Chapter 12 - Flower

That sleep, I dreamt of the slaughter of Morrow Temple. The priestesses were accused of dark magic and human sacrifice, only to be sacrificed as Witches.

I dreamt of the terror on their faces as I cut through the onslaught of warriors and peasants that had turned against their scholars.

I dreamt of the young girls who held their children, the elders who stepped in front of them and said that they had indeed turned to the Demons of the Netherworld, to bring chaos to this world. And the hope they had that only the elders would be killed.

I dreamt of how I struggled to get the small children away, their tears and bodies so warm against my skin, shivering, knowing that they would never see their mothers again. The older children ushered the smaller ones to follow me, to trust me.

I dreamt of the smell of burning flesh and screams, deep heartbreaking screams of pain and sorrow, and how we watched in utter disbelief as an explosion emitted from the Temple. How we saw the patron Spirit rise from the ruins, an enormous firebird of light and anguish, that killed every single warrior and villager, leaving nothing but destruction in her path.

I woke in the early afternoon with tears pooling my bedroll. Haunted still, by the feeling of a pure, untamed fire burning against my skin. I let my fingers rub against the scars on my hips and legs and hoped that the children were all safe, with Verity.

--

We continued towards the City of Emeralds that afternoon, having slept almost most of the day, Mikhael promised me that he knew the road, even though we had run far from where we started. To me, it all looked the same. The moon was bright and shone its silver light on the landscape, it seemed almost like daytime, the pure white brightness clearing our path.

We came out of the forest to a gravel path that did not seem to have been used for a very long time, Mikhael looked at the sky and pointed in a direction, claiming it was East.

Not a single soul in sight, not a single creature crossed our path. Dawn broke and we took a short break. We had not said much during our night-long journey, but as we sat the silence felt suffocating. I wondered if I had stepped over the line if he was mad at me or disgusted perhaps, by himself, by me. I wanted to ask him, and yet I put the waterskin to my lips and swallowed down the tepid water and my thoughts with it.

"I wonder how the… -heroes- are doing after last night's battle", Mikhael finally said, breaking the silence, not looking in any direction, his arms resting on his knees. I laughed and wiped waterdrops from my chin.

"What do you mean, they are brave heroes that were chosen of the Priestesses, in the Capital no less… true heroes", I made sure to mimic Rogan's tone of voice, but as I mocked them, I could not help but to feel… envious or hopeful. A purpose as good as any to fight I suppose.

Mikhael looked at me and I realized that I had said that last thing out loud. "Perhaps… No, I know you are right – a purpose to fight. Isn't that what everyone is looking for?"

"Maybe. I have been too busy finding a purpose to stay alive to think about that…" I said, perhaps a bit too honest.

"You're too young to say things like that", Mikhael answered hastily. I shook my head and laughed.

"Like you, I'm much older than I may appear - " His eyes filled with intrigue. "You want to guess?"

He studied me for a minute, the longest I have ever experienced. His eyes narrowed in, following my face and hands, as if they would tell him of my age. He smiled a crooked smile and guessed poorly. "You could be anything between fifty and five hundred I feel", he said.

"Seeing as I don't really know how old you are, perhaps it's only fair that you don't know how old I am…"

"Excuses", he laughed. "I am but two centuries old, or well two-hundred thirty-eight to be exact."

"And you thought I was older than you? You're half-spirit! Of course, you're older." Mikhael shrugged. "I am only eighty. A spring chicken if you compare." We laughed at that but it dies out suddenly as Mikhael watches me with serious eyes.

"To think that you lived before the war, it's hard to imagine…" he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes you look like you have known nothing but fear and pain and struggle. It's in your eye and the way you see things. You did not even trust me at first, even if I did save your life…" I held on to a breath as he continued. "It is a trait I saw so often in soldiers in the war, knowing nothing else, born into battle only to die. They gave up, early and I've only known you for about ten days, but it feels like it would just take a little for you to give up too." There was a sadness in his eyes as he talked to me, and I felt that same emotion pulling at me as I listened, and at that, the Book awoke once more.

"Sweet liar", it whispered, and I felt a chill down my spine, clawing at me. I jumped to my feet from the chock as the voice fills my head again. "Sweet sad little murderer. He will come for you…" Mikhael jumps to his feet as well, in surprise at my sudden movement. He's about to ask and opens his mouth to speak when the sound of a roar from behind us cuts him off.

--

Before us, just down the hill, stands a beast with the body of a bear and the antlers of a great red deer. The vision of it almost blinding, as it is caught in the perfect tranquil light of dawn. As it runs towards us, hoofs and giant paws in the air, stars, and specks of what looks almost like fireflies follow it. I think I should be afraid, for I have never come across nor heard about a creature like this before, and yet… I do not move, for it is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. If the Eldrich Deities ever took mortal form, this is what I imagine them to look like.

