The great revenge of an untouched princess

Escapade

They run back to the cave and discover that the  crystals had dissolved and  a beautiful lake had been formed. They realized that the lake was quite deep with clear water  and so Dayton had to change his form. Ava and Coty sat on the large beast as he walk through the water.

The roof of the cave had opened where the baby was once placed. The doors had disappeared and water fell through the roof of the cave creating a spiral water fall. So, they had to go into the water fall to locate the child.

A radium green tree stood in the place where they had  found the baby previously. The wall still stood strong, however the word 'NASHT' has been erased. 

Dayton and Ava walk up to the tree and pray for Hadir and his men to be set free. Ava leaves her ring near the tree. "I hope to come back someday after I have fulfilled my promise to my family." Looking at Dayton she continued, " I have found a new family here and hope to see them again. If you are interested." she says smiling at Coty and Dayton.

Dayton smiles to show that he also shares the same sentiment. He didn't have a ring on him and so he cuts a lock of his hair and ties it around the ring. "This is my promise to not forget you or this place. I have not known what a family was for a long time and I know I have not been a delight to live with but I would not change anything. I would want my family to be the same as it is now." Ava hugs Dayton crying.

Coty and Hadir join in on the hug.

"Hadir, what are you still doing here?" asked Ava with a zest in her voice.

Hadir shrugged his shoulders and said, "I am not sure. I know the others have left but I guess I still have my duty to fulfill."

"But do you know what it is?" Asked Coty.

"Not a clue darling but I don't care. I have been living in darkness for a very long time. Now I have a chance to go out and see the world and its exciting don't you think?" He asked with a genuine smile.

Dayton interferes and asks with concern, "Don't you think it will get lonely to stay in this world forever not knowing your destiny? watching people die, people whom you love die?" he asked frowning his eyebrows.

"Look, as far as I remember I had lived only to serve others. This is my chance at living the life of adventure. Maybe along the way I might be able to find my calling and fulfil it. Who knows what life has to offer. You are young go live your life. Don't worry about me." Hadir babbled.

The whole island had changed. The curse on the island stopped it from growing .The trees now were taller than ever and the leaves on the trees were blue, green, yellow and orange. It was almost as though the island was trying to make up for lost time. It looked like the whole island was a work of art. 

The grass also looked extra ordinary, the tip of the grass glowed and it looks as though fireflies have landed on each grass strand. The grass glowed throughout the island. If some one had to see the island from afar they would think the island was on fire. It was just exceptionally stunning.

The fruits on the island were so different that no one had seen before. Ava and Coty started plucking fruits from the trees and trying out new ones. However, Dayton was hesitant and just stuck to eating fruits that he was already aware of. 

Coty jumps from Ava's shoulder and lands on the grass. She bounces off the grass. Coty laughs loudly looking at this Ava also falls on the grass back first. She also bounces off of the grass. Coty and Ava continue for a while.

Meanwhile Dayton looks around exploring the new trees. Tall peach colored mushrooms grew though out the landscape which were half the size of the trees.  It was an absolute beauty. 

Ava points at the trees. Cute little monkeys jumped from trees. Birds flew in again. A manatee comes to the shore and the Nanus runs to pet the sea animal. Turtles swim up in huge quantity towards the shore.

It was amazing to look in every direction and find something new.

They come back to Dayton's house and even before they could reach the gate, Ava gasps. Coty looks ahead in dismay.

"A small gift for you guys." said Drak pointing towards the canoe parked near the shore.

The Nanus had built a canoe for Dayton and Ava. 

"Perhaps they want us out of here as soon as possible." Dayton joked nudging Ava with his elbow.

"Shhh.." smiled Ava pushing Dayton playfully.

Dayton and Ava thank Drak and start planning their way out of the island. Coty walks back to Toty feeling rather dejected.

Ava looks at Toty and Toty signals saying that she will take care of Coty.

Ava and Dayton take some essentials. warm clothes,  fruits some mushrooms. 

Nanus comes to the shore to see them off. Ava searches for Coty frantically from the canoe to thank her but Coty doesn't come to the shore and Ava had to leave heart broken.

She sat in the canoe disappointed that she could not meet Coty one last time. 

Dayton and Hadir decide to leave Ava alone with her thoughts. Dayton doesn't even make eye contact with Ava. He just paddles the canoe towards north.

As they were about to lose the sight of the island something happens. The waves in the water become more violent. 

A powerful sound  grabs their attention. The island moved. It  raised up. The bottom of the island now was rocky which made it difficult to access.

