Levishia: The Prophesied Quest

Chapter 9: Fire

LEVISHIA QUINTESSENCE



"Are you hungry?" Ard queried as we were taking a break from our journey to stop nearby a lake and gather water. It has been hours after we left Giraen and started our trip to find the trolls of the South. Ever since, Ard has been considerate of me and always asks me if I'm alright, or if I need anything.

I don't remember him being this nice to me on our past expeditions.

I smiled, appreciating his thoughtfulness. "I'm not hungry yet. You?"

I can't let him be the only one concerned for the others on this trip.

Turns out, he isn't as bad as I thought. All throughout the trip, he's been very pleasant to journey with. He really didn't make me regret choosing him. Though I would prefer it if we'd been here as four because I believe we've already established a bond, but we couldn't be here which is disappointing.

He shook his head. "We'll eat once you're hungry. But we can't stay here longer. I can't assure you we're safe here."

I instinctively roamed my eyes around the forest we were in. We left the savannah earlier but we're still in the territory of Giraen. Unfortunately, we didn't go through the busy towns under the kingdom and so I wasn't able to explore all of Giraen. I'm sure the feast last night in the kingdom's Capital was only a snippet of the beauty of the kingdom and the joyfulness of its townspeople.

Though I hope we'll still have more opportunities to explore. The forest we're in right now has thick leaves and tree trunks which makes the forest seem roofed.

Even though the forest looks peaceful, we couldn't take that assumption and feel at ease here. We need to constantly move because—one, we're on a journey and not a camp; two, because the trolls are also constantly moving and we need to keep up.

Once we felt rested, we mounted our steeds and we were back on track in no time. We didn't bring a group of soldiers despite the threatening myths about the menace of the trolls because we aren't going to barge into their base. We're only tasked this time to find it and report back, hoping they wouldn't move.

Hopefully, we'll return as soon as possible and still catch them in the same spot.

"How do you think the two are doing right now?" I wondered aloud when we crossed a river. The horses were trained to cross rivers so it wasn't really a hassle getting past it.

He glanced at me who was beside him and shrugged. "They're probably in the ravine and investigating where the lion could've gone."

I nodded. "Probably with a lot of bantering."

We chuckled at that, our hearty laughs resonating in the silent rainforest.

When dusk fell on us, we halted and looked at each other. I know we have the same thoughts.

Should we return or should we camp out here?

We were in the middle of the desert, and the sunset can be clearly seen from there. I believe we’re at one of Framiese’s deserts. They’re known for deserts. They have the most deserted lands and yet the most advanced technology. Ironic, I know.

“We’ll waste the hours of travel if we just return,” Ard sighed.

I nodded in agreement, he was right. And I doubt we’ll make it before dawn. We’ll just deprive ourselves of sleep. The nearest forest is in the south which can take us a couple hours to return to.

“Should we camp out here or look for civilization?” I queried as I looked around us. The desert is barren and not one glimpse of light from a nearby town or village can be seen. This was bad news. If ever we’re to camp out here, in the middle of nowhere, we might be defenseless when asleep and wanderers might take advantage.

Ard noticed my forsaken expression when I roamed my eyes around. “I guess we have no other choice but to set camp here.”

I bit my lip and reluctantly agreed. Despite the uneasiness I felt, we still laid the blankets we brought and leashed our horses to an improvised fence made out of dead bushes. We picked a spot behind a medium-sized boulder away from the cacti and settled ourselves under the moonlight. We’ve decided to take shifts in sleeping so we won’t be left unguarded which gave me assurance and comfort.

I closed my eyes and lay on the blanket, relaxing my shoulders.

“Good night,” I sleepily mumbled to Ard who was making a fire to keep us warm.

I merely saw him turning to me and I was pretty sure I was hallucinating when I saw a boyish smile dancing in his lips.

Impossible. Ard, the impassive Prince of Giraen, never smiles. I must’ve gone nuts.

I woke up with a slight tugging of my arm. My brows furrowed as I tried to snatch my arm. “Hmm,” I groaned, still feeling sleepy.

“Wake up, sleepyhead. I need to sleep, too,” the owner of the voice nudged me again. I irritatedly fluttered my eyes open and was taken aback by the strikingly attractive face inches apart from mine.

My eyes almost went out of its socket when our close proximity registered in my mind.

Holy Ralenti! Why am I blessed to see such a sight at this time of the day? Hold on... is it day already?

My eyes withdrew from his intense gaze and roamed around the place as our circumstance was slowly sinking into me. Right, we’re in the middle of a desert.

And we’re kind of lost.

My eyes reached the sky and saw the bright moon at its peak. It must be the middle of the night.

I sat up when Ard moved his face away from mine and tried my hardest to ignore the awkward air. I cleared my throat to distract my ears from the erratic beating of my heart. I feel like this was worse than a heart attack. I avoided his gaze and felt completely awake from my sleep by just being shook by his face.

I didn’t like where things were turning. This means nothing, right? Right. Nothing.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. I saw his guilt-stricken face and immediately, my heart warmed at the sight.

“I was just..” I trailed off, at a loss for words, “startled. It’s your turn to sleep now.”

I subtly smiled and motioned the blanket near the campfire. He silently laid himself down and shut his eyes close. It took a lot of control for me to stop my lingerie gaze on him before sighing and deciding to gather more branches for the campfire. It’s not appropriate right now to think of non-mission related things.

I blew on the fire for the last time before getting satisfied and letting it burn. I sat beside the sleeping Ardal and stared at the calm fire, letting my amber orbs reflect its flames. I wonder if the castle’s receiving backlash right now because I’m sure the lords present at the parade last time have spread the news to their villages.

I have always loved to symbolize myself as a fire—its lethal burning touch that can repel anyone, its fierceness, and dauntlessness; I have always admired it.

And have always strived to become like it.

Though fires also have weaknesses, such as water. And for me, water represents my kingdom and my people. All my life, I pushed myself to my limit to have full control over my ability so my people wouldn’t cower in fear and doubt my leadership due to my unstable gift.

All my life… all I wanted was people’s approval.

And for one more time, and hopefully the last, I will be pushing myself to my limit. Just like how fire spreads and reaches its limit, and then gets put out by water. The thought stoned me.

Hopefully, my water won't put me out.