"Okay, I'm off to bed. Goodnight". Elixia said and stood up. "Goodnight". Johnbones wished her. Elixia got into her room and couldn't sleep as she wondered the trauma Vistuler would be going through. "She was too young to have witnessed that. Did she perhaps meet the her mother's murders. Even if she met them how was she going to be able to recognise them. Tomorrow I have to spend it for Father and Vistuler. Father's case is on getting Lady Miss Gruticent back and Vistuler's case is spilling out what she knows". Elixia said and closed her eyes to sleep.
Morning rose quickly, Elixia notices as someone opens her curtains to allow the sun rays find it way to her eyes. "I didn't have enough sleep. Close the curtains for some more minutes. "Really, why didn't you have enough time to sleep?". The person asked and Elixia's eyes open immediately she heared the voice. She also sat up immediately. "Vistuler what are you doing here?". "I wanted to spend most of my time with you today".
"You have classes. Social classes".Elixia noted. "I would skip that". Vistuler replied nonchalantly. "You've never skipped social classes for anyone, so why today?". Elixia couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Vistuler. She expected her to be gloomy,but no was the case here.
"Are you going to sit there? Go have your bathe. Your hair is a mess. Quick!". she ushered Elixia into the bathroom.
Walking into her closet she brings out a red gown for her and placed it close to the bed with some flat shoes. Then she strides out happily out of Elixia's room.
Elixia soon comes out with the clothes and shoes on. Noticing Vistuler wasn't around she walks to the dinning hall. As though she was expecting it. She enters and decides to leave, but Johnbones caught sight of her. "Elixia". He called and Elixia paused in her tracks. She makes a crying face while her back was turned to face them.
As she she turns to face them, she gives off a huge smile and walks futher in to grab a seat and sat. "I chose that dress for her father". Vistuler said feeling proud of herself. "I've always know you've had great taste in dressing". Johnbones complimented her.
They were both getting closer by making me the subject of their discussion. Elixia wanted to leave there as fast as she could. And head off to lady miss Gruticent. Today, no second should be spared.
The maid served her meal.Elixia rushed it. "Father, watch how Elixia eats". "like a baby".The words of those two caught her off guard and she started to choke. "Here". Vistuler gives her a glass out. "You should take your time while eating". Elixia nodded slowly. And flashed one of her smile.
Those two kept murmuring things to themselves as they stole glances of me. And they laughed. Were they alright? Elixia wondered. She decided to leave this cheerful atmosphere that was killing her alone. "I'll be leaving for Lady Miss Gruticent's home. I need a carriage". Elixia asked."Choose whatsoever one you desire. Just don't forget to apply a veil on your head". Johnbones reminds. "Of course father". Elixia said and gets up to start to leave.
As she was about to enter the carriage, she paused when she heard someone call her name. She turned around only to see Vistuler running towards her direction. She paused Vistuler when she got to her front. "Where are you going to?". Elixia asked in confusion. "I'm going with you". Vistuler replied and walked pass her. A guard helped Vistuler and Elixia into the carriage.
They both sat opposite each other. Elixia would often take a confused glance at Vistuler. Her mood swings was surprising her to no bound.
"I'm very beautiful, right?". Vistuler asked as she caught her staring. Elixia couldn't help but leave her mouth open. "I got my looks from my mother. At least I can remember how she looked by standing in front of the mirror, but there is another thing of her memory that I can remember". Elixia suddenly seemed interested. "It's about my mother's killer". "What?!". Elixia exclaimed.
"The day my mother took me out of our house with her because she had an argument with father. We were given a space at a bar to sleep in, but mother has to work for us to sleep there and feed. When I asked her the work she was going to be doing, she told me it was the same work she did in father's house.
Talking to men.
I wasn't quit comfortable with the work, but I had no option to bring before her. A night came when mother was talking to one of the men that visited the bar in a room. The door wasn't well closed and I went to have a look the man's upper part was bare, but it was his back I saw. He a very big 'C' on it.
The man turned to look at me as I stood at the door. I didn't flinch. He was rather young then". "Can you remember how he looks?". Elixia asked hesitantly. "No Elixia". She confirmed in the negative. "Okay". "Well you may go on with your story". "You don't seem interested". "I really am, Vistuler talk". "He walked to me and got a drink for me. He urged me to take it , saying"It would help you sleep with what you would see tonight".
