The Red Soul

Chapter Ten

Myris opened her eyes. Memories of the previous night flashed through her head, but when she looked around, Fyrian was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Viera was staring at her from a chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Although slightly tired, Myris showed Viera a smile. Despite the fever, which had almost disappeared, and the lack of sleep, she felt cheerful.

Noticing the content look, Viera snorted, making a few strands of her white hair fly up. Just like Myris, she was still in her nightgown and her hair was a complete mess as if she had gone straight towards Myris the moment she was out of bed. "I heard you were feeling unwell last night and that Fyrian helped you. And although I am happy, he was there for you, he has made a mess of the herbal room. Poor Cearen was devastated when he saw the chaos."

Myris smile faltered. "I am so sorry."

"For what? You did nothing wrong." Viera sighed, stretching her limbs as she got up from the chair. "Besides, at least he is cleaning it up now. Everything needs to be tidy before we leave."

"Wait, we're leaving again?" Myris asked as she threw the blanket off her.

Viera nodded. A mysterious smile was spread across her face. "Yes, unless you still do not feel good. Then we can postpone it. But we want you to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Only one of the most important people in Olèrian."

Myris gasped. "Are you going to introduce me to the king?"

"No." Viera shook her head but grinned evilly. "Although, you can say that this person sometimes functions as an advisor of the king. In any case, the king and he get along well. So... whatever he will think about you, can have a certain influence on the rest of Olèrian."

Myris bit her lip. She grew more and more accustomed to the light that was everywhere, to the cheerful voices that could be heard all day long through the castle. The tranquillity that prevailed here. But she got mainly used to the fact that she was not alone anymore. These days she had gotten things back that had been taken from her- people that had been taken from her.

Every day that she had escaped, she had been thinking about Tyrag- hoping that he was still alive when she would try to free him. However, she was fully aware that it would be dangerous. Perhaps even suicide to even try it. She now had clothes and other supplies for along the way, but she was almost certain that it would not be enough. She could have as many supplies as she wanted, as long as she would go alone there was a high chance that she would die, or worse... be captured again.

She could fight but was not skilled yet- nowhere close to being a professional. Herself against hundred of guards would only end up badly. She needed help. And although Fyrian had already offered his assistance, being in favour of someone with as much influence as Viera claims him to have... perhaps she could ask that person for help as well.

"What kind of person is he?"

Viera tilted her head and thought. Myris noted that Viera's hand was holding her necklace again. "He is together with the king, one of the oldest Fae alive in Olèrian. He is very intelligent and has read every book available in Olèrian. I think his goal is to read every book in this world... even children books." For a moment, Viera fell silent, and Myris could see her biting the insides of her cheek in hesitation. "He can come across as cold, strict, and even rude, but don't take that personally. He... he has difficulty... expressing himself."

Myris mouth formed a silent "oh". He did not sound like the easiest person to be around with. She was not as sure about her plan anymore.

Two hands grabbed hers as Myris did not say anything. Looking up, she was met with Viera's eyes. Myris raised an eyebrow. She swore they had been sea blue the other day. Now they looked like sapphires as if they were changing hues.

"Don't worry," Viera reassured her. "I am sure Elyos will like you."

Though many times reassured by Viera, Cearen and Fyrian, Myris heart still skipped a beat when Fyrian announced that he was done and they could go. Now that they were on their way to the residence of the person Viera had called Elyos, she was getting more nervous the more steps the wolfs took.

They were running for almost an hour now, but the beasts were not tired yet. They seemed to have an infinite amount of stamina.

At first, Myris had enjoyed looking at the environment. From the valleys in the west, where Evario was located, they had moved to the southeast, an area of large grassy plains and flower fields. But as impressive as it was, Myris became increasingly restless and she could not focus anymore. Her hands were already clammy with sweat.

Cearen, who was behind her on the back of the creature, sensed her worry and started rubbing circles on her hand. Then he put his hands in front of her and started making three short gestures.

Myris wanted to slap herself when she answered him. She had asked Viera to teach her a few hand signs in the morning while Cearen was supervising Fyrian as the latter was cleaning. And although she was terrible at it, she could recognize one of the three gestures Cearen made, enabling her to understand what he meant.

However, she had not yet told Cearen about it since she and Viera wanted to keep it a secret until Myris could form a sentence on her own. But now she had messed up. Yet, despite her failure, she grinned when she saw Cearen looking at her shocked. At least the element of surprise was still present.

