Caught

Ava opened her eyes.

Staring at the brown wooden roof above her, she sighed then sat up. Her head throbbed a little and she lifted her hand to touch her head, only for her hand to touch a soft thin fabric which was tied around around her head.

She softly massaged her temples as she stood up. She knew the mysterious man was the person who took her, after all he saved her life.

How many people do I owe my life?

She sighed upon her thought and made her way outside. She pushed the door to open but it didn't.. "He even locked me.." she muttered as she staggered a little to the bed.

Wait a minute. she realized something then she looked down at her kneel.

"The pain is gone?" She said more like a question. lifting her leg she dangled it to confirm her thoughts, but she felt no pain. The wound is the present, but just a little. She stood up and jumped yet she felt nothing..

it is indeed gone.

"the pain is gone." She sighed and threw herself on the bed. closing her eyes, she was dragged to her dream world.

"Ava!".. A woman's voice echoed.

"Ava!" Her father's voice echoed

"Ava!" Marta's Voice echoed.

Ava will look at the direction her name was called each time her name echoed. She found herself in the Forest she had just come out from, she was standing next to the stream she had slept the previous day. The three voices kept yelling her name clashing together causing her head to spin.. Her heart drummed in her ears, and she felt like it would explode. "Arrrrhhh" she yelled and her eyes flatter open. beads of sweat ran from her temple down to her jaw, and panted like she was being chased. She looked immediately to see if she was really in the Forest, and she heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the wooden roof which was above her. Sitting up, she sat for a couple of minutes, as she recalled her dream. 'the woman's voice..was that mother?' She thought before shaking her head.. "no, no, no.. it can't be.." She muttered.

Her eyes became watery when she recalled her father and Marta's Voice.. those voice sounded desperate, like they wanted to say something. "Father.." She muttered as the tears rolled down.

Despite the way people often abuse and curse her, he never did. instead he encouraged her, and that is why she never felt the need to have magic.

He was the best father and mother she could ever ask for, even if he seldom created time for her. She understood the burden he carried alone.

To be a king, and lost you're wife after child birth then take up the responsibility of the mother, father, and the fortress..

She could only imagine how hard it was for him, but she could do nothing than watch him carry the burden alone.

She quickly wiped her tears with the back of her palm when the door opened.

A young girl around her age entered with a tray in her hand. Ava's eyes immediately landed on the food, and she gulped her saliva when she aroma of the food creeped into her nose. Her stomach singed with joy, embarrassedly she wrapped her arms around her stomach as her face went red. The girl smiled and she placed the tray on the stool beside the bed bringing It front of Ava.

"Eat up." said the girl warmly. Ava stared at the food from the edge of her eyes contemplating either to eat or not. but when her stomach yelled this time around she thanked the girl. "thank you." Ava said and like she had mean to punished the food she pounced on it. The girl was taken aback at Ava's sudden attack, as she stared at Ava speechlessly.

Ava belched once she had cleared the plate, which is now shining like it has been washed. "Errr...there is more if you want..?" the girl said more like a question when she noticed to unsatisfied look which was plastered on Ava's face. and immediately Ava's face brighten and her eyes twinkled as she turned to the girl. Even without her saying anything, the girl understood what she needed to do and thus, the girl left and returned with another tray of food. Ava didn't hesitate. She grabbed the tray, and with a quick "thank you.." she digged in.

Once Ava was through eating she belched then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

She didn't even remember when last she ate this much, and she would be lying if she said she has eaten something this delicious her whole life. She didn't care what this girl would say when she finds out she's..no she was a princess. "I'll just take this away." the girl said then began clearing up, but Ava stopped her. "let me.." Ava flashed a little smile. the girl tried to stop Ava. "No, I'll do it.." She insisted while she tried collecting the tray from Ava. " please..just let me do this. it that least I can do for saving my life" Ava said sincerely. "Fine.." the girl sighed as she walked together with Ava to show her the way.

Ava located the kitchen with the help of Mia. She introduced herself as Mia and Ava also introduced herself. "Would you love to take a stroll?" Mia asked Ava as they walked out of the kitchen. I would love to.. She wanted to reply but remembering that Lydia and thana are both counting up on her, she declined and quickly stated her reason. "I would love to, but my loved ones are in danger and I must find them." She explained gently. She knew not to easily trust people, but she has leave and the black haired man would not let her go easily even if he saved her. "I will not ask for the reason neither will I help you, but you may leave at night.." Mia said seriously, like she was warning her aganist something big. " Really?" Ava beamed. "I can't be certain.." Mia said blankly. "Okay, then thanks." Ava said then hurried to pack up her things. Mia could only sigh as she watch Ava's retreating back.

Like she noticed something she turned and quickly bowed. "Greetings you're Majesty." Mia greeted. "So that's what she plans huh?" He looked at the direction where Ava went ignoring Mia's greetings. "you did a good job, now I have another for you." his cold lifeless voice echoed and he vanished.

At night..

Ava has packed up her things ready to escape, but something was missing..

Her staff. Where is it?

She has searched the whole room, but she couldn't find it. She would have asked Mia, but she didn't see Mia since she left to pack up her things. It getting darker and she should be on her way by now. And thought then gave up looking for the staff. "I'll be more careful." She said. She's really prepared for the journey this time around. Her kneel, and head has completely healed so she can walk freely without the help of a staff, she just wants to carry the staff along with her, but she can't afford to waste more time.

Thus she walked to the door. Slowly and cautiously she opens the door, to prevent it from making a noise but it still made a tiny noise. Successfully she got out of her room. She slowly walked to the kitchen on her toes in search of Mia, but she wasn't there. 'Strange..' and thought. She only want to thank her, but she can't find her and she needs to leave. Taking slow steps she was already at the gate to the house she was kept in. She looked around before she slowly opened the gate. Mia had helped her drug the guards in the afternoon. She walked pass the sleeping guards. her heart raced and she breath out to calm her raging nerves. She had walked a little father from the house she was kept in. but there is still a giant wall she had to cross, then is she really free from this place. She heard from Mia that, the house she was kept in, was an isolated place but She didn't tell her anything else. it wasn't anywhere near the castle. Ava's eyes were glued on the thick giant wall ahead of her, forgetting to keep an eye on her surroundings. "Running away?" She halted immediately. Her heart raced, her eyes widened in shock, fear and suprise.