Gala was humming a song to herself while carrying a heavy animal-skinned knapsack attached on her back. Her two companions, Alvaro and Elderifrey who was carrying the same bag were just a few feet behind her, their faces clouded with exasperation.
After they talked with the King, they were dispatched right away to Spîcolion to resolve the current predicament of the villagers living there. The kingdom had received a report this morning from an oinkfrey that the tamed wild beasts had gone berserk.
Gala is aware of the potential dangers that await them when they arrive in the region, but she can't help but be excited about finally exploring Aelfrey and getting into some action rather than reading about the land's history.
Gala looked at her two companions with a frown. "Can you both calm down? What's the big deal about this?" She asked, her gaze darting around.
They were now out of the kingdom's vicinity treading the usual icy path east away of the palace. Gala can spot occasional frozen wild berries beside the road. She remembered the breads and fruits they had packed for the trip insider her knapsack.
"You're taking our mission so lightly again, Gala." Alvaro replied, his hands tightly gripping his spear.
"I'm not, okay?" Gala responded. She paused for a moment before turning to face her with a cocky expression on her face. "You're far too serious; it wouldn't hurt you if you loosened up a bit for a while, Alvaro."
Elderifrey laughed at their little squabble. "The girl has a point, Alvaro," the elder faye interjected, prompting Gala to stick out her tongue and make a peace sign to tease the man.
Alvaro's eyes widened upon seeing the sign that Gala did again. He gestured towards the girl, wanting to smack her a little in the head, but Elderifrey spoke again, causing Alvaro to halt. Gala smirked at the man, enjoying teasing him. She felt liberated a bit now that they were out of Aelfrey's premises.
"Gala, get behind me; you're unfamiliar with the terrain; I'll lead the way instead."
Gala's grin disappeared after realizing that Alvaro would be walking behind her. The road is too narrow for two or three people; that's why they have to line up singularly.
The girl was glaring at the man when Elderifrey faced them. "And, please stop fighting, you two."
Gala and Alvaro both quickly nodded, a forced smile on their faces. Elderifrey could only shake her head; clearly, neither of them would keep their words.
"You better not ask for my help when you're in trouble, you cheeky human." Alvaro whispered with gritted teeth, audible enough for Gala to hear.
Gala leaned in slightly, her eyes squinting at him, "You flatter yourself too much, Alvaro; I can handle myself-" Gala's sentence was cut short when she tripped over an upturned stone she hadn't noticed.
Gala screamed as she slid down to a small cliff, her hands swinging all over the place, trying to grab onto something to keep her from sliding any further. "HEEEEEEEEEELP!" Her high and squeaky voice can be heard all over the area.
Elderifrey watched Gala horrendously, her hands on her mouth. "Alvaro, quick, do something!" Elderifrey urged the young warrior to rush to the aid of Gala, who was rooted to the ground, calmly watching the girl swing her hands frantically everywhere.
Alvaro crossed his arms with an unbothered expression. "I'm sure she said that she can handle herself very well and won't be needing my help in any case."
Elderifrey couldn't believe what Alvaro just said, more so, ignoring his duty as a warrior. "I didn't know you could be so childish sometimes, anyway, rescue her now!" Elderifrey's voice thundered that Alvaro couldn't help but prepare himself for Gala's aid.
Alvaro was about to strip off his robe and fly towards Gala when her panting voice erupted from below. "I'm fine. I'm fine!"
Alvaro shrugged off his shoulders to Elderifrey's quizzical look. "You heard her, she's fine."
--
Gala was sliding down too fast due to the icy terrain. Her plan of grabbing something wasn't working as everything was encased in thick, solid ice.
She saw her life flash before her eyes when she saw that she was heading straight towards a massive frozen tree. She braced herself for the impending impact by blocking herself with her arms crossed in front of her face.
Gala was perplexed when she mysteriously stopped sliding down further, just an inch from colliding with the tree. She looked around, completely baffled, trying to figure out who or what had saved her.
