CHARMAINE'S POV:
To be honest, at this very point, I'm awfully a lot closer to actual death than any idea of adventure. My legs are sore and slowly starting to feel more like mud than muscles and bones. Bruises and cuts from the earlier fight against that unfortunate wolf were still fresh on my skin and they stung occasionally too. I ran out of food and water stock about half a day ago with apparently no human habitation in any near approximation. The only source of light and warmth I had was from my hand lamp which was almost out of oil too. Above all, I have long lost Zeus in the Valerian Woodland.
So much for a solo adventure!
"I swear if I don't find at least a stream in this stupid woods..."
The sky was burning in dark auburn and the Sun was clearly setting behind me as I advanced forward. With the aid of my half-destroyed map and an almost dysfunctional compass, I had no option but to believe that I was headed in the direction of Crimson Crown by some God-forsaken miracle. Since the idea of returning to that hut and asking that angry girl for some directions flew right out of the picture when Xavier Montgomery's so-called Elixir of Life failed to heal her wolf, I was simply left with nothing at all. To my untimely utter demise, I had even lost my poisoned dagger which was the only other weapon I actually brought along.
Right then, the serene swooshing of water seeped into my auditorial senses amidst the various sounds of nature at that early hour of dusk. Mindlessly, I followed the faint noise in that dark woods until the pleasant sight caught my eyes. A few steps ahead of me laid a glorious stream of clear water, framed by a magnificent dense of maple trees and before I knew it, my legs were sprinting in that direction. Although the possibilities of crocodiles abode could be quite high in there and the reflection of maple leaves birthed an illusion of bloodstream instead of plain water, I still couldn't care less about it. In the desperation of the moment, I didn't mind becoming dinner for crocodiles, if I could get a handful of water first. Placing the lamp safely on the ground, I settled down in a comfortable position.
Before quenching my burning thirst, I decided it was wise to refill my water stock first. Who knows, my bipolar brain might betray me and leap for an escape without a drop of water if a predator does actually emerge out of nowhere. After restocking enough for the uncertain length of my journey, I finally grabbed two handsful of water and God, it tasted like paradise. Immediately, I was collecting more of the heavenly liquid to feast my thirst when a sharp spear flew right past my face, precisely by the sheer space between my watery palms that were almost at my lips and my actual lips. Right at that wrong timing, the faint light from my lamp faded out completely.
"HOLY CRAP! WHO'S THERE?" Just like I'd predicted, my defensive brain decided to ditch the water and reached for my bow and quiver right away. Readily aiming to strike at anything that might emerge from the darkness, I carefully studied the dark surrounding for movements.
"You're not a stag." The voice belonged to a male and he was leaning against the large tree trunk rather nonchalantly.
"Excuse me? I think you're supposed to say SORRY first!" I aimed my arrow right in his direction. For which he shrugged indifferently before walking towards me.
"So demanding... I've never seen you around before. Who are you?" Out of nowhere, he pointed another sharp spear right at my face as his detached tone turned deadly within a splitting second.
God, how many spears do you carry!
"That's none of your business, I suppose." I attempted my best to mask the sudden shiver in my spine as my feet took a few cautious steps backwards. First, an animal attack and now this. How auspicious!
"Actually, it is if you're an intruder. See, I'm supposed to be guarding the boundaries on this side of the Ceres Grove and I'm afraid I'll have to report any unannounced visitors to my superior."
"Wait, did you just say Ceres Grove?" I half-yelled in shock as the man visibly flinched at my sudden high pitch. Thirst and hunger were making my brain doubt my own hearing senses.
"Yes... I did..." He eyed me from head to toe in a somewhat sceptical manner as though I've grown a second head.
"That means I've reached Crimson Crown!- Oh, GOD!- Finally!" Out of my own control, I began squealing and jumping in sheer excitement. I thanked the heavens for all the hunger and exhaustion had finally paid off somehow.
"Technically, you're on the west border of Crimson Crown. You have to get past Ceres Grove, get past me, to actually enter the kingdom." Before my brain could process his words, the man suddenly lunged forward and struck a blow at my face. MY YOUNG NAIVE FACE!
Thanks to my rather circumspect nature, I foresaw the blow and bobbed out of the way in time but he didn't stop coming at me. He steered his spear towards me again as I began sprinting in the other direction, hoping it would lead into the kingdom but his speed exceeded my poor estimation. Cold hands caught the back of my neck and before I could even think of a move, my back was harshly slammed against a huge tree. The trunk was cold as ice as it spread unpleasant jolts of chills along my skin.
