As soon as they left the packhouse, Mia sighed heavily. Sally said after noticing how tense the atmosphere was, "I know I always know a really cool place to go after I finish my errands. Follow me," she said cheerfully as she led them down another path which they didn't see on their way to the packhouse. They walked for 15 minutes to reach a lake.
The view was absolutely breathtaking – a peaceful, dreamy oasis. It gleamed like a sheet of glass under the soft evening light, its face reflecting the bright colors of the surrounding tree blossoms Soft and colorful butterflies flew around, consciously some uncertainty added to the situation. The air was sweet with the scent of wildflowers and pine, and the whole area seemed as wonderfully plucked right out of a fairy tale
"Wow," Mia and Leila exclaimed in unison as they walked further into this otherworldly haven. "This place is beautiful," Lila said in a quiet, respectful voice.
"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Sally replied as she smiled cheekily. "I found out about this place months ago, and I seem to be the only one who knows about it."
The three friends walked to a large rock at the edge of the lake and sat on it looking out over the calm water. They chatted, laughed, told stories and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere until they realized it was getting dark everywhere. The once bright colors of the sky faded into the shadows of deep evening, casting a skylight over the landscape.
"We better get going or Marie will scold us", Sally said as she stood up dusting her gown. They grabbed their bucket and went closer to the lake to wash their legs.
"Maybe next time, we'll take a swim in the lake", Sally suggested to which Mia and Lila just shrugged.
Sally led them, and they returned to the servant quarters worn out. When they reached their own corner, Mia and Lila said goodbye very much at the same time to Sally. "Bye, Sally. See you later," they replied in unison. Her response was swift, "Alright bye now go take a shower and come back for dinner because we didn't have lunch."
Lila sat on the bed, her face showing sheer fatigue. Her eyes felt gritty from being tired but then there was something cold against her chest as she brushed her hand against it shakingly; she held onto it–a delicate pendant that was so familiar–tears began to form in her eyes that welled over into an open cry of pain "I miss my mom," Lila admitted with a broken voice. "She was all I had."
Lila found herself in Mia's embrace who had been a steadfast friend since forever."Stop crying," she whispered. "They wouldn't hurt her because they need her energy."
For five long minutes Lila cried without stopping as if there were no end to tears that were falling fast from her eyes.Mia took her by the hand and guided toward the bathroom."Go take a shower." She told her gently. "Then hope for a better morning when you are through."
Mia lay back on the bed feeling heavy-hearted.She wished deeply that things would not always be so desperate or filled up with loss and longing as their lives always seemed to be. She felt really bad for her friend.
In the chilly restroom, Lila quickly showered, her breath noticeable in the cold air. The lack of warm water left her shuddering along with she tried to conjure heat utilizing her magic. However alas, the water stayed stubbornly cool. Wrapping herself in a basic dress she marched right out of the bathroom into the room.
There on the bed, lay Mia, cocooned in sleep. Lila's lips bent right into a soft smile. Exactly how had Mia took care of to go to sleep so quickly? She came close to, her fingers tapping Mia's shoulder lightly. 'Mia wake up',Lila murmured.
Mia leapt upright, eyes broad with alarm system. Lila chuckled, "Easy there it's simply me." She rubbed her very own upper body. "No risk.".
"Sorry "Mia mumbled, still half-asleep. "I was startled also."
Lila rejected the apology with a wave. "" Go shower so we can get hold of something to consume."" Mia stumbled towards the washroom rubbing her eyes to get rid of her sleepiness. Lila doing not have a mirror looked out the walked over to the window to stare at her very own reflection as she didn't have a mirror. Her white hair, looked unmanageable after the bathroom, requested for interest. She skillfully brushed it right into a cool bun, protecting it with a cloth, making sure that no part of her hair was visible.
By the time she completed, Mia arised from the washroom and was already packing wet high into a messy ponytail. When they were both done, they left the space to the kitchen area's,the noise from the kitchen was expanding louder as they came close to. Various other servents rushed about, their voices assimilating a dynamic harmony.
As they went into the cooking area, they heard their names drift through the noise. They noticed Sally, perch on a vacant bench as she waved at them to come over.She handed each of them a dish of rice when they both sat down "I conserved these for you",Sally claimed. "The plates were almost vacant.".
"Thank you", Lila as she picked up a spoon that was in front of her. She struck the food like a starved monster motivating giggling from Mia and also Sally.
"Chill Lila,no one's taking your food from you", Mia said as she laughed at Lila to which Lila rolled her eyes without paying heed to her.
Amongst the clank of tools as well as the heat of sociability, the three girls talked as they ate and when they were done, they kept their plates in the sink before sneaking out for a stroll in the field.
"Seems like you're very naughty, Sally", Mia whispered as the three hid behind a wall waiting for one of the servents to pass. They quickly ran towards the field once the girl was out of sight.
"I'm not naughty, I'm just exploring the little part of the world that is within my reach", she said as she raised her left hand in the air. "Call me Sally the explorer" she said before saluting the air. This made Mia and Lila to bust out laughing.
"I like your positive attitude", Lila said in between laughters.