I didn’t need any encouragement. A rush of energy hit me at the sight of the moonlight. I quickened my pace, dragging my feet hurriedly against the ground.
At last, we came to an opening in the tunnel. The ground turned a bit steep and rocky, but the vagrant held my arm firm, helping me along the way.
I stumbled on a sharp rock once and almost fell backward, but he gripped my arm tight and helped me regain my feet. My arm began to hurt where he clutched it, but I didn’t complain, because without his hold, I wouldn’t have made it.
We climbed up and out of the tunnel. I breathed in fresh air for the first time in… I didn’t know how long. The clean air felt like paradise. I blinked back tears of joy.
Looking around, I saw we had come out at the end of a cobblestone road. The outline of houses and shops were etched in the dark. It appeared we’d come out in the heart of the village. I started to ponder my next move. I still had to find someone to take me to Terra. As much as I wanted to go home to my own kingdom, I didn’t know if my mother still plotted against Adelaide. I couldn’t take the chance.
I had come this far. I must go on to Terra and find a new life for myself there, I resolved. Once settled, I would write to Adelaide and tell her of Algor so she could sentence him to death before he harmed any other women.
Feeling determined, I turned to my savior and put one hand on his arm. “Thank you, good sir. I shall be forever grateful to you for saving my life. I wish I had something to give you, but as you can see, I have nothing. You may leave me and go on your own way.” My raspy voice shook with the effort it took to speak.
“Oh—no, my lady, you’re delirious. You must come with me. You’ll surely die out here on your own.”
“But I must get to Terra,” I argued.
He gave me a measuring look. “How do you plan to do that with no coin?”
I opened my mouth. I hadn’t thought that far.
He shook his head, not giving me time to come up with an answer. “I cannot, in good conscience, let you go off on your own.”
Panic rose within me when he grabbed my hand, not roughly but still too firm for me to escape.
He must have seen the fear in my eyes, for when I looked into his aqua gaze, I found only sympathy.
“Let me go! You cannot keep me! I must go!” I started to yell at him as he shushed me. This couldn’t be happening. I couldn’t let myself become someone else’s prisoner. “Help me, someone!” I called out to no one. Not a soul was out this late at night.
He swiftly pulled me against himself and covered my mouth. He whispered into my ear, “I’m sorry.”
And then darkness overcame me once again.
Chapter 18
A softness I hadn’t felt in ages cradled my body. Could I be in a… no, I couldn’t be, could I? I opened my eyes, pressing my hands into the mattress. I truly lay in a bed.
I breathed deeply and stretched, taking in my surroundings. The soft pink décor and dark wood furniture framed with bronze gave the room a warm ambience. Sunlight filtered in through the sheer pink curtains covering the window, particles of dust dancing in the beams of light.
My vision landed on the corner across from the door, and my eyes connected with a stranger’s, who sat on a wooden chair, staring silently at me. He was clean-shaven and wore his onyx hair cropped short. His eyes, though… they seemed so familiar.
And then it all rushed back to me; the memories of Algor and my imprisonment—of the vagrant who’d saved me.
I sat up, my chest rising and falling with my quick breaths.
The man stood and put his palms up. “It’s all right,” he cooed in a soothing tone.
“Who—who are you? Where am I?” Hearing scratchiness in my voice, I swallowed. It felt as though my throat were filled with dirt and glass.
“I’m Percifal Lacrima, and you are at The Golden Lilly Inn—”
“But how?” I cut him off, not caring that I was being rude.
“I brought you here after you fainted in the streets.” His eyes pinned me. “You need to rest. You were nearly dead when I found you.”
“You?” I shot. “You’re the vagrant who helped me? How can that be?”
“Well, my lady,” he looked down at himself, a small smile tugging the corners of his lips upward. “You’ve been asleep for a couple of days. In that time, I decided I should clean myself up—”
“A couple of days! Dear Celestia, I really must be going.” I started to get up. I didn’t trust this man who wasn’t who he’d seemed. I doubted I would ever trust another man again, not after what had been done to me.