"Who are you? What brought you here? And where the bloody hell are you coming from?" He roared in my face. His rough hands were strangling my neck as I struggled to pry them away before I could die choking.
"Why are you doing this? Is it illegal to visit Crimson Crown or something?" I managed to spit the words despite his strength that strained my vocal cords but he slammed me back harder once again. This time, my skull felt the intense impact and the sharp stung temporarily caused black spots to blur my vision.
"I... I got lost while travelling. My family- I'm trying to get to them..."
A noble warrior would never speak the untruth.
That's one of my grandma's primary lessons. At that critical moment between choking to death and speaking the truth, I dropped my grandeur of defending that nobility. However, that very lie seemed to have spared my life as the man released me off his grip and stepped behind. His eyes gleamed a dark shade of grey as he studied my face while I tried to force oxygen into my dire lungs. He reached for a leather bottle from his bag and offered it to me instantly.
"The main entrance is the east border while the official exit is on the south behind the Crimson Peak, but the majority would mostly skip the idea of hiking and use the east for their departure as well. Meanwhile, merchants and traders would usually come through the customs port on the North and literally, NO OUTSIDER has ever set foot into the kingdom through the west before. Not even robbers."
He took his time to calmly explain the routes into and out of Crimson Crown while I tried my best to catch my breath and concentrate on his voice at the same time. I wasn't sure of the source of his sudden kindness but I chose not to double guess it considering my absurd lie which might actually be it and perspectively speaking, it wasn't exactly a lie though. I did get lost and I AM indeed trying to get my family, to acknowledge my abilities. Therefore, no lie is spoken.
The nobility of I, Charmaine Faith Montgomery is still intact.
"Ehmm... I wandered around in every direction that I don't really recall how I ended up this way. If no one would use it, then why do you even have a west border?"
"No one enters from the west because there isn't any entrance at all! Ceres Grove is a very dense forest with no paths that lead into the kingdom." He defended his stand but my keen sense of scepticism noticed the hint of untruth in his intonation.
"That doesn't make any sense! How do you get in and out, if there is no way?" I crossed my arms defensively and this time I was very much confident that his eyeballs shook a little in tension.
"I'm the guardian of this side. I know my accesses and I'm not to reveal it to anyone, especially a suspicious stranger!" Now, his defensive mode was back on. His grip on his spear tightened and I was very much aware of how this wasn't going to get me anywhere near Crimson Crown. So, I braced my most innocent smile and braved a cautious step towards him.
"Alright... listen, Guardian of The West Border. I'm anything but suspicious. Trust me. I have been walking, foodless, waterless, absolutely energyless for half a day and I really don't wish to trouble you any further by blacking out on you while you're on duty. So, why don't you just take me into the kingdom with you, this one time, please? I promise to make no nuisance while you do."
I mustered up all the techniques I've trained to use on my father and launched it all at the young guard. My pathetic attempt at sad eyes and eyelash batting lasted for a few more embarrassing minutes while he simply stared at my face. Since it was physically impossible to embarrass myself any further, I simply dived into the sinkhole deeper. Pouting like a sad little stranded puppy, I reached for his rather large arms as his muscles tensed under my sudden contact.
"I'm sorry but the authority here isn't very lenient. Not with strangers at least. I'm afraid I'll have to send you to the east gate for a permitted entry." There was kindness in his voice, which means my embarrassing attempt actually had worked. I just needed to work a little bit harder. Hesitantly, I withdrew from him when my heels collided with the out-bulging root and my knees buckled forward. However, the guard caught me before my face met the muddy soil and I was mentally thanking every forest spirit that just helped me.
"You are bruised all over! How?" Genuine concern gleamed in his green orbs as he exclaimed. His long hair fell over his eyes attractively while he surveyed my wounds in a hurry.
"Huh... I kind of had an incident on the way..." My voice sounded timider and almost shy as it shocked my own self, to be honest.
"Animal attack or robbers?" His eyebrows were almost touching as he stared at my face seriously and that's when I noticed how his features were quite attractive.
"Animals..." I chose to keep my answer short in order to spare the devastating details about the poor beast. Suddenly, I felt a sudden wave of familiarity wash over me as I watched this guard more.