The water falls from a cliff. The island gets covered with moss all around .The height of the island was such that nothing was visible from the ground. It was most beautiful waterfall Dayton and Ava had ever seen. No one spoke about it but look ahead in amazement. The underground spring water streamed from the cave and then fall into the sea.

Ava didn't change her expression but in her heart she was very happy for the Nanus. No one could harm them anymore. They could live a more happy life in the wonderful island that they now called home.

Now in the open sea the canoe rises and falls mimicking the ocean waves.

Dayton signals to Hadir with his eyes. Ava rests her head on her knees throughout the journey without speaking a word. 

Just before they could reach a narrow pass. A strange voice sings. Its very soothing and melodious. Ava lifts her head slowly  and looks ahead wide eyed as they approach a  towering rock formation.

"The snake's fang? how did we reach here so fast?" She shouted grabbing the paddle from Dayton and frantically rowing to change the course.

We have to set course out of this pathway." She  cautioned  Dayton but it was too late.

The  water current was so strong that they couldn't turn around. Ava stammered," This place is dangerous very dangerous. We have to get out of here" She tries to jump off the canoe with her sack but gets stuck to a hook preventing her from jumping off.

Dayton tries his best to stop the canoe with his paddle. He throws another paddle towards Ava so that she can use the force from the other side as well. Both grunt and try their best but the paddle snap.

The force pushes them further in with force.

Now the canoe enters the misty opening through the pass. Massive fangs were carved in the rock. They look very real and Sharp. Dayton looks on amazed. 

They sail past  wreckage of huge ships. Dashing against rocks, skeletons made clinking sound. 

Dayton looks around observantly he touched Ava's hand. She held on to his hand tightly. 

Water dripped from the wreckage. Ava had an uneasy look on her face. She recounts the horror she went through she closes her eyes with her hands and crouches down breathing heavily she rocks back and forth.

An Icey blast of wind freezes the water ahead. This prevents the canoe from moving forward. Ava rejoices "Thank God we don't have to go forward any more."

"So, we just sit here in the ice forever and freeze to death?" asked Dayton worriedly.

"No silly, we can find a way to go back. we don't have to go forward." she explained.

"Why cant we go forward?" asked Hadir resting his chin on his hand.

"I was her before." She pauses. Choking up she continues, " This place is cursed. I mean not like your island cursed." She uses air quotes and rolls her eyes.

"Wait a minute are you trying to make fun of me?" he asked Ava in a very serious tone with his arms folded around his chest.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad but Dayton this place is ruled by a witch. She is very dangerous..." She stops to focus on the strange sound that they hear in a distance.   

Guards patrol the mountain pathway. Roughly a dozen soldiers ride horses. The soldiers were ready in armor as though they were ready for war. The soldiers were covered in grey top to bottom. The horses were also covered in grey. If these soldiers patrolled in the night they would definitely look like shadows.

The helmet that the soldiers wore had a red feather on the top. 

The trio decide to leave the canoe and walk the rest of the way on foot.

"Lets try and get to that mountain. From there we can cross over and wont even have to enter the city." Pointing at a mountain far away she whispers.

While walking they realize that the ice had started to melt and they start to swim.

Dayton scoffs, "Great now the bread and cheese are wet. This satchel is completely useless." throwing it he swims to the shore.

Ava catches up.

They walk through a dirt path further. The dark and barren landscape had scrubby trees with no leaves and the land was covered in shrubs. 

The entire area was covered in mist. "We have to rest here." Dayton suggested.

"No." yelled Ava.

"No, I told you this place is cursed. We cannot stay here." She insisted.

"I am not walking into the dark. Not through this place. What if there are traps?" he groaned looking at Hadir.

"I am not going." Dayton sat down in protest. 

"Ok. Ok." Ava surrendered. She was also very hungry from all the walking. They lean on a tree and sit quietly catching their breath.

"Can you pass some bread please?" requested Ava.

Dayton swallowed hard and replied, "Emm I threw the bag it was all wet and useless." In one breathe he completed the sentence.

"You did what? What about our clothes you fool?" She yelled and stomped in anger.

They go to sleep empty stomach. Ava and Hadir sleep opposite Dayton.

A faint sound, melodious and a very welcoming sound wakes Dayton. He wakes up but not fully awake almost sleep walking. He walks ahead towards the sound. The more he walks into the forest the more clearer the sound appeared audible.

Dayton walked barefoot through the forest. His legs were bleeding but that didn't dither him from walking ahead. Smiling he walks flowing through the sound.

Ava wakes up with a jolt. "How did I fall asleep?" Ava fumed.

"Girl do you know how difficult it was to wake you up? Ranted Hadir. Continuing he said, "Anyway forget that. Look where that jarhead is headed to." He warned Ava.

