Krysta Returns
Slowly she willed the final changes. Slow because it was difficult this
close, and slow bacause hse wasn't sure if this was what she wanted. The
deep forest slowly thickend around her. The way was much the same as she
remembered. But then, this was Arden. How much could it change. Krysta
walked for most of the day. Her eyes felt refreshed as they gazed on forest
that was so pure on would think she was the first to ever pass that way.
Of course, if no one had come in from that particular shadow, in a way she was.
Lunch was freshly caught, and quickly cooked. The fire covered
immediately. Not one to take those chances. Either with a fire in itself,
or with someone seeing it. The forest seemed vacant. The animals tended to
ignore her after a few hours, and they went about their business, leaving
her to hers. Krysta shouldered her pack and stood. She moved off through
the woods, content to walk. It wouldn't have taken a whole lot to have
found a horse a while back, but....her thoughts changed directions, and her
feet followed of their own volition. Caught up in thoughts of Calla and
Andrew, she was surprised to find herself in a small glade. It took a few
minutes to realize where she was. The mound in the center of the glade was
so rounded, that it was hard to tell that it wasn't originally here. She
knelt at the foot of the grave, the tears she had been holding in for so
long finding release.
Krysta had no idea how long she cried. In the last few years, she had not
had the time to mourn what she had lost. After burying them, she had
decided it was time to go home, but something odd had stepped in the way.
Roland was only part of that. After things had settled, she had renewed her
decision to return to Amber. It was only once she got close that doubts
crept in. Teh tears washed away the sting of Andrew and Calla. They fell
for Calla's intended, and the children of the village. Perhaps some of them
were even for the small body that lay in the grave before her. When she
stopped, it was near dark. Krysta decided that it would be better to
continue her journey in the morning. This spot was familiar and close
enough for now.
Waking before dawn, Krysta quickly moved down the path. Now that she was
close, she was eager to see home. Resolutely she pushed away thoughts of
why she left, and concentrated on returning. Dawn found her on the edge of
Arden. She found a boulder to sit on and waited for the light to illuminate
her home. The lights on the walls were faint in the grey morning, making it
hard to see the castle. Slowly orange and pink stained the east. The sun
leapt over the horizon and painted the walls of the castle rose and purple.
Krysta stood in shock. How long had she been gone? The castle was at least
three times the size it had been. It looked like there were gardens where
there used to be training grounds. There was still a practice yard, but it
wasn't the main focus of the castle that had been there. At least the flag
was still the same. The proud Unicorn snapping on the emeral field.
Thoughts chased wildly through her mind, and she turned to survey the town.
Town! The bustling metropolis that sprawled in the lap of Kolvir could
hardly be called a town. Mainly built for the comfort of soldiers, and
support of the castle, this city had grown wildly. She searched for
anything that was familiar. Something that would let her know that she was
at the Amber that she had left. She spent a few minutes running that
thought through her head. Could this be a differant Amber? One that had
grown in differant ways? Perhaps one that had been formed at a differant
time. She thought about it for a while, watching as the sky lightened to
full day. The guards changed as normal, and it seemed peaceable enough.
Experimentally she tried to do some quick switches. Nothing went smoothly
or quickly, arguing that this was probably where she wanted to be. Krysta
settled down on the rock, absently pulliing Promise from it's sheathe, and
sharpening it. She waited, unsure what she was even waiting for. The sun
was high in the sky by the time she headed for the castle.
She made an interesting picture walking up the road. The guards watching
wondered who the lone traveler was. No carriage or horse marked her as not
one who would have an appointment. Yet she seemed to be heading for the
castle. Not that there was anywhere else to go to on this road. The castle
was the end of the road. She paused at the gates, and seemed to give the
attitude that she was waiting for them to open for her.
"Can I help you, Miss?" the guard was polite. So far, she had done nothing
to cause him to treat her with discourtesy.
Krysta looked surprised. "I would like the gates opened." It was a calm
voice. The speaker fully expected to have her wishes complied with.
Hiding a smile the guard continued, "do you have business here?"
Krysta pondered him for a moment. They had no idea who she was, that much
was obvious. Which supported the idea that it had been some time. "My
business is my own."
"Then I am afraid that I cannot open the gates. I am sure you will
understand." The guard put his hand on his weapon, his meaning was
perfectly clear.
Krysta assessed him for a moment. She could probably take him., but that
really wasn't the way she wanted to return home. Besides there were other
ways in. She nodded and memorized his face. Turning she strode back into
Arden.
It was difficult to shift that close, and she had to backtrack for a ways
in order to do so. This time she came out higher on Kolvir, and walked in
the back ways. While watched, they were not walled, and were easier to come
in to the castle grounds. She moved purposefully, and those that noted that
they didn't recognise her, assumed that she had legitimate business as she
seemed to know where she was going. She paused for a moment at the practice
grounds. She recognized Benedicts symbol on some of the men. At least some
things were the same. She moved to the castle proper. Out of long habit she
entered through the servants areas, and was able to move to her rooms with
only small dififculties. Once she got farther into the castle, it was easy
enough. The inner core had not changed much, and it only took a few tries
to find the right hallway. Her key still fit the lock, and she went in.
The room was the same as it had been. Krysta grimaced as she looked at the
bland room. Nothing here to tell of the girl who had lived here. Tossing
her pack on the bed, she quickly unpacked. Clothing went in the hamper, and
the sword on a rack by the door. There were a few momento's that went on
the dresser. Several miniatures showed Calla and Andrew as they grew, One
of them had all three of them. A dresesr box that Andrew had carved for her
after they had made love the first time, and nestle within: two locks of
hair. One bright gold, the other burnished gold intertwined with silver.
And strangley enough, a handkercheif of Rolands. Not that there was much
sentiment attached to that one, but she had kept it in the hopes of using it
to identify who Roland was. Or at least find out why he was always there.
It had been fruitless so far, but she kept it. A few stones, and other
small items joined the rest on the dresser.
She had traveled far in a few days, and was in need of a shower. Looking
in the closet, she was able to find a robe that she took with her to the
bathroom. A long hot shower refreshed her temporarily. Resolving that she
would only lay down for a moment, the bed proved irresistable. It had been
a long time since she had slept i na bed this quality, and she quickly
dropped off. Perhaps it was stress, but the door remained unlocked.