Inheritance

Chapter 9: Second Chance

Eory never thought he would see the light of day again for the rest of his life, but he was wrong. He had been good for twelve years and his behavior was finally being rewarded.

He stepped outside the tower with Kori at his side and breathed the fresh, cold air and felt the pale sunlight bless his skin with its brilliant and sparkling rays. His eyes had to adjust for a moment because he had not been in the sun for so very long, but when they did adjust, Eory was bedazzled by the world's loveliness.

He never thought his ears would be graced with the sound of rustling leaves again--or his nose would be filled with the scent of fresh greenery after a thorough rain.

He was brought to tears by the gloriousness of it all and promised himself he would not let his chance at freedom go to waste as Kori put a comforting hand on his wrist.

__

Eory was daydreaming as he rode along with Kori in a carriage she had waiting away from the tower--his old prison. They were accompanied by the most talented and ruthless guards who had long guarded the tower in which he was a prisoner for so long.

Eory's dog, who was sitting next to him on the plush seat of the carriage, brought him back to reality with a high-pitched yip!

"Eory," Kori asked over the sound of the carriage wheels driving over rock. "What are you thinking about?"

Eory went red with embarrassment for a moment, and then he replied, "how wonderful it is to see all this!"

"You're so quiet! I suppose you're just drinking in all this wonderment, huh?" Kori said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Eory nodded and looked out the side of the carriage to view the luscious trees lining the side of the path.

He had accidentally imagined himself holding Pollyanna's hands earlier and he felt sick at himself for it. Old women were holy creatures to fairy folk and were not to be touched by them. They were only to be worshipped.

It wasn't as if he thought that way about every old woman, however...

To be fair, I only know two, though... And one I only know one through stories. Eory thought to himself with his fist pressed against his cheek.

Kori's wrinkles had no allure like Pollyanna's did. Where Pollyanna's were a sign to him of her strength and worldliness--her compassion and dedication to always protecting his family, Kori's were just the wrinkles of a mother who was meant to guide him through life.

Eory was glad to be brought back to reality by Kori and Gershom and was able to delight in it now that he was free.

Eory looked upon everything in a delighted daze; the stormy sky, the verdant trees, the glistening snow, and the many shiny rocks which the horses treaded over on the winding path astounded him.

But, as the carriage rolled onward, his thoughts kept wandering, and they kept wandering back to Pollyanna. Eory hung his head in shame and embarrassment as he thought about how he wanted to hold her hands. Reality is a nice place to be now! I don't have to live in a fantasy anymore...

"Eory! Look! A deer!" Kori whispered and thankfully interrupted his thoughts.

He looked to his right to see a deer peeking out from the forest. He grabbed Gershom and moved him to his lap as he leaned a little out the carriage to get a closer look.

Eory cocked his head to the side and any thoughts about holding Pollyanna's hands were banished from his head.

"Look at it... It's as sweet and innocent as you!" Kori exclaimed.

Its black eyes seemed to hold the world itself in them, and its lovely red coat seemed to sparkle before it dashed away.

Eory smiled ear-to-ear. "Pretty..."

"You don't have to whisper out here, Eory! I want to hear you say it loudly!" Kori encouraged.

Eory shyly pressed his cheek against Gershom's head, embarrassed. "That's okay..."