A knock came at the door. Caeli bid them enter and Lynx walked into the room.
"Good night Caeli. This is Lavendra, she is the seamstress who will be making your dress for the Harvest.
Her entrance much less dramatic than the last, when she had caught wind that Caeli was awake.
Lynx had come bursting through the doors and had thrown herself across Caeli's lap with joyful sobs. All care for formalities gone. And Caeli the more happy for it.
It had taken a solid thirty minutes of consoling before Lynx calmed. Calliope sniffling and dabbing her eyes with happy tears at the foot of the bed and Einar solemnly silent beside her, the only evidence of his relief being that his jaw relaxed.
A woman who followed behind Lynx came to stop and bow.
Her skin matched Lynx's but her hair, tightly pulled away from her face in an impossibly neat bun, was the lightest shade of purple. As she bowed, it sometimes looked white in the light.
The faintest lines could be seen on either side of the woman's mouth and around her eyes, the only things to implicate her age.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I apologize I could not keep our appointment yesterday. I'm sure this leaves you with little time to work on the dress for the Harvest.", Caeli said bashfully.
Lavendra straightened and shook her head.
"You needn't worry Miss Caeli. Your dress is the only one I will be making this Harvest season, it will be done in plenty of time. It is my pleasure.", Lavendra said, a basket of sewing utensils hanging from the crook of her arm.
Lynx led Lavendra to the area in front of the full-length gold plated mirror.
"Lavendra has since retired but owns and operates the largest and most famous dress boutique in the Midnight Forest.", Lynx explained as Lavendra sat her basket on a nearby lounge and began pulling things out of it.
"I am thrilled to have been commissioned by his lordship for such work. It's been ages since I last had an order from our lord. I hope to show him I've still got.", Lavendra winked at Caeli.
Caeli felt a small sting.
It took her a moment to realize it was the seamstresses comment.
*It's been ages since I last had an order from our lord.*, the woman had said.
Had Raven entertained women before and commissioned them dresses?
Was this not the first time he'd done this? What about the other gifts?
Caeli took a deep breath and pushed it form her mind.
The hurt was unjustified.
Raven owed her nothing, certainly not an explanation of his distant past or those who existed therein.
Caeli discussed the design of the dress with Lavendra who already had received notes from Raven about what they were wanting.
Lavendra took to working immediately.
A few hours in and the women took a break for lunch, discussing the up and coming festivities.
Caeli sat comfortably silent, enjoying the two women's conversation and the relaxed atmosphere between the three of them.
She had never truly been comfortable around most of the people in her village.
Demetri, the old librarian, had been the only one she could spend time with, without feeling out of place.
They would silently enjoy each other's company, each with their nose in a book.
Occasionally, he would take a break and put together a snack for them to share as she talked about whatever book she was currently reading.
He had always been patient, attentive, and kind.
Caeli turned her head to see the journal on the bedside table, recalling Ravens encouraging words.
"Lavendra? I think I'd like to do something special with the dresses design.", Caeli said thoughtfully, her cheeks warming.
"Of course my lady. What did you have in mind?", she asked sipping her tea pleasantly.
"Well perhaps you could help? I'd like to surprise his lordship.", Caeli said, clearing her throat. "He's been awfully kind to me since my stay here, I'd like to surprise him with a unique design. Perhaps he might enjoy that we took such time and care with his order.", Caeli said helplessly, feeling a fool.
"Absolutely my lady. I believe that is a very kind way to look at it. I have just the idea, and I think his lordship will be thrilled.", Lavendra said, raising a brow surreptitiously at Lynx who smothered a smile behind her tea cup.
——————————————————————————
Caeli insisted to Lynx that she felt strong enough to visit the moths nest.
Bat stood and scooped Caeli onto his back, ready to be instructed on their destination.
Lynx hesitantly allowed it.
"Now if she becomes ill, or something happens, you get his lordship right away.", Lynx said, waving a finger at Bat who wagged his tail happily.
With a nod, Bat and Caeli headed for the nest while Lynx went to assist in preparations for the Harvest.
They exited the castle and Caeli could suddenly feel eyes in her. The next moment she felt the air change behind her.
"Good day, angel.", came a deep voice from behind her.
An image of Coruscare flashed across her mind before she shook it off. Logic taking hold and convincing her that he couldn't possibly be there in the forest.
