Lost Lighte

Chapter 5 (part 1)

Tilya didn’t say a word to Lukas or Reese after returning to home. She dropped the wagon off by the side of the cabin and stormed inside, walking to her family’s dresser and pulling out one of her father’s fleece-lined trousers, slipping them on and tucking the length of her dress inside. She didn’t care that the trousers were three sizes too big.

Wrapping a leather belt around her waist to keep the trousers up, she exchanged her simple flats for her leather boots and stormed back outside, brushing past Lukas as she headed into the thick of the forest.

She was too consumed with the multiple emotions running rampant in her mind and was worried she might lash out on the boys. She just needed some time alone. It had been a while since Tilya visited this particular spot in the forest, which she reserved for moments where she needed to be alone amid nature. Although it was bone-chilling outside, she knew she needed it.

Tilya stared straight ahead, knowing exactly where she was going despite the hundreds of identical ash trees around. The snow that clung to their limbs and blanketed the ground around them made the darkness of their wood stand out like black ghostly figures in a world of white. The strong gusts of wind that blew through the forest sent their branches dancing in the air, and Tilya could swear some of them were trying to reach out and grab her.

After some time, she stepped out into a small circular clearing, the trees surrounding the area like a bird’s cage, and one large ash tree, much taller than all of the others, was situated in the center.

When Tilya had discovered this section of the ash forest, she was awestruck by this tree in particular, as she had never seen another like it. It was at least eighty feet tall, with lumps that jutted out from it’s trunk trailing up a good forty feet before the beginning of the tree’s thick branches began to sprout.

The first time Tilya had found the tree was in the fall of last year, and there had been dots of red berries among it’s green foliage that Tilya had eaten after climbing up to it’s first branch and sitting on it. Now, amid the harsh winter, there were no berries or leaves, it’s dark thick and thin branches swayed in the wind as if saying hello.

It took Tilya nearly ten minutes before she had climbed high enough to take her seat on top of her usual branch, and it was always an effort not to look down during her trek. Situated comfortably against the large trunk of the tree, she looked out into the landscape of the world around her, her long black hair flailing wildly in the wind.

The view from this height revealed the expanse of the forest, and from the south she could see the tall stone clock tower that was adjoined to her village’s courthouse. To the north Tilya could spot the homes of wealthy families among the rolling snow-covered hills, and beyond that, hundreds of miles away, were the grand mountains that separated the mortal realm from the fae realm.

Tilya tucked her hands into her lap and stared out into those mountains, resting her head against the tree trunk.

As far as she knew, mortals were prohibited from entering the fae realms, save for the king and a few politicians that conducted business with the immortals. Not that Tilya would be interested in crossing over into their territory. It made her wonder how these humans were smuggling fae across the border.

However, sometimes, when Tilya’s mind was swimming with thoughts and her heart was aching, she would sit up on the ash tree and look out into the mountains and imagine a life completely different from her own; A life of peace and comfort and stability; where she could spend her days doing things that she loved; meet a handsome young man who would court her, they would get married, have a family, and spend their lives in a beautiful two-story manor that they would pass down to their children along with whatever wealth they had amassed over their years.

Tilya knew these were the fantasies of a little girl, but it felt nice to escape her harsh reality every once in a while. Sometimes she pretended that escaping into the fae realm would grant her all of these things and, despite knowing it was all fictional, she could swear there were times those mountains were calling out to her spirit.

Tilya took a deep breath before exhaling it in a long sigh. She knew she should head back to the cabin to prepare food for dinner, but the serenity of being so high up, so alone in the forest, was keeping her there.

The nightmare she had last night flashed through her mind and she shook her head of it. She had never dreamed of anything like it before; monsters made up of mists and exposed flesh and metal-- all of them surrounding her and chanting a language she’d never heard before; her bare body, laid out on a crystalline altar in a glowing cavern, hundreds of candles burning on tall metal holders around the perimeter. She was strapped to the altar by chains with ancient symbols carved into them; a large hole at the top of the cavern exposed the jet-black sky above, thousands of stars glittering down at her.

