The Four Walls

Derella: The Lie She Believes

My life was about to change forever because of a knock on the door. I should have jumped out the back window. Almost two decades later the place where I was saved would be the place I would be sent back to face death again.

During this time a day I would have finished my work in the garden by now and checking the next batch of deliveries. Not today, it was my day off to read, relax and enjoy the view. My place had the best lookout spot in the village. The sun shined over the entire town and the gardens.

Brewing tea was on the window sill always makes think of my fondest memories of the only home I have ever known. The sweet smell of oranges and cinnamon through the village, kick ball in the evenings with the children. It’s hard believe I was adopted into this land but I cultivated and could not imagine a better place to live. After I was found in an adult size capsule surrounded by an ocean of sand, the lead Elder brought me into the fold of lush gardens and taught me the ancient way of being a horticulturist. Thank the Creator and the villagers who found me to have compassion for a baby in the wilderness.

Suddenly a knock was at the door. An official from the House of Night came from the palace placed a letter in her hands with royal seal on it.

“Derella of the House of Gilmore?”

“Yes, that is I , how do you know it was me?”

“The streak of white in your hair and your light brown skin like the desert everyone else in the village has skin like dark chocolate.”

“Did Senior Elder Gilmore give you that analogy?”

Handing me a letter the royal seal on it. “No. You have been called to serve your majesty the King and his daughter your future queen?”

Attempting not to look agitated, “King Shaar needs a farmer? Surely you have people to grown vegetation in your kingdom. Why does his majesty need me?”

The knight already turn to leave to mount his giant wolf.

“Wait why are you leaving so quickly, we have speak on the terms of this dilemma with the Elder.”

“I already have and there is no dilemma, you and the others from each region will come to court. Now I take my leave and make haste and delay me no further girl.”

Did he have to be so rude? But he was on orders from King so I had not right to question him.

“Understood, apologies if I offend, I wanted to understand what is happening. That is all.”

Galloping away he shouted back, “Ask your Senior Elder, to explain your new assignment.”

Tucking the letter in my oversized pocket overalls I stared at the valley of leaves falling in the distance. Why would I ever want leave such a peaceful place? I prefer the quiet time in gardens as I do at home. School is the most eventful part of the day. The best time of the day is at dawn, walking through town side when everyone is still sleeping and you can see all the rays of sunshine in the sky. The sweet smell of lemon drops with tangerines, and red pepper from gardens hanging in every window painted a masterpiece of success. Fresh deliveries stocked daily. Everything was reused, nothing was wasted and lead by the elders to educate and train us in this land. Only the grandparents and some uncles remain as our teachers and local leadership. Mother’s did not make it pass child birth and the fathers left to find other resources and did not return.

Interrupting my thoughts, a small figure was coming through the window. As I caught the little furry animal covered in orange juices.

Eye brows raised, “Foxy have you been in my personal garden again and where is your owner?”

While distracted a tiny hand snatch my letter out of her pocket. Dropping the fuzzy creature Derella yelled, “You sneaky thief, bring that back!”

Watching this kid move with superhuman speed the fox was snatched as well and rolling down the hill on the very same transporter I was found in as a baby. The child used it like a scooter with no handle bars. At the top of our hill the terrain was use to their advantage as a thought for a smooth mischievous getaway. I had a feeling who was behind this chase I did not want to be apart of.

“Oh you are in deep trouble this time child. I am going to tell your Nanna.”

Before I could blink three seconds later my capsule cocoon sails over a rooftop through air and landed in a local vendors pile of mustered yellow hay. The child and his furry accomplice inside, flaring their arms at a neighbor vendor setting up his stand. He grabbed a hold of the capsule while dropping his produce. Running down the stairs I should have waited longer but decided I may not get another chance. Jumping through the air and landing in the hay. Grabbing the capsule, the top open and I fell in, while yanking the speedster child’s hood off trying to get a hold of him.

“Velocity, I knew it was you! "

The six year old eyes lit up as he shoved his whole body weight forward and propelled us off the mount of hay, mid turn made the vendor owner break his hold as he watched us continue to slid down inside the capsule cocoon.

Shoving the animal inside his hood, “Are you insane?”

“Me!! You stole my letter, why?”

“I don’t want you to leave, I tried to get the letter from the knight but I wasn’t fast enough.”