*Einar's training is paying off.*, she thought to herself proudly. Pushing the kind of Fire and Light from her mind.
"Good day my lord. I suppose you are the only other one here who would say such.", she replied without turning.
He fell into step easily with the gargoyle and she smiled at him broadly.
"And what could be so important that I find you out of your bed?", Saxum asked with feigned contemplation.
Caeli gave her good shoulder a shrug.
"After one spends indefinite amount of time in bed, such as myself, it becomes difficult to do. I feel quite alright my lord. Just needed some fresh air.", she said breathing the autumn air with pleasure.
Saxum nodded and plucked a flower as they moved along. He began inspecting it as they walked.
"If it's fresh air you'd like, you have quite the balcony. I'm shocked you didn't utilize it in this instance.", Saxum said, hoping to encourage her to return to her room.
Caeli chuckled.
"Perhaps my motivation was for good company. I've come to visit the moths.", she said, her new journal, quill, and ink slung in a small sack across her body.
She hoped to sit with them for some time and take notes.
"If it was company you seek, I am always happy to pop by.", Saxum said quickly. Hoping she'd agree and return to her room.
She laughed once more.
"To be honest, Raven gave me this new journal to write research notes in. I was hoping to start right away with the moths. I find them fascinating.", Caeli said, her excitement making its way into her voice.
Saxum laughed, finding her mood to be contagious.
"Well, if you do not intend to return to your room, I must ask that you allow me to accompany you? Just in case?", he asked, now walking backwards and facing her, his arms spread out in a suggestive shrug.
Caeli threw her head back in laughter and nodded.
"If you insist my lord.", she said as they arrived at the nest.
She carefully dismounted, with Saxum's help, and made her way to the center of the trunk.
Many of the moths remained stationary, presumably asleep.
A moment later, Caeli began making a pile of fallen leaves to sit upon in the center of the floor.
Bat began helping, digging at the leaves to fly between his legs and land in the pile.
Caeli turned to Bat and nodded once she felt it was sufficiently wide enough to accommodate the three of them.
Bat circled and then lowered himself into the leaves with a rustling sound, the autumn leaves crunching under the weight of his body.
Caeli moved close to Bat and steadied herself on his back as she lowered herself to the ground.
Once settled, her pack pulled into her lap, she turned to Saxum with her brows raised.
"Coming, my lord?", she asked with a teasing smile. She patted the pile of leaves beside her.
"Of course.", Saxum said with a roguish smile.
He threw himself into the leaves causing half of them to rise and fall around them.
Caeli laughed as she pulled one of the leaves from her hair.
"You were being entirely serious, huh?", Saxum said with a chuckle. He crossed his arms behind his head and laid back to stare at the small woman.
Caeli smiled and nodded as she looked around at the sleeping moths.
"My hand writing has improved enough to be legible. I figured it would be good practice as well.", she said with a shrug of her good shoulder, the other arm slung.
She pulled the items out of her bag one at a time.
"Once I leave here, I'd like to remember all of the wonderful things I saw. It will be something dear to look back on.", she said, her tone bittersweet.
Saxum leaned on an elbow and sat up in surprise.
"Leave, angel?", he asked softly, cocking his head to the side as he leaned closer to her.
Caeli nodded as she took to dipping her quill in the ink container.
"I must. I have so many unanswered questions to find answers for. My life is… complicated. The answers I seek may change my life, even save it.", she said with a sad sigh. "I'm plagued by unconsciousness, my mind tearing itself into two. Should I lose this fight, perhaps my notes can be a comfort for me in the end. A way to remember when I forget."
Saxum's heart shattered.
Such a young and beautiful woman to be in such heartbreaking circumstances.
The world was cruel.
"I'm sure Lucius would be happy to help you however you needed. Leaving might not be necessary.", Saxum insisted.
"I've already inconvenienced his lordship enough. I cannot take advantage of such kindness. It wouldn't be right.", Caeli said matter-of-factly.
Saxum watched her silently for a moment.
There hadn't been a female in Lucius's life for years but when there had been, all of them had wanted riches and fame.
Her declaration seemed genuine and true, and it comforted him to know that such a person could exist.
His worries for his old friend lightening somewhat.
"I think our lordship would love nothing more than to have you around, angel.", Saxum said, laying back once more and closing his eyes.