For one second, the boy sat unmovingly and Myris half turned around to take a better look at him. As soon as they made eye contact, a little smile appeared on Cearen's face.

Myris wanted to tell him Viera's plan, but Cearen was faster. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. He closed his eyes and laid his forehead on the spot where here her shoulder and neck met. A vanilla scent invaded her nose, and unconsciously Myris held his arms as she hugged him back.

She was aware that his lips were moving, and despite not hearing anything other than his breathing, she knew what he said. Two words, filled with gratitude.

The warmth that enveloped inside of Myris came close to that during the night, but instead of painful, it was pleasant. Desired even.

Then she felt eyes on them. Myris broke free from Cearen's embrace and looked at Lumar. Fyrian and Viera both looked their way, grinning. Even Lumar himself had slowed down and stared at them. Then the white wolf started to swing its tail back and forth before he and Cando moved forward at full speed again.

Myris had expected that they travelled to a new castle, but instead they were approaching the edge of a gigantic forest.

"This forest is the largest and perhaps the most special part of Olèrian. In human language this is called the returning forest," said Fyrian, who jumped from Lumar, as if the beast was not at least two times higher than himself. Like all of them, he wore a dark green cape over his white blouse and black pants.

Human language... Myris had never really realized that there were many more languages than those of the fourth kingdoms; languages even different than those of humans in general. Most of the creatures here probably had their own language, belonging to their origin. But what was their origin? It seemed to Myris that it became more and more unlikely that all beings had originated in Olèrian. But if Olèrian was not their homeland... which place was?

She looked at huge trees. It was a warm day, with almost no wind. Still, the branches of the trees quietly swayed back and forth, as if they were dancing to a quiet melody.

Soft howling was heard from Lumar and Cando before they headed north, leaving them again. Myris wondered how many wolves were waiting for them. They were faithful every time Fyrian called them, but who did they leave behind for that?

When the others stepped into the forest, Myris quickly followed him. With the moss crunching under their boots and the many leaves that had fallen on them, they followed a river. Fyrian led them, whistling happily.

Everywhere Myris could hear the song of birds and the rustle of leaves. But they did not only encounter ordinary animals. As they went further and further into the forest, they also met other creatures, new creatures. A tail protruded between the bushes, but not a tail that normal animals had. This tail looked like strings of willows, which were scrambled together with a petal attached here and there. It was so close to nature that Myris had to look twice before she realized it was a tail. Slowly, the rest of the creature also passed through the bushes, and Myris could see a moss-like fur that was also made of willow strings. It looked like a fox, but the legs were made of wood and the head was as green as the rest of the animal. While the animal was quietly drinking water, Myris looked at it open-mouthed.

"That's a female Yrago," Viera whispered in her ear. "They are very shy." Her words immediately became evident. As soon as the creature realized she was being watched, she turned around and ran quickly away through the trees.

But while two eyes disappeared, a lot of them appeared on the branches above her. They were smaller and rounder. They looked like the eyes Myris had seen before in the other forest when she thought she was hallucinating, but it was real. Everything was real. They belonged to small, squirrel-like creatures with fluffy black-and-white tails started jumping over the branches. They had small, round heads containing tiny mouse-like ears. The creatures' black and white fur protruded from their cheeks and chest in several tufts. Their wild jumps across the branches caused a rain of falling leaves.

Myris giggled, taking the leaves off her as she looked at the others.

Cearen helped Viera with the leaves that had gotten into her hair, even though he himself had more on his head and shoulders. Fyrian leaned forward and shook his head frantically, like a dog shaking out his wet fur. When he got up, his hair was completely messed up. Grinning, he looked at Myris as he put his hand through his white hair.

Blushing, Myris looked away. "What were those?"

"Egnoems. Mischievous animals." Fyrian moved closer and plucked another stray petal from her hair. Myris felt his fingertips stroke her cheek briefly with the movement.

"And?" Fyrian asked, crumbling the petal in his hand. "What do you think of the forest?"

Myris looked around again. "Magnificent. It is lively and busy, yet quiet and calm at the same time. What was it called again?"

Fyrian followed her gaze for a moment, but they soon slid back to her. "The returning forest."

"Why the name?"

A laugh escaped Fyrian's lips. "Because everyone got lost in it."

"What?"

