Mysterious Beauty

It had been three days since everyone entered the forest together and for those three days Visha had ended up carrying Mr Feathers around. The stupid bird just wouldn't budge away from her. She had been wandering around the lake at first but couldn't find the palace from the scenery. So she gave up and decided to head towards the direction of the dark entity from the map she had seen. She still remembered it being towards the west of the forest. Judging by the sunrise, she headed straight towards the west. But surprisingly, she couldn't leave the lake, no matter how hard she tried she'd end up by its side over and over again. She had tried going to different directions that were directly opposite from the lake but she'd still end up there again. Three days were enough for her to try everything that came to her mind, to exhaust up all the ideas that popped up but nothing seemed to work. It felt like some sort of illusion or a trap. Visha was growing anxious as there was a lot at stake and the clock was ticking. If she doesn't reach the priests in time, everything will be over. But how to get out of this bizzare place? This was a freaking maze with no way out at all.

Visha ended up at the lakeside again and this time she screamed to let out her pent up frustration. She dropped down on the lush green grass and looked up at the sky. Mr Feathers trotted towards her and settled down in her lap all cozied up. The bird seemed to have developed some sort of liking for her after it healed. It could sense that Visha was genuinely helping it and let all its guard down around her. Mrs Feathers had decided to leave the very next morning and they had been inseparable ever since.

Visha let out a long sigh and started to run her fingers through the bird's soft feathers. It felt so relaxing as she petted him. Even though she wasn't a fan of it following her around but she couldn't deny that he was a great help for her survival these days. It was Mr Feathers who had found the wild berries that had kept Visha alive. As the feeling of being trapped crept up within her again, reminding her of the hopeless situation she was stuck in, Visha let out a cry and laid down. She had never felt so helpless in her entire life. Mr Feathers seemed to have sensed her feelings as it pushed up her hand with its beak suggesting her to use him as emotional support. It knew how Visha enjoyed running her fingers through its feathers. Visha smiled at the generous offer and snuggled up with Mr Feathers.

The sudden sound of a female laughter interrupted the new Master and assumed pet. Visha sat up and looked towards the source of the sound. It came from a tree right behind her, she looked up to see a beautiful woman sitting on one of the branches swaying her legs as she watched her with a playful smile. That bewitching smile seemed like a sensuous trap inviting people to their deaths. She had almond shaped green eyes, beautiful plump lips on an oval shaped face. Her eyes contained a ferocity that contradicted her alluring looks. Visha could feel that this woman was powerful and very dangerous so she took a step back as her senses went on a high alert. When the woman saw Visha being cautious with her, she let out another laugh and jumped down. She landed on her fours and stood up straight. Her black shiny curls fell on her shoulders like waves. She was wearing a sand brown top and trousers. They were of the same colour as the tree trunk that she was sitting on and that had made it a little difficult to spot her at first.

"Is that your pet?" she asked. Her voice was as bewitching as her beauty if not, more. But that taunting tone could piss off even saints. Her words seemed to have angered Mr Feathers as he leapt out of Visha's arms and started to angrily squawk at the woman while flapping its wings at her. She looked extremely annoyed as her lips started to twitch listening to Mr Feathers.

"Maybe I should have roasted duck for dinner tonight." she sneered.

This enraged Mr Feathers even further as it dashed towards her on its tiny legs. She bent down with a smile and caught Mr Feathers' head with her hand as the little bird struggled to attack. It was like watching a kid pushing against a rock. Once she had her fill of amusement, she pushed the poor bird and it flew away and fell on its feathery butt. Mr Feathers got up and charged at her again, but this time Visha scooped him up in her arms. No matter how much he struggled Visha refused to let go of the squawking angry bird.

"Who're you? Or maybe I should ask what are you?" Visha said icily. Her voice was laced with poison and this seemed to have impressed the mysterious beauty.