9 Thapabia's Tears

I feel numb.

The pillow supporting my head is soaked by my tears that were overflowing not too long ago. A few hours ago, the creatures retreated from the fight, Faye was rushed back in the castle to be treated. I was escorted back to my room to hopefully get some rest. Though it's impossible, every time I close my eyes to try and sleep, the scene plays over and over again.

The experience has scarred me.

I have only been to this place for a day. How did it escalate so quickly? Maybe I arrived at the wrong timing? Maybe I'm just destined to have a miserable life.

When the friendly-looking creatures guided me to this castle, meeting a kind fairy, Blossom, and her right hand, Faye, I thought that this wouldn't be so bad. I thought that I wouldn't need to go back home, I could stay here and find out what my mother did in this place. There're a lot of secrets that I could unveil.

But the sudden attack, those vicious looking beasts, to witness the deaths of elves and Faye being stabbed makes me want to cower in fear. Then it struck me. My mother ran away that night. What could have possibly scared her away for her to escape this place in secrecy? Maybe this place is dangerous. If it is, then I can't stay here any longer.

I want to push myself into a sitting position, but I have no energy left in me. So I lay flat on my back, looking straight up to the ceiling. I hold the pendant of my necklace and close my eyes.

"Bring me back home," I whisper, unable to let my real voice out.

Nothing.

I take a deep breath and try again, "bring me back home, please."

Still, nothing.

I open my eyes to see the same ceiling. I'm still lying on this big canopy bed. I want to cry, but my eyes had enough, I ran out of tears.

Why isn't the necklace working anymore? Does this mean that I can't go back? Will I be stuck in this place forever? I start shivering, turning to the side and pulling my legs to my chest for my arms to hug.

I just want to back home. I don't care if my relatives will force me to marry a horrible man or I'll live unhappily for the rest of my life. I just want to be as far away from this place as possible.

I'm scared. I'm petrified.

And maybe it's from extreme exhaustion, I fell asleep. The sound of an owl and crickets outside the castle is the last thing I heard.

---

My eyes flutter open to the sound of loud knocking, jolting me up awake. I slip out of bed, wearing my slippers, realizing that last night I didn't put on a nightgown before heading to bed.

Then I came to a complete halt; the memories came flooding back; the cabin, Talus, the rock-like creature, the four elves, Blossom Wrinklewing, the castle, and the attack last night. It all happened just yesterday in a whirlwind.

Another knock came snapping me out of my thoughts. I pass by the full-length mirror, taking a small glimpse of my appearance. I had forgotten to change out of my white dress, my hair is a complete mess, and I simply don't look presentable. It's fine; it's probably just Faye.

Twisting the doorknob, I slowly pull the door open, revealing the familiar icy-blue eyed elf knight, the elf that saved me from a flying tree last night.

"Well, hello," he gives me a warm smile as he leans on the door frame, "good morning. How was your sleep last night?" I start to deeply regret the way I look right now. I look like a complete mess. I should have at least fixed my hair.

"It was-" I try to say but choked. After all, my night wasn't so good, "where is Faye?"

He looks at me, shocked. I take in his expression, lifting my hand to my mouth after realizing it. I had forgotten about the fact that Faye got stabbed last night.

"Is she... how is she?" I ask, my lips starting to tremble.

He frowns at me, making my eyes widen. Tears start to blur my vision even as I try my best to tear up this early in the morning.

The elf realizes this, waving his hands together in front of my face, "No-no, she's not dead, she's doing alright. Blossom will be here soon with Thapabia's tears. It is magical water that can heal almost anything."

"What? really?" My eyes lit up, I feel my chest lighten "then can you bring me to her?" I say, wiping away a tear off my cheek.

He gives me a smile, "Of course. Breakfast is also ready for you, but you should- uh, maybe get dressed properly first."

My cheeks redden from the embarrassment. I try to cover myself using the door, but I know that my face is already unsightly. I nodded at him and was about to close the door when I remembered that I haven't gotten his name since last night.

"Wait, what's your name?" I ask, catching him off-guard.

He turns to me, "Rhys Farrieth, commanding knight of Dazia."

---

Rhys leads me inside one of the rooms on the eastern side of the castle. This room is spacious with beds on each side, separated by white curtains. This is no doubt the treatment room for the injured or ill creatures.

About three beds are currently being used as we go further in the room. On the furthest left side, there lies an unconscious Faye.

I approach her bed. Rhys stands a few feet away from us. My heart sinks seeing her pale appearance. A white cloth is cleanly wrapped around her stomach. I see her chest slowly rise and fall, which cheered me up even just a little bit. The fact that she's alive and doing better is enough.

I haven't got to know Faye better yet. We hadn't any proper conversation, and when we did, we were interrupted. I think that she could be the person who would make me understand everything about this place and my mother. She could be the key.

Last night when she pulled me near and protected me has given me enough reason to trust her. The way she acted yesterday looked like she was ready to give her life for me.

I take her hand in between mine. I hope that you'll wake up soon.

"Excuse my interruption, Rose Ann."

I turn and face Rhys, "Blossom has just arrived. She's waiting for you. Allow me to escort you there."

"Okay," I take a last look at Faye. Rhys had mentioned some magical water that could help her. I know that she'll wake up soon, and when she does, I'll be right here by her side.

---

"I'm sorry for what you have been through last night," Blossom frowns, sitting right across me but near enough to hold both my hands, "it must have been traumatic; they must have taken my absence as a chance to attack."

"It was. Faye saved my life. She got hurt because of me," I say sadly. I can't bear thinking about my uselessness last night.

Blossom releases my hand but holds her palm open. It only took a few seconds when a small bottle-shaped container appears floating on her hand. My eyes widen, full of amazement from what I have just witnessed.

"This bottle holds Thapabia's tears. It may only be collected once every season. Faye is also someone I hold dear to me; this is for her. Rest assured, she'll be okay, I promise."

Relief passes through every system of my body. Hearing what Blossom just said is like music to my ears. It makes me so happy for Faye.

"Can I ask, what were those hideous creatures?"

Blossom sits back to her chair, bringing her teacup with her. She takes a sip before replying to me, "They are creatures from Beorene. The Kingdom of Beorene has always been an enemy of Dazia."

She looks at me in the eye and smiles, "your mother fulfilled the prophecy.

"What prophecy?"

"To take down the Queen of Beorene. However, despite succeeding, that queen had a son who took over her as King. The attacks never stopped coming,"

I'm taken by surprise. My mother took down a queen, the queen of those hideous creatures that attacked last night. I need to know more.

"Why are Dazia and Beorene not on good terms?"

She smiles lightly at me, "sit back, Rose Ann, you're in for a story."