"Two Kinds"

I was waiting just outside the door of mother's house, sliding my hand on the new dress that the town seamstress had rewarded to me after finding out how I'd saved the general. My previous clothes had been soaked in blood from the fallen soldiers and I couldn't bring myself to stay in it any longer. In fact, a lot of the townspeople had begun sending tributes to our house as thanks. Though they felt like empty gifts to me as I watched the town guards cart the dead bodies out of the village. What good are trinkets and sweets in the wake of a massacre?

The general was inside the house talking to mother. I assumed he might want to know about how a Gifted was living under Caledonia's very nose without them knowing.

Actually, it still hasn't quite settled in my mind that I was a Gifted. I'd heard stories of humans blessed with powers by the Mist that was created by the seraph dragon himself, though that's all they were to me and so many others, stories.

"Wonderful evening, don't you think?" One of the soldiers who stood guard for me asked.

There were two that the general commanded to stay with me, captains if I remembered correctly. The one that approached me had dark skin and messy hair, though his bright eyes made up for his less than composed appearance.

The other captain stood a few paces away from me, his back leaning against the wall of the house across the street. He wore the same armor and donned the same colored cape, but his hair was a light blonde, almost like the color of those sunlight streaks that peppered the Mistle Woods on bright mornings.

"If by wonderful, you mean terrible, then I agree." I removed my eyes from the other captain and looked down at my feet. "I wish I acted sooner. Maybe those men would've-" I stopped myself, noticing the other captain's eyes turn hard when he looked up at me. "I-I'm sorry."

"Don't mind him, he's a bit of a sour worm." The cheerful captain smiled at me. "My name is Ulrich. Captain Ulrich, if we're being formal." He said, bowing his chest and head. "May I have your name?"

I hesitated, feeling a knot in my chest form. I could remember the conversation I had with mother about men and marriage. Was this perhaps his intention?

"Mystaline." I smiled.

Before he could respond, the door flew open and the general emerged with a victorious smile on his face.

"Good news!" His voice boomed as his eyes shifted to mine. "You will be joining us in Luster City, my dear."

I gasped and cupped my mouth with my hands. "The capital city?" I could barely contain the excitement from leaking into my voice via the voice crack at the end.

He nodded at his captains, signaling for them to head back to the rest of the troops.

"Yes. I've asked your mother if we could have you perform for the men. You see, we're to return to Luster City for a party celebrating our victory in the west and I think it'd warm their hearts to have a Gifted perform for them."

Just as he finished, mother inched her way towards the doorway. I don't know what it is, but she looked worse. Her pale face looked so deprived of life, almost gray. And her shoulders were the lowest I've ever seen; slumped downwards like a broken wagon that has lost one of its wheels. It was like all of the spirit she had was gone. What happened?

"Don't forget, general." She hissed, her voice low as she narrowed her eyes at him.

I stared at my mother, baffled. "Um, forget what, mother?"

She glared at me. "None of your business, child." Her eyes motioned over to one of the men. I tried to follow her gaze, but I couldn't quite tell who she was looking at.

The general stood next to me, urging me to follow him with a nod of his head.

"Wait, mother! Did you know I was a Gifted?" I pleaded just as she slammed the door shut.

I rested my hands on the door, knocking every so often, but to no avail. She refused to answer me. My chest began to feel heavy and I felt dejected.

"Come now, Myst." the general placed a heavy hand on my shoulder. "We're already running late."

I took one last look at the house, absorbing every inch of it into my memory. I don't know when I'd be coming back, but a part of me felt like this trip to Luster City would take far longer than expected.

I turned away, saddened by my mother's refusal, and followed the captain to the plaza. The other villagers had come out of their houses and shops to wave me goodbye. A lot of the older men and women shook my hand as I passed them while the younger women sneered at me. I knew that I'd become their object of envy what with my newly discovered powers as well as the general's invitation to Luster City. I didn't mind though. For once in my life, it felt like I was someone. I wasn't just Mystaline of Orzon. Now I was the Gifted Mystaline of Caledonia, or however they titled any of the Gifted.

