The Royal Flame

Blush

“Isbeil! Slow down” I almost cry out to her as I try to run after her over the cobble stones. Yet unfamiliar with the long heavy skirt, I stumble throughout the crowd to catch up with her. It seems as if the whole village has gathered, selling or buying the ingredients that families will use for dinner. Villagers, men and women with various eye colors from what seems to be all around are gathered in the main street. Houses with triangular roofs and wooden stalls with colorful spans are spread on both sides, slightly covered by a small layer of snow.

Slowing down, I stand in the middle of the crowd. The sky is clear, complete fresh air, looking up a small snow flake whirls down on my cheek. Immediately turning into water the moment it lays on my skin.

A bump in my shoulder, makes me look at the crowd in front of me.

“Sorry” a whisper of apology, of a woman who quickly passes me. A soft pat on my shoulders but her eyes reddish send me back to my nightmare. Eyes similar to the shadow of my nightmares, yet I don’t feel endangered by them. Looking back the woman disappears before my eyes in the crowd, too fast for me to grab a hold of her. Instead a man bumps into me in the same shoulder, making me spin into another direction.

There I stand in the crowd, with complete loss of direction. This would be the perfect timing to run away. But I am not held hostage, nor am I threatened by the woman in the inn. Even though they are sometimes unwelcoming to anyone, like Isbeil. Even Isbeil has started to take care of me, teaching me what there is to be known. Furthermore I have not found out how to wake up from this awfully long dream, back to reality. No matter what I have to do, for now I will have to wait and see. I won't find any answers from running around lost in a world I know nothing about. Exactly what I am doing right now…

“EL!” The sudden shout makes me look to the right, Isbeil’s pink eyes shine out just above and besides the heads of the crowd. Before losing sight of her again I run through the crowd over the cobble stones towards her. The slippery stones below my feet make me slide through the crowd. Nearing Isbeil I grab her by her wrist as a round cobble makes me lose my balance. Making me slip backwards as I pull Isbeil almost with me before I am caught in the air.

“Geez Ell.” Isbeil has been shortening my name more than often since Eresa told us to use the name Ella instead of Ari. She regains herself, brushing her hands off with her skirt. A certain arm pushes me back up on both my feet.

“Good catch if I may say so myself.” A spontaneous looking fellow hoists me up. With earthly colored green eyes, his pupil encircled by a light tint of brown.

“Well Jur, meet Ella our new addition” Isbeil sounds surprisingly warm as she averts her eyes from me, unlike her.

“It is a pleasure Ella, I am Jurian.”

“Likewise.” I give him a nod.

“So ladies, what can I help you with today?” It seems I interrupted a conversation between the two.

“Just the usual, the best of your harvest.” Isbeil cheekily smiles at him. Unsure if it’s the cold but it looks like she is blushing as her cheeks turn reddish pink.

“Well, there isn’t much great enough to be worthy of being eaten by such lovely ladies. Especially now with the arrival of winter. But I do have some .....” Jurian removes a wooden box, to get to a covered box. Removing the cloth, he bears a box filled with potatoes to our sight.

“have kept a box of my best potatoes for your arrival.”

“They look marvelous!” Never before have I seen someone so enthusiastic about a bunch of potatoes, nevertheless never did I expect Isbeil to be the first. I grin by the sight of this side of Isbeil. Jurian notices as he grins back at me, quickly I break eye contact.

From everything that I have experienced till now, I have learned that Isbeil is the kind of person I want to stay on the good side of. Even though I never expect her to consider me as a friend, at least she won’t drown me with her magical water. With everything that has happened I have become slightly traumatized by water. However, Jurian seems to have other plans.

“Ella. Where did such a lovely lady as yourself appear from?” For someone who seems to be a farmer he does speak very elegant.

“You talk quite smooth for someone who’s..” Before thinking I already judged him quietly, but loud enough to be heard. Something I should have never done nor said out loud.

“Who’s?” A playful yet gentle smile appears from Isbeil. She realizes I just dug my own grave, enhancing her appearance instead.

“Who is so skillful with growing such extraordinary vegetables?” Neither could I sound confident enough. Still it raised an infectious laugh from Jurian. I tried to hide my smile as I am unsure if I should be smiling after giving such a bad first impression.

“I used to live a different life before I was given some land which started my farming occupation. I was blessed in certain ways. How about you?” Jurian does not let his curiosity for my background slide.

“Similar to you. Used to have a completely different life.” With that I made it very clear that I would like to drop this topic very much. Not wanting to poke further into still open wounds, Jurian nods in realization that dropping the subject would be best.

“How about those spinach leaves?” I grab onto Isbeil’s sleeve to get her attention and avert the topic. Her black raven hair is now covered with small snowflakes. Without giving me recognition she sniffs in disgust to the sight of them.

“It makes you strong and healthy.” Trying to convince her seems futile. Instead she shoves my hand of her arm.

“We will take those lovely potatoes.” Ignoring me completely, exactly what I am used from her.

Jurian covers them back up. “It’s pretty heavy, I will come by later in the evening to drop them off”

“Thank you. See you tonight.” Her blush reddens, probably with the thought of seeing him again. Passing a bundle with coins she turns on her heels, walking off.

Before losing sight of her again, not knowing how to get back to the inn I plan to chase after her.

“Wait” before I can Jurian grabs me by my wrist. Quickly wrapping some spinach leaves in some cloth, he passes it to me.

“For your health and strength.” Jurian winks kindly. After thanking him, I quickly take off. The streets have become less crowded, making it easier for me to catch up with Isbeil. Her pace is much slower than on the way to Jurian’s stall of vegetables.

I want to ask her about Jurian, his eyes, his powers, if he has any, as she would definitely know every single detail there is to know about him. However she looks extremely inapproachable, the after effect of the absence of Jurian’s bright smile, nor am I too curious.