 They hurried  and started looking for Dayton.

"Hadir, where is he? Oh my, why didn't you wake me up before ?" She yelled.

"Sorry, you looked so peaceful and more over you were so tired I didn't have the heart. Also, without hands it was difficult to wake you up. Let me tell you. You are no light sleeper. " he confessed.

"Alright, where is Dayton now?" she yelled again.

He points towards the forest. Ava stumbles through a thick bare saplings. She looks around. They were surrounded by gloomy misty woods.

Tilting her head she looked around squinting her eyes. "There you are." She walks towards Dayton and taps on his shoulder.

He turns. To her shock, Dayton had closed his eyes and was smiling. Walking through the forest he walked barefoot  bleeding. Also his face bled in places due to the skeletal trees. 

He definitely was not in his senses.

Ava shakes Dayton. Slap's him. Throws precious clean water on his face. Nothing fazes him.

He walks past her swaying along the way.

Frustrated she cries. She was not ready to lose another friend.

Her eyes widen. She takes of running and jumps on Dayton from behind. They both fall on their knees. Ava fell on Dayton and  had a soft landing.

She closes his ears. After about a minute he turns towards Ava. This time he looked more like Dayton than a minute ago.

Ava hugs Dayton fondly. She kisses him on the forehead, "I seriously thought it lost you?" She said wiping her tears.

"Why are we in the forest Ava?" asked Dayton confused looking around.

"I told you I will not walk further. He looked at his hands and then immediately at his feet. "Oh, I cant believe this. Look what you have done?" He continues yelling, waving his hands and pointing at the wounded area.

Ava just clenching her jaw Ava just walked away from Dayton without saying a word.

Dayton followed still mumbling . Hadir hovers over Dayton and explains everything in a shorter version.

Ava looks frantically through her sack. 'Where is it?' she whispers to herself in an annoyed tone.

Hadir signals to Dayton to apologize to Ava.

He sighs rolling his eye, slouching he walks towards Ava. "Sorry."

Ava nodded her head in agreement. She still was looking for something in her sack without making eye contact she suggested he clean his wounds.

Dayton picked up some water and washed his face.

The stinging made him moan a little.

Ava cheers in excitement. "I found it. I found it." She said in a singing tone. 

Waving the pendent in the air she runs towards Dayton. Now, the only way we can survive this place if we have a disguise." She explained while tending to Dayton's wounds.

"I cannot go back as me because... Its a long story for some other time." She said waving her hand in the air signaling to forget it.

"You a boy. No. No. You cannot survive being a boy for long. We have to change." She suggested.

"So, do we wear beards and wigs? " asked Dayton with a confused look on his face.

"No silly. We have to change ourselves." 

She pulls out the pendent from her pocket that Drak had given her. "This is what going to help us."  She explained.

They both eat a  stone each from the pendant. Nothing changes.

Dayton looks at himself, then at Hadir and then finally he looks at Ava.

Ava looked confused as ever. "Why are we not changing ?"she yelled looking at Dayton.

"I don't know don't ask me." 

"Drak would not lie about these thing." She steps away from Dayton. Running her fingers through her hair she looks ahead confused and feeling betrayed.

After a while they decide that they have to go ahead anyway. Maybe try and hide their way and try to hurry through the village.

They reach the gate of the village. 

A family pushes their cart loaded with grass into the gate. Looking at it Dayton shivers. Then Ava also shivers.

Ava  looks to her right, A girl with red hair, blue eyes and pale white face smiles at her back.

She frantically looks around to find Dayton. 'Where did that fool go?' 

"Which fool? "asked the girl touching her throat and looking at Ava wide eyed and breathing heavily. She looks at her hands and then her feet. She touches her face and then her hair. She turn towards Ava and shrieks , "Who are you?"

Ava replies in a very sober and mellow voice "Who are you ?"

They realize that they have been transformed into girls very similar to the family that they had seen a minute ago. The features were pulled from the family as an inspiration to make sure they fit inside the village.

"Oh, my the stones worked. Drak was right!" Ava jumped punching her fist in the air.

"How do I look?" She asked Dayton.

"You look good but nothing can beat your natural self." he replied.

"Shut up."

"How do I look?" asked Dayton.

"You look very beautiful. I would definitely ask you to marry me if I were a boy." mocked Ava.

"Look, we need to set our names. We will look like fools if someone asked for our names and we were not prepared. What do you want to be called? It should be something you can remember" She asked.

"Well my mothers name was Norah. So, I would like to have that name." He requested.

