Creative Writing: Octavia's Home

Octavia's hands shook as she tucked her red hair into a braid. She smoothed over the delicate twists and curls, willing the tremors to go away. She wasn't usually this nervous. She wrung her hands in a poor attempt to rid herself of the trembling. Footsteps echoed outside in the corridor. The sounds paused at her door. 'Octavia, dear?' 'Yes, Mother.' The heavy oak door creaked as it was pushed open. Her mother was cradling a long, slim object in her arms. It was clothed in a sheath of dark leather. Octavia met her mother's gaze questioningly. Her mother was silent as she offered it to her. Taking the object, Octavia recognised the cool metal of the hilt of a sword. She smiled faintly as she pulled the sheath off, revealing a flawless …show more content…

It was a search for the Worthstone, which was the most powerful object in the kingdom of Zephthyr, of which Octavia’s father was the king. Every year, King Ulric would choose a candidate from a selection of worthy sixteen-year-olds. She had finally convinced her father to let her go on the Quest for the Worthstone, and was accepted after much deliberation. The Worthstone was a jewel with magic properties, passed down from generation to generation, until it had been stolen by a dragon by the name of Faznir. The beast was fierce, making the Quest an unpopular one. But Faznir was fascinating to Octavia. Some people over the years had taken weeks, even months to return, if they returned at all. It had been decades since the Worthstone was stolen. Nobody had been successful on the Quest.Faznir protected the Worthstone with determination, eliminating those who tried to retrieve it. Despite the danger of it, Octavia was adamant she should go on the Quest. She had practiced for years, studying her father’s techniques in his training room. She spent most of her free time perfecting her parries and lunges. She knew she was …show more content…

Octavia’s mother and father were standing behind her, waiting. ‘Are you ready, dear?’ her mother asked, taking Octavia’s hand. Octavia was silent as she wrapped her arms around both her father and mother in a tight embrace. ‘I love you two.’ Octavia blinked back the tears that were forming in her eyes. Her Father spoke this time, softly. ‘Just come home safely.’ Octavia pulled back and looked back and forth between the two. She had a determined look on her face. ‘I’ll be back. I promise.’ They smiled, somewhat sadly, but sincerely. Her mother reached out for Octavia’s hand, taking it. She gazed at Octavia for a moment, as if she had only one chance left to see her. Octavia felt a solid, flat object in her hand. Pulling her hand back, her eyes fell on a dull, gold coin. Engraved on it were two circles, joined together in the middle. Just like the linked rings that jesters enchanted the crowds with. Octavia raised her eyebrows, thinking the item was worthless to her on this quest. But she tucked it into her breast pocket. ‘I’ve had it for years, but never gave it a second thought. I hoped it might be useful, to you at least.’ ‘Thank you, Mother.’ Octavia hugged her mother and her father again, in