Golden Reform

The rising sun bathed the land in a crimson hue. Though it was early morning, there was already a dry heat. She’d been prepared for the heat, utilizing the sunscreen her community had created and dressing as lightly as possible. Her ankle boots clacked quietly clacked against the weathered road. The rustic frames of cars lay beneath her feet, though green trees brought a lighter mood to the otherwise desolate land.

The previous world had destroyed itself. Laws had to be written in order for people to acquire the most basic of rights. Rather than allow for the health and wellness of others, the hateful raged a war. Anyone they’d deemed sinful or incorrect were targeted; view against view for centuries while innocence suffered and ignorance prospered.

Though the wars had long ended, peace was not the end result. The end result was a divided world. Those who desired peace and happiness began new communities, helping each other and trading for what they needed. The other group, referred to as Silvers, were those whose hatred poisoned them and their descendents into believing the world should give only to them and no other shall receive. They controlled the heavy weaponry, using it to control and torture those who just wanted peace.

Aurelia’s father had been taken by them when she was fourteen, their punishment for the community causing noise after sundown. At fifteen, her mother had traded her own freedom for a year of peace so the town could properly supply the growing population. She was to be returned, and her body had been. It had been Aurelia who forged a lasting deal with the Silvers. She would provide them with medicine, aid and alcohol when requested or her community would be tormented again. She was twenty now and had just finished a delivery for them, now on her way to purchase a special gift.

On the horizon she could see her destination, buildings crafted from the ruins of the previous world. This community was not as fortunate as hers, unable to provide any true satisfaction to the Silvers. Silver grunts nodded in her direction, though she refused to acknowledge them.

They were everywhere, taking from stands and destroying what displeased them. Aurelia bit her tongue and took a swig from her flask, her herbs calming her slightly. She hated watching the suffering of others.

Children ran the streets, begging for aid. Aurelia shook her head, shifting the heavy bag on her back. Despite their suffering, several citizens greeted her with a smile; their eyes remaining dull. She was the leader of the most beloved community.

It was one of individuals who specialized in different, somewhat magickal, practices and medicines. Each had been gifted with what knowledge was left of the old world and of that passed from elder to descendent. Her community was appreciated, where before it would have been shunned or taboo.

“Maya, delighted to see you.” She examined the underweight metallurgist. “How has Zel fared from our home-brew?”

“Their pain has decreased greatly.” Maya beamed, though the bags beneath her chestnut eyes aged her appearance. “Your order has been filled.” She entered the back room, emerging with a small blue bag.

“I’m pleased, though I wasn’t worried.” She opened her bag to retrieve the items Maya had asked for this work. “I knew a locket couldn’t stump you.”

“The latch was the most difficult.” Maya chuckled. “Did you bring my wine?”

“Of course.” Aurelia smiled. “They’ll be in season for another couple months, so you’ll get plenty more. Here’s a few other requests with payment ready.” She handed Maya a bag and a list.

Maya handed her the felt bag. Aurelia opened it, dropping the silver locket into the palm of her hand. On the back, her requested engravement. River, you are my darkness in this world of uncertainty.

“Pretty.” A gruff man snickered. “I want it.”

“Can’t have it.” Aurelia stuffed the locket into her breast. “Don’t even try,” she readied her knife. “I don’t play, Silver.”

“Sir, I have many other fine pieces.” Maya attempted to direct his attention. “Or you could place a special request and I could have whatever you’d like prepared by tomorrow afternoon.”

The back of his hand reddened Maya’s cheek, causing her to fall into the shelves behind her.

Aurelia, unable to contain her anger, sliced at the man. His sleeve tore with blood oozing through the slice, her left hand released a fist as she found herself standing over the man.

“You’ll be sorry!” He shrieked, fleeing from the store.

“Reli, you shouldn’t have done that.” Maya rubbed her throbbing cheek. “He’s going to come back.”

“You know their leader won’t allow them to retaliate against me.” Aurelia shook her head, not expecting ramifications. “I literally saved his life last year. He owes me forever.”

“What if you piss him off?” Maya sighed.

“It’ll be fine, Maya.” Aurelia played it off. “I have to finish my other trades. I’ll see you later. Thanks again for all your hard work.”