"What's that?", Caeli asked distractedly, concentrating on making her handwriting as legible as possible.
Saxum chuckled and remained silent.
Before he knew it, the worlds noises came to life.
He could hear the girls steady breath and the scraping of her quill. The sound of turning pages every few moments creating a symphony with the wildlife.
Saxum had never felt so relaxed in all of his life.
The nests air began to fill with the smell of spice from the fallen leaves, and vanilla from the small girl just beside him.
Before long, the king fell asleep, his breathing becoming deep and slow.
Bat and Saxum snoozed pleasantly as Caeli worked for two hours before she decided to take a break.
She turned to each of her companions and smiled.
She woke Bat gently before turning over to do the same for Saxum.
"My lord?", Caeli said softly, hoping to avoid startling the large dragon.
Saxum's nostrils filled with the smell of honey and vanilla and a small touch on his arm.
"My lord? We should probably be heading back.", Caeli said smiling down at him.
Saxum opened his eyes to find her visage filling his vision and the effect was sensational.
"Good morning, angel.", Saxum croaked, his voice rough from sleep.
She laughed and smiled broadly down at him, the heavens opening up not as beautiful.
He smiled back and bumped her chin gently with his crooked finger.
He sat up and stretched leisurely.
"All set then, my lady?", Saxum asked, assisting her to stand.
Caeli nodded before getting on Bat's back.
They returned to her room.
"I was contemplating having a small meal if you'd like to join me my lord?", Caeli offered as Bat nudged her bedroom doors open.
Saxum smiled broadly and bowed.
"It would be my pleasure.", he replied, waving them in front of himself, letting them enter the room first.
They sat and talked at the tables on the balcony.
Saxum told Caeli how he was the Third child, child of the Goddess of the South.
He talked of how him and Lucius had met one night, adolescents in dragon years, when Saxum had arrived at the edge of the forest.
Saxum spent some time with the King of Midnight and they became fast friends.
"Has he always been… lonely?", Caeli asked as they picked from the various trays of food that had been brought to them by Bat and one of the kitchen hands, Rigel.
Both were rewarded with sweet treats and both squealed in delight, Rigel making his speedy exit to enjoy his unexpected bounty.
Saxum shrugged.
"We all were lonely in the beginning. At first, when we first met each other, the Five of us, we were elated to find that we had each other. Life was isolated in the beginning. It wasn't until after the Five became a council that humanoid life forms were created.", he said nonchalantly. "I suppose Lucius did seem to seek solace whenever possible. He had been the most hesitant to create in his domain. Something about not wanting to be like his mother.", Saxum said with a shrug.
"I am sorry to hear that, but I am glad to know you both now. My life has been so incredibly different since I left home. Not all of it good, but even if I could, I wouldn't change a thing.", Caeli said smiling as she took a bite of a sweet bun, something Dorn made her after having heard her rave about the dish.
"Really? You wouldn't change a single thing?", Saxum asked with surprise.
Caeli thought for a moment.
"I think maybe, the only thing I can think of, would be that I could have saved my parents. Without them, my life was much different than it could have been. And because of that loss, my life has become more complicated. There's much I wish to know that they would have the answers to.", Caeli said.
Her words pierced him.
"Otherwise? No. I don't think that I would change anything. I am grateful for the things I've seen and the people I've met because of how things worked out. I could not of dreamt a place as beautiful as this, yet here I am, lucky enough to be privy to it. And in such good company.", she laughed, turning to smile at Saxum and petting Bat's head.
Her resilience and positive was startling.
Most beautiful women had easy lives, their sense of entitlement drastic. Their endurance for hardship minuscule.
*Beauty and integrity. Delightful.*, Saxum thought to himself with glee.
They finished their meal, Saxum happily answering Caeli's onslaught of questions about his kingdom, her curiosity taking the reigns of the conversation.
Once finished they cleaned their plates and walked them back to the kitchen. Bat balancing the left overs on a tray that tilted precariously on his back.
"Miss Caeli!", Orion shouted excitedly. Happy to see the young woman up and moving after the terrifying rumors he'd heard after her collapse. The weight of the world lifting from his shoulders.
"Good night Master Dishwasher. I'm afraid we've made a mess, but we'll happily assist in the cleanup.", Caeli said moving to the basin to drop the dirtied dishes into the water, Saxum following suit.