Fyrian chuckled at her reaction, then looked cogitative at the path they were following. He briefly signalled Viera and Cearen that they would continue walking. For a few steps, he was silent, thoughtful. Then he opened his mouth. "Nobody used to dare to go into this forest, because everyone who did it got lost. Still, the king wanted to take a look. Everyone warned him, begged him not to go, afraid that he too would get lost and they would lose their king. But despite all the warnings, he wanted to see the forest that's part of his kingdom. He went alone, not risking the lives of others."

Myris looked back to where they came from. She still seemed to recognize it.

"But he miraculously didn't get lost," she joked.

"Oh no, he was hopelessly lost a little later."

Myris watched Fyrian with raised eyebrows, but he did not notice. He looked amused at the canopy above him as if he could remember it precisely.

"He had walked around for hours," Fyrian continued. "He had seen the most wonderful creatures that swam under the cool surfaces of the lakes or lived in the shadows of the leaves. But he didn't care if he couldn't find his way back, fearing that he would disappoint his people if he did not return. Yet, no matter how hard he searched for an exit, he did not find the end of these woods."

She wanted to ask further, but Fyrian silent her. "He had been walking all day. Everyone started to believe that he would not return. He had also started to believe it. And at that point, he had wanted to give up. He had dropped to his knees. However, despite the fear in his heart that he would never see his people, his loved ones again, he had remained calm. He closed his eyes and thought of all the things he loved, everyone he loved, as a goodbye. For minutes he sat silently talking to himself, not realizing that the sound of talking and smiling people could be heard in the distance."

Myris looked at Fyrian with an open mouth. But she was not the only one. Although she assumed that Viera and Cearen already knew the story, they also seemed to be completely absorbed in Fyrian's words.

"As soon as he realized this, he got up as quickly as possible and turned around. He stood on the edge of the forest again with the open fields at his feet and in the distance the small outlines of the mountains behind which Ovèrio lays. People who were walking or faithfully waiting near the forest for their king's return could not believe their eyes. The forest had brought him back. Thus, the king gave the forest its name. Everyone could go wherever they wanted in the woods, and if they wanted to go back, all they had to do was close your eyes and think about your destination. Since then, everyone returned to the forest to explore everything it contains."

Fyrian looked at her as a sign that he had finished talking, but Myris could not get a word over her lips. She wanted to know more about the king. He sounded like a noble man, like someone who cared about his people, someone who would be honourable to meet.

The others suddenly stopped. She had been so caught up in Fyrian's story that she had not noticed where they had been going. Luckily, she now knew how to get back, she thought with a smile. But her smile quickly disappeared when she looked in front of her.

The trees had become many times larger and wider. They looked old, older than the rest of the forest, but also stronger and more powerful as if their roots were reaching far under the ground. They stood like a wall between her and the rest of the forest, as if shielding it, perhaps even protecting. Curiously she tried to look between the trunks, but all she could see was different colours of light slipping through the trunks.

Myris followed the others along the wall of wood and leaves until they stood before a gate of light birch wood that had been carved from a tree. Only the gate was blocked by long broad roots and branches that protruded from either side of the tree. Myris studied the branches. They were mixed up, making it impossible to get through the gate unless you were as small as a mouse. Even then, Myris believed you wouldn't get through. The stench of magic was everywhere. Whatever was behind that wall was not common.

Then she saw a sparkle at the gate. A verse was carved around the gate in graceful, large letters. Some of the letters were covered with moss and leaves, but the verse was still clearly legible.

A soul in a body

Coloured by virtue

Not ones to decide

Expect for the soul itself

Myris moved closer to take in the text. The words had something lively about them, that touched her in a way she did not know.

She glided over it with her hand. The sentence was deeply inserted as if the creator wanted to ensure that it would last forever. So that anyone passing by like that would see it.

Myris also saw Fyrian staring at the words, a small smile on his face. Cearen, meanwhile, had walked to the gate. She watched the boy closely. Fyrian had said something to open the opening in the mountain back at Ovèrio, but Cearen was unable to speak. But that turned out not to be necessary.

Everything started to move with a single hand movement over the branches. One by one, the branches shifted past each other and stretched out to the sky. They took the form of wings, ready to slide back into place as soon as the visitors entered the gate. From the gate itself, the same light shone through the trees. Suddenly it got so bright as the gate slowly opened that Myris had to close her eyes to see anything more.

When the light softened, she saw Fyrian walking in. Just before he went through the gate, he turned around for a moment. "Myris, welcome to Irlémento."