Tale 84- The Night Bringer

 Arriving in yet another town, the Traveler had to remind herself of why she started this. She had wanted freedom from Marcielle, but he was gone now, so technically she was trying to earn freedom from Calius, freedom over her autonomy as he was the King and could rule over her every action if he so pleased. Marriage was a contract, and Calius was the law, so she was earning freedom from her iron binds. Only sixteen tales more, and she would be free. And she had no idea what she would even do. She was lost, like a sailor out to sea or a butterfly without direction, or a doll that had not yet been wound. That’s right…she was no longer his doll. He couldn’t touch her anymore. And that thought uplifted her slightly. Even though she missed Sarafelle sorely, she felt as if a weight had been lifted now that Marcielle was gone. There would be no more negative contact…and even if she couldn’t feel Sarafelle’s kind touches anymore, there was a future awaiting her. Though it was full of unknowns, the Traveler was determined to make it a happy one. She approached the center of the town, spotting a child drawing with chalk and getting a familiar sensation, so she wandered over and stared down at the boy’s drawing, hoping to begin a conversation despite how weary she truly was. The boy smiled and pointed at his drawing, which was of a stingray with stars all along its back, offering to tell her the story. Agreeing, the Traveler sat down next to him, ready to hear the tale of ‘the Night Bringer’

‘In the deepest, darkest oceans, there was a magical stingray which dived down as far as it could, being transformed by bioluminescants and becoming radiant, infused with stardust. Pulled out of the water, it was transformed and given the ability to fly, soaring through the clouds and amongst the stars, which reflected off its watery form like diamonds. The stars were drawn to the ray, and collected on its back like fish, riding through the night and soaring through the darkened skies, guided only by the light of the moon. The ray trailed through the sky, stars eventually sliding off its slippery surface and into new places in the sky, forming patterns and constellations. As the ray streaked across the sky, several stars fell to earth and created bursts of light, whilst others still continued to ride atop it, awaiting the day they will finally be formed into a shape. And the ray continues its journey across the sky, until the entire expanse is covered in beautiful, glistening diamonds.’

The tale was simple, but the Traveler liked it quite a bit, finding it sweet and not too hard to think about, which eased her tumbling mind. Though her thoughts would become consumed with Sarafelle and her grief, a respite of calm amongst her imaginings was welcome. The stingray would fly through her mind, too, and decorate each darkened thought with stars until she was finally happy. Sighing and remembering her goal, she clenched her fists and stood, thanking the boy for the tale and wandering onwards.