"Your wounds need to be tended right away. What are you called?" He was rummaging through his stuff while I sat there dumbfounded without saying anything. He stopped and whipped towards me again, raising an eyebrow of regard as I finally regained my scattered senses.
"Oh, my name? Char-"
It felt as though someone had slapped so hard over my mouth right then. Out of nowhere, all the stories and lessons preached by my whole family flashed before my eyes and a sudden storm of cautiousness cascaded over my brain. It is certainly an unwise call to reveal my real identity to a complete stranger. Nobility aside, this is now the matter of my safety.
"Pardon me?" He asked again. This time, even kinder.
"Charlotte. Charlotte Monterey. I'm coming from Aster Valley." Our family did live in Aster Valley when I was little before moving near Serene Woods. So, still not a lie.
"Alright, Charlotte Monterey. I'm going to get you to safety first because your bruises need immediate treatment otherwise I'm afraid they'll be infected." Yes, they needed further attention but no, they wouldn't be infected because I applied Sofiel Montgomery's significant antiseptic soother onto them already. However, I chose not to mention that for now because at the moment, I needed all the kindness of this stranger.
"Come on- No, wait!- Can you walk?" His emotions seemed to be rolling on a wheel as he kept switching from stern to concern to nervous and many more at once.
I simply nodded as his stance visibly relaxed before he whistled in a distinct tune. Shortly, a powerful bray reverberated in the soundless forest and soon, I spotted a tall horse that glowed like the Sun trotting towards the streamside we were at.
"He is beautiful..." I stretched out to touch the stunning animal but it neighed unwillingly and huffed away from my reach.
"It's a she actually and she's quite shy around strangers. Marigold meet Charlotte and Charlotte meet Marigold." He formally introduced the mare while guiding her closer to me and this time, she didn't decline my touch as I stroked her crown gently.
"Marigold? Really?" I couldn't help the curious smile as he simply rolled his eyes in defence.
"Come on! The orange of her skin is pretty much the exact hue of marigold flower's." He argued childishly when the sudden realisation struck me.
"Wait... you introduced your horse to me but not yourself yet." Both of us stared at each other for a few solid seconds before he burst into a fit of laughter for the first time. It sounded quite boyish and to my utmost astonishment, it reminded me of my rather annoying brother.
"Sorry about that, Miss Monterey. The name's Kai Grindley." He was still laughing as he climbed onto the mare before offering his hand for me.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Kai Grindley, Guardian of The West Border." He chuckled once again as I climbed behind him.
Diverse from the earlier stranger, Kai seemed like a totally different person after Marigold's arrival. Perhaps the familiar presence of his own mare eased his stance by offering a sense of domestic comfort. Just like that, I found myself missing my own majestic stallion, Zeus too much and sadly, all I could do was pray for his safety in my heart while Marigold began cantering into the dense canopies of Ceres Grove.
The foreign forest was way too dark and dense with deafening silence. I found myself gripping harder onto my crossbow every time I heard something in the bushes move or caught the slightest glimpse of a squirrel's shadow. However, Kai seemed completely unaffected and to my complete shock, he even appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the wild ride. Well, considering how Ceres Grove was indeed under his absolute watch, I could simply assume that he was drenched in his truest territorial elements.
"Mr Grindley, how far is-" His larger palm swiftly clamped over my mouth as he pulled the bridles into a sudden stop. However, from what my ordinary eyesight could observe, we were still in the middle of nowhere. As he angled his body a little to face me, his index finger was pressed against lips and his eyes were frantically studying the still surrounding.
"I'm going to ask you just this once, Miss Monterey. Did you bring anyone along?" The sudden mistrust in his eyes and voice alarmed me at once. With his hand still over my mouth, I began shaking my head hysterically and I was pretty sure how my eyes screamed the words loud enough for him to hear too. To my utmost relief, his sceptical eyes softened a little.
"Alright... I don't know why but I believe you. Then, did you feel like being followed?" He whispered again. This time, I shook my head a bit more confidently because had I sensed anybody following me while I walked the whole day without food or water, I most probably would have busted and boiled them for lunch.
So much cannibalistic instincts for a noble warrior! Ouch.
"That just means one thing, then." My mouth was uncovered again as he slid down from the horse slowly. His movements were so light and careful that I literally didn't hear a single sound.
