The stars of Aurora

The moon was shining like a pure diamond, she was reigning in the dark sky with a flaming light watching over the kingdom of Elda with her loyal servants, the stars. The whole land was covered by her blessed ray of light, blessed she was in return, the mother of the people of Elda. Varanita, the benevolent goddess.

Under the moonlight, a horseman was advancing on a dirt road amidts the forest, he was fast and seemed to be in hurry. Far away in front of him a wall could be see, the wall of a city and as he was approaching, the light of the torches could be see too. The guards saw the horseman arriving from the distance and ready to shoot their arrows, waited to discover his identity. One the guards, the chief looking one, loudly spoke.

-Who are you ? Decline your identity !

Then the horse rider raised his hands towards them while holding something, when he revealed the object it was a flag. More specifically it was the flag of the masters of the city, the noble family who reign on this land. On the flag was designed a golden cross with blue night colored flowers at the four end of the cros, between the little space of each branch, dark stars had been drawn. finally in the middle two moon crescent had been placed horizontally, facing each other creating a small hole between them. This was the flag proudly abored by the city and its masters. When the guards saw the flag, they opened the gates and welcomed their fellow comrade.

-Welcome home, sir.

-Thank you captain.

Then he immediately starting riding his horse in a hurry once again. He passed throught the street while everyone was either at home, cloding their store, taking a little walk or goign home. The destination of the rider was the palace. It was impossible to not see it, it was the tallest, the most magnificent and most protected building of the huge city.

After some minutes, he finally arrived in front of tha gates of the massive palace. There, he announced himself to the guards.

-I am here to give a letter to our lord. I come from the dukedom of Jébaru with some news. He said as he showed once again the flag.

The guards after looking thoroughfully at him, opened the little gate and let him entered. Quickly he made his way into the castle and with a steady and quick pace, he marched throught the entire corridor.

The strings of the harp, until then motionless, were gently and slowly caressed by the fingers of the player. Little by little, the melody was spreading across the whole room and unable to escape, it went up to touch the ceiling painted with scene representating the heaven above the sky, paradisiac landscapes, divine beings with wings and veil or robe. In the mean time, the messenger who was still advancing heard the beautiful music coming from the room next to the main corridor, he knew he had to go to the main room but it was difficult not to give attention to the music. It was alluring, charming, hypnotising and then, without knowing how or why, the messenger changed the direction of it's path to go toward the direction of the sweet melody.

He reached a double door with hard wood. He gently pushed the double door and entered with a bright light blinding him for a few seconds. When he was able to see again, he saw first the great statue of the goddess Varanita, magnificent and still, modest. At the bottom was someone playing that harp. The whole room was filled with such peace that everything he had been worrying for the past few days suddenly disappear. He kneeled before the statue and especially before the woman playing the noble instrument. Her eyes were closed, she was concentrating to feel the entire flow of the musical notes and to play that perfect melody. Her balck hair could reflect the light of the moon. Her beauty was charming, almost enchanting behind a mask of mystery. She played the last notes and stopped moving her fingers, waiting for the sound to die.

-I welcome you home, sir Gustald. She said with her soft voice.

Her eyes were still closed but it didn't bother Gustald that much.

-Thank you, Lady Luzalé. I am honored to be received by you in the home of the Varapren family. I come with news from the dukedom of Jébaru. My lady.

-What are they ?

He hesitated before speaking, he raised his head and look at the face of the calm harpist. Her eyes still closed he could tell she was waiting for his answer.

-The duke Horaldir has betrayed us, my lady.

Then, Luzalé opened her eyes. Her iris colored and shining like amethyst stared right into the eyes of the spy. He felt his body shivering then a strange emotion of peace surrounded his heart.

-I really did my best to come here to inform you as soon as possible, i am deeply sorry for...

-Don't be afraid. She assured while raising her right hand. I understand and i am glad that you did your best. Give me letter so you can rest.

Surprised by such kindness and understanding, he quickly stand up and walk with little confidence towards her. He presented her the letter to her, she took it and then added.

-Thank you. Be blessed by Varanita.

-You too, my lady.

She smiled at him, he could only turned red and to avoid some embarrassment he quickly walked back out of the room. Luzalé looked at the letter and decided to finally stand up. She was wearing a long dress, almost a mix between a rob and a gown.

Someone was playing the piano.

When Luzalé entered the living room, she saw her friends all gather here, busy with their personal favorite activity each. Two men were playing chess, while another one was reading a book. Two others of her friends, sitting at the table, were working on small pieces of woods while a woman, sitting near, on a armchair, was sewing some tiny clothes and a dress for a child. The child in question was the little girl sitting between the two noble working on the wood pieces. At last a man was sitting at the piano, in a separate room with the door open, showing his back to the rest of them. Everyone seemed to appreciate his music.

-Hello Luzalé. Back so soon from your garden ? Asked the lady.

-Yes, i received a letter from one of our spy.

-Oh really ? Joyfully exclaimed the little girl. Can i see it ? Is it coded ?

-No sweetie, you can't, it's only for the adults and it's not coded. She responded with a smile.

-Oh no, it's not fair. She pouted.

-Look Belda ! It's finished ! There is your wooden pony. Added the man on her left.

-Yay ! Thank you uncle Osmadrey !

-And here is the bird you asked for.

-Woaw, thank you uncle Sarika. It's great !

She hugged them tightly under the gaze of everyone. It was heartwarming.

In the meantime, the pianist was about to finished his score. Luzalé walked to the door left open and stood there, waiting for him to reach his final note. Belda left the table and ran into the other room, she approached the man and with a concentrated mind, witnessed the end of the melancholic melody. Then the man looked at her and she smiled in return.

-You play so well Régidal. When will you teach me ?

-If it is your wish then i will teach you how to play.

-Yes ! She hugged him and in return he caressed her head like a puppy.

He then stood up while she continued to stare at the piano. He finally faced Luzalé, she had a little smile on her red lips. Régidal was a man as cold as winter, as serious as a general and in his dark eyes was shining a flame, the flame of a man who has been given a mission of the utmost importance. Luzalé gave him the letter without speaking a word, he opened it and read it, while all his comrade were waiting for him to revealed the informations. From his mouth his spoke those cold and pragmatic words.

-The duke Horaldir, from the dukedom of Jébaru has betrayed us.

-What ? Questioned with surprise one of the man who was playing chess a few minutes ago.

-He allied with the reformist side and obtained the protection of the lord and regent Daubé de Lir.

-That filthy snake ! Rumbled the blond one.

-What do we do with him ? Asked the lady.

Régidal, without looking at her but rather looking at Belda who was trying to play some music on the piano, he told her and everyone here with an controlled and penetrating tone.

-What we do with snake. Prepare yourself, tomorrow we leave for the dukedom of Jébaru. We won't let anyone be on the path of Belda. That is the reason we, the stars of Aurora, exist.

With that word, the fate of many was decided.