This is my second attempt at writing an original story. The first, "Hime no Gaki", was a terrible failure for various reasons. This next story is based on a dream I had which was possibly the most sensible, realistic dream I've ever had

(Btw: "Volaticus" is Latin. I don't remember the exact meaning, but it's something about flying or wings. I got it off )

-- Volaticus By: Ariel-chan --

"I dreamt a dream! What can it mean?
And that I was a maiden Queen
Guarded by an angel mild.
Witless woe, was ne'er beguil'd!"
- William Blake

I do not know who I am or where I am. A great field of sand surrounds me from all sides, and I can barely see. My eyes ache from the grit in them. I must have been lying in the sand recently to get sand in my eyes. That or there has been a wind that I don't remember either.
There is a fierce pain on my back, but it is not my back. I don't know what to make of this. My skin is covered in sweat and sand, but nothing else. I notice that this feels... not quite right. I stumble and curse involuntarily. My voice is harsh and ragged. It sounds as though I've been swallowing sand. Perhaps I have. I don't remember.
I wish...
Oh. Sorry about that, my Lords and Ladies. I was having a little flashback. Intrigued? Well, they say to begin at the beginning, and that's what that was. I got past it, and that's why I'm standing before you today. Aletta has brought me before you, Great Elders, to tell my story - our story - and to hear your verdict as to what should happen to me now.
I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Mortel. I am of undetermined age and race, and I once belonged to the emperor of the land known as Kousa. It is well known that no human being is permitted to own another, but you should know now that I am not human. Were you able to see me more closely you might notice that my eyes are more golden than brown. I am sure you were already questioning why I wear a cloak in this heat.
The cloak is to hide the most obvious sign of my inhumanity, a pair of wings. These wings would have made me into another of the emperor's exotic pets after his men found me if not for the ability I use right now. The ability to think, reason, and speak the native language of Kousa. This ability earned me one small right. The right to pretend to be human. Outside the emperor's chambers, I was to look and act as human as possible, a task made simpler by the fact that my hair and skin at least look like any of the desert peoples'. I even had a fake job as an herbalist. I took this job seriously, actually learning the names, uses, and proper care for different plants.
That's enough background, I guess. On to the true tale, which began one night four years after I arrived at the emperor's doorstep.

I suppose that night was the beginning.
That night probably meant quite a bit to nearly everyone else in the empire. The emperor and his most trusted warriors were journeying from Kousa to one of the neighboring lands: the land of Harou. The people of Kousa were running out of water. People were dying of dehydration on a daily basis. The people of Harou had plenty of water so the emperor thought he and his men would go there. Everyone believed that the Haroutions would see our emperor and simlpy roll over and allow themselves to be conquered. Then our water problems would be solved.
Oh, I cared about the water of course. Plants cannot live without water, and I was an herbalist so I cared about the water. However, I did not care about the conquest of other lands. I was fairly content with my place, and Harou left us alone, so we should leave them alone.
But I was only another of the emperor's possessions, with no opinion of my own... At least, not one that counted. I had my own opinion, but I kept it to myself.
So the emperor and his soldiers were gearing up for their journey with a great feast and a dance. The feast was long over, and all the children in bed when the importance of the night began in earnest. The warriors began to dance around the flames of the bonfire, twirling and leaping along with my master. It was supposed to prove their bravery and the right to go along on this mission.
Hardly anyone noticed when another armored man joined in, but the emperor noticed and signalled a halt to the music. The dancer, you see, was our young prince who had barely turned fourteen and had not yet proved his manhood. He argued with his father that he should go along with him.
Normally, the prince got anything he wanted, but this time was different. His father put his foot down and refused to let him leave the city, much less the empire.
Understand that if the prince had gotten his wish I would not be before you today. I would be dead, caged, or still in Kousa under someone's ownership.
Back to the tale.
I left the fireside shortly after the decision was reached. I had no desire to see the confident and drunk warriors get into awkward situations with each other's wives, which was exactly what would happen next. I walked into the dark towards my quarters.

I cannot see well in the dark at all, so it was not at all unusual for me to run into someone. I did. What was suprising was who I ran into: the empress herself.
She is beautiful, as empresses are supposed to be, her calm, dark eyes framed by a shimmering black curtain of hair. We I have always smiled and nodded at each other, and often she would send one of he maids to speak to me about some plant. We sat opposite each other at supper and were the only two beings permitted in the emperor's private chambers, but we had never spoken to one another.
I apologized profusely and helped her to her feet, bowing deeply. "Madame. My apologies, madame. I do not see well in the dark. I never meant to bump into you. Are you alright, madame?"

