The Bud
Year of the Roses
Floral Season
The Orchard
Altsas
Isla
I DON'T KNOW why Lyza brought me here. She refuses to say a word to me about anything. I know the events of yesterday has taken a toll on her. She stands by the bank of the river and does nothing.
I don't mention the hunger pangs that plagues me or the fact that I'm suffering from an insufferable headache, I don't want to bother her.
She barged into my room this morning as she usually does and whisked me away before I could go to the dining room for breakfast.
Spinning on her heels to look at me, she grins. "What is going on with you and my broth
The RoseYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaWORDS IN MY THROAT are trapped in a bubble. I struggle to form something coherent but all I come up with are stutters. Ross steps back, fright marring her features. "I was just—""Rosa isn't going to be my maid after we marrying because I'm going to be staying in your room, right?" The words come out in a jumble, I don't think it through.Kyan's eyes darts at Rosa's face and then mine. "I suppose," he says suspiciously."I have delivered the food, your Majesty." Rosa curtseys and turns to leave.
The ThunderYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe OrchardAltsasIslaI TRY TO STEADY my breathing. And what if he knows what I'm doing? He was the one who suggested running to me only days ago. My fists clench and unclench at my sides. "What do you think I'm doing?"He shakes his head slowly not answering my question. "You are not coming with me, Isla.""Why do you care?" I hiss out. "Why shouldn't I come? You not wanting me to come is not a real reason.""It is," he licks his lip, "I don't want to be held responsible for what will happen." He hesitates, "the old man is looking forward to this, okay? We
The CloakYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe MarketAltsasIslaTHE BUSTLING MARKET makes me uncomfortable; all the gruesome memories of that day comes rolling back; the trader's banter, the woman's dyed finger, the harsh ropes, Mavli...Lady Gin-Gin neighs under me softly. I hold on to the reins firmly. Honestly, I still feel very nervous about riding her even though we have already bonded. Kyan watches me warily from the corner of his eyes, he insisted we ride Fire together maybe he is scared I'll gallop off again. But I won't, I barely know where we are headed.My eyes open with a start. I jump out from my bed. Sunlight is already steaming through the part in the curta
The HighlandsYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasIslaIT'S TWILIGHT when we enter the deserted plains of the highlands. There is nothing but acres and acres of rustling trees and whistling breeze. I've become suddenly uneasy, it just dawned on me that we are going to spend time here, the sooner I get out of here the better.Our pace has slowed down greatly, and any moment from now, I'll fall off this horse from exhaustion and spend the night unconscious, tomorrow morning too."When are we going to get there?" I whine."Where?" Kyan asks, his eyes set ahead.
The BearYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasKyanHER SHALLOW BREATHING is the first thing I hear when I wake up. I blink my eyes trying to get rid of the blurs until my vision clears and the vivid scene of the clearing is what I see. I crawl out trying as much as possible not to disturb her, once out of the pathetic excuse for a tent I built (which I'm now ashamed off after seeing it in morning light) I stretch and yawn. My eyes dart to the charcoals and dead embers on the ground — the remains of the fire.The whole forest is awake; the beautiful songs of birds fills the air like a band of musicians.My stomach growls and I remember the berrie
The Promise and the HurricaneYear of the RosesFloral SeasonThe HighlandsAltsasIslaWHEN THE SUN SITS high up in the sky and the fullness in my stomach I got from eating the rabbit dissipates, I lose my patience and turn to Kyan who is lying face up on the ground. "I want to have a bath." I jump up from my favourite spot under the tree. I grab my bag and start tramping through trees, leaving footprints in the soft earth and scaring of birds from their perches as I go.Kyan's heavy footsteps follows closely behind, he doesn't say anything but follows humbly which I'm utterly surprised at. When I stop confused on which path to take, he drapes his arm around my waist making me flinch and he steers me to the right path
The RunYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaI'M STARVING and tired. I've been riding since yesternight and sunset is near. I can already see the tease of light at the horizon. Lady Gin-Gin whines softly probably as hungry and as tired as I am. I do my best to ignore her. Our pace has slowed down greatly and now, we are trotting down and unfamiliar road.But I have hope because at a distance, I can see a small flicker of light. I'm approaching a village and that gives me hope so I go on. No matter how hard my belly groans or how heavy my eyelids are or how painfully my heart aches, I'll continue. And if Lady Gin-Gin decides to stop, I'll walk.I see ad
The ReunionYear of the RosesFloral SeasonBynin VillageAltsasIslaTHE WORLD FREEZES. I'm consumed by something strong, something strange. It's happiness. It's shock. It's tension. It's tears.And I start to cry. I cry so hard it comes out in choking gasps. The woman appears at my side instantly and rubs my shoulders, concern mares her face. "What's the matter? Did you know her?"I nod, my face is dredged by the salty waterfall from my stinging eyes. "Mavli... Is my sister."The woman gasps, her hand flies to her mouth. "It's you. She mentioned looking for you!"