A chill went down Tilya’s spine and she knew it wasn’t from the cold.

She knew it was time to head back and, after one last look back towards the mountains, she carefully climbed her way down the ash tree.

**************

Tilya could see the light from the fireplace flickering in the windows of the cabin, and mentally prepared herself for any questions the boys might have for her. Turning the knob of the front door, she stepped inside and was graced by the smell of a mouth-watering meal. Her head shot to the dining table, where a feast was laid out.

A succulent ham sat in the center of the table along with a plate that appeared to display grilled carp. Multiple bowls filled with different kinds of vegetables and fruit surrounded the two meat dishes. Lukas and Reese were sat beside each other at the table, and they turned their attention to Tilya when she walked in.

“Oh good, you’re home!” Reese sang, smiling brightly. “Dinner just finished, we were waiting for you.”

Tilya approached the dinner table, speechless. She looked to Lukas, and he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“I made it." he affirmed. "You had a tough day, so I figured I could cook dinner this time.” Lukas smiled up at her and gestured for her to take the seat across from him. Tilya slowly sat.

“How… Where did you get all of this…?” She whispered in awe, staring at all the dishes. Lukas happily began piling food onto her plate. “That’s not what’s important. Go ahead and eat up while it’s still hot.”

Tilya stared down at the slice of ham and fish on her plate, nearly drooling. The skin of the fish was a beautiful golden color with subtle grill marks along it, seasoned with what smelled like lemon and garlic. The skin of the ham was crusted with herbs like rosemary and thyme, Tilya recognized. The steamed broccoli beside it made the pink of the ham look even more delectable.

“Did you help him make this, Reese?” she asked the young boy, cutting into the carp.

Reese shook his head and lifted a forkful of sliced carrots to his mouth. “Not at all. I came back from Chester’s house not long ago and Lukas had just finished cooking.”

Tilya put the piece of carp into her mouth and stifled a moan. The last time she had had fish was before her father lost his job and could still afford it. Yet even then, it had never tasted as good as this one, and Tilya wondered if Lukas had been a trained chef of some sort. “That is spectacular.” she chewed, covering her mouth with her hand as she spoke. She looked over at Reese, arching a brow. "So all is forgiven with Lukas, I take it? Your attitude has changed quite drastically."

Reese blushed and stared down at his food. "I already apologized." He peeked up at his sister with shame written all over his face. Tilya just smiled and nodded. "It's okay, bud."

They enjoyed their meal in silence, with Lukas glancing at Tilya every now and then, contemplating how to bring up the events of earlier. He wondered if it was a good idea in general. “So where did you run off to?” he prodded cautiously.

Tilya took a swig of whatever beverage was in the cup Lukas had set out for her. A rich wine. “Nowhere special.” she lied. The last thing she wanted was for anyone else to know about that secret spot in the woods, even if it was Reese or Lukas. This answer seemed to satisfy him, as he did not ask anymore questions about it.

"When does papa come home next?” Reese asked. He swished a curly golden-brown lock out of his eyes as he ate. Tilya smiled at how boyish and happy he looked. “He’ll be here in a few weeks, though I’m not sure exactly when. Maybe he’ll send us a letter to let us know.” Her gaze moved to Lukas. “At least I hope so. You probably shouldn’t be here while he’s visiting.”

Lukas nodded in understanding. “I’d like to not get punched in the face for being suspected of compromising his daughter’s virtue.”

Tilya hoped the candlelight kept her blush hidden as she slowly chewed on her last bite of food. She cleared her throat. “Anyways. Dinner was incredible tonight, I appreciate you cooking. I’m not sure how you managed to get all of this food, but thank you nonetheless.” She stood up from her seat and pushed her chair in, scooping up her empty plate. “I’ll be heading to bed now.”

Tilya washed her used dishes and set them on the cloth on the counter to dry and walked into the bedroom without another word, Lukas watching her every move.