The 8th Court (Dusk in the Wind)- Chapter 2
Summary: Ester meets a mysterious girl in the woods named Tambria. But she doesn’t know half of who she really is.
“Tambria!” The male voice called out again as Ester and the blonde girl moved farther and farther away. The blonde girl looked back and groaned. “Dammit it dad. Just leave me alone.” Ester refrained from her excitement until they slowed down. They approached a tall mountain and whirled around to the side of it, hiding the white mare from view. Once the horse stopped, Ester slid off, landing on her rump. “Ouch!”
“Shh, quite!” The girl said as she slid off the horse next and helped her up. “What’s going on. Who are you?”
“Tambria!” the same voice from earlier called out as the girl and Ester ducked down into the bushes. The moment their bodies were shielded from view, a black mare with a cloaked rider revealed himself from the forest. But even with his cloak, Ester can clearly see who it was. Tamlin. High Lord of the Spring Court. He stood tall and proud, his mare just as intimidating as himself. He noticed the white mare standing alone as he sighed. “I know your here Bria. Would you come on out please?” he asked as the girl next to Ester stood where she was. She didn’t even react to the name.
Tamlin growled. “Fine. Don’t come out. Don’t blame me when you freeze to death in the cold tonight.” Tamlin turned his horse around and was out of sight.
Once the footsteps from the horse faded out, the girl sighed in relief and turned to Ester. Ester glared at her. “So...are you gonna talk or...”
“My name is Tambria. I’m Tamlin’s daughter.”
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Ester’s whole entire face read shock. She had no idea Tamlin had a daughter. Better yet, a daughter her own age. She resembled her father clearly. Same blonde hair. Same green eyes. Same face. If she was born a boy she could’ve been an exact replica of her own father.
It was now dark, and the moon was just peeking out of the clouds. The night was getting colder and colder. So cold that Tambria and Ester were forced to make a fire. Tambria went hunting into the forest to get a rabbit ahead of time and cooked it on the fire they made. Ester and Tambria didn’t speak until each of them ate a full meal of rabbit. “So, tell me. How did...this happen?” Ester said gesturing Tambria in general.
Tambria sighed and swallowed her fill. “It wasn’t my choice. I found out just 2 months. Tamlin himself came by after my mother had passed away in her bed a few days ago. He offered me a place in his palace. First I rejected because I knew of his background. But then, my entire village knew about me. They casted me out like a pile of shit. I knew my mother never would’ve wanted me to live on my own, so I went to Tamlin’s estate and I’ve been staying here ever since.” Tambria explained, not looking directly at Ester.
Ester felt bad for her. Have to have lost your mother. Your people turning your back on you, And you father having to be a murderous, depression dick head? Yeah, rough indeed. “I’m sorry Tambria. That must’ve been a lot.”
“I didn’t even get to grab my things.” Tambria replied as she wiped away a tear that threatened to fall. “So what about you? I saw you in the woods earlier by that river. What was so special about that?” she asked trying to make conversation. Ester sighed and told her about her father. She left out the part where she had to watch him die though. Then, she explained to her about her aunt who’s grief turned into delusions and on her bad days, would think she was her mother. Not that she wanted to find out who that was anyway.
Tambria didn’t judge. Just nodded. “I can’t believe you remembered something like that. Are you okay?” she asked gently as Ester gulped. “I try not to think about it so much. It gets harder and harder. Especially on the day that I really remember.” Ester replied as she warmed up her hands on the fire.
The girls heard the white mare stomping it’s hooves. It neighed loudly in the night as Tambria rushed to calm it down. “What is it Winter?” Tambria asked as the horse started to kick it’s back legs. Ester immediately ran up to the front of the horse. “What’s going on?” she asked as Tambria finally calmed down her horse. “It’s past midnight. We’ve been out here for too long. We have to get back to the palace.”
“But my aunt will go crazy. Literally.”
“Would you rather be eaten by one of the kelpies that come out of their ponds at night?” Ester froze. They come out at night?! “I thought they stayed by the river.”
“This forest is a huge swimming pool Ester. If we don’t leave now, they’ll find us. Now hurry up and put out the fire.” Ester instantly gathered some hidden sand and covered the fire with it. It burned out on impact. Ester raced to the mare and climbed up onto the horse, Tambria already ready to ride. “Once we get to the palace, you can go home when it’s daybreak. Be silent about it though. My father is a very light sleeper.” Tambria warned before riding into the woods, Ester holding on for dear life.