"There are more strangers in Ceres Grove tonight and I don't think I have enough kindness to spare. I am already risking my job here by not reporting you right away, so do me a favour and don't make a sound until I'm back. Do you understand?" That was everything but a tone of request that I heard in his authoritative voice. So, I simply nodded as he mimicked my gesture.
Drawing his spear from the saddles, the man pretty much floated into the forest fog because I couldn't hear any humanly possible footsteps at all. The fog only seemed to be thickening with every passing minute and the temperature was dropping at an unexpected pace too. Covering my exposed skin with the cape of my dress, I pulled the hood above my head and gripped my bow tighter. Minutes passed and nothing happened. I knew I was told to stay still but as usual, curiosity was getting the best of me. Slowly, I slid down from my ride. However, the thud of my feet dropping to the ground echoed louder than necessary in that hollow haze.
"Crap..." A curse escaped my mouth but luckily, it wasn't that loud.
With so much caution and unpreferred delicacy, I advanced forward and into the mist as humanly inaudible as I could. A number of unpleasant scenarios of Kai's current situation crowded my brain but I managed to clear them all. He was kind enough to help me and it'll be only humane of me to return the favour. Suddenly, I heard a faint snap of twigs nearby and my bow and arrow were in position the very next second.
Without moving, I rotated in my spot with my arrow aimed at anything that might strike from the cold mist. The sound of footsteps grew nearer and I was readily geared to attack. My fingers wrapped around my arrow attached to the nocking point when the sound was only inches away. On the count of ten, I was prepared to unleash. Five more seconds before the assailant crosses over the fog to where I was and I had readily pulled the serving, fixing my aim.
One second before I shot, "I thought I'd told you to stay put but you- Whoa!- What the hell, woman?" Kai retreated as soon as he stepped out of the fog. Hurriedly, I put away my weapons and stepped back a little.
"What was that about, Miss Monterey?" He lifted his hands in question, his eyes drenched in disbelief.
"I'm... I'm sorry I just thought, you were the intruder. I mean, you were gone for long and I didn't know if you needed any help, you know? You left without hinting at a signal for help. A birdcall would have been fine." I hugged myself, suddenly feeling cold when his eyes completely softened this time. He let out a soft laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Help? What help could you possibly offer me, Miss Monterey? By the way, how old even are you? 16? 17? I can't expect- WHOA, WAIT!- STOP IT, WOMAN!"
In the few seconds gap before he could finish his sentence, I had already shot three consecutive arrows precisely past the middle of his legs, the space between his hand on his hip and his hip and lastly, the side of his slim neck. Startled by the sudden attack, the man stumbled backwards before grasping onto his tripping senses.
"I'm sorry, you were saying, Mr Grindley?" I hugged my crossbow close to my chest and pursed my lips out at him, in feigned curiosity. After a few seconds of unblinking brain processing, he finally moved.
"You are trained." Scepticism was solid in his statement.
"Yes, obviously. My family travels all the time and we need to defend ourselves from almost everything." I stated as casually as possible but careful enough to not give away too many details.
"And I am 18, by the way." Mention of my actual age suddenly loosened his stance and I didn't really expect the playful smirk that followed either.
"Too bad. I'm still older than you." He sauntered towards his horse and started to pull her into motion by the saddles.
"Ugh... you sound like my brother." I snorted before falling into steps behind him.
"Is that a bad thing?" He sounded genuinely curious but I could only roll my eyes at his obliviousness.
"Definitely yes when he keeps rubbing that insignificant fact on my face at every chance he gets and makes my life a miserable mess all the time. He is an impulsive idiot, my brother."
I recalled the many times we've fought and argued and how awfully tragic it ends up for our family when they try to break us apart. I also remembered the many times we've plotted against our parents and snuck out into the woods to have our own little getaways until he came of age to accompany the expenditures. I didn't realize that I was smiling until Kai playfully pointed it out.
"Yet, you still love him and that's why you're smiling- Don't even deny- It's rather obvious." I was only opening my mouth to do exactly that when he cut me off again. This time, a little more serious than before.
"Having a family is already a luxury that's not bestowed upon everyone, Miss Monterey. As annoying as he can be at times, I'm sure your brother will still risk everything for you." Grief and loss. That's what he sounded like but I chose not to ask anything further.
"I bet he is looking for you this very moment," He added but I knew he wasn't because he was far away with my parents on their usual trip while I was stuck with a stranger in a foreign forest. It would take them at least a fortnight unless my grandmother manages to inform them of my escape before then.
