felled and removed of his great horns. She watched the crimson blood pulse thru his wounds to flow and mingle with the trodden grasses and earth.
Perrie felt the tears roll down her face as the vision began to fade and her fist tightened when she felt the last erratic beats of a now long-dead heart.
With the realization of her own shallow breath, Perrie knew that she possessed all that remained of a creature with whom she once walked. Whose many offspring she had cradled in her arms. The lord of the great Wapiti herds was laid to such waste so as to capture and steal away the few that would be seeded deep within a forbidden world’s past. All in order to appear as having been here all the while. Done with the knowing the species had been one of her favorites of the Old One's creations. An elaborate attempt meant to keep her true self happy.
But now, she had absolutely no idea of this wondrous miracle's whereabouts. Only but a handful of the most powerful, knew its true being and worth. What it meant in the grander scheme of things. Those few who know the future was predictable only because it already happened and is currently being relived. The same who fought to keep the one small bead from being strategically placed in a warehouse of countless others, to be found by the one woman who needed to find it, in the hope it would help her to remember her past. And the reason she is now imprisoned.
The woman who now stands fearful of having lost such an unknown treasure and is once again guided to find it. How ironic. Something that couldn't possibly exist, a thing come from a world unknown to this one, is now lost.
But now, she had absolutely no idea of this wondrous miracle's whereabouts. Only but a handful of the most powerful, knew its true being and worth. What it meant in the grander scheme of things. Those few who know the future was predictable only because it already happened and is currently being relived. The same who fought to keep the one small bead from being strategically placed in a warehouse of countless others, to be found by the one woman who needed to find it, in the hope it would help her to remember her past. And the reason she is now imprisoned.
The woman who now stands fearful of having lost such an unknown treasure and is once again guided to find it. How ironic. Something that couldn't possibly exist, a thing come from a world unknown to this one, is now lost.
'It is here, My Daughter.' Annessau VoiceThought. 'M-o-v-e y-o-u-r-s-e-l-f.'
Perrie wiped her cheeks dry and opened her eyes to slowly survey the room. It was merely a matter of deduction. She simply had to find the box that contained her earlier designs.
After a number of boxes were lifted, shifted and opened, Perrie found the white flat oblong gift box. As she pulled the textured jewelry box free of the moving crate, she heaved a great and heavy sigh of relief. A sense of euphoria coursed through as she removed the lid and folded back the layers of faded tissue paper. Before her nestled the hand dyed handspun raw silk stranded necklace she'd designed around Irryilay's horn bead. As she pulled it free of its trapping, Perrie took another deep breath and pulled it close to her heart.
‘Served its purpose though it may ...’
It is not a thing she is willing to lose; this treasure from another time and place. A window to a fractured memory. She guards its existence well. A possession that remains with her to this day; that awaits its return journey home.
NOTE: See the Companion Piece: Lord of the Herd Sires
Blessings, LL Abbott
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Excerpted storyline from The Bead [WIP]
Caged Heart--The Last Heartbound / The Forbidden World Chronicles ~L.L. Abbott
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved -- Current Draft
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved -- Current Draft
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