"I'm fine. I'm fine!" she yelled as she heard Elderifrey's frantic voice above.
She immediately rose up and dusted off her robes. "Hello?" She called as she looked to her left and right, hoping to see anyone.
Her gaze shifted in front of her when she heard a thin, squeaky voice. A tiny, white creature—almost translucent—emerged at the back of the tree. Its curious face was peeping at her baffled expression, slowly approaching her with caution. Its body wiggles like a jelly every time it steps, and Gala could not help but melt in cuteness when she saw its three legs. Gala noticed that it had no wings.
Gala gently cupped the tiny creature, smiling from ear to ear at its cuteness. "Hello." She greeted the creature, her voice overtaken with so much excitement.
"Did you save me?" she inquired of the creature, whose mouth was slightly open, making it even cuter than it already was.
The creature nodded lightly, took a step towards her but wiggled, causing it to fall into her palm. Gala opened her palm fully, realizing what it was attempting to do. She lifted a finger and gave the creature a slight nudge up. Gala got a tingly feeling every time it moved onto her palm.
Gala moved her head closer to the creature, examining its adorable form. Its tiny hands reached out to her and Gala felt like she was kissed by the sun at the warmth that she felt.
Her eyes widened when its hands slowly glowed in bluish white against her cheeks. Then, a strip of luminous light shot out from it and encircled them both. Gala could only gape in astonishment, fully mystified at the scene unfolding before her.
"You are special and you're meant for great things beyond what you can imagine."
Its feminine, soothing voice drew her back to the creature. Gala flinched as she realized it was Aeyalafreyn speaking.
Gala sighed before she replied, "That's what they told me."
The creature softly shook its head. "More than that. This being can feel that you're about to do things above and beyond."
Gala shuddered at the creature's words, terrified at the gravity of its statement, uncertain what she should feel about it.
"But beware, khäremluash; danger is right in front of you; you are about to embark on a perilous journey, and I see someone close to you who will betray you."
Gala was perplexed and agitated after hearing the creature's words. 'Will someone close to me betray me? ' She didn't think of anyone who could do it, but she ended up more confused. Does it refer to someone she already knows or someone she has yet to meet? Will the perilous journey she's describing become her current mission? Her mind was racing with questions, but seeing the creature wriggling back and forth in her palm, she kept them to herself for the time being.
"What's your name?" she asked the creature instead.
The creature's thin lips curved upwards in a charming smile. "This being's name is Ejonna, and I'm a pixie."
Gala chuckled, surprised that the creature she had imagined from her childhood books did not resemble anything she had imagined.
"I never thought pixies looked like you. Anyway, my name is Gala, and we have to go. Let's meet my companions," she said, standing up with Ejonna still on her palm.
--
Elderifrey and Alvaro turned towards Gala when she emerged from below; a tiny white creature was settled in her palm.
"You found a pixie!" Elderifrey exclaimed when Gala was finally in front of them. Pixies are one of the ancient creatures of Aelfrey known to keep themselves out of anyone's sight.
Gala said with a big, bright smile, "Meet Ejonna." "And I've decided to take her with me to Spîcolion," she added, to the surprise of the two.
"But, pixies aren't pets or anything, Gala. They're ancient beings and not something that we should trifle with." Alvaro advised the human, who was still smiling from ear to ear, her eyes glued on the creature.
Gala examined the creature that was perched comfortably on her palm. Alvaro and Elderifrey were perplexed and surprised to see Gala so friendly with a creature they had rarely seen before in the land.
"I don't think Ejonna minds though." Gala whispered. She lifted her hand closer to her face, enough for her and Ejonna to be at the same level. "Do you want to join me on my mission?" she sweetly asked the pixie.
The pixie stood up on her three legs, wiggling in the process. "I would love to, Gala."
Gala looked at Alvaro and Elderifrey, flashing a victorious smile. "She said yes, though."
Alvaro and Elderifrey could only sigh in defeat. It appears that a new member will be added to help them complete their mission.