"Alright then you are Norah. Its a beautiful name by the way. I will call myself …" She gets interrupted by Hadir "Use Zara."

"Zara, hmmm.. I like that. Zara, Zara." She memorizes her name.

"Lets go then?" she asked enthusiastically. She breathes in deep looks at Norah with a smile holding hands they walked into the village.

The two girls march confidently towards the arched gate. When they reach the entrance an invincible shield on the gate throws them back. They fall on their back. 

They try again. The same thing happens.

They walk to the side to give way to a cart that goes through the gate easily. 

"Oh my God. This door is marked for magic." whispered Hadir.

"No, It is marked for the villagers. Magic is allowed in this village. I think non villagers are not allowed until the guards check on them. "She replied.

"Now what? All this was a big waste of time?" grumbled Hadir 

Looking at the wall on the far left, Dayton points at the wall. "Look at that wall. There is no light on that side. We can climb the wall and get inside." He suggests proudly.

"What if the wall is also protected and when we reach the top it could throw us down to our death." Signals Ava pointing down with her hands aggressively.

"That is the chance we have to take right? do you have another idea?" He asked.

"There must be another way." Insisted Ava biting her nails looking around.

"Alright." She said kicking the grass.

"I don't like this. So, this is how we will do it. First you go to the top and see if the force field is there. If not you tell me I will climb. If the forcefield is there I will know it with your fall wont I ?" she mumbled.

"Come on Ava." urged Hadir.

"Alright", She quavered.

They begin the climb.  Dayton(Norah) grunts. "She doesn't seem to be heavy Dayton." Chuckled Hadir.

"She …  is … digging her Nail in my neck." he agonized while giving Ava (Zara) a piggy back ride over the wall.

They reach the top. Ava (Zara) still had her eyes closed  tightly not realizing they had reached the top. " Could you please, please get down and spare my neck" Yells  Dayton(Norah).

"Can you not bark, Dayton ?" Fumed Ava (Zara) staring at him.

"You are a girl and act the part." exclaimed Zara.

Norah scoffs and looks away from Zara for a landing pad to jump from the wall.

Fortunately, they find a stable and a large pile of hay. "Lets jump." Norah suggests taking the stance and holding Zara's hand.

"Oh, no absolutely no. Are you out of your mind?" She yells. "Shh, you will wake people up." warns Hadir.

"No, No I am not doing this and you cant make me do it." Zara said belching, holding her hands on her mouth.

"Ok." said Norah shaking her head and promptly pushes Zara without warning.

She falls on the hay and lays there in shock. Looking at the sky without blinking.

Norah jumps down and shakes Zara's by her shoulder. "Get up we need to find a place to rest."

Zara steps down the hay and throws up on Norah. 

"You are just making it more and more difficult for me to like you." Ranted Norah.

Picking Zara on one shoulder she maneuvers through the village for a while. Norah was tired and hungry and the cold night made it more difficult for her to carry on like this.

So, she leaves Zara near a shop, so that she could get some food and water. Also Norah realized that she could not roam around in men's clothes and so had to find some clothes.

After managing to find some clothes from a Line Drying Clothes even though they miss matched Norah was happy to have found something. 

Although she could not find an food. She came back with water. She brings the water to Zara.

"Where did she go Hadir?"  screamed Norah.

"I am right next to you. Don't scream you will wake people up and yes, she was right. You are a girl for now. Don't yell." he grumbled.

"She must have gone to clean herself. Just wait for a while she will be back. This is a new place where will she go?" he comforted Norah. They sit near the shop waiting for Zara.

In the morning the bell rings and an old lady opens the shop door from inside. Norah falls on her back losing balance as she had been asleep leaning on the door. 

"Who are you ?" gasped the old lady.

Norah jumps up to her feet and greets the old lady. "Soft, soft." reminds Hadir.

"I am sorry. I was just resting my eye." Norah replied in a very soft tone. 

"Resting? Are you a traveler?" She asked looking at  Norah head to toe.

"I was here with my sister she was resting here as well. I was actually waiting for her." Explained Norah.

"Do you want to eat something dear." asked the old lady, while walking into her kitchen.

"Yes! Please. I am starving." replied Norah.

"Wash up dear I will serve some breakfast." Norah goes in to wash up and looks at herself in the mirror. Taking in a huge breath she washes her face. "How long do you think this will last?" asked Norah in a soft voice.

Hadir shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Let me try and find Ava for you meanwhile." he hovers the wall. 

Norah walks into the dinning room wrapping  her arms around her chest with hunching shoulders.

"Oh, dear you will find your sister. Don't worry." Coughing she signals Norah to sit down. 