I took and gulped it down. He laughed at my foolishness and went into the room. This time he opened the door wider. My vision became blur and I could hear fading shouts. And also my legs grew weak suddenly and I gave in to fall to the ground. My eyes were still fixed on the things going on in the room.
He was either punching or stabbing something on the bed. And my mother was on the bed. As he lifts his hand blood would spill out. Not satisfied with that. He got her something to drink. And forced her to drink it. That's the only thing that I could remember, but people claim that my mother was poisoned and not murdered. That she did it herself. Then I concluded that was a dream of mine". Elixia was happy to hear such from her.
Elixia obviously knew what had transpired there. Marthires had obviously being murdered brutally, but she make a fuss of it. And Vistuler had been the only one to witness it, but in a partly conscious state.
"Elixia do you think that was a dream of mine or was it reality?". "How do I know? When you often misplace reality for dream". Elixia replied and turned to face the carriage window. Vistuler had a confused look. "I'm sure it wasn't a dream". Vistuler murmured. And Elixia stared at her calmly for some moments and turned back to face the window.
"You know Vistuler, you know how to tell a story So why are you trying to make me believe it was real?". Elixia asked with a corner lip smile. Vistuler looked up to meet her gaze.
"I just wanted to know if you'd act scared if I said such". She replied with lies. Elixia scoffed and looked away. How was she going to make her feel it wasn't real?.
"Such things can't happen Vistuler. It's just one of your dreams". Elixia convinced as she continued to stare at trees that the carriage passed by with speed.
"Of course, I know that, but it does feel so real". Vistuler spoke partly believing it wasn't a dream. "Lady Miss Vistuler, Lady Miss Elixia. We've arrived at your destination". One of the carriage men informed.
Elixia got up and Vistuler did that also. "Some dreams are often like that Vistuler. So don't worry much". Elixia convinced yet again and alighted from the carriage as a carriage man helped her. Then Vistuler followed.
They wore their veils and walked to some guards standing at the doorpost.
"We need to see Lady Miss Gruticent at all cost". Vistuler spoke. "Lady Miss Gruticent doesn't wish to see anyone at this moment. So go home and return". The guard spoke.
Elixia wasn't in the mood for any dilly-dallying. "We urgently need to see her to see her". Elixia said and she brought out her pocket knife to place on his neck. That is the guard who answered them.
"I bet you can't use that". The man spoke challengingly. "Why don't you give it a trial?". Elixia also gave off a challenging reply.
"Elixia he is muscular. How do you think you can win over him?". Vistuler asked Elixia in fright. "In a battle strength doesn't win rather brain". Elixia replied indirectly saying she was wiser than the man.
"How about a duel?". The man spoke up a challenge. "Okay". Elixia agreed. "No Elixia". Vistuler tried stopping her but to no avail.
They went to the center and were about to start when. Elixia's carriage men called running to her but she stopped them with a gesture of her hand.
The duel began. The man was given a sword and they handed one over to Elixia but she refused it with a comment. "If I use that I might end up killing him".
What would mark the end of the duel was he removing Elixia's veil or Elixia giving him just one cut. The man made the first move on trying to pull Elixia's veil. And Elixia gave him the face of her her pocket knife. And he moved back wincing. Everyone was in awe.
"I'd give another trial". Elixia said. And the man immediately started swinging his sword to attack Elixia,bit Elixia was quick to detect his move and dodge. Turning round him she gave him tears on the sides of his arms.
"Okay duel over". Lady Miss Gruticent spoke and turned to face her. She courtesied. "We came to take you with us for Captain William Johnbones. "Did he already miss me? And who are you girls".
Vistuler moved forward and removed her veil and so did Elixia. " To my greatest surprise his daughters chose to bring me themselves. Let's get going". She said as she started heading for their carriage. She did know Elixia could fight so it wasn't a surprise to her. "Get him treated". Lady Miss Gruticent said before moving further. Elixia and Vistuler put on their veil and followed her.
"If I had used the sword I would have given you more injury. Now do you believe that". She said as she stood before the man. They both gave a challenging pose. Then the man stretched out his hand for a shake and Elixia did so.
"Nice to meet you". The man said. "It is the greatest pleasure of mine to met you and have a duel with you". Elixia also exchanged her pleasantries and turned to go.
Happiness brewed in her as she achieved two plans in a day