"Mama!", The little girl trashed in the man's hold. The mother reached for her terrified daughter, but her capturer pulled her back. "Let me go you bastard!", she threw her head back and hoped that she at least broke his nose. "You will pay for that!", the man hissed and kept a firm hold on her. He definitely held the urge to throw her to the ground and stomp on her. "Stop squirming brat.", The man, holding her daughter, commanded. He held the little girl by her hands, letting her hang like that. Her feet did not reach the ground. "Mama!", she cried out again. She just wanted her mother, why are they doing this?
The mother never stopped trying to get out of the man's hold. She brought down her heel on his foot and when he bent over in pain, she threw her head back again. She felt dizzy but at the moment, her daughter was her only concern. "Close your eyes Baby.", Iris instructed once she was free from the man's hold. She turned around and kicked his knee out, forcing him to kneel, before kicking his head in one swift movement. She really hopes her daughter's eyes are closed. The man holding her daughter had no time to react, the woman was too fast for his eyes. She refused to show mercy. She rushed behind him and snapped his neck, grimacing at the sound it made. She caught her daughter before she could hit the ground. Iris hugged her daughter impossibly close and whispered sweet nothings in her ear. She vanished into thin air just as the door opened. The visitor's only sight was the headless body, a snapped neck and leaves that delicately settled into the crimson puddles.
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AVIVA:
There was a knock at the door and Elroy went to open it. Jeanna, a young woman working in the kitchens, held out a small pot and a packet of bread. She smiled at Elroy who was leaning against the doorframe. "I must apologize sir, we only have soup in the kitchen today.", she said and handed it to Elroy. He gladly took the food and winked at her. "Seeing as a beautiful woman like you came to deliver this soup, I can certainly overlook this.", he closed the door with his foot after she walked away blushing and giggling. I rolled my eyes and forced the sarcastic comments away. My eyes wandered over to my bag laying in the corner. It could work, if they are stupid. My eyes went to the pot set nicely in the middle of the table.
"...You know, the kitchens are known for nasty soup. I have some herbs to make it taste better.", I said and stood up to retrieve my bag. "And yet I can't bring myself to believe you.", Tristan mused and pointed to my chair. I shrugged and sat down. "Taste it if you don't believe me. ", I waited as they each reached for a spoon to taste the soup. Thank the heavens Gilbert was on cooking this week. He has no taste for salt or pepper or anything really. "That is nasty!", Elroy swallowed hard, and Rowan spat his in a plant pot. Tristan scowled and crossed his arms. "I don't trust you.". Tristan said but allowed me to retrieve my bag. Just maybe I can fool them.
"Why would the Elders allow such monstrosity to be eaten?", Elroy asked in disgust as he glared at the pot. "Is the bread even edible?", he grumbled and poked it. I rolled my eyes and placed my bag on the table, pulling the pot closer to me. I have to concentrate now. "The Elders have a separate kitchen reserved only for them and the bread is supplied by Aunt Sheila's bakery, so I assure you if anything is edible, it is the bread.", I placed all my herbs out on the table, everyone's eyes on my movements. I swallowed harshly; I can definitely do this. I tuned out most of the conversation as I tried to focus.
"Well what else can I do other than trust buttercup's words?", Elroy smiled and took a bite of the bread. My hands froze for a second, does he blindly trust woman he finds pretty?! He hummed in affirmation and wildly gestured for Rowan to take a bite of the bread. Rowan, although sceptically, complied. Soon enough, the two of them were scarfing down the bread. I can't really blame them; Aunt Sheila's bread is amazing.
I laid out the lavender stems, jeera seeds and chamomile leaves. I frowned when I couldn't find the Valeran Roots. These alone won't be enough. I bit the inside of my cheek; do I really have to use the Krika seeds?
Just as I was about to stir in the ingredients in one by one, Tristan stopped me. "I won't blindly trust you, prove to us that those are truly just herbs.", I frowned. Maybe I won't be able to fool them.
