Yavanna breathed through her mouth. The musty, dank smell of the cave was palpable, but she couldn't breathe.
Niran led her past multiple groups of people, some of which looked like families. When he finally stopped she darted her eyes around. She very much wanted her veil back. She wasn't used to being so open with someone. She hadn't been in so long.
"You needn't fear me, your majesty." Niran, the strange warlock, said warmly. But her skin chilled in warning. She would never trust this man.
"Sire, you've returned."
Yavanna turned on the direction of a male voice but she still felt Niran's eyes on her. The man who'd spoken glanced at her curiously before returning his gaze to Niran. They both wore simple tunics, as though it wasn't freezing in the caves.
Niran opened his mouth with a click and finally turned to look at his subordinate, "I have. Please escort our guest to the south side."
The young man nodded and he gestured to a hall and Yavanna gingerly stepped around Niran before she entered the hallway. The fire from the previous cave danced along the roughly carved rock and when she glanced back she saw Niran watching her calculatively.
His underling soon stepped into the hallway and began to lead her down the narrow path. All the while she felt the warlock's eyes on her back.
The young man leading her was quiet as he led her through numerous caves. Her breath became shallower when she had the distinct feeling that he was leading her deeper into the cave system. Further away from daylight or a chance to escape.
"Are you Niran's newest recruit?" She looked up from the ground at his voice.
"N-no. I…" She bit her tongue, "I don't know what I am."
He raised a brow but didn't say anything, "Well, I'm Delroy. If you ever need anything, you can just ask." The tiredness of his tone had her doubting that his help would come willingly.
She opened her mouth to introduce herself, but paused. She didn't know where she was, or who these people were. Right now, she was supposed to be Mirella but Niran clearly knew she wasn't. Was Niran an enemy of Nothad, her kingdom?
Were they even anywhere near Nothad? Her heart sank when she realized that Niran might have taken her far away from—from where? Her home? Her safety? Neither of those were in Harkburg.
Yavanna sighed, "Call me Uttara." She attempted a small smile but it shrank when she saw his darkened expression. He shook his head as though warding off something and waved his hand for them to continue walking.
They arrived at a small alcove that had a door built into the rock. It felt damp and Yavanna could see water dripping from one of the rough points in the ceiling. Delroy bent down and pulled the door open, "Welcome, Uttara."
Yavanna stooped slightly to cross under the small door and her lips parted at what awaited her. A room the size of her bathroom back at the castle stood behind the door and in it were few articles of furniture. A bed carved into the stone with a few wicker mats and furs. The same woven material lined the damp floors.
She looked up when she caught the sound of dripping and saw that the ceiling was lined with moss and realized quickly that it must be gathering moisture from somewhere. Licking her lips she turned to face Delroy and saw that his face was set in a grim expression. "I'll fetch someone to get you more appropriate clothing."
And then he was gone. The moment the chill left her skin she closed her eyes and breathed out a tremulous breath. Upon opening them she felt tears rising in them. What was she to do? She didn't trust Niran, but she didn't trust Amory either.
A knock came at the door and she wiped her tears away in time for the door to open. An older woman entered, her smile warm, "Hello. Delroy said that you needed some clothes."
Yavanna nodded, despite the chill returning to her skin.
"Alright then. I have a few of my daughter's old ones, they should fit you, I think." She walked further in and placed the clothes on the bed. "I'll leave these here for you." She smiled warmly, but Yavanna didn't miss how stiff their interaction felt. The woman glanced around at the ceiling once before she left.
Yavanna stared at the ceiling herself. Maybe…maybe this room was uninhabited for a reason. She pulled her lower lip into her mouth and scraped her dull teeth along it.
With her thoughts still focused on where she was, she dressed herself in the loose clothes that the woman had provided her. Perhaps Niran had placed her in a prison of sorts. He was a warlock and magic was something that she still didn't understand.
She shook her head and decided to try the door. It didn't push open and her suspicions were confirmed. Biting her lip she began to pace the room.
What did Niran want with her? He had tried to attack her, disguised as a-a wolf. And that invisible force had stopped him. Had she done that? She looked at her hands.
Just as she did the door opened and she raised her eyes to see Niran walk in. He didn't waste any time, and said, "Yes, this is a prison. And yes, I've taken you from that leech to train you in your magic."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Yavanna, you must believe me. You were never safe in that lion's den. Not once. Even from General Clark. Safety was simply never an option with them."
"And it's one with you?" She asked.
His lips spread into a reptilian grin, "Of course. This is only temporary. Once you feel as though you've learned enough about your magic, safely, of course…you may return to whatever home you please. Whether it be Viland, to your king," She stiffened, "Or to your sister."
She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself on instinct. "I would rather leave now." She said, looking around at the dripping, dank prison she'd been placed in.
He laughed, "Trust me." He leaned forward and her breath caught at the strange smell surrounding him, "This is for your own good." His warm breath elicited another shiver from her. Her skin crawled and she wanted to wriggle out of the invisible hold he had on her.
Leaning back, he said, "Wait a week, then decide." He tossed a wink back at her before he left and shut the door.
Yavanna didn't hear a click but she was sure the door was locked. She spun to face the opposite wall that was lined with bright tapestries. The room looked comforting, but the dampness had her shivering.
As she laid down on the cold bed to rest, the already dim hope that Amory may try to save her, faded. He cared nothing for her. Her being gone was likely a good thing for him.
Her heart sank heavily in her chest and she curled herself in her new bed. She'd never felt so unwanted.