¶¶¶ Tiana¶¶¶
I exhaled and licked my feverish lips, my tongue was dry and filled with sores. Robecca, the small bodied female that moved me from the cell to the slave house, had me on her back, running full speed behind Riley. I wasn't quite sure where they were taking me to, and I didn't have the strength to ask. Becca stopped running, halting abruptly with a force that made me bounce. I groaned a little, my teeth cut into my tongue.
'We are here, put her down,' Riley instructed. Becca lowered me carefully to the ground, my feet touched something grassy. She sat me down, resting my back on a something. 'Open your eyes tiana,' I forced my eyes open, whimpering from the dizziness. 'Close it and try again. I inhaled and closed my eyes again, I wanted to see where I was. I opened my eyes again, my mouth fell open slightly. 'Welcome to Lucian's favorite place in the entire world, it's called Mystic Oasis.'
'This place was nothing but dirty water and dead trees,' Becca started, looking around with a distance gaze. 'lucian's mother found this place with my grandmother who was his mother's cousin. Mama wasn't interested in it so she left it, but lucian's mother loved it. She singlehandedly nurtured this place, replanted the trees and purified the water. That mini waterfall was her doing, everything here is. This was where she found her mate, where completed the mating rituals, where she conceived and bore Lucian. All of Lucian's memories are here; all his birthdays until his mother death. It's really important to him.'
Who knew I could cry over something so petty. It was absolutely beautiful. The smooth green carpet grass with red tips, the big tall moonlight trees that filled the land. The crystal clear water and the animals. Why did they bring me here?
'Why am I here?' I gasped out, sniffing as tears ran down my face.
'She talks?' Becca asked. Riley chuckled.
'I was going to take you to my house to eat but as we were leaving, Lucian mind linked me that I should bring you here. He said, I quote; "tiana is a tree girl, born amongst and brought up with nature. I have thought it through and realise she's just home sick. Maybe all she needs is to feel homely. Take her to my spot and see if she'll eat. That place have a natural magic, it ought to work." That's what he said.'
'But why bring me to such an important place? This place hold so much of his memories, this place means a lot to him.' I cried. She shrugged.
'I honestly don't know why but that was his orders.' I looked at Becca who was grinning cryptically while digging her hand into a basket. She brought out a bunch of bananas, peeled packaged pineapple and five apples. I averted my eyes to the beautiful nature before me.
Mother had something similar to this... I thought.
Mom had something similar to this but hers was indeed magical. It was a small part of the island, the side no one except her was allowed to go to. Whoever went there died in two days, mom did that. She was the daughter of the village wizard so she had some magic of her own. That was why she was so spiritual and saw the future before it happens. She must have seen the attack, that was why she told me to remain in the hill.
I wish I did.
If you did, you wouldn't have met Lucian... Lona chipped in.
What use have that been to me?
Anyways, the place was circled by thin long trees with different coloured leaves and branches. Each tree had at least three to four bird nests and fireflies made the trees their home at night. At the centre of the circled forest, was a star shaped pool surrounded by little white pillars... Okay, maybe it isn't similar but it did remind me of that place. That was where I ate every day, I never ate with dad and his mistresses and sons. Mom and I made that our own dinning area. Opening my eyes from my well of memories, I realised Becca and Riley were gone. In front of me were five plates and a rolled up mat. One plate had sliced fruits in it, the other sandwiches, (Giselle's favorite food) the other a fish meal, the forth one some kind of salad and the last was dumplings and rice. I wasn't a novice to all the things outside my world, mom made sure I read. I wasn't aware of all, but I knew enough to live by.
Can you eat all of this?... Lona asked with uncertainty.
If I see myself back at home, yes.
Why would Lucian send you here? I'm suspicious.
Whatever he is up to, I don't care, I'm happy here.