The Dressolini girl tossed her curly hair behind her as she walked down the street. The city was bustling as per usual. People were doing their daily errands, smithies pounded out impurities, smells of all sorts of goodies wafted from every street corner. Another beautiful day in Regalia. The girl carried a basket filled to the brim with fresh fruit. She had done her own shopping that day, which was special for a married noblewoman. Her dress danced in the afternoon breeze as she walked towards her destination, one of her husband's perfume businesses.
After making her way through the winding streets, the girl came to a stop at the door. As she opened it, the most pleasant smells poured out. Any and all assortments of floral odor drifted into her nostrils. She padded past bottles and bottles of all shapes, sorts, and colors and upon waving to the shopkeep, made her way through the door at the back of the shop She ascended two flights of stairs and knocked at the first door you could see. "Come in," said a smooth, deep voice.
The girl popped her head in, grinning at the man inside. His dark caramel colored skin was complemented by his expensive looking clothes. He straightened his back in his chair, setting his quill down on the desk before him and brushed his dark curls from his face. "Welcome back, my dear," he said, standing to embrace the girl. "How was your shopping trip?"
"Good, good! The people here are beautiful, it is nice to be with them." the girl replied with a smile, setting down her basket.
"Ahh, it's wonderful in the city, eh?"
The girl nodded and took an apple from her basket. When she looked back up at her husband, he seemed paler somehow. She handed him the apple, "Here! These are from Anglia. The locals call them Dragonet Apples."
"Dear, we have these in Montania. They're just a little more expensive." the man laughed lightly and smiled.
"Oh.. I didn't realize th-"
"Not to worry! You picked them out, so I'm sure they'll be even tastier than they were back home."
The girl smiled and picked up another apple for herself and was startled to see husband was even paler than before.
"Honey? Are you okay?" the girl said as she held her hand to her lover's forehead.
"I am fine; it must just be a fever."
"Oh spirit.. You're burning up!"
He lay down on the nearby couch, his eyes growing heavy as he let out a cough and shivered.
"I'll get a physician; they'll know how-" the girl stuttered to a stop, looking mortified as she turned towards the couch. Her husband's body was snow white, his hair greasy, his beautiful clothing had changed to a black robe, and as she looked down, she saw her dress was almost the same color as her lover's skin. She walked a few steps toward him, screaming in protest, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. She touched his chin, weeping, and multiple voices started to speak. They were unfamiliar and spoke in Common. Their words filled the room coming from all angles in their intense melodic prayer. She covered her ears, her eyes stinging with tears.
The voices then abruptly stopped, leaving only silence as the world around the girl began to dissolve. Soon, all that remained was her lover, who was now standing upright. His eyes remained closed, his skin remained ghostly, and his ebony cloak shimmered. He raised his hands in prayer, and the girl began to fall, the dark void encircling her. She tried and tried to scream, but stopped with the man opened his mouth.
"What did you do?"
Meradetta exploded out of her bed, her body sprawling on the ground. As her eyes adjusted to the low light, she tried to control her breathing. She stood and sighed, reaching for an oil lamp. She lit it's wick and many others that surrounded the room until their warm glow reached all corners of the room. Mera ignored the eerie shadows they cast around her and lay out her tools. Several feet from her bed was a large dark red stone with swirls of alabaster. She picked up one of her utensils and pounded on the rock.
It wasn't until the sun peeked over the low roof of her neighbor's when she stepped back, examining her new statue. Although the colors were different, it was obvious. It was the man from Meradetta's dream.
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