The sun was mid sky, a desire for breakfast filling her stomach. She traded peppermint tea for a biscuit and a small cup of orange juice. She continued to each shop, trading for the needs of her people. Her most popular sell, dandelion wine; a recipe her mother had taught her. As always, she left each residence and those in need, medicine and a sack of supplies. She would give toys to the children, hand-crafted by her betrothed.

The blazing ball in the sky began to lower as she left for home. Walking would take longer than utilizing her horse, but the air was much too hot for her poor steed. Aurelia preferred walking, anyhow.

Her thumb brushed the smooth locket, finding the bump of the lock. She clicked it open, an empty space on either side of the hearts. Aurelia placed two small drawings within the empty slots, placing the heart-shaped plastic before them. The drawing, a recreation of their first kiss.

Specialized bands were much too expensive to waste on actions such as hers, but this locket would say everything. River had always admired lockets and jewelry, but they’d never owned any before. After a few hours of traversing the road and eventual path through the forest, Aurelia could make out the silhouetted buildings of her home. Waiting at the main gate was Téo, one of her best friends and her only cousin. They’d insisted on helping Aurelia dress for the evening.

“About time, you only got three hours and you still have to bathe.” Téo tisked. They had been an orphan, whom Aurelia’s aunts had adopted.

“I am going to the bath house right now.” Aurelia waved her off. “I’ll meet you at the house.

Téo pouted their pink lips for a second, their raven hair nearly whipping as they turned. “You better hurry,” They began in a teasing tone. “River’s liable to say no if you’re late.”

Aurelia rested within the make-shift bath house their ancestors had created, soaking in the clean water. It had once been a tourist destination; natural springs to swim in and admire; a camping site for a family vacation. Though it had been left untouched upon the destruction of the old world for nearly one hundred years before her people had settled there. Only one spring was utilized to bathe, the others for drinking and cooking water.

Téo greeted Aurelia at her door, their friend Sky stood from the couch.

“Let’s get started.” She smiled, her green eyes glistening with happiness.

Sky had been fortunate to grow in a community of magick. Her parents had spent years searching for the proper plants needed to help Sky, and any others born like her, achieve their dreams of being in their desired bodies. Plants were all they had, as surgery was a difficult option in a world of restricted resources.

Sky crimped her hair, rattling off fact after fact of everything she’d learned about psychology that week. She loved to learn, especially topics related to the brain and science. It was as though each discovery somehow validated Sky in a way. Science was one of the very few things still constant in their lives; as magick and science are two sides of the same coin in the eyes of Aurelia and her friends. The two together could be unstoppable.

“So, can we see it?” Téo politely waited for a pause in Sky’s excited rambling.

Aurelia retrieved the small bag from her breast. She allowed the locket to fall within her hand. It’s metal shined from the lantern's glow.

“It’s stunning.” Sky breathed.

“River is going to love that.” Téo smiled.

“I hope so.” Aurelia whispered.

As time ticked by, Aurelia felt a fluttering in her stomach. Téo had chosen a dark red and black, tank-sleeved summer dress. The material was light and cool, perfect for the cooler evening.

“Nearly time.” Sky finished her task.

“You ready?” Téo asked.

Aurelia examined herself in the mirror, her blue eyes high-lighted by her freckles, the waves in her cherry hair seemed highlighted under the light of the falling sun. A dimpled smile lightened her face, though Aurelia still had a nervousness in her stomach. “Yes.”

Lantern’s lit her path as she wished her friends a goodnight. They wouldn’t sleep and Aurelia knew that. She was lucky to have them as her neighbors, or she would have to traverse through the night in order to share the news of her evening. She gripped the locket tight in her hand.

Aurelia came upon her desired designation. A restaurant of sorts. River had arrived early, as they so often did and was waiting at the entrance.

They smiled upon seeing Aurelia, that warm smile that lit their eyes and melted all of Aurelia’s fear away. Their hazel eyes shifted between blue and green, no doubt the product of the teal tank they wore with their black jean shorts and ankle boots.

“Hey.” River’s soft voice sent chills down Aurelia’s spine.

“Hey beautiful, are you ready to eat?” Aurelia pulled her beloved into a hug.

They sat and prepared for dinner, Aurelia’s heart thumped in her chest. She couldn’t believe she was actually going to ask River to marry her and she could only hope that this heart-shaped locket would be enough representation of her love, for River to see that Aurelia truly does desire a future with them for all of eternity, even within their broken world.