The Lost Princess of Winterspring

12: FREEDOM I

Elani was following her while still contemplating the voice that she heard in her head. Flabbergasted as she is, she couldn't find any answers to it. Everything was new to her, even walking with a different nimphian is a new experience.

Malaya looked over to the child that was following her. She noticed that Elani was in her deep thought.

Maybe she didn't even know what she did too? She thought to herself.

As they walked by, trees started to sway and the breeze of the wind started to get cold which made Malaya even more pissed because she hates getting cold especially that her armor is not made to protect her from that kind of weather!

"What could get worse? Hey, kid!" She held Elani's arms to wake her up from her reverie. Elani was astounded by the sudden grasp of her arm.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Drop the formalities, this ain't school. Just call me, Malaya, and that we're here for your next training."

Elani looked around and saw a river with a heavy current and a lot of big stones in it. Trees surrounded the river and at the end was a fall.

"The next training is Meditation. Meditation has a lot of benefits. If you can master this skill, other skills can easily be trained too. For now, this would be the easiest. For 5 hours, I would leave you in the middle of the rock over there," she pointed at the medium-sized rock in the middle of the river. "and the only thing you will do is meditate. Surely, Raphael has taught you that skill already?"

"He . . . didn't teach me anything at all," Elani answered slyly.

"No way? f**k! I am doomed with a newbie. What the hell did I sign up for?" She groaned while cupping her head with her hands. "Fine! I will also teach you that! Sit down before I burn your soul to death!"

Elani immediately followed her order. She sat down crossing her legs while her eyes looked down because she was so scared of this stranger.

"Breathing pattern is a secret of meditation. Close your eyes and hear your own pattern." She instructed and Elani did what she was told as Malaya continued to teach her. "If you followed your pattern, you must clear your mind with your thoughts. Hearing the sound of the water and the swaying of the leaves may help you clear your thoughts. Do this for 5 hours."

"I will close my eyes for 5 hours? What if I fall asleep?" Elani asked out of curiosity.

"Then you will do it for 5 hours again. You will repeat this training until you mastered the art of meditation."

Malaya carried Elani and jumped across the rushing current of the river until they arrived at the rock she pointed at earlier. Her heart was pounding heavily as she thought that the current may take her away.

Droplets of water splashed onto her dress. If I knew this wasn't fishing then I could've worn something comfortable! She thought to herself.

"Now, sit down and do as you're told. I will be hunting for food for lunch. Although it will depend on whether or not you're having lunch." Malaya said while chuckling. What a devil. Elani had thought.

And then there was silence. Did she leave? Shall I open my eyes now? Thoughts have run to her head mindlessly. But I was told to clear up my thoughts! Well, fine then. Not that there are animals here to scare me. What could be worse than what happened earlier?

The silence was killing her.

This isn't as easy as it may sound though. How could I do this?! I'm already feeling sleepy.

Clear your mind.

As if that is easy to do. She opened her eyes as someone spoke to her in her mind again but this time it's a different voice. Am I hearing things again? She thought to herself as she looked around the river but to her dismay, there was no one around. I must be crazy. The voice seemed to be of someone small. She couldn't figure it out herself.

You are not. I am helping you; you must clear your mind. How about for 5 minutes?

"What? Who and where are you?!" Elani shouted.

I am a river sprite, and you can call me Rosetta

"A river sprite?"

Yes, I have been following you ever since I saw you set foot inside the forest. Have you not known sprites?

"I've been made ignorant of certain things so no."

Well, I can help you! The sprite said excitingly. But then you have to follow. Meditating for 5 hours is so hard for a newbie that's why I wanted you to meditate for 5 minutes.

"Okay then."

Malaya jumped through the trees and glided through the wind like she was dancing. She hated the cold weather but trees are her sanctuary maybe that's the reason why she chose to live alone in the middle of the Vally Forest—the biggest forest in the country.

Just glided in the forest made her mind at peace unlike everyone else, she wanted a simple quiet life, far from missions and other nimphians. And of course, the royal blood.

Just the thought of it, makes her blood boil in anger. She will never forget the reason why she hated the royal blood and its disciples. It is as if she despises the whole kingdom because of what the royal blood did to her and her family.

The Voera clan lived peacefully in the small town of Carcassone in Clearcrest City. Carcassone is located at the top of the mountain that is why Malaya loved the trees but hated the breeze at the same time, after all, it reminded her of her clan.

They were farmers alongside the family of Talisay who plants rice and vegetables in the mountain. They were also known as skilled hunters of the forest as they were trained for many years.