Thirteenth

When she awoke, she stretched and yawned loudly as she rolled out of bed.

The dream she'd had was fading already, and she shook her head sleepily as she stumbled toward her vanity and prepared for the day.

There was a knock at the door as she finished combing through her hair.

That's odd. No one ever comes to visit except Adrien. Why would he be here already?

She slipped on a pair of slippers and walked to the door to answer it. "Hello? Who is it?"

"...Is Lady Emily there?" The timid voice of a young woman floated through the wood of the door. "Are you busy...?"

She blinked a few times in confusion, then opened the door a crack. A young woman with pink hair and red eyes looked up at her. Emily didn't recognize her, but...her clothing was the same as the servants.

"Me? Ah..."

She glanced down the hallway for a moment, then looked back at the girl waiting expectantly. "What did you need?"

The girl curtsied awkwardly. "I was hoping you would assist me today, Lady Emily."

She twisted her hands together nervously, obviously uncertain what to do with them, and spoke quickly, as if trying to get all the words out at once.

"It's my friend. She's sick, and she needs medicine. The ones from the alchemist are expensive though, so she has none left."

"Medicine...?" She leaned out into the hall, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. "I'm confused. How can I help?"

The girl lowered her gaze, fidgeting with her apron as she wrung it between her hands. "I was told you are strong. That you defeated the demon, and fought the orcs, and you wielded magic."

She bit her lip, and continued hesitantly. "I hoped you would come and fetch the herbs for my friend."

...I...did...none of those things...

What rumors were being circulated about her, less than a week into living in this world?!

But...she looks so...hopeful. If the Keybearer is supposed to help people, then I can't just turn her away...!

"Well...I uh...I can come help pick the herbs, but I don't know this world or what the herbs look like." She laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head. "I really don't know what I'm doing either."

The girl brightened. "Yes! That's perfectly fine! If you're willing, I'm so grateful!" She bowed again and bobbed up and down excitedly, a beaming smile lighting up her face. "I know just the spot! Please allow me to lead you there."

I don't know why this feels like a bad idea.

Still, she dressed and followed after the girl through the halls.

"Thank you so much, Keybearer!"

She flushed. "Just...Emily. My name is Emily."

"Lady Emily." The girl nodded and bowed again before scurrying forward to continue guiding her.

It took some time, but eventually they made it to the front gate, and then exited through a large metal portcullis.

She paused briefly just outside to breathe in the fresh, cool air, then looked to the sky above. "...It's so beautiful." She murmured softly, marveling at the lush green plants and the crystal clear blue skies above. "So many clouds today..."

The servant girl tapped her shoulder hesitantly and motioned to the road ahead. "Let's get going, Lady Emily!"

"Ah, yes. Lead the way. What was your name?" She started forward, following after the girl as she hurried off down the path.

"I'm Stella." She answered immediately, without even looking back.

It took a while before they arrived in a forest of thick trees, whose branches cast shadows over them, blocking out some of the sunlight and leaving patches of grassy undergrowth to grow in the filtered beams of light.

"I think there's a cave over there!" She pointed to an opening in the rocky cliffs nearby, leading into an underground cavern.

"But wait...won't that be dangerous? Cave monsters or something?" Emily felt goosebumps prickle along her arms and back as she imagined things lurking in the shadows.

Should I really just go down there by myself?!

"I-if you're afraid, I understand." She hastily assured her, biting her lip. "I will go search for the herbs, just as you helped me to get here safely!"

"...I can't just send you out here by yourself. I mean..." Emily shook her head and stepped into the entrance to the cave with a sigh.

I've come this far, I guess...

The interior was pitch black and chilled, but a dim, pulsing light grew more luminous as she followed it into the depths.

Her breathing was coming heavier and harder, body not used to all this walking, but she forced herself onward anyway.

I've already come too far to turn back and give up now. Plus...Stella would stay behind...and she's already so scared...

She sighed and shook her head, squinting and continuing onward with determination.

The herbs are...probably the glowing stuff in the distance...right?

She walked through a narrow tunnel until it opened into a large chamber full of glowing flowers that grew out of the stone walls, casting flickering flickers of ethereal light.

It was truly breathtaking.

"Wow..."

A faint giggling echoed through the cave from behind her. "Nya~ Did you like that trick? I was disguised as a human because I'm just too cute! My true name is Mia!"

Emily turned toward the voice - Stella's - just in time to see something dart out of the shadows and leap at her.

A small...

Pink cat?

...Landed in her arms.

She caught the strange creature without thinking, and stared down at it.

"...Hah...???"

"Nya~~?" It tilted its head as it gazed back at her curiously. "Your reaction is interesting! Most people scream when I jump on them!"

She blinked several times. "A...a talking cat...!"

"I am a fairy!" Stella...Mia...huffed. "There's a big difference, you know?"

She just nodded and glanced away, eyes scanning the walls. "A fairy...that looks like a tiny pink cat...and talks..."

"Yes~!" She wriggled in Emily's hand and squinted. "Normally people are quite a bit more frightened, you know? You've been captured by a Katsith."

"A...cat sith...?"

"A Katsith."

She squinted at the cat. "Cat siths are big. And black. You are tiny and pink."

She yowled in offense. "Maybe...maybe in your world that's how they look! Not here! I-I'm a totally normal size!!"

Normal? But she's even smaller than a house cat.

"Katsiths are fae spirits of mischief in the magical world. We prank elves and lure humans away to devour their souls~!" She wiggled in Emily's hands, and her eyes glinted with an ominous light. "Like yours."