Rigel hugged Caeli's legs before grabbing the plate of left overs from Bat's back. Bat licked the boys face, dissolving him into giggling laughter.
"Could I speak to you for a moment miss?", Orion said in a whisper.
Caeli's brows raised and she became very serious, glancing one way and the next.
Saxum chuckled and nodded at Caeli. He turned his back and began washing their dishes. Rigel and Bat doing their best to help as Saxum struggled to understand show the task was properly executed, what with having never done dishes before in his life.
Caeli took a few steps away and carefully crouched to lean close to Orion.
"What is it Master Dishwasher? Urgent affairs I'm sure.", she said surreptitiously.
Orion nodded and pulled a piece of folded paper from his pocket.
"I've been doing research, and I think I found something.", he said in a whisper, discreetly handing her the paper.
Caeli smiled broadly.
"Let's see what we have here.", she said.
She unfolded the paper and froze.
Drawn on it was the same symbol on the cover of the children story she had found.
The one about the White Witch that shared her name.
In a flash, Caeli recalled the memory that had caused her so much pain beside the waterfall.
"…I found it when I was looking into the Seeing Stone. I'm not sure what it is, but I thought perhaps it could be important.", Orion said sheepishly.
Caeli's mind raced.
Was this the symbol for the story? Or for something more?
Orion said he'd found it during his research into the Seeing Stone.
It made sense as the white witch had been the first to create one. But what of the sudden memory? The mention of Old Fae?
Why would the symbol trigger the recollection?
"Miss Caeli?", the boy whispered frantically.
Splashing suddenly ensued as Rigel and Saxum had lost focus and begun to have a go at each other by flicking water at one another, both laughing boisterously as Bat happily wagged his tail, generally happy to be included as he tried catching the droplets with his jaws, the soapy water spattering his face.
Caeli blinked rapidly to clear her mind and return to the moment.
She smiled woozily at Orion and kissed his head before shakily standing.
"Good job Orion. Thank you for your help, it will be fundamental to my research.", she said reassuringly, hoping to soften the crease that had formed between his brows.
Saxum came to stand beside the two.
"All done.", he said proudly, theatrically dusting his hands off.
Rigel giggled and came to stand beside him, smiling and nodding. The both of them soaking wet from their water fight.
He noticed Caeli's skin had turned white and sweat had formed in her brow.
Saxum stepped closer and lifted her chin so that he could see her face, his brow furrowing in concern.
"Are you alright, angel?", he asked, leaning forward to get a closer look.
Caeli swallowed and smiled.
"Of course, just tired is all. I tire easy these days.", she said, her voice seeming slow and thick.
Saxum nodded then turned to Orion and smiled.
The boy looked wrought with dread.
"Don't you worry lad, I'll get our lady back to her room, safe and sound. A little sleeps all she needs.", he said, ruffling the child's hair.
Caeli hugged the boys before turning to leave.
Saxum escorted her back to her room where she turned before entering.
"Thank you for keeping me company today, my lord. It was a pleasure.", she said, distractedly.
"Caeli, truly, is there something amiss?", Saxum asked, his worry mounting as she seemed someplace else in her mind.
Caeli shook her head and swallowed, clutching the folded paper in her good hand and out of sight.
"Quite. The exhaustion comes quickly and fiercely I'm afraid.", she chuckled sadly.
Saxum stared at her a moment before nodding.
"Alright then. If you feel unwell or need anything be sure to ring. We'll be right there.", he said reassuringly.
His consideration warmed her heart.
She gave him a more confident smile.
"Thank you my lord.", she said. "Perhaps I will see you at dinner. I ought to rehearse before the real deal tomorrow evening.", she said nervously.
Saxum bowed deeply.
"In which case I will happily help however I can. Admittedly, my own manners are not very good. But I'm told I give very good moral support.", he said laughing.
Caeli laughed with him before bidding him a goodbye and entering her room.
The doors shut behind her and Bat and she leaned against them.
Thankfully her memory remained, but she feared it's sudden and inexplicable disappearance.
It was then she had the idea to write it down in her journal, just in case.
No matter that she was attempting to write left handed and that it was barely legible, she needed to remember.
If she ever lost time again, if she ever lost memories.
She would put them in her journal so she'd never forget.
Just in case.