“That is not you call to- wait, you were not fast enough? Whoa that is a first.’”

“You are telling me, I was very upset. That is why I had to use your small boat.”

“Stealing my bo-, it’s not a boat.”

“But you arrived here by water-”

“No, I did not, that is a bedtime old folk’s tale.”

Shaking his head, " and it can fit both of us plus foxy, hey did you say I stole.”

“Yes!”

“Yes, it’s a boat or yes I stole.”

“No it’s not a boat and yes you took what is not yours. Do you take things from your friends without permission?”

“Ha, wrong! That’s borrowing, I never stolen anything from my friends in my life!”

I wanted to pull her hair out talking to this kid, when she almost forgot they were reaching the bottom of the hill way to fast. The both all screamed when ricocheted off one pile of hay to the next all color coded for the cows stock up season. Crashing into piles of yellow, red, and orange scattering across the entire path to the town center.

The top hatched opened and the villagers stares could burn through metal without any powers in sight. I watched my senior Elder step forward clenching her staff. “Derella and Velocity! Help clean this up with the village and report to my bungalow at once.”

Brushing off hay and leaves, “Elder I can explain.”

“Nanna, I am sorry it was my fault.”

“Not another word from either of you, until this is finish! Do you understand?”

In unison they said, “Yes Great Elder.”

It took the rest of the day but the cleaning and resetting each color coded hay and leaf bundle was restored. Thankful it was preparation for the animals and not the the townspeople, that clean up would have taken all night to replace. The sun was about to set and the lamps in the town had to be ready to lite since cloud covered was heavy, only a few stars could be seen with a crescent moon.

By the time myself, Velocity and Foxy made it to the Senior Elder’s bungalow, it was night fall. They were exhausted and famished. Camp was already set up and the other elders had already left and looked like they made places for all four of us. We could smell the pot of bean stew over the fire. Elder had sliced cornbread in each bowl and she passed it to each of us as we sat. Foxy was about to dig her paws in but waited when Elder her narrowed her eyes at her.

Pouring stew in every bowl then raising it to the sky. " We thank you great guardians of the sky and we honor the matchless name who sent you to protect us. It is so!”

We repeated after in unison …and it will be done!

Elder sat an ate in silence with her mini family. She knew this is one of their favorite meals during harvest season. The one supper they did not dispute about. As far as she was concerned she had not other blood relatives that were more close than this one. She had lived for many moons like tonight but never had her heart felt so much heaviness since the Great Fall. Many lives were lost and she could not hold the weight any longer without sending them out to become greater, stronger that could save generations to come.

“If it does not rain on the morrow you will start your journey to the palace.”

“Oh Elder, it’s a week’s journey from here and I do not want to go!”

“You must and you will take Velocity and Foxy with you.”

The child smiling from ear to ear, while I wanted to curse the day, but did not.

“Is this punishment for what happen today?”

“No young one of course not. This was bound to happen eventually.”

“Then why? I create joy and peace here, not parties and battle castles. I should have not been nominated to for this in the first place let alone with him!”

“I have known you both during my late years of life and felt like a mother telling her children to go out into the unknown so you can fulfill your destiny.”

“Elder please! I enjoy my life, here with you. There is nothing I can offer a king other than farming and I know he has people older, wiser than teenager and a child.”

Elder shook her head, “ Derella by the next full moon you will be twenty. That is closer in age to the princess who is soon to marry and your promised queen.”

“That is what was said of the last one and where is she now even her zenith power could not save her, let alone any champions?”

“Have you ever lost a sister.”

“Not that I know of Elder.”

“Then watch your tongue young one, you cannot speak so freely out there than you can here for you will be cut and never, ever, be able to sing or talk for the rest of your days.”

Teary eye but refusing to let them fall, “Forgive me but, more reason why royalty and horticulturist do not mix.”

“Is that what you think of your superiors and most importantly think of yourself?”

I lower my gaze to the ground and Velocity pause from playing with Foxy.”

Elder exhaled,“ I know you have better judgment than that. You have your voice of wisdom when it’s not running wild and the way you sing changes peoples hearts for the better. Velocity is gifted like you in speed and agility and your were born with powers different from this region but unique to you and will become stronger closer to the palace grounds. Besides, it is not up for discussion, orders from the King.”

Grinding her teeth. I knew no a soul could refuse the king, it would be as if you wrote out your own death certificate. “Fine, not compromise. I would rather take Foxy with me at least she listens to me.”

