Chapter 16
1694 Words
ARIANA’S POV
I screamed, sitting up straight, and was ready to bounce off the bed if it wasn’t for Luke, who held me. Blinking hard, I could no longer see any hands or a horrible face.
“It was just a dream.” He said, but I shook my head, unwilling to believe it was nothing but a dream. It had been so real.
“No, it wasn’t just a dream. There was an odd creature staring down at me with a wicked smile.” I said, wanting to leave the bed, but Luke held me back.
“And did the weird creature suddenly disappear?” He asked, and it was then I finally calmed down.
Maybe it had truly been a dream. One of those hauntingly real dreams that I hated to have.
“You’re just scared because you’re in a strange place, and a lot of strange things have happened. That’s probably it.” He said, and my breathing slowed.
“Damn. It was so real.” I said, still looking around.
“Do you want to stay up till morning comes?” He asked, and I nodded immediately.
“Yes, please.” I replied, and he got out of bed. He located a lighter on the table next to us, and began to light the lanterns. When the lanterns were all on, I began to feel better, and it was easier to separate dreams from reality.
Luke and I talked about different things we would get back to doing, once were done and dusted, with this journey, and I imagined a lot, in which some of them, I told to him. It was a fun conversation that made me forget that I had a nightmare, minutes ago.
The morning came quickly, and I felt even better. Luke opened the windows, and light burst in, flooding the room with brightness.
“Oh my. I haven’t felt this good in a long while.” I said, as the warmth of the sun hit my face soothingly.
There was a knock on the door, and Luke went to open it. The maids were back again.
“Good morning.” They greeted with cheerful smiles, and went on to prepare the bathing water for us.
The other brought us a variety of clothes for us to choose from.
“You can finally meet our leader now. She’s willing to meet the couples who managed to survive the creature of the trees.” A maid said, as she combed my hair. It was quite soothing, and I felt relaxed.
“Do you think there will be other monsters to fight?” I asked her.
“I can’t say. I’ve never been to the Valley of leaves before, so I don’t know if there are more monsters guarding it. Are you worried?” She asked.
“A little.”
“You don’t have to. If you managed to get past the creature of the trees, then I’m sure you can get past whatever monster you meet.” She assured me, and I smiled.
When the water was ready, we took our bath, and got dressed in the clothes prepared for us.
Then, we were led to the great hall. It had high ceilings, and large, golden chandeliers hung down beautifully from them.
Lots of golden drapes hung around, and the table was surprisingly made of gold. So were the chairs. It was a pity that even if thieves made it to the Palace, there was no guarantee they would leave safely with all the gold.
There was a very beautiful lady seated at the head of the table. She had long, silly white hair that fell to the floor, and she was dressed in gold. Maybe the name of where we were, was called the Palace of Gold. Why was everything just made of Gold?
She had relaxing blue eyes which lit up when they landed on us.
“Welcome!” She said in the sweetest voice ever, and we were guided to sit on chairs.
“Good morning.” Luke and I greeted her.
“It’s been so long since anyone stopped by. I think, centuries. The creature of the trees has made that possible.” She said, and snapped her fingers.
Lots of maids came from doors, holding delicacies. Different kinds of food in the trays they held were placed on the table. We were just three eating, but the long table was filled with food. There wasn’t even space for us to place an elbow, or a hand.
“Eat with me, please. You deserve this.” She said, as she began to eat.
We ate along with her, and halfway through the food, we decided it was the right time to ask.
“We came here to search for a certain leaf that is rumored to revive those who are almost past reviving. We…” Luke began, but she raised a hand.
“You don’t even need to name the leaf, or stress yourself about it. This place already knows what you’re here for, and what you want. When you go beyond our village, you will arrive at the pure forest; since you are worthy enough to get there, whatever you’re looking for will present itself to you without you having to lift a finger.” She said, chewing slowly.
“Really?”
“The pure forest is a forest not just anyone can get to. All kinds of powerful leaves are there. Leaves that can do things no one ever thought of doing, and that is why the whole place is guarded. It is to keep the leaves safe from the greediness of people.” She said, taking a sip of her water.
Honestly, she was quite right because I was already wondering how much power the forest would hold, and if it would probably have something that could help me torture those men who put Theresa in such situation, without us having to lift a finger.
But then, if I wasn’t careful, there was a probability that I would go searching for what I ought not to, which meant, diverting from the major aim.
“Do you mind giving us directions to the forest?” Luke asked, and she smiled. She raised a hand, and fire appeared in her hands. When the fire burned away, it revealed a white scroll. She opened her hand, and the scroll floated towards us.
Luke took it, and opened it. I peeped into it, and was surprised to find that it was blank.
“I think you got us the wrong one.” I said.
“What do we do to make the map show?” Luke asked, and I bit my lip. That was smartness right there.
She smiled.
“It takes a sacrifice. A sacrifice to open the map.” She said, and terror thrummed through me at the thought of what we might have to sacrifice.
“Do we have to lose one of us?” Luke asked, and I could read the fear in his voice.
The lady gave a sad smile.
“Sadly, that is for you to discover. You have to know what sacrifice you’re to make.” She said, and I took the scroll from Luke, studying it.
What sacrifice did it want?
A life? It made me unbearably sad. What would I do if one of us had to die? I would gladly lay my life down for creating the mess, but I would feel really bad, knowing I’d have to leave Luke and everyone that I knew, behind. It was certain that losing me had been his fear, and his reason for not wanting to come on the journey.
After breakfast, Luke and I thought of the map, and what other sacrifice it could require apart from taking the life of one of us.
“You know,” Luke began, as we walked by a hall buzzing with maids all around doing chores.
“Yeah?”
“If this thing really means one of us has to be sacrificed, then let it be me.”
“Luke.” I called sharply.
“I mean it.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Then do we sacrifice you? Did you forget why I didn’t want to come here in the first place? It’s all because of this. I didn’t save and help you, just to take you on a dangerous journey, to have you lose your life.” He said, and I blinked hard.
“I’m going to be selfish too. You aren’t the only one who is going to feel bad. I urged us to go on this journey, so it’s only going to be unfair, if you are the one to die.” I said, feeling the tears prick my eyes.
Then, he stopped, and sighed.
“You have to return. You have Theresa, and other people who can even replace me in your life.”
“No one can ever replace you. They can be Alpha in your stead, but they never be the personality you are. If I got into trouble anytime, what’s the assurance that the same reaction you gave, that time, would be the same as theirs. Anyways, this was all my doing, so just get the leaf to Theresa, and…”
“You must be kidding me.” He said, and I turned around with my hands digging into my hair.
“Luke, we just have to…” I was saying, but just then, a maid passed by in front of me. There was a mirror in front of which she passed, and I froze. “Luke…” I whispered.
“Ariana, this will never work. It…”
“Luke!” I whispered more fiercely, and he came closer to me. He followed the direction of my eyes, and looked into the mirror.
He also froze as he saw the thing which I wanted him to set his eyes on.
Through the mirror, we were able to see the beautiful maids cleaning and doing their chores.
But in the mirror, they weren’t beautiful maids. They were wretched, old creatures.
Hags.
- Writer
