The Crystal Tower (conclusion)

I wondered if I could bring those lovely flowers back to the princesses.

I stopped that evening for a long wash in a nearby stream. I lamented that I had not brought soaps and perfumes with me. Still, I did not smell all that bad for so long a journey. My silken hair dipped past my slim waist and teased my full, rising hips. I giggled in a softened tone at the hair, which completely enveloped me. I enjoyed the silken feel of my skin, which was without the blemish of rough hairs anymore. I didn't try to explain it with wind or curses. I just enjoyed it.

I also much enjoyed the new form to my chest, which pressed often against my breastplate. The sensations were intoxicating and yet familiar. I relaxed long and leisurely in the water till late in the evening.

The dreams that night were like the ones before but without even a glimmer of anxiety. I rose early and checked my horse. Its form looked subtly different. While I felt confused by this change, I brushed my long hair thoughtfully. I inspected the horse till I found the cause beneath. It was a mare.

This revelation somehow brought me relief. Once my hair was fairly brushed, I mounted my mare and rode onward. The tower was not far off. It looked vast and round with long, pure crystal columns which seemed like something taken from deep in the ground.

Each motion forward not only made it loom even greater but it also seemed to vibrate. I urged my mare to quicken her step.

After a while, the familiar feel of my groin resting against the saddle had changed without my perception. It wasn't bad. It was rather nice actually. I slowed my girl to a gallop and smiled.

Around the area where the tower sat, vast and beautiful, were gardens of an incredible variety. Fruits and vegetables along with flowers and plants grew everywhere astride it with a slim, worn path leading to an immense door on the side.

As I approached, I tied my horse to a nearby, secluded tree. I drew my flaming sword and held it low. It didn't take long till I sighted a young woman in a dress picking fruit from a tree. I watched her a while, but she was clearly unarmed. I felt the sudden urge to help her, so I set my sword into the ground and approached.

She gasped a moment when she saw me but I soon assured her I had no quarrel with her. I looked up to her and said, "I am only here on a quest for the Crystal Tower."

Silence passed a moment before she smiled back and answered, "I sought the same…many years ago. In another life. You need not worry about dangers within the castle. There are no monsters, only sisters. Let me show you."

Leaving my sword behind to curl flames in its spot, I followed the young maiden to the tower. I gazed upon its beauty and looked up until I nearly tipped backwards. The young maiden chuckled and ushered me through the door, which was taller and wider than any I'd ever seen. And, yet, it swung open with just a gentle touch.

I'd dreamed of the inside of that tower so many times and what I saw exceeded even my grand notions. The walls were lovingly adorned with every finery imaginable. The halls were incredible. There were chairs and cushions and amenities not even afforded the King of Nellrast. And several young women were enjoying it all so very much.

As soon as I saw them, I wanted to join them. I wanted to be in service to them. They were kin to me and I would do anything for them.

The woman who had led me in placed a hand on my hair draped-shoulder and said, "And perhaps I should take you to someone who can better explain…all of this."

I smiled and waved to the girls. I felt sad to be leaving them, if only for the moment. The woman took me up some stairs and to an even-grander room. I stopped to marvel at a long, open closet with dresses of every color. My eyes lingered on a pink one. The sleeves were long and silken. I begged the woman to let me try it on. With a calm smile, she nodded.

It fit perfectly. I twirled to marvel at how the silk felt against my soft legs. The woman led me to a jeweled mirror and I looked back at my reflection. I had known much of my body but the way my form looked in the dress was a delight. My breasts and hips presented a subtle but beautiful figure. My hair fell neatly behind me, though I yearned for time with a nice brush to make it even better. But my host led me on to the next room.

This room contained shelves of books in a winding semi-circle, which seemed to follow the long, bending wall of the tower. Seated at a nearby table and chair was another young woman. She possessed fiery-red hair and emerald eyes. Her gown looked lovely. She smiled at me as I approached and greeted me as "sister". The word didn't jar me, except for a sudden moment of delight.

She asked, "Do you remember your life before here?"

I recalled a journey. I remembered a harsh desert. And a castle. I didn't have a good impression of myself back then. I remembered a room full of pretty clothes and the notion of being a princess. But I also knew I was skilled with the sword. I told all this to my sisters.

My red-haired sister nodded as though she were expecting my words. After listening, she led me to another room on the floor above. Inside were grand tapestries which made my heart flutter. The greatest flowed out from the inward curve of the wall from ceiling to floor. It depicted an ethereal woman with her hand outstretched and a glow of power flowing from it. Her silvery garments had a sheen to them as well. Her lengthy hair looked a shade between the alabaster of my castle home and the silvery, crystalline presence of the tower. Her woven face wore a perpetual smile.

After a moment, my sister explained, "This is Rionna Ovalith. She was a sorceress in ages of old. Many of her books still remain in this tower. So far as we can tell, she created this tower by herself before she died."

I gazed on the splendor of Rionna's face like a new mother had been revealed to me. But my heart felt heavy that she had long passed before. I felt I would've done anything for her sake.

