24.
1463 Words
After a long relaxing bath I help Tristan getting dressed, slave habits, and put on my own dress.
I'm still amazed by how soft the fabric feels on my skin. It's a beautiful day and the festival is about to start. I look outside and see a shadow hovering over the balcony and it doesn't take long before I see those beautiful emerald eyes staring into the windows. We both smile and as Tristan is walking I run towards the window to open it. Zion pushes his snout in and the door is just big enough so his head can fit in.
He's purring again and I embrace him in a big hug. I just let the warmth of his skin sink in.
I hear Tristan laughing and approaching us. He starts petting Zion gently while he looks at me.
'You really are something else, you know that.'
'Mmhmm?'
'I'm sorry to break your little moment but we need to get going.' I look at him with a pouty face. I know it's crazy but I'm starting to get attached to this creature. He makes me feel safe, warm and at peace with myself. I chuckle because Zion starts snoring and resisting when Tristan tries to push him out.
'Don't worry my love, when we're back I'm going to cuddle you until you get sick of me.' When his head is finally out and the windows are shut he gives one last look before taking off a little clumsy.
Tristan raises an eyebrow 'My love?'
'Is it strange to say that I'm getting really attached to that big little baby? He's so beautiful, so gentle, so warm, so...' I sigh happily.
'I don't know, aren't you supposed to run away when you see a dragon? Everyone else does.' And he laughs. Tristan gets behind me and puts his arms on my hips. 'And besides, what about me?' He whispers in my ear. His breath touching my skin sends shivers down my spine.
'I'm not everyone else Tristan. And what about you?' I whisper back while turning around. Now facing him and looking into his eyes. I start playing with the fabric of his shirt. 'You know, I was getting used to see you walking around half naked.'
'Disappointed?' He asks with a husky voice.
'Honestly?' I ask while brushing the skin of his nek with my lips. 'I prefer to see you completely naked.' I give him a wink and walk past him towards the door, swaying my hips exaggerated as I do. 'Aren't you coming?'
He snaps out of, what I assume his daydream, and clears his throat. 'Right!'. I smile as he walks past me and closes the door. As we're walking I realise it's the first time I've seen the palace from inside. I never walked in I just woke up in his room. The ceilings are high and the walls are decorated with numerous paintings of old kings and queens, landscapes,... The stairs are made of marmer and the handrails are still like new, in soft but strong wood with a hint of gold here and there. We keep on walking and reach a part of the palace that seems more plain, still finished with high quality materials but much less decorated.
We keep walking and after mounting a few stairs we reach a dark hallway with at the end a door.
It reminds me a bit of the corridor leading to the red room. I withdraw for a moment just thinking about that horrible house again. Tristan looks at me with a questioning face. I shake off the thought and smile at him. I feel really lucky that I have left that place, so far he has always been nice to me. I feel safe and even a bit happy when I'm by his side. We finally reach the door. He turns to me and take my hands.
'Rana, I want you to know that whatever happens I won't send you back. Just try to be honest and open, he won't hurt you nor will I. Whatever is said in there, I'll make sure it wont backfire in any way.' I'm starting to feel really nervous now. He knocks on the door.
'I heard the king's a kind but just man. I haven't done anything wrong... did I?' I ask a bit concerned.
'We're not here to see the king. We're here to see grandmaster Altar. He has been my teacher for many years now and is very wise. He has traveled around the world, seen almost every creature, met many people and some even say that he's a wizard. Whenever I need advice I turn to him.'
'What do you need advice about?'
'You.' And the door opens. Me? Why would he need advice about me? I'm just a woman and I thought he believed me when I said I wasn't a witch. Did I made a mistake trusting him? My birth story was just a story, just a fairytale my mother liked to tell... I start sweating.
A man of my height opens the door. To my surprise, he has a short beard and hair that just dangles over his shoulders. I imagined a typical wizard-looking old man with a long white beard, long grey hair and a staff. He wears dark brown leather pants with a slightly too long t-shirt and a deep blue robe that reaches just above his ankles. He seems a bit rushed but as soon when he sees Tristan his attitude changes completely. He puts a big smile on his face and hugs him tight. He opens the door wide and gestures for us to enter.
When I walk in the room my mouth almost drops to the ground. It is a surprisingly large space with a lot of light thanks to the many tall glass windows with wich you apparently can go to the balcony. High and wide cases full of books and rolls of paper fill the room. There are some strange devices, both small and slightly larger. When you enter there is a heavy table with 6 chairs around with a fruit bowl in the middle and a little further there are a few stairs that lead to some sort of low stage where most of the stuff is. I feel relaxed in this room, the books and papers remind me of my father's study. He's looking at me with a kind face and nods to the room. I form a 'Can I?' with my lips and he laughs and nods. I start to look around in this interesting room.
'So prince Tristan, you wished to see me?' The man starts.
'Yes master Altar. As you can see I've met a woman. This woman. Since I've met this woman things have been, how can I explain this without sounding like a lunatic, strange. I keep seeing her eyes, I keep thinking about her, when she looks at me the world just seems to stop. When someone talks wrong about her It's hard to not lose control. I've never experienced this, people call me hard, cruel, a monster yet she isn't afraid. She looks at me, she looks at my scar like it's the most normal thing. And when she met Zion she didn't run away, she was petting him and he was protecting her. She even fell asleep between his legs. I feel it Altar, since we've met her something changed. Within me but also within Zion, he seems calmer. It's almost like... I don't know. I know I'm a warrior and that's just who I am. I fight, I kill people but on the other hand I don't want her to think I'm just some ruthless killer. I don't want her to be afraid of me. Does that makes any sense?'
'Hmmm I see. I think it's clear. You're in love my boy.'
'I-in love? But we've only met a few days ago.'
'Some people believe that the gods create a true love for someone. Just one true love. They believe that meeting that special someone is like finding your other half, the only one that can complete who you are and puts your soul at ease. Like destiny and when that destiny is fulfilled you can conquer the world. But I must say that this girl seems familiar yet not from around.'
'She's from the Northern Continent. From some sort of secret village.'
'Yes! Now I see it.' He rushes over to me.
'What are your parents name? How old are you' He stares at me impatiently and with a very intense look.
'M-my parents? I don't understand why-'
'Jari and Medea from the secret village, near the Dark Wood Sea. Am I correct?' He is almost yelling, rushing his words. I look at him with wide eyes. I stand nailed to the ground yet he seems to be jumping from one leg to another.
'Rana? You're Rana aren't you?'
- Writer
