He woke up with a fright. The sun wasn’t up yet, it seemed, and despite sleeping in a comfortable bed, he still tossed and turned the entire night. He remembered that a woman cared for him one of those times as he woke up constantly in the middle of the night as well.
Ignei sat up straight and slid from his bed. He couldn’t remember the components of his dream again, but he was sure that something ominous was coming