My sister continued, "The tower was made to craft an army. An army of women warriors dedicated in service to her. Women of strength and courage but still with qualities Rionna favored. Like a love of beauty and a joyful spirit."

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I still looked upon the silvery eyes of Rionna as I listened attentively to my sister. She added, "But her death came right before the completion of her goal. Unfinished in its purpose, the tower passed into myth. And those who entered its influence…were crafted much in the way Rionna intended…no matter the shape they took beforehand."

This was all very fascinating, but I wasn't quite sure what it meant for me. I hoped it meant my sisters accepted me as one of their own. I asked softly, "Am I still a sister of yours…my sister?"

My sister gave a warm smile which kindled bright hope. "Please call me Nashara. You are welcome here as one of us. This place has luxuries which not even the greatest of palaces affords. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish…if that is your choice…"

I didn't need even a moment to choose. I desperately exclaimed, "Yes! I want to stay! I want to be with my sisters always. I love it here. Please please…let me stay…"

Nashara brought her hand out slightly and bowed. "I know that is what you say now but this place has a special influence. Because of that, I can't even be sure you began your trek as a woman."

I felt shocked. Such a notion! "But sister! I've always been a girl. I sense that even stronger now! I am a princess, surely. One skilled at the sword and bright of heart. Surely I am worthy to stay here."

Smiling calmly, Nashara nodded. "I am sure you sense that. I am sure you believe all that. But this place has a strong influence. That is why I want to take you to a special room. It wasn't done before Rionna died but my sisters who came before me managed to complete it. You will step inside…know your heart…and make your decision."

My heart raced a little. I was certain of myself. I was a woman. The details were just out of reach but I kept telling myself it was true. With that certainty, I followed Nashara to the room.

It was up several flights of stairs. The door to it was plain and unassuming. Nashara opened it and beckoned me inside. She remained on the outside. I looked through the threshold and took a deep breath. Slowly, I stepped through.

At first, nothing was different. Then, slowly, like the snow breaking off the Rast Mountains in spring, it all fell away.

I remembered it all. I looked down at my form in frozen shock. I staggered a bit and turned back to look at Nashara. With warmth, she told me, "Many of us were once men. I was a mercenary who ravaged many towns. I figured this would be my greatest plunder. When the sister who filled my role before me led me into this room, I tried to fight her. She bested me easily with her skills. So I understand if you wish to strike out at me. I will try not to make it hurt too much."

The fire of my manly pride rose up and lunged at her in the face of reason. She bested me with just a few quick motions. It didn't hurt much but it still hurt.

After I caught my breath, she answered a question dwelling in my mind, "There is no way to undo the change. It is for the rest of your mortal days."

Taking in the finality of her words, she left me with the door still open. I stayed there, my back against the wall.

All that I had been was gone. My royal face had been reshaped. I even breathed differently. The shape of my body was foreign.

I took a bit of time in knowing it better, lingering upon my changed chest and testing what had become of my manly aspect. It wasn't entirely unpleasant. But it was a world where I felt like a child before a greater mountain or river than I had ever faced.

Still, the heart of that child burned like the one of my youth. It would be an incredible challenge for a man to make a truly unparalleled woman. A woman whose beauty and energy flowered forth along with the skill of her sword to take down any she faced.

It was not the challenge I expected but the best always come as surprises. And I felt eager to be the greatest princess warrior of any age.

When Nashara returned, she seemed surprised at my answer, though pleased.

Leaving the room washed away much of my memory but carrying a small piece of stone from the room kept its presence with me.

Nashara introduced me to the other girls. There were many. The automatic notion of sisterhood still teased at my thoughts. It was pleasant but best earned.

And earn it, they did. We sparred. We told stories. I tended to my horse and the other mares who had made their way to this place. I showed my mighty sword, only to face down a frost sword of equal splendor in a match against a skilled sister. It gave me reason to hope but still many bruises.

Some sisters taught me how to tend to the gardens. The work was enjoyable. Others helped me with my nascent skills in elegance. I learned quickly in the new sensibilities of this society what partners sought of me. I took upon the name of Reinara from the tongues of old to better suit my new fate.

Lavished attention thrilled me as much as a quick and skillful parry of a sword. As time passed, I explored higher in the tower till I came to a wind-teased area like a balcony flanked by crystalline columns.

Though I still had the temptation to trim my hair, especially when I kept the fragment of the special room close, I resisted a cut because several sisters favored its length. The air, calmed at this height by magic, tossed my bangs playfully against my forehead until I couldn't help but laugh, and even smile a little.

The clear view felt daunting at first. Even my childhood gaze from the peak of Rastana, highest of the Rast Mountains, paled before all I could see. The land beneath seemed to slightly bend, as though curled across a vast orb. I could see the unmarred fields and forests around the tower. Beyond that, Sorcraw Desert in all its desolation. Then the faint discolorations which were the mighty towns of Nellrast. Beyond that, barely a smudge of white against the ripple of the Rast Mountains, was Rastref. I could imagine some young adventurer there looking out at the distance with determination in his heart.

I couldn't help but smile and wish them a safe journey to their new home.

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