CHAPTER 9: The memory tree

The silence that ensued was deafening but instead of feeling self-conscious, I was determined to uncover the mystery behind it all.

"I see you do not trust me Alleya" he drawled, "I think we already established that Igris," I said, staring at him with unwavering eyes, the eyes I used when bullying Hans.

"Come to me Alleya" he ordered, I didn't move but felt compelled to. As I came closer, he carried me bridal style and before I could protest, we were out my window and high into the night sky.

My heartbeat tripled and I clung to him in terror, "Relax Alleya I won't let go of you ever" He whispered into my ears. I couldn't speak because I was having a panic attack since Acrophobia was starting to hit me.

"Breath darling, focus on my heartbeat and you'll be fine," Igris said soothingly. I tried to focus on each strong beat while breathing and slowly the suffocating feeling faded. When I felt I could look around without fainting, I took the first peek and gasped.

It was ethereal, the moon's reflection on the most magical lake I've ever seen. "Are those white roses?" I asked in awe as we continued on our way "They are Darils, one spurts whenever a newborn child dies" he explained and a chill ran down my spine, it was a vast garden before the lake and he was telling me that they were dead babies?!

"I've never heard of them," I said after a pause, "It is not your world Alleya do not worry your pretty head," he said smiling down at me, "My world?" I asked and then we stopped.

I looked around as soon as he placed me on my feet. The area looked like a giant bowl with jagged edges and a huge tree stood in the middle, a very ancient-looking tree but it was still sturdy.

"The memory tree holds the answers to all your questions Alleya," He said, pulling me along as he moved towards the tree. On a closer look, I saw that the leaves had writings on them, "What are those on the leaves?" I asked him before turning to him, I noticed he had stopped some paces away, "Igris aren't you coming?" I asked, stepping back from the tree.

"Go on Alleya and seek the answers you need, I'll stay here and keep watch," he said in a guttural voice, " I don't know what to do with a tree with weird trees," I said looking at him, and back to the tree.

"Place your hand on the center of the whorl," He said, "Help me then don't just stand there" I argued, " I can't come any closer or they would know," he said calmly "Who is?!" I asked getting frustrated.

"Alleya the answers to all your questions lie there," Igris said before moving away, I moved to follow but something stopped me. I couldn't see anything but it felt like a wall was obstructing my movement, "Igris!!!" I called out desperately and he turned, I stilled.

The man who turned to me was more beast than man, nothing had changed about his features but the glow was back in his eyes and as I watched him from behind my invisible wall, he grew huge till he towered over the tree and that dark fog was starting to gather around him, adding to the already dangerous aura.

He began approaching the tree in a sort of prowl known to predators. I was frightened by the blank stare he gave me, for some reason I knew this Igris wanted me dead and I backed away slowly.

He had said I should place my hand on the whorl to find the answers I wanted but now all I wanted was to go home, I didn't have any idea where I was and Igris was gone leaving this terrifying giant in his place.

I looked away with great difficulty to search for the whorl while hoping that whatever invisible wall that was, would protect me from him. I found the whorl and immediately placed my right hand on it.

Nothing happened, so I switched to my left. Nothing happened too! What was happening? I turned back to see if he was still there and found those red eyes still watching me closely.

I turned back to the whorl and placed my hand firmly and something pierced my hand causing me to shout and pull my hand away, a sharp point had my blood dripping from it and I watched it withdraw immediately while clutching my bleeding right hand.

Suddenly I had a fierce growl and a loud booming sound which had me cowering in fear. Igris was slamming himself into the wall with a frenzy that scared me and I could see the wall now.

The wall was starting to crack, No! No! No! Don't crack, he'll kill me I thought helplessly, Where were the answers he said I would find? My goodness did he trick me?

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, Think Elena think! I looked up to see if I could climb the tree since I had a skill at climbing trees but the structure didn't seem like it would support climbing.

Suddenly the whorl spun and a door opened in the tree, I was blinded by the bright rays emitting from it but somewhat relieved to see it.

A sound like a thunderclap interrupted my stream of thoughts, I turned back to see if the wall had shattered and the last image I saw before I was sucked into the tree was Igris locking heads with a sort of winged creature I couldn't fathom.

I was confused, did Igris try to kill me or was he protecting me? My heart tugged at the thought that it could be the latter and the possibility that he could be in danger had me restless.

The bright light had faded and when my eyes adjusted, I was wonderstruck. I was standing at the top of the steps leading to a sort of shallow pond which glowed a dull green and two floating lights were on either side of the end of the steps.

I walked down slowly till I got to the base, the floating lights turned to me and I was flabbergasted! Were those fairies? They flew around me and then headed for the pool, I took it as a sign for me to follow them which I did.

They floated above the middle of the pool, did they want me to enter? Um I couldn't swim so that was a No!

I turned to leave but before I could make a move, I was pushed into the pool by them. The icy cold hit me as I sank to the base and I couldn't move my limbs. I was getting dizzy and my eyes blurred but somehow I felt at peace.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a market that was bustling and rowdy. I moved away as a cart rolled by, where was I?

"Move away you scumbag!" I heard someone growl, I turned and saw a man chasing off a little boy with a stick, and a woman danced seductively by the corner amidst cheering and whistling.

This was nothing like my world, from the clothing to the people, I decided to ask someone. I spotted a young girl about my age haggling prices with a man selling trinkets, I moved closer to her but before I could touch her a trumpet sounded.

"The celestial king is here!" A voice thundered making everyone quiet down and turn towards the direction of the voice. The excitement was palpable, there were murmurs left and right and I sighted some young women adjust their dressing to expose some cleavage.

I wondered who was arriving, must be someone of great importance. I couldn't see due to the cluster so I did something really silly, I climbed onto a table and now I could see above the sea of heads.

There it was, the reason for the disturbance. A red and gold platform rose above ground and a throne was under the golden shade. I squinted my eyes to see who was there, Was that Igris?