EMPRESS

At the time when my son demanded to join his father in the campaign, I was sitting beside the fire with everyone else. I was horrified at the boy's audacity, but there was really nothing I could do to stop him. Empresses shoud be seen, not heard, and high-ranking women have about as much of an opinion as Mortel.
I kept my mouth shut.
As soon as my husband said no, I slipped off towards my home. The boy would probably want some sort of mischief after this, and I was the only person who would keep him from it.
I was deep in thought and only vaguely aware of my surroundings when the winged man ran into me.
He was so very intent on helping me up and apologizing that he forgot he was not permitted to touch me. At any other time, I would have jerked away and reminded him of his place, but he was only trying to help, so I let it slip.
I smiled at him softly. "It's alright. You did not intend to do that, and I am unharmed. I believe it was partially my fault."
He bowed again. "Very well, madame. I shall go, if you will permit it."
I started to nod, then stopped myself. "I do require something, actually. You normally provide with a... concoction... to prevent pains in my head. I seem to have run out."
He nodded to me. "Of course, my lady. If you would send someone to fetch it tomorrow I should have it ready by high noon."
"I will send one of my girls. You may go now."
He bowed again, then hurried off into the night. I watched him go, then remembered why I had been heading home so quickly and continued on.

MORTEL

I suppose that if we had not collided that night I would not be here today. Once again, fate was turned in my favor.
The next morning, emperor and his men set out on their journey to Harou, which would take a total of four days and nights. There was no mischief from the prince, who instead gathered up other young men and went hunting everyday. The universe seemed to be at complete peace. The requisite four days and nights passed easily.
The emperor did not return on the fifth day. His abcense continued for a sixth day, then a seventh. Not one of the warriors who had journied from our land returned for a fortnight.
On the night of the fourteenth day, the true adventure and meat of my tale began.
I was in my greenhouse, trimming and watering some of my more delicate charges, when I heard the sound of the door closing. "Hello?" I called out, not looking away from my task. "Who is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Ah," the soft voice behind me began. "I apologize for disturbing you."
I turned around, very much suprised to hear the empress in here, much less apologizing. "I should be the one to apologize, my lady. I did not know that it was you. How may I be of assistance? You cannot be out of medicine already?"
"No. Not yet." She smiled softly, reaching out to carress one of the plants nearby. "I was simply walking... And thinking... And I saw you light on, so I came in. Is that alright?"
I bowed slightly. "Of course, your majesty. Whatever you wish to do."
The empress sighed heavily, then turned to me. "Tell me, oh winged one, do you know what would happen if my husband did not return?"
"But the emperor will return, my lady." I interjected.
She glared at me. "Suppose that he did not. Do you know what would happen?" I shook my head, bewildered. There were some laws of this kingdom that I still did not know. "Well," she said. "In this empire, women are forbidden to inherit and forbidden to rule. There is an old saying that once, when this realm was green and full of life, a woman came into power. She was tempted greatly by her responsibilty and vainity and she made decisions based only on her own welfare. She chose not to wed or to bear children and had no heir. When she died, there was a war for the throne, and the land was thrown into chaos. It is the reason for the desert condition of Kousa today.
"If my husband should remain missing for forty-six more days and nights, my son will become the new ruler. The people and the elders will not wish for any bound by loyalty to the old emperor around to incite rebellion. Any being with life-lasting vows to the old emperor will be captured, bound, and publicly executed by burning, their ashes scattered in the fields for good luck. You know who has life vows my friend? Only two types of people must make them: slaves and spouses. You and I, friend. If my son takes my husband's place, we will be burned."
I stared at her in horror. "But that seems so... barbaric! I took vows to save my life and now I may be killed for them? It makes no sense."
The empress nodded, an ironic smile on her face. "So you have a sense of self-preservation after all. You don't want to be killed any more than I do, but we're quite helpless. There is nothing we can do to change our fate. Unless, perhaps, you hear me out." She glanced at me quickly, taking in my pose in an instant. "I want to leave, and I want you to come with me."
"Why?" I asked, frowning in thought as this conversation began to penetrate my mind in earnest. "It cannot be due to a wish for you to save me, for we've hardly been life-friends in this time, and I must say I am not much protection. Perhaps I knew a weapon at some time, but if I did I've forgotten. What reason have you to bring me along?"
"I don't intend to run off forever," she clarified to me quickly. "I want to search for my husband and bring him back if he can be found. It would be improper for a woman to be seen walking about unescorted. I will not claim you as my husband, and you would not seem a relative with your coloring, but perhaps a clerk, a servant, or even a bodyguard. Remember that this is in your best interest as well as mine and come with me."
I hesitated, then nodded slowly. If I did not go with her I would surely be killed, but if I went I might very well live. I also might die, but the odds were still better. "Very well, my lady. I will accompany you whenever you wish to leave."
"Then I will see you here tomorrow morning before dawn." With that she turned on heel and stalked out, dignified as usuall, leaving me wondering if I had made the right choice. Obidient slave with constant privlages for a little while longer with the certain freedom of death, or wandering by my fortune with an aristocratic female for a long time before being excecuted, dying of starvation or dehydration, or becoming a slave once more on the off chance that I might find true freedom or another like me.
There were no promises on the path I had taken, simply risks. Was I ready to take them?

--