"Would it appease you if I taste it before I stir it in?", though my voice did not waver, my conscious did. Tristan nodded and watched as I tried each herb separately. I coughed and gulped down the glass of water once I swallowed the jeera seeds. "Before you get any suspicions, the Jeera seeds are known for their spiciness.", I looked directly at Tristan. He rolled his eyes but didn't protest when I started adding the herbs. "Will this really make it better?", Rowan asked. I shrugged and watched as the few seeds dissolve.
"It won't taste like the best meal you ever had but it will at the least be edible." I mumbled as I dished up for everyone. I watched them pick up their spoons and warily glance at the soup. I smiled and grabbed the chamomile leaves. I tugged at the end of my braid. "I will boil some water for tea. That should leave a pleasant taste should it not?", I suggested. I looked over at Amelia happily eating her soup. I Stood up and grabbed the tea pot, my smile dropped when I turned away from them. I bit my lip as I filled the teapot with water and leaves, hanging it over the fire in the fireplace. I wiped my sweaty hands on my dress before standing up and returning to my place at the table. "How kind buttercup but you don't have to worry about that. Eat, you must be starving by now!", Elroy smiled and gestured to my bowl of soup. I nodded and shakily reached for my spoon.
Shouldn't it have worked by now? Did I get the dose wrong? I looked down into my soup, surely Tristan will get suspicious if I don't eat. I doubt one bite could do harm. "I must say, even though this is not the best meal I've had. It is definitely better than whatever the woman brought for us. Thank you, Aviva.", Rowan praised and went back for a third bowl. Elroy was right behind him. My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to protest to their actions, but Tristan suspicious glare made me swallow my words. It is fine, they won't die...hopefully. "It is no problem, wouldn't want us to sleep on an empty stomach.", I tried to smile but failed. Amelia yawned behind her hand and hope sparked in my chest.
"Why haven't you eaten yet?", Tristan asked after he finished his second bowl. I looked at the wall before I made eye contact with him. "...I have no appetite.", I said quietly. My stomach strongly disagreed with my statement, but I ignored it. "Leave her be brother, she had a tough day.", Rowan slurred as his eyes focused on the bed behind us. "A nap sounds absolutely divine right now. Would you leave the tea for a later time buttercup?", Elroy mumbled. He staggered towards his bed. "I second that, you can handle watch right brother?", Rowan did not wait for a reply as he face planted into his pillow. Tristan turned his attention from them to me, anger clear on his face. I quickly stood up and put distance between us. Why hasn't it affected him yet?!
"What did you do?", His even voice was somehow more terrifying than him screaming. I gulped and moved even further away from him. "They are only sleeping, they will wake up in a few hours, at most.", I tried to keep the fear out of my voice. Unwanted memories were starting to surface. "What did you do?", he asked again, his glare never wavering. "I used some Krika seeds.", I explained. "Why are you awake, you ate some as well. I watched you eat it.", He reached me in two seconds. He pushed me against the wall, a hard grip on my shoulder. I grunted in pain; I am certain there is a bruise or two on my back by now.
"I only had one seed. There is more in the soup.", I cried out when he increased his strength.
"I truly am sorry, but I cannot be found. There is no harm digesting the seeds. I'm sorry.", I said before I brought my head back as far as I could against the wall. I threw my head forward with all my might. He cursed as he fell backwards, and I instantly crouched in pain. My hands on my head. Tears were threatened to escape, and I whined at the ache in my head.
I took a few seconds to gather myself before I stood up. I gazed down at Tristan; he was sprawled out on the wooden floor, and I grimaced at the red bruise on his forehead. I kicked his foot to make sure he truly is asleep then grabbed a pillow from the unoccupied bed and placed it underneath his head.
I gathered all my things and clipped my own cloak back on. I looked over to my sister sleeping peacefully at the table. Guilt filled my heart, but this was necessary for us to escape. I must apologise when she wakes up. I wrapped her in her cloak and made my way to the door. With a last look at team 10, I rushed out of the courthouse.
I have to put a great distance between us and them, now is my only chance to completely disappear. I reunited with Kayda at the edge of the forest, we can no longer go to Barbosa. I have no idea what they have gathered during this time.
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