"Where are we going exactly and what was that earlier?" I attempted to avert the topic, to which I swear I saw his shoulders tense. I jogged over to his side to reconfirm my hunch and yes, he did seem at loss for words.
"Mr Grindley?" I tried again as he stopped right away.
"It was just some animal and now, let's get your wounds tended, shall we?" That's when I noticed how we'd reached a single cottage that was situated a few steps away.
"Where are we?" I followed after him at a rather slower speed, wariness whelming in my every word. The cottage appeared well managed from the outside but it was still inadvisable to follow a stranger into a cottage built in the middle of nowhere.
"It's a safe house. We store food and water stock for the guards in here. Clearly, the authority cares about the well beings of their soldiers. Although Ceres Grove is a serene sanctuary in the daylight, it can be equally deadly and maybe even dooming upon nightfall. So, don't worry. Also, had I wanted, I would have killed you right where I found you and dumped your body in the stream, Miss Monterey."
For a moment, I was frozen in my spot by his incredulous words and the seriousness in his expression when he spoke them. After a few awkward seconds, a satisfied smile broke across his face as he held his hand out to me, for the second time tonight.
"I see you have pretty serious issues with jokes, Miss Monterey." His smile was genuine.
"Having a bloody prankster for a brother would do that to you, trust me," I remarked in a sarcastic tone before taking his hands. Again.
"Come on, it's warmer inside."
Just like he said, it was indeed a lot warmer than the freezing fog outside. The cottage was small but could easily house at least a dozen people in it. It had two fairly spacious rooms among one which I supposed would be the kitchen. There was a small fireplace by the lounge area and a huge wooden cabinet with plenty of drawers of all sizes and ratios beside it. I almost reached out to pull one of the knobs when Kai appeared from the other room.
"Those storages belong to my superior, actually. They don't fancy their items being explored by others."
"Oh, sorry. I thought this place belonged to you, Guardian of The West Border." I walked over to the long table and settled on the stool beside him.
"It does not. This cottage belongs to my superior and they simply allowed me to use it whenever I needed to. Nothing more. Nothing less. May I see your hand please- the other hand- Yes, thank you."
He began to dip a small cloth in a bowl of water before squeezing a few drops in my open wounds. My mother should be proud to know that it didn't take longer than a second for me to recognize the clove buds soaking in the bowl, just by their faint fragrance. Though I would have gone for calendula pastes, I supposed Kai had his preference at antiseptic herbs or maybe the safe house only had cloves.
"So, you guard the entire Ceres Grove alone?" I scanned the cottage once more but failed to sense anything suspicious.
"I have my own men at the other seven corners- fold your elbow, please- and they would meet me by dawn to report and-"
"You'll report to your superior, I suppose. Seriously, I am at a complete loss. You say authority and superior like they are two different bodies. Both should be Demogorgons-" My mouth was clamped shut for the second time today.
"I see why your brother loves annoying you. You ask way too many questions." He stated nonchalantly.
"I am genuinely curious." I just had to defend myself.
"No. You are simply nosy." He didn't even bat an eyelash as he counterattacked.
"You know what? You are just like my brother!"
"And you are just like my sister!"
A gasp escaped before I could help it as I recognized his tone and the whole cottage fell into an uncomfortably deafening silence. After a few seconds of stillness, Kai resumed mixing the yarrow paste without another word.
"You lost her, didn't you?" I honestly didn't mean to be rude but perhaps he was correct about my nosiness.
"And my parents too if you're wondering." A small half-hearted smile was still present on the edge of his slightly trembling lips.
"I'm sorry, Kai..." He simply nodded while I chose to keep my curiosity to myself for the first time. Neither of us made a single sound while he applied the healing yarrow on my wounds. Since he took his own sweet time doing that, I just HAD to lighten the heavy air.
"You know this one time, I had terrible, TERRIBLE heat rashes all over my body and I was truly suffering and Nate- that's my impulsive idiot brother- he just- oh god! I still can't believe he did that to me!- While I was asleep, he literally poured hot water on me! Saying he was fighting fire with fire, that idiot! Fortunately, my grandmother heard me screaming and she pretty much rescued me before he could finish testing with my legs! I still have the scar around my ankles, by the way!"