"Mikhael of Saltstorm", the creature calls out as it stands before us. As it speaks, it sounds like a cacophony of different voices. "Your presence in these lands is much troublesome. Last we spoke, did I not say that I would slay you where you stand should you ever show your face here again?", the creature continues.

Then, with a sudden vibration, the creature stands before us as a woman, not a beast, her long black silken hair flows to the ground. A diadem of antlers in her hair, specked in glitter and gold. She has a long dress in white and silver, the colors of the beast that she turned from. The energy emitted from her is like the summer sun, warm and pure. I look to Mikhael, expecting I think, to see him shiver or draw his blade, but instead, his face is that of glee and relief.

"Ai", he says quietly, like a whisper almost, and lunges towards her. She breaks out in a smile and catches him. Hugging each other they laugh, spinning around.

"You haven't changed at all", he says, brushing some of her ethereal hair out of her face. She puts a hand on his cheek.

"Neither have you, little one", she answers. I stand still and watch them, feeling almost like an intruder. She is by far the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, even if the word beautiful seems lacking. She turns to me, eyes of winter morning, cold and bright. "What a strange magic you hold", she says, in a blink she is before me, reaching for me with her elegant hand. I let her touch me, even if I think I shouldn't let her, as if she could see through me. See it all.

"I haven't felt this energy since…", she cuts her words short and looks towards Mikhael. "You really know how to pick them", she laughs, but her face is serious.

"She's not… no… this is Elyse. She... I mean we, have business in Emerald City…"

Ai makes a gagging noise. "Why would you ever go to that cesspool of free will?" She turns to Mikhael again, her hand still close to my left cheek. I can feel the warmth emitting from her. "Bring her with you, we have things to discuss at the House", she says, she commands. Then she starts to walk down the hill, past Mikhael. He looks at me, almost apologetic, but turns and walks after her, runs up to her and they hook their arms together.

I curse out loud, but they do not seem to hear me.

The book hums inside my head. "Watch yourself, sweet liar. Not all is what it seems…" The words seem almost out of concern. And I am reminded of the dream I had of Verity... Perhaps the Book wants to be sure I survive so it can use me to get whatever it wants from me. I can hear it tsk at me as I think those things, reprimanding like a grandmother – but it stays quiet after that.

--

We walk for almost an hour before reaching a great field of flowers. I walked a few paces behind Mikhael and Ai, making sure to listen in on their conversation, should they speak of me. But it sounds more like a normal conversation between two old friends, meeting after a long time apart. They stop as we walk into the field, looking around before continuing.

The colors of the flowers are so varied and bright that it almost hurts to look at them. The sun was high up in her canopy licking us with its golden light. I watch the wind catch at the blossom, waves caught in the tall grass. When we left the Inn last night, winter was almost upon us but now I suddenly stand in a field of spring blossoms. Lost in thought, it takes a while for me to notice that Mikhael and Ai are gone. I look around but find only myself in the field. I feel a light panic prick at me, as if… did they lead me here too…

"What? Kill you? Abandon you? Poor little murderer, she can't stand to be alone..." the Book interrupts my thoughts and I want to put a fist through my skull to make it shut up.

"Elyse!" I hear Mikhael's voice call me, but I can't see him. I call his name and he ushers me to keep walking, walking towards his voice. I take a few steps and suddenly it is as if a curtain has been lifted from my eyes.

The field turns into a town. Rows and rows of wooden houses were built upon each other, with bridges of wood and branches between them. In the middle stands a huge tree, a weeping willow. Branches of a deep grey color, with white silver flowers at the end. It reminds me of the fur of Ai when she was in her creature form. Perhaps, she is a Spirit, and this is her realm. Unseen to those who are not invited.

The town is filled with sounds of laughter and voices chatting over each other. I look around as I keep walking, taking in the sound of peace and tranquillity. I have never seen something quite like this, but… I have also never been in a Spirit realm before. The scent of food being cooked, fires burning in homes and tea brewing wakes my hunger to life. My mouth salivating as I walk past a vendor that sells lotus root treats, and rice balls with colorful toppings, and then another who makes grilled vegetable skewers over an open flame. They look at me, the vendors, and the patrons, as if they have never seen a human before, and perhaps most of them have not. I feel their stares burning at my skin and I feel unwelcome, uninvited.

I turn around to look for Mikhael but my eyes lock with a strange creature of shadow. It looks almost like a man, in a broad hat, like the ones the scholars of Crescent City have. In the strange creature's left hand, the hilt of a sword. I take a deep breath and slowly, it seems to be walking in my direction, my body freezes. I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump in surprise.

"I'm sorry", Mikhael says, and I could slap him at the relaxed tone of his voice. "Come with me."

I walk right behind him, toes almost at his heels so as not to lose sight of him again, as he leads me to a huge house built inside the massive weeping willow.