“Please… sorry, you didn’t give me your name.”
“Zephyra,” I said as I started to peel the blankets off myself. I stopped just in time, remembering my gown had been torn. I touched the pin now keeping it in place and blushed. “Did you put this pin here?” I asked accusingly as he watched me, keeping his distance.
“No, not I. Ginnie fixed you up and put you onto bed with the help of a maid. Apologies. Did you say your name is Zephyra? Are you Zephyra Caldura?”
“I did. Oh dear goddess. You know my name?” I asked, reprimanding myself for being so foolish.
He narrowed his eyes and paused for a moment before answering. “I do. You are a royal of Solis.”
I glared back at him. Why did he hesitate?
“You should be careful who you tell your name to,” he suggested. “It could get you into more trouble.”
I nodded. He was right. I shouldn’t have given him my real name.
I swung my legs off the edge of the bed, but when I went to stand, my knees buckled with the weight of my own body. In an instant, Percifal was there to help me.
“Don’t touch me.” I shot him a dark look, and he backed away while I steadied myself against the bed.
“Again, apologies. I can’t fathom what you went through in that cell. I just didn’t want you to fall and hurt yourself. I’ll go fetch Ginnie.”
Before I could ask who Ginnie was, he disappeared out the door.
Moments later, a petite woman who looked to be in her fifth decade entered the room. She wore her silver-streaked auburn hair pulled back in a bun, showing off her rosy cheeks. Her sweet demeanor made me think of Gisela, only she was older.
“Oh dear,” she exclaimed as she rushed over to help me back onto the bed. “You shouldn’t try to stand on your own yet. I’m sad to say you haven’t got the strength.”
“Thank you, madam,” I replied, letting her help me back onto the mattress.
“Oh, please call me Ginnie.”
“As you wish, Ginnie. I’m—Phyra.”
“’Tis a pleasure to meet you, Phyra. I suppose you have many questions, but I would ask you to wait until you’ve had more rest first.”
“If I could have a bath I may be persuaded to wait.” I wrinkled my nose, disgusted by my own filth.
“Of course, dear! We would have cleaned you up sooner, but you needed sleep with the state you were in. I will get my maid, Amelia, to heat some water and prepare your bath. Stay here until she comes to get you. I don’t want you falling again.”
“Thank you, Ginnie. I’m most grateful,” I bowed my head to her, meaning it. She didn’t have to take me in. She’d helped me without even knowing who I was.
She smiled before departing the room, leaving me alone once again.
I sighed and sank back into the pillow, questions filling my head. How did I get so lucky? Was it luck, or did Celestia have a hand in my escape? Surely I wouldn’t have gotten away if not for the power I seemed to hold. Did I set Algor on fire, or had it been my imagination? I ground my teeth in frustration. I would never have these answers, so I tried to think of simpler ones instead; like, who was this man who I’d thought a vagrant until he transformed into someone of good culture? And how did he find me, and why had he brought me here? I would ask Ginnie when I saw her again. She would answer my questions once I got some more rest.
Before long, the maid ent
ered my room wearing a plain black dress, holding two large buckets. “Good eve, milady. I’m here to assist you with your bath.”
“Yes, that would be lovely.” I hadn’t washed since I was first captured. I didn’t know how much time had passed while I was trapped in the dungeon, but it’d been long enough I could smell my own stench. I looked forward to washing the grime off my skin.
Amelia came to my side and offered her hand to help me from the bed. I accepted it.
She led me to a small but cozy water closet and helped me peel off my old, torn dress, which was stiff with dirt.
“My, my, we’re going to have to find you something else to wear.”
“I have no coin to pay for a new gown,” I admitted.
“I think Madam Ginnie and Master Irving’s daughter left some of her old ones behind when she left to be married.”
“Irving. Is that Ginnie’s husband?”
“Aye,” she offered in her simple accent.
“And they own this place?” I questioned her further.
She repeated, “Aye, milady.”
Fully stripped, I stepped into the tub.