I collapsed onto the table dramatically and without missing a beat, Kai burst into a fit of hysterical laughter. Although I was offended by how he was laughing at the injustice that befell me, another part of me was truly relieved to hear the sound of his carefree laughter. After a few minutes of uncontrolled laughing, the man finally came to a choking halt and continued with my wounds.
"On second thoughts, I do think that your brother is an impulsive idiot like you claimed."
"Finally, someone sensible!" I exclaimed dramatically once again as he simply chuckled. That's when I felt something soft brushing against my ankle.
Kai went to the kitchen to drop the supply as I extended my hand below without looking and retreated with a piece of white cloth. The foreign fabric appeared slightly washed but the skilful embroidery and design seemed good as new. The borders were adorned with scarlet flowers and golden streams while the rest of the fabric was left empty except for one corner. A detailed illustration was embroidered delicately with ebony thread and my hands were just beginning to brush over the strange art when Kai returned.
"Now that we are done with your injuries, let's get you to the east entrance, shall we? The officials should be able to locate your family easily." At the mention of the official gate, all my senses alarmed at once.
I remembered my grandma's multiple warnings about staying away from Crimson Crown at all cost ever since I was a child and my family pretty much had associates at every corner on the face of the planet. So, if I had a permitted passage into any kingdom, it'll be like leaving breadcrumbs for them to find me without bending a muscle and I can't allow that.
"Please, Kai... can't you spare me this one time? I swear, I mean no harm to anyone." I jumped from my seat when he suddenly sped forward.
"No no no... Charlotte- I mean- Miss Monterey, I have no power to do that. I treated your wounds, I stocked up your food and water-" He dropped my leather bag on the table with a heavy thud and it did seem heavier than I remembered as he continued.
"- I'm going to get one of my men to escort you to the east gate and from there-" We both jumped this time at the sound of a horse neighing from the porch and we immediately grew guarded since Marigold was tied at the back.
"Someone's here. Hide!" Kai shoved the bag in my chest and began ushering me away from the main lounge.
"No! Wait! If you'd just let me use the path that you take -"
"CHARLOTTE MONTEREY! THE KITCHEN! NOW!"
He growled rather anxiously than angry as I sprinted to the kitchen right away and hid behind the huge baskets of food supplies stocked. Immediately, my eyes roamed the room and I quickly spotted the back door right around the corner of that very room. I had to resist the urge to sprint right out because I will have to cross the lounge for it and will definitely be spotted by Kai and whoever this other person was. Right then, the stranger had entered the cottage and I could clearly hear their conversation from the kitchen.
"Kai? It's you again? Aren't you supposed to report after dawn?"
This stranger had a brisker and bolder voice than Kai, hinting how he was obviously older than him. Considering his choice of words, I supposed that he was the 'superior' that Kai kept emphasizing too.
"I... I had to grab a quick bite. I kind of missed dinner before I came tonight. What- why are you here again, by the way? I thought you left already." So, Kai had lied to me. It wasn't any animal but his superior that intruded earlier. How un-noble of him!
"Ah, well! I left something behind. Just need to find it." The stranger's voice was everywhere as though he was constantly moving around.
"Emm... where did you leave it exactly?" Kai sounded really nervous and even I was hoping that his superior wouldn't notice.
"Unfortunately he- I don't know!- It must be somewhere around here." I couldn't hear him properly because he had begun mumbling at some point and I was beginning to doubt Crimson Crown's choice of authorities.
"Bloody hell... where is it?"
He growled in annoyance as I slowly crept up from my spot but fell back almost immediately. The stranger was standing right before the kitchen but luckily, with his back facing me. His scrawny hands were stressfully locked in his fair long hair and his tall figure was twisting in tension. A few steps from him, stood Kai, with his verdant eyes looking utterly vulnerable. Suddenly, he stole a quick glance in my direction as we locked eyes and I could practically hear him screaming with his eyes at me.
"DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID!" I crouched lower in response and played dead.
"Perhaps, it slipped on your way...?" Kai suggested uncertainly.
"Perhaps- BLOODY HELL!- I need to hurry back! I left the door open!" Suddenly the stranger was freaking out as he grabbed his leather coat and metal scabbard in a hurry, causing Kai to panic as well.
"No, Legion! You shut it behind you. See?" Kai pointed at the closed front door but the stranger shook his head frantically.
