All Living Things Need Food

"Anaiah is my ward, Maraja." The steward said, as he delicately cut into the thick piece of meat. "I would like you to excuse her…behavior earlier."

"Don't apologize for me, Arcan." Sitting at the right side of the table, Anaiah slammed her ring-adorned fingers onto the velvet-covered dining table.

"I wasn't." He spared her a glance while popping the meat into his mouth. "An apology would mean you wouldn't do it again."

The doors to the dining hall opened, as maids poured in, dropping more steel plates full of food on the table.

As the morning came to a slow end, rays of the wilting sun cast themselves on Maraja's stoic expression. Her hands remained laced together beneath the table, as she watched the proceedings in silence.

"You have not tasted a thing since your arrival yesterday, Nawi. Chosen or not, I believe all living things require food at some point, yes?" He stretched from his position at the head of the table, plucking a bun of golden-brown bread from its decorated serving bowl.

The chosen remained silent, her eyes roaming the food and the room aimlessly.

"Does she think we mean to poison her?" The ward asked, a mocking smile on her lips as she slid a supple-looking grape into them. She occasionally looked up, her eyes casting condescending peeks at the Nawi.

"Surely not, she is to be our savior anyway." He continued eating, sparing her rigid form scarce glimpses.

As the maids trickled out, the doors began closing behind them, stopping short for a moment before they opened once more.

"Tedran." The steward dropped his utensils, watching as the Druid approached the table. "What brings you here?" He asked.

Tedran stopped at Maraja's side, and raised a hand to his chest, whilst bowing to the steward. "Your Highness." He turned to the intrusive eyes of the ward, tilting his head down slightly. "Anaiah."

"If it is acceptable, I would like to borrow the princess for an urgent discussion." The Druid spoke, his eyes settling upon the Steward's.

"Urgent discussion you say." Arcan went back to his meal, scooping a strange yet delicious-looking sauce into his plate. "Whatever is it about?" He asked.

"A message from my aunt, it will be quick."

A few seconds passed, the sounds of silverware and chewing of food filling the tense space. The steward finally heaved a deep sigh, never removing his eyes from the table of food. "Very well. I trust you know no harm is to come to her, and she must return in time for her training. Am I clear?"

"Crystal." After a short bow, Tedran extended his hand for the princess to take.

Ignoring his gesture, she pushed herself up, and headed for the double doors of the room, with the Druid in tow. Arcan sipped on his wine, his dark eyes narrowing to slits as they walked out.

~~~

I welcomed the fresh air that embraced me as we reached the balcony. My eyes drifted around, admiring the foreign land.

"Princess." I looked to the Druid, as the breeze combed through my curly hair. "Are you alright?" With his hands tucked behind him, he inclined his head slightly to the side, studying me. "You look…pale."

"And you look...different." Something felt off in his appearance, but I couldn't quite put a finger on it.

"It's probably my hair. Druid's hair usually has different properties, mine changes color due to climate sometimes."

Strange. "What was it you wanted to discuss?"

"Yes." He took a step closer, looking over his shoulder before he spoke. "I have good reason to believe that you're in danger." His voice was as low as a hush.

I raised a bushy brow in question. "And what is this good reason?"

"In Naiad, after you were attacked, I followed the assailant." He lowered his head even more, casting weary glances at every corner and door around us. "We had a short encounter before it disappeared. It not only injured me badly, but its magic was strange and unfamiliar. I tried desperately to uncover its identity but it was just too fast."

A maid rushed by, causing Tedran to straighten himself, lightly brushing my elbow as he began to walk down the corridor. "Fortunately, I have one of the largest libraries at my disposal. I searched tirelessly for such magic."

We took a bend, the number of guards reducing as we padded on. "There is no race that can practice such magic in Naltaniera. Whatever…whoever attacked you tracked you down, and found a very concise way to slither through the countless veils and barriers that protect this realm. That is no small feat, considering how heavily guarded the borders are." He stopped, glancing toward the guards in the distance.

"Tedran, you've been saving me a lot." I looked down at the pool the black dress I wore made on the spotless floors. "At the cliff, from the cold, and now this…thing. I want to thank you for everything, but unfortunately, I have no idea what to do with this information. All I frankly want to do is to see brother." Something clicked in my head, and I met the Druid's blue eyes. "You're a Druid!" I slapped his arm absent-mindedly, drawing the attention of a few guards.

He let out a short laugh and subtle dimples formed in his cheeks. "Yes I am, princess…but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Arcan, he said something about Druid magic being what has my brother locked up." I swallowed hard, hope rising in my heart. "Can I ask one more favor, please I need your help in freeing him."

He hummed in thought, a little smile playing along his lips. "While I would love to help you for free, I simply cannot continue ignoring the fact that you look like you have not eaten for days."

"Whether I eat or not, is nobody's business. I will not taste a thing until Mason is freed."

"Do you honestly think…Mason would want you to starve on his behalf? You desperately need strength, this…threat is still on the loose. Elaran magic cannot work on an empty stomach, you must eat and I will not leave your side till you have. Then I will help poke around for a way to help your brother."

"What?" Not leave my side?

~~~

The dining hall grew quiet, as the steward avoided the persistent gaze of his ward. The rays of the sun had finally worn off, leaving the room in mild brightness.

"Training huh?" Anaiah propped her chin atop her palm, her perfect brows arched in question.

"Whatever do you mean?" He made a show of twirling his almost empty cup of wine, his eyes never meeting hers.

"Oh please, this is no time to play dumb. Since when do you train the…prey?" She picked up a fork, looping it over and under her fingers effortlessly.

"What I do with my spare time is none of your concern." He stated.

"I agree, but I know whose business it is. I could feel it, Arcan. The hate, the anger, and oh, the pure bloodlust." Still looping around the fork in her hand, she smiled sadistically, her tongue lightly going over the perfectly white teeth that sat in her mouth. "I simply must have her."

His eyes finally met hers, a warning festering in them. "She is to be alive…unharmed."

"Oh come on, a few stabs here and there?" Holding her smile, she brought the fork down heavily, somehow sinking its edges into the steel table. "I guarantee she won't feel a thing." She tapped lightly against the end of the lodged fork, the rings of her finger clinking with it.

"No, Anaiah. Leave her be. You will have your fun when the time comes." He dropped the cup of wine, as he laced his fingers together under his chin.

"But you simply know how impatient I can be, do you not? Besides, we both know you're not the one…in charge here, and so if I were to cause some trouble, you know I wouldn't be blamed." The ward stood, the ornate chair behind her scrapping against the floors. "Ta ta!" With an endearing smile, she sauntered out of the room.

Arcan exhaled tiredly, a thousand thoughts floating within his dull eyes. "If only."