She serves sweet potato and two boiled eggs. The kitchen was a mess. So was the shop. Everything was spread around on the floor. The floor was pretty much not visible at all. 

The house was not a house it was a dumpster. Norah looked around eating the breakfast, dreading that she came in. 

"I am sorry my love. I have to rest now " she said in a crackling voice. Murmuring a song she walks into her bedroom to sleep again.

Norah was confused. She just had woken up to open the shop and she already is asleep, strange.

The bell rings at the door. Norah leans back and notices an old man picks up two flowers and leave some coins in a box. The same thing happens twice again.

She ignores this and finishes her breakfast and goes to the old lady to thank her but as she was fast asleep. Norah leaves to find Zara.

Zara and Hadir were no where to be found. The search was exhausting and Norah had to come back to the shop. 

The old lady offers dinner. This time boiled beans and two boiled eggs. Norah eats the dinner with great difficulty. Almost just swallowing the food. She knew that the next meal was not guaranteed and had to make do with what ever was available.

"My name is Erzebeth Bonay." She said while picking up the plate from the table.

"My name is Da.... Norah." said Norah hesitantly. 

"Norah. That's such a royal name. Are you allowed to keep such a name dear?" She genuinely enquired.

"This is all that I remember from my past." Replied Norah.

"Now, now. Don't get sad again. You can sleep in. Don't go out at night. Just find some place around. Ok?" She pointed around and left to sleep in her room.

Norah would have preferred to sleep on the street to be honest. The house was so messy that it gave her a head ache. It was very difficult but Norah was very tired, scared and worried for Zara. 

Norah sleeps on the floor that night.

The next day the old women went out to the market to buy some flowers and visit her sister. "I will return in a day or two dear. Will you be alright by yourself or would you like to come with me?" she asked.

"Don't worry. I will be fine. Moreover I have to wait for my sister to return" Replied Norah.

Norah waves at Erzebeth and walks into the house. Taking a deep breath starts cleaning the house.

 Norah wanted to help the old lady for giving her shelter. That was the only way to return the favor. Also Zara could return in search of Norah, so she had to stay put. She starts from shop. 

She cleans the display and then the desks. The pots that held the long stemmed flowers were filled with cob webs and dust. She emptied all of them washed  them inside out revealing a pink tint on the pots.

She proceeds to clean the bed. The dust collected on the bedsheet alone could be used to make a new bed of its own. 

She swept the floors. Cleaned the webs from the celling. Cleaned out all the lamps. 

The floor was visible for the first time. Norah realized that the house was made in a theme. 'Flowers'. 

Different types of flowers were painted on the walls and on the floor. Norah had to mop the floor three times to get the dirt out.

The curtains were dusted and the carpets were taken out in the back to be cleaned. Norah realized that the painting stopped in the bedroom. Half the room was painted white as though someone left the job half way.

She kept the kitchen and bathroom last. The next day she scrubbed all the pots and pans. The cleaning took a toll on Norah and she rested for a while. 

In the evening she paints the name of the shop 'The Flower Patch by Bonay.'

The next day she worked on the backyard and  the bathroom. 

Astonishingly, the bathroom was not as bad as the other rooms. 

She plucked out all the weed  from the backyard revealing a beautiful garden. She also colored the gate and fixed the broken fence.

After cleaning each room she stood by the door to check if everything looked clean and put together. This gave Norah a great sense of satisfaction. Even though Norah cleaned the house she didn't look into any personal that belonged to Mrs. Erzebeth.

Erzebeth comes back on the third night with an old man who helped her unload all the flowers and carried it into the shop.

"Wow, Mrs. Erz." exclaimed the old man.

"Yes, yes." She replied while looking into her purse. 

Norah walks out and greets Erzebeth. .

Mrs. Erzebeth  looks ahead with her eyes wide open. She cries out, "My God." and breaks down and falls on her knees.

Norah runs to help her up. The old man unfortunately couldn't help as he was carrying a  heavy box.

She helps Mrs. Erzebeth into the house. Looking around she wipes her eyes to look around and have a better view. Touching the walls she weeps and hugs Norah. "Thank you dear. Thank you. Oh God." She struggles to breath. 

"Enough. Please come on. Rest for a while. Let me get you some food." Norah serves Mrs. Erzebeth a sandwich with some milk and honey.

Mrs. Erzebeth eats slowly still wiping her tears.

The old man left the flowers in the shop and Norah sorted them out for display.

Mrs. Erzebeth was so delighted by Norah that she made it her mission to help her find her sister.

Meanwhile, Hadir was still looking for Zara (Ava) but with no luck. However he found another old friend that he didn't expect to find in that village.