"Not this one, Kai. I left the bloody tunnel's door open! I need to hurry back! Just let me know if you-" His unfamiliar voice faded away as both the men shut the front door behind them.
So, there is a tunnel that leads into the kingdom and that's how Kai and the superior travels to and from the kingdom into Ceres Grove. Without sparing a single second, I bolted towards the back door and untied Marigold hurriedly. Although Kai was incredibly noble and kind, there is just no way in hell where he'll let me use the secret passageway. I glanced at the piece of kerchief I was still holding and my eyes darted towards the strange blackbird embroidered on one edge once again.
Shoving the piece of cloth inside my bag, I climbed onto Marigold and pulled her saddles a bit harder than intended as she let out a rather strained bray before galloping into the canopies. The only thought that pulsed in my head at that moment was that I must get as far away from that cottage and towards that tunnel. I did feel extremely bad for Kai but this was my only way into Crimson Crown without a permit and I promised myself to repay his kindness if I ever meet him again anytime sooner.
⊱ ────── ✼ ────── ⊰
UNKNOWN POV:
I jolted up to the screeching sound of an excruciating growl. My legs instantly fled in that direction and my heart was growing impatient as I realised where they led to. The agonizing roars kept growing louder as I got nearer and only when I was right outside the room did I actually hear the other sound. The raw sound of multiple bones cracking at the same time. The next second, I'm sprinting inside but was immediately stopped by the unbelievable sight that unravelled before me.
Every last bone in his body was breaking without a pause as they reformed themselves visibly from still under his skin. He kept bellowing and growling all along as painful tears never stopped streaming from his azure eyes while I simply stood there frozen for a moment. He howled once more as his desperate eyes found mine. On the very second, I raced to his side and cradled his quivering body. Not knowing how to make it stop, I could only shut my eyes tight and hold him even closer. His heart was beating out of his chest and he trembled terribly.
Few more minutes passed and his cry of agony didn't seem to be ending anytime sooner but suddenly, I felt the utmost impossible occurrence. His huge figure was slowly shrinking in my embrace. I wasn't sure how that was even possible but I couldn't dare to open my eyes to witness what I felt. Slowly, the shrinking stopped along with his now muffled sniffles and his once furry body felt absolutely smooth and- and humanlike. That's when I actually regarded how his usual howls were gone and it almost sounded as if he was sobbing. Slowly, I braced myself to peek a glance and my heart stopped beating for a brief moment.
In my arms, laid a strange boy with every inch of his lean body exposed as he trembled with his toned arms hugging himself across an equally firm chest. His unruly curls were in a hue of soft dark brown and they fell all over his handsome face as I slowly pushed them back to get a better view. Clear skin with a few freckles here and there, he had rather sharp facial features that seemed strangely familiar. Gently, his trembling eyelids unfolded themselves and that was the first familiar feature I recognized in him. Ocean blue eyes ornamented by lashes longer than mine and regardless of how unreal it seemed to be, I still recognized the now strangely familiar boy right away.
"Lunar... How?" My breath hitched as I failed to make any humanly sound. Happy tears choked my vocal cords as the boy barked out a burst of strained laughter in his unfamiliarly deep voice.
"M-Maya?" He sounded like a toddler trying to speak for the first time.
"I... I don't know... that girl- her cure, it-" He was struggling to make a coherent sentence but I comprehended just fine.
"Her potion... It didn't kill you- IT HEALED YOU!- Lunar, her potion healed you COMPLETELY! She must really be an incredible healer- Wait..." A sudden realisation sparked in my head and right on time, our mother arrived at the scene appearing absolutely haphazard.
"Lu- Lunar? LUNAR! My precious boy!" She rushed over to us and cradled him away from my lap. Both of them shed tears of joy as she showered him with longing kisses.
"Mother... I am naked..." He chuckled a little as we laughed along.
"Yes- Oh dear!- Forgive me, sweetheart. I will get you something to wear. Well, I hope your father's clothes would fit since your own would be way too small now." She joked, still hugging him tightly.
"Mother, she claimed to be a Healer and her potion completely cured Lunar of his decadelong misery, then-"
"Yes, dear. Your assumptions are accurate." The older woman caressed her precious son and buried him in her motherly embrace, as though she was afraid of losing him again.
"That stranger, she isn't just anybody. I believe that we have just met a Montgomery angel, my children."
⊱ ────── ✼✼✼ ────── ⊰