The Place On The Other Side

Shea'

He didn't say anything as he pulled her by her shoulder down the street taking a right then a left, then two more rights, to another small door. After entering the door, Dolyia found herself in a cozy looking home. Jon guided her to a big, faded brown armchair that sat next to a small fire pit in the middle of the room. Jon then disappeared into a room on the left behind where she sat. Dolyia stayed put, looking around the living area, though small it was a safe feeling to it. Then within a few minutes Jon walked back through the door on the left with another man on his right, and a small child to his left side.

　　"This is Mr. Grisen and his daughter Shea. They own this home and know who you are." Jon said.

Jon, Mr. Grisen, and Shea’ walked over and sat alongside Dolyia in three respective chairs. The man looked to be in his late 40's at least and fully human. Though his daughter was different, but in a good way. She was young looking and had a vibrant tan skin color. Her hair was a bright red with glistening purple streaks running through it. It was long, down to her ankles, her eyes were a dark green with a golden ring around the green. Her lips were as perfect as porcelain dolls. She was definitely not just human, but it wasn't something her father seemed to notice. He didn't try to hide her like she was obviously wanting to do. Dolyia felt a pain for her that she hadn't felt before, like she was there for a reason and had to do something, but what, by all means, could have brought her to this house and why in the first place.

　　"Jon, why have we come here? Why did we have to leave the Inn in such a hurry after that man talked to me?" Dolyia asked in haste.

　　It wasn't Jon who answered. "That man was a 'Hunter' for the 'Black Forest Pack'. He knows who you are and was trying to take you back to the forest. But he hadn't known that Jon was there until you told him, scaring him, giving himself away to Jon. Which will probably cost him, '' Mr. Grisen said.

　　Dolyia could only look at him and Jon in surprise, but she didn't feel surprised though. She felt anger. She was angry that she was an object to some people and was a target for k********g. Feeling angry and confused still, she looked down at her feet.

　　"I see, though I do have more questions. I am quite hungry and tired." She said finally after several seconds of silence.

　　"Of course. Let me fetch us all supper and I'll have Shea make up the guest beds in the other room." Mr. Grisen said with a cheerful smile.

　　Dolyia was sitting at the supper table with Jon and the two Grisen's. They hadn't spoken much throughout most of the meal, but when they did it was nice and peaceful. Shea’ looked uncomfortable and out of place, but when she caught a glimpse of Dolyia, she'd smile slightly. Her smile made Dolyia think about who Shea's mum was and where she was.

　　"If I may, could I ask about Shea's mother?" Dolyia said with nerves chilling her as she spoke the words.

　　Jon looked up instantly at her question. He seemed surprised and slightly upset. Dolyia automatically regretted asking it now. It was Mr. Grisen that broke the silent stare between Jon and Dolyia.

　　"Her mother passed away several years ago. We still grieve when it's appropriate to. Shea took after her a lot, as you can tell. My late wife had never told me what she was or where she came from."

　　He looked down at his lap cloth and Dolyia noticed a tear running down his cheek. But he continued his story after wiping his face quickly and looking back up at them.

　　"We hadn't lived here when Shea' was born. We lived in another kingdom. Chased out by the Gnarls in a nearby valley canyon. Our entire village was ravaged and burned down by those beasts."

　　Another tear rolled down his cheek, he wiped it clean and continued on.

　　"My wife had taken Shea', only an infant at this time, and tried to run for the hills leading to the castle. She hadn't made it far, and she was still weak from baring our daughter. She hid Shea' in a nearby shed by a farm. I wasn't far behind them. I soon heard the dying scream of my wife and started running, hoping to find her and Shea' alive. I unfortunately found my wife lying dead on the fern, holding Shea's shawl. I searched everywhere Shea' could have been when I heard her cries in the shed, getting her to safety was all I could think about. After finding her and running I found myself surviving in the hills. Until I found our way to this kingdom and settled down again here." He finished his story without any more tears and looked towards Shea'.

　　Dolyia felt so much pain from hearing Mr. Grisen explaining what happened. She couldn't even reply. Jon broke the silence with a toast.

　　"To making it here safely, and a good night's rest." he said before tipping his glass back for a drink.

　　After supper everyone cleaned up the mess, and readied themselves for bed. Dolyia laid in the guest bed pondering everything that had happened, wondering where her next path would lead her.

　　　　Dolyia woke up to Shea' in the guest room, folding extra blankets. She looked worried.

　 "May I ask what you seem worried about, Shea'?" Dolyia asked.

　　Shea' looked up straight at her, "I worry for you and myself. I am to continue your journey with you. You will need my help."

　　With those words Shea' walked out saying nothing else. Dolyia sat up in her bed thinking this girl is too young to be going with her and Jon. But she knew that wasn't going to stop the Grisen's from doing what they felt was right.

　　~I wonder what type of ability Shea' has~ Dolyia had thought to herself as she got dressed for the day.

　　She walked out of the room to find Jon waiting there to walk her outside for a sunrise breakfast with the Grisens. The sunroom was bright but not blinding. The room was beautiful and spacious. The ceiling and walls were made of windows so the sunlight could shine into the room. There were pots of flowers all around the room as well giving off a pretty and relaxing scent. In the middle of the rounded room was a dining table with five chairs sitting around it.

　　They all sat at the dinning table where there was a large, very yummy looking meal in front of them. Dolyia ate well, her favorite part was the fruit yogurt parfaits. Jon loved the omelets.

　　They needed to be ready for the journey. Shea' had gone to her room after breakfast and started to pack. Dolyia and Jon did the same. Dolyia went to the guest room and made the bed, got her bag and put her belongings into it.

When she walked into the living room she saw Shea' speaking to her father. Her long hair was put up into a large bun with two braids going down the front of her head. She had her bag and shawl and was ready to go.

"Are we ready?" Shea' asked Jon and I.

Jon replied "I think so, we need to stop at the market to grab a few supplies for the road.”

We all gathered our things and headed out the door. Shea’ and I followed Jon out and we started down the road to the market. Getting to the market was easy, we bought some food, and a few other things Jon needed. Then off we went out of the village and down the road to the next part of our journey.

The whole time they were getting ready to leave Dolyia was thinking to herself how angry and mixed feelings she had still over not knowing everything about herself and her mas past.

~I wonder if theres something special that jon isnt telling me about.~

Her thoughts were wondering to fast to catch. So she slowed her mind and continued to pay attention on her guest.