Amelia poured the buckets of warm water over me.
The divine water surrounded me with its comforting warmth. Amelia grabbed a sea sponge and a block of soap and began scrubbing the filth from my skin. I closed my eyes, letting her do her work in silence. It’d never felt so good to bathe.
Once she finished scrubbing nearly my whole body, she grabbed a vase and dowsed my hair with water, shielding my eyes with her hand. When my hair felt clean, she squeezed my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I’ll go and see about finding you something clean to wear. Stay here. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“I doubt I could get out of the tub on my own… Don’t worry. I shan’t move.” I smiled sadly.
She nodded and left.
Celestia had blessed me, after all. I was getting a bath and clean clothing! I gave her a silent prayer of thanks, and my heart lightened.
I lay back against the tub and closed my eyes, taking in deep, slow breaths. The soap Amelia used on me made the tiny room smell of rose petals. It was quite lovely. I knew I was filthy, but I hadn’t realized how much so until Amelia had scrubbed me clean. I’d probably smelt worse than that vagrant—er—Percifal. I didn’t know what to think of him in his cleaned-up state.
“Madam Ginnie has offered some of her daughter’s clothing for you to keep. She says her daughter can no longer fit into them and would be happy to hear they’d gone to a good cause.” Amelia interrupted my thoughts as she entered with a gown in her arms.
So I was a good cause, was I? I felt humbled by the gift anyways and offered my thanks.
Amelia helped me out of the tub and into the light pink nightgown. It wasn’t as fine as the ones hanging in my wardrobe at the palace, but it was a comfortable enough. And much better than the grubby, torn dress I’d arrived in.
Back in my room, I noticed the fresh bedding and three gowns hanging in the open closet. I lay back in the bed, feeling fresh and cleansed. I was overjoyed by the kindness I’d received. I couldn’t help but smile.
“You look happy, milady. May I assume the bath and clothing are to your liking?”
“Oh, but of course. Thank you, Amelia. ’Tis more than I could have asked for.”
“Be sure to thank Madam Ginnie too. It was her idea. I simply follow her orders.”
“I shall. Anyways, I thank you for your kindness.”
“You’re welcome, milady. Now, you must be hungry. You’ve been out for nearly two days. Supper should be almost ready for the night. I’ll go and fetch you something light to eat.”
“Oh, yes.” My stomach grumbled at the very thought of food, “That would be wonderful.”
She swept out of my room, closing the door behind her.
While I waited, I thought of what I would do once I regained my strength. I certainly couldn’t stay here forever. Perhaps Ginnie and her husband would know of someone with a carriage I could commission to take me to Terra. I didn’t have any gold or silver to pay with currently, but mayhap I could write to Adelaide and have her send some to whoever took me. Addy would surely assist me. I would explain that I was alive and well, and that we would meet again one day.
There was a gentle knock at my door before Ginnie entered with a tray in her hands.
“Ginnie.” I smiled at her from my bed while I adjusted my position to allow for the tray to rest on my lap. “I expected to see Amelia.”
“I wished to see how you’re faring myself. You’re looking much better with that bath and in clean clothing.” She raised her brows.
“I feel a lot better for it, too. Thank you for everything.”
“No matter, milady. Any good person would aid someone in your condition.”
“Anyways, I’m grateful—and please, call me Phyra.”
“As you wish.” She placed the tray with chicken soup, biscuits and some water in my lap.
I sipped the water first; glad it wasn’t poisoned with whatever potion Algor had been giving me.
The warm soup smelled delicious. I hadn’t eaten warm, never mind fresh, food since I’d run away. As I put the wooden spoon to my lips, I closed my eyes with pleasure, the flavourful broth taking over my senses.
Ginnie pulled up a stool, sitting silently by my side while I ate. Once I was finished, she took the tray from me.
Not wanting to be alone with my question again yet, I asked, “Who is Percifal really? I believed him a vagrant when he found me, but I can see now he’s certainly not—and why did he bring me here?”
