Yavanna sighed and stretched before standing. Emerging from her small haven her brows drew together at the sounds of a large group of people. The caves were typically silent with the exception of faint dripping and rare footsteps.
She wasn't sure of the population of the witches but she knew there were many. Niran was a leader of a small kingdom of his own. And over the weeks she had determined that he was dangerous, and using her for something.
But she simply played along. Playing whatever part he wanted her to play. It was harmless, or it had been so far at least.
The sound grew louder and she felt something stir in her chest. Something was wrong. The furrow between her brows grew deeper and she began searching the tunnels and chambers, stepping over pots and pans and mats and pillows.
The fire basins were all lit and in their places. Lighting the caves and casting shadows.
As she neared where the voices were coming from she began to see witches and warlocks amassing near the place as well. She pushed through the sudden throng in an attempt to see what was going on. She heard cries and wails.
"Uttara! What are you doing here? Get back to your cave." A harsh voice ordered her but she paid them no mind.
They tried to hold her back, but failed. The first sight she saw when she finally breached the wall of witches was a group of people. They weren't dressed like the witches, instead they looked like the people she'd seen in Harkburg.
Their dresses and clothes resembled what she'd worn in the castle. Not as extravagant but it was of the same fashion.
"What's happening here?" She asked. A few of their eyes darted her way but none spoke.
"These are your people, Uttara. Those you swore to protect…" Niran whispered in her mind. She closed her eyes and reopened them to look more closely at the new inhabitants of the cave. Her people.
"Why are they here?" She asked, not sure if Niran could hear her.
"Because I need them." He answered simply and her face pinched. She didn't like this.
"My good people!" Niran's voice suddenly echoed from her right. He was standing at the entrance of the large cavern with arm spread wide. "I ask that you welcome these newcomers, treat them as you would any other in these caves. No, they do not share our gifts, but they have gifts of their own."
He stepped down and his second in command, Ferris, followed behind him. Loyal guard dog that he was. She spotted Delroy a few paces back and their eyes met for an instant before Niran began speaking again.
"For now, they will reside in this part of our home, some may find their own dwellings shortly—"
"We don't want to be here!" One of the Noth people jeered.
"Take us home!" A woman cried and Yavanna's lips thinned. She could see children amongst the crowd. A sudden surge of protectiveness coursed through her and she felt the urge to defend them.
Niran, who had been ignoring them, said, "We will, of course, have to account for all of the new clothes and new meals, but that's nothing we can't handle. Uttara," He paused and all eyes went to where she was standing, separate from the witches, and from the Noth, "Will relate to me anything out of the ordinary."
Her eyes darted from his, to Delroy's to the fearful crowd beside her. The guilt felt thick in her throat. But, she couldn't avoid it. Niran was forcing her to betray a people she had hardly begun to know. A people she was supposed to protect. A people she had vowed to protect.
She closed her eyes for a moment before she opened them, standing in the cave with clenched fists. "Very well." She breathed, unsure as to who had heard her. But she'd agreed.
The crowd slowly dispersed and she remained in the cavern. Tending to them, though they were surprisingly unharmed. How had they gotten there? She brought them water and food, clothing and bedding. By the end of it she was drained and spent.
Crawling beneath the covers of her stone bed she closed her eyes. Seeking any bit of comfort after dealing with all of the people. Her people. The thought echoed in her mind and she bit her lip. The thought had echoed in her mind throughout the entire day and had made an ire for Niran build within her.
He knew exactly who she was. Exactly who those people were to her. And that was why she was his spy. It felt wrong. But they were innocent, and had only stayed in the cavern. Some grumbled or sobbed or cursed at her. But she'd not left and had remained strong.
When her thoughts faded away and sleep finally came to her, she saw the king. He looked lost, and angry, yet also anxious, as though he was running out of time.
She followed him in her dream, he vanished and appeared in multiple locations. Walking through misty, overgrown forests, around frozen lakes and broken towns. She found it soothing, watching him, though he looked stressed and tired.
He came to the stone circle, where she had spoken with the creature, and she saw him glancing around from the outside. He didn't take a step inside. She peered at him, at the lines on his face, the streaks in his tousled golden hair, the blue in his eyes.
She inhaled deeply, feeling as though she could reach out and touch him. Just when she felt that consciousness was tugging on her mind, those blue eyes connected with hers.