“Nanna I think what Derella is trying to say we are far from a team even if I really want to go on this quest and she does not.”

Elder raised her hand, “You are spoken to directly and if you do not I will have Derella use that specific spice on you.”

“No Nanna not the one spice I cannot have, you know what that does to me.”

Elder put up her hand again and Velocity shut his mouth in a pout and gave more corn bread to Foxy.

“Elder I cannot lie, I enjoy my life her with you, I do not want to go on this journey.”

“You will go and if any trouble on the rough terrain do what I have always taught you in survival and when you get to the palace gate and no one knows who you are show them your letter addressed to you. If they still do not answer then you carry this staff with you.”

Elder placed the staff in her other hand and the air was stuck in my throat. She carried this with her everywhere she went. Usually this was given to the next leader of the village and she was breaking tradition for her. It was to much for me to bear.

Trembling, I nodded as locked eyes with Elder and refused to look at Velocity and Foxy.

Elder order them next to wash in the bath house before bed because their journey to the palace would start at sunrise.

I woke up before the sunrise, I could hardly sleep. Staring at the sky hoping for rain. Why couldn’t she have that gift or some would say true zenith power. Elder said I always had a way with words with people. The villagers elder and even Velocity had rich deep that matched the rich garden earth to the midnight sky. I looked so pale in comparison as if she only had a drop of their rich skin. Beauty all around her and she was stuck with plain features, pale skin, even her the white streak in her hair could not be covered with her sandy hair. Something between brown and bur

To make me feel even more ordinary was The Watotoe tribe made their approach.

Velocity pleaded, “Nanna come with us.”

“You know I cannot make the journey I am much to old.”

“Elder you are the fiercest person I know, you could service anything. Look at this village you built, everyone knows who you are and what you stand for across the region.”

Holding her arms out, “We did this together, that is why you must go share what you have learned here and take it all the way to the kingdom.”

My head started to pound, “You could have chosen anyone to serve the King, why me, I do not understand… is it because I look different?"

Elder hugged Derella. “You will find that you look like on the outside will not matter. All walks of life are there each region in one place. Behind the four walls is not only a palace but a place where you will find prosperity.”

“Elder my life is about to change again. I have to adapt to entire new customs and traditions!”

“Trust me Derella you are the best guidance for this new life and for Velocity. Take these spices you know which ones do what. Do not mix them up for what is for the child vs. what is for Foxy.”

Throwing on backpack, “Got it, one for the kid the other for the rat.”

“Nanna, she knows foxy is not a rat, she is a ferret.”

“Fine ferret. Please keep up with your pet because I will not be stopping every time you loose her. We are on a time schedule.”

“Nanna, Derella called foxy my pet and she knows she is my friend.”

Elder exhaled, “You need to listen to Derella, I know it will be hard but she is your new guardian now. You may share what you are feeling but try your best not to over share. You get excited. That is good but she is your very own elder now.”

“Nooo Nanna, I only have one Elder.”

Elder hugged Velocity, “Correct I will always be your Nanna, but now she is the one.”

Tears in his eyes, “Will we see you again?”

“I believe we will one day. Now go with Derella and the Watotoe tribe will guide you until you reach the end of our border, then you follow the map perceptibly and if anyone gives you trouble show them your seal on the letter. No one dare cross the seal, unless they want death to come upon them.

Velocity grinned whoa, “I heard they disappear and re-appear out of nowhere and they look like a white tiger clan spinning as they move. Some believe the gems all over their bodies are eyes but they move so fast you cannot tell unless they slow down.”

“Velo not another another old’s folk’s tale of imaginary stories to keep the village children well behaved.”

“Well speaking as I am the only child in this overly serious conversation, I think people get scared to death when they see them and that is the reason they nicknamed these creatures.”

Elder exhaled, “Let us first concentrate on the current assignment.”

Nodding I then knelt down as she watched Velocity walked a little further with his Nanna while squeezing Foxy tightly.

Pushing a seed into the ground while she hummed a tune, Even if I do not return, at least you will bear fruit one day to fill this whole barren field and keep our villagers strong, safe and resilient.”

Standing up I began to walk towards the others and the ground began to rumble underneath my feet and looking behind me, but nothing was there. I turned back around and join the others to start the long journey to the kingdom.