Her lips drew upward. “He brought you here because we are friends of his. You see, he once helped us out too. As to whom he really is… you’ll have to ask him yourself. Only he can give you that answer.”
I weighed her information, sinking down on the mattress and decided to ask something else. “Do you know of anyone I can commission to take me to Terra?”
She looked at me with eyes full of sympathy, her lips drawing into a thin line. “Apologies, but I don’t. Is Terra your home?”
“It is to be soon, I hope.”
“I will keep my ear out for you. One of our guests might know of someone. We do get a lot of travelers here.”
I thanked her again, and she left me to rest.
Clean and fed, I finally drifted off to sleep, the questions in my head leaving me at peace—for the moment.
I spent the next few days in bed, trying to regain enough strength to be able to stand without assistance. I was very grateful for Amelia, who brought me my meals and told me stories of others she’d met during her employment at the Golden Lilly. She had met a lot of interesting people; even a couple who claimed to be from a land outside of Sarantoa. I gaped at that, wondering how long they had travelled for—surely at least two full seasons. I had never given thought to the lands outside of Sarantoa, but when Amelia told me of these people’s bronze coloured skin, bright clothing and stories of their magical gods, I thought perhaps I should try to find books on them so I could learn more.
Eventually, I grew restless from being confined to my room. One morning, about six days since I’d woken up in the Golden Lilly Inn, as the sun shone in through the sheer pink curtains into my room, I decided to test my strength. Placing my feet on the wooden floor, I stood and found I was able to hold my own weight. I shuffled my way over to a chair sitting in front of a wooden table and small round mirror.
A wave of shock rolled through me as I stared at my reflection. I hadn’t seen myself since I’d been inside Algor’s bedchamber; and the woman staring back at me appeared frail with sunken in cheeks and a greyish pallor. My freckles stood out like cinnamon sprinkled on cream. I couldn’t fathom how I must have looked when I’d been rescued in the dungeon.
I shook myself and picked the comb up off the table. Enough resting. It was time to regain my strength—and let the sun kiss my sickly skin.
For the first time since I’d been brought
to The Golden Lilly Inn, I stepped outside of my room and found myself in a long, stone hallway lined with doors to other rooms. There were about a dozen doors with six on each side. I heard my own heart beat in my ears as I wandered down the silent hallway. I stopped when I came to a narrow, wooden staircase. I assumed the stairs led to more rooms. I peered down the stairs leading down and figured out the main floor was on the level below my room.
I stopped to lean against the wall beside the staircase and listened. The sounds of men’s laughter, and the smell of warm food, rose up to greet me. My mouth watered in reply to the scents filling my nose. I inhaled, steadying myself before taking slow, careful steps down the stairs.
When I reached the bottom, the floor creaked beneath my feet. My head shot up to see if anyone had noticed me. No one had… any sound I made was drowned out by the clamor going on. To the right, maids placed empty trays of plates scraped clean on a bar. The rest of the space was taken up by large, square oak tables. A little over half a dozen men lounged around them, stuffing their faces with warm oats and biscuits.
Growing closer to the men, I sniffed at the scents of sweat and spice—a smell I wasn’t used to.
I spotted Ginnie bending down to clear empty dishes off of a table right as she noticed me. She caught my eye and smiled, her round cheeks reminding me of little red apples.
I returned her smile as she came over to me, dishes in hand.
“G’day, Lady Phyra. I see you’ve made it out of your room on your own. How splendid! You’re regaining your strength. I’m delighted.”
“Good day, Ginnie. I am indeed regaining my strength, thank you. Soon, I’ll be able to continue my journey and be out of your way.”
She waved my words off with her hand. “Never mind that. It’s no trouble at all. We’re happy to have you here.”
“Well, anyways,” I raised an eyebrow, wondering why she was so keen to have me when I hadn’t even a piece of copper to give her. “I must be on my way in the near future. As grateful as I am for your kindness, I mustn’t remain here for long.”
She tilted her head. “I know it’s not my place to ask, but are you running from something besides the awful man who captured you?”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 13