Once we reached the plaza, a large parade of mounted soldiers surrounded three empty horses, one of which I assumed I would be riding.

"You'll be riding the first leg of the journey with me, milady." Captain Ulrich climbed onto his saddle before offering his hand.

I took a look around the village plaza, noticing that the ground was still damp and stained a light shade of brown. The scene flashed back into my mind and I shook my head to free myself from it. If going to Luster City meant I was able to prevent something like that from happening again, I was more than happy to go.

I looked up at the captain and accepted his hand. He pulled me up and positioned me behind him. Once I was secure on the saddle, Bacchus signaled for the men ahead to begin moving.

The saddle was uncomfortable what with my legs being uncomfortable spread, but I managed a smile as the villagers began to cheer. The soldiers ahead proceeded along their previous route and I could do nothing but watch as Orzon began to pass me by. The houses and storefronts became a blur as Ulrich's horse began to pick up speed.

Once we passed through the gates, Ulrich glanced over his shoulder at me. "Hold on tight."

I slid my hands around his stomach and held on. The entire troop began to bolt at terrifying speed. My hair whipped the air around as I shut my eyes. The passing wind buffeted my face causing me to duck my head and burrow onto the cape on his back.

We rode for hours until night came and the men had to make camp. Ulrich helped me off the saddle, his arms clutching my waist firmly. He set me down on the soft grass before turning his attention to the supplies tied to the sides of his horse.

"That was your first ride?" He asked, unraveling the knots.

I nodded. "Yes, though I'm ashamed to admit that I had my eyes closed the whole time. I must've missed quite a view.

Ulrich chuckled, his smile infectious. "Nothing but woodlands from Orzon to Luster City. I reckon you've seen the Mistle Woods just outside your village?"

"Yes, I go there to sing every morning.."

He nodded. "The road to Luster City looks just like the Mistle Woods. Nothing but trees as far as the eye can see." He pulled a large roll of fabric away from his saddle. "There we go.

He guided me to a small clearing where the other captain was preparing what looked like a tent.

"Do you need help?" I asked, noticing his frustration with one of the rods.

Ulrich laughed as he threw his unassembled tent on the ground nearby. "I'm sure the grumpy captain wouldn't mind you lending him some assistance. The outdoors aren't his choice of lodging. I'm sure he'd much rather his manor."

I giggled and turned back to the other captain only for my smile to fade when I notice that he had just finish pitching his tent. Ulrich and I watched in shameful silence as he began to pitch a second one nearby.

"Well, that takes care of that. Great job, milady." Ulrich retorted with a sarcastic laugh. "I'm sure that the one in the middle is yours."

The rest of the night went by much the same as I found myself in their company time and time again. Ulrich being the camp's constant source of humor and excitement, while his counterpart kept the men responsible. Ulrich's antics began to wear my spirit down and I bid them goodnight as I returned to the clearing where my tent sat between the captains'.

I sat just outside my tent, my thoughts returning to my mother's words.

"An agreement." I mumbled.

Just what did she mean by that? The way she hissed the words made me feel like I was some sort of produce traded between two shady vendors, of which I'd seen a fair share of in Orzon.

Before I could delve further into my thoughts, a soldier approached me, a dark blanket draped over one elbow.

"Oh, captain. Thank you." I said as he bent down and handed it to me.

He let out a heavy sigh as he sat a few paces away from me. He raised an arm up to his face and began undoing the lacing underneath.

"Captain?" I began.

"Hmm?"

I squirmed on the patch of grass I was sitting on, fingers nervously playing with the edges of the blanket. "Have I wronged you?"

He slowed his unlacing and glanced over at me before continuing. "Not in the slightest. Apologies if I've made you think so."

I could feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders. "No, no! The fault was mine. I noticed your indifference towards me back when, uh-" Just as I try to recall the event, the visions of the lifeless bodies flashed behind my eyes and I hesitated.

Noticing my sudden discomfort, the captain responded quickly. "You saved the general's life and for that you have Caledonia's eternal gratitude."

I opened my eyes and looked over at him. His words eased my troubled mind and a part of me felt it was alright with putting those visions to rest.

"Thank you, captain...um.." I tilted me head to the side and patted my cheek with the tip of my finger.

"Innes." He mumbled.

He continued to undo the bindings on his armor, while I hummed a light tune. Neither of us said a word after that. It felt like there was nothing more to be said.

When exhaustion took over, I bid him goodnight before slipping inside and falling asleep. I didn't dream that night. I had a peaceful sleep. There were no haunting visions of the slaughter, just a calming blackness.

I awoke to the sound of the captains dismantling their tents and strapping their armor back on. I rubbed my eyes and made sure I was decent before coming out. Both men began to quickly pack the tents and tie them up.

"I know you just woke up, but we're riding soon. I didn't want to disturb you." Ulrich said as he quickly mounted.

"You're riding with me today." the blonde captain called for me as he stood by his sadle, his hand out.

I walked over, yawning and slightly dizzy. I accept his hand as he slid his other around my waist.

"Step on the stirrup." He said. "Up you go."

I stepped on stirrup as he hefted me on the saddle. He quickly mounted and sat himself behind me. Following the rest of the men, he urged his horse forward.

Just as Ulrich had mentioned before, there truly was nothing but trees as far as the eye could see. I loved forests, especially the Mistle Woods, but the scenery was become much too boring. In no time, I was feeling sleepy and Innes wrapped an arm around my waist as I started to nod off.

When I awoke from my nap, I noticed that the troops had begun to slow. Innes patted the neck of his horse and whispered small words of confidence.

"Keep going, friend. Home isn't much further." He mumbled as he leaned backwards to allow me to stretch.

"Are the horses tiring?" I yawned.

Innes nodded. "Yes. You slept through the entire route through the hills. The hills in Caledonia aren't safe anymore so we had to trek through the fastest and bumpiest route. Surprised you didn't wake."

I looked around, noticing the horses panting as they ran. Their jaws dropping lower with every second that passed and every gallop. I don't know if my singing could reach animals, but I had to try. I wanted to get to Luster City and the dangers that mother and Innes mentioned aren't really what I had in mind on my first day out of Orzon.

"Mmmmm..." I hummed, sliding my hand gently across the horse's neck.

"What are you doing?" Innes asked, raising one brow in question.

Caledonia, my love.

Take me to your heart.

Show me your glittering rivers

And your rolling hills.

Take me to your city gates,

Show me your majesty

and your crimson hearth.

Caledonia, take me home.

From behind us came a gust so strong that the trees around bowed in its presence. Blue petals flitted about in the air, some circling the hooves of the horses and others playfully tickling the faces of the soldiers. Within a minute, the petals melted into the skin of the soldiers and horses. Suddenly, I could feel a great surge of energy from within Innes' horse. I could hear the spirits of the men around me, their souls calling out to their home like lost boys.

I shut my eyes and listened to their breaths. They weren't labored and full of gasps, but rhythmic and steady. I began to lose myself in the ride, falling into a soft slumber. It was bumpy, but for the moment, it was comfortable.

"Myst." A voice whispered. "We've arrived."

I opened my eyes and quickly shut them back as the sunlight flooded in. It took me a little while to get used to the brightness. When I was able to look, my eyes flew wide open.

I couldn't believe it. I stood in front of the gates to Luster City, the beating heart of my beloved Caledonia. The titanic gates were like large creaking, steel mountains; a metallic portal to the world I'd always dreamed about. Draped on the walls flanking the gates were large red flags with a black flower, an ancient symbol of Caledonia's.

"Luster City..." I softly gasped in awe as I cupped my hands over my mouth.

A soft smile peeked out from the corner of the captain's lips. "Welcome to the capital of Caledonia, milady."