Chapter 13 –  SEND OFF

INSIDE his room in the Golden Palace, Eleand came back to his senses. He could still feel the sweat forming on his forehead. He saw something. A bloodbath. He vividly visualized hundreds of bodies bathing in their blood.

He had a frightening dream. It was so unpleasant that he felt throwing up. Maybe this was just the after-effect of the presence of the Ancient Queen because he saw her in his dream. Although her face was blurred, he was sure the slaughter was her doing. Darkness was everywhere, and the queen held a bloody sword. The pommel was a black diamond in the hilt of her sword. There was no remorse in her face when she slew a hundred warriors.

Shit, he cursed more. He slowly got up and leaned his back on the headboard. His throat dried because of his nightmare. Maybe the evil queen cast a spell on him?

“Thank the heavens. You’re awake.”

He spotted Winzi emerge from the terrace of his room. It seemed she was here for long, looking after him.

“What happened?” His forehead creased. Aside from her hellish nightmare, the last thing he remembered was inside the library.

Winzi rolled her eyes, “You passed out inside the library. Are you that hungry to lose consciousness?” she teased.

“Maybe,” he shrugged. He was not in the mood to argue. He was not starving, and he was physically fit enough that he could stand fasting for seventy-two hours.

“It’s almost midnight. I’ll tell Lifa to bring you food. You need a full rest because tomorrow, I will send you to Fariyah’s temple.”

“Thanks,” his head still throbbed.

Winzi disappeared. A few minutes later, Lifa came inside his room with a tray of food. The faerie looked agitated. He caught her giving him a furtive glance several times.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

Lifa shook her head and moved in a hurry. He didn’t want to give false accusations, but Lifa seemed to be in a panic.

“Come on, if you want to say something, go ahead. I won’t mind. I’m leaving tomorrow, and you will not see me again for some time.” He tried to convince her.

“W-Who are you?” she stuttered asking.

“What do you mean?” The line in his forehead deepened.

“I heard you whispering the ancient fae language… earlier while you were asleep.” She lowered her gaze.

“Excuse me?” he chuckled. Granted that he may be sleep talking, but murmuring such a thing was absurd. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. I had a nightmare. What you said is impossible.”

Lifa shook her shoulder. She immediately left when the foods on the table were ready.

Eleand quietly sat in the dining and ate. He should not be bothered by Lifa’s peculiarity. He was in a strange world, with uncanny and bizarre creatures around. If he continued resisting and thought that everything was untrue, he would be insane for real. Acceptance was his key to survival here.

He had a feeling as if he had stayed here for a long time. Even he just came here a few days ago. So many things have happened during his short stay. It seemed that he would be stuck in between the troubles faced by the faeries. What would happen to him if this brewing war materialized? God, he was not ready to die. He was too young, and he had a lot of plans.

Eleand imagined the period until the blue moon for him to go back. He began doubting himself if he could make it out here alive.

He thought of his family. At least he felt relieved upon knowing Elida was safe, somewhere. He assumed that the Migus didn’t lie. If only there were a kind of magic to create a portal going back to his world.

Right! He just thought of a brilliant idea. The fork he held stopped mid-air and put it down back on the plate. 

If nobody here would teach him about it, then he would do it within himself. There must be that kind of magic. If ever none, then sorry. But no matter what awaited him, he would survive.

ELEAND suited himself earlier than usual. He would join the breakfast, and he didn’t want to be late. Especially now was his schedule to go to the Autumn Region for his basic magic training. He was unsure about his fate awaiting him there, but he had already made plans last night.

“Whoa, now you look like a faerie prince. I like the glamor. The illusion suits you.” Nahil was smiling upon recognizing him. She examined him a few times from head to foot.

Just now, he remembered that Aserah put a temporary illusion for his safety. Glamor was the magic of illusions. If he was lucky enough, he could learn to use that kind of magic as well.

“Thank you,” a corner of his mouth tugged upward in a smile. These faces were the first things he saw when he woke up in this strange world. He would miss them for sure.

Eleand and Nahil come together in the dining hall. The High Corps was there. They were waiting for them.

He silently sat beside Ahldrin. The General looked unbothered in his presence, while Zanti acknowledged him in a slight nod.

Aserah started talking when all of them were settled.

“Eleand will travel going to Velidia, where he will undergo magic training in Fariyah’s temple. He needs to learn magic to protect himself.”

Zanti agreed and looked at him. “Magic is dangerous. It will not be easy for a mortal. You need to train hard. But I guess you’re a fast learner.”

Hell yes! That was the thing he could flaunt with pride. He wouldn’t be successful in business if he were dumb. He would make sure when he comes back here to the palace. He would never be afraid. And Winzi could never terrorize him again.

He witnessed Winzi lightly raise her brow, but he didn’t mind. There would be another long argument for sure. Besides, if Winzi was tasked with his send-off, he doubted her intention, especially the wicked things she might do to him along the way.

“All right, let’s feast,” Aserah said.

Eleand quietly ate his food. There were slices of bacon, sausages, black and white puddings, vegetables, and potatoes. He could not miss the brown bread, breakfast tea, and orange juice. With so many foods on the table, his appetite was bland because he was preoccupied.

Could he eat like this when he stayed in the temple? He knew that the training would be hard. It seemed that this would be the beginning of his adversity. But he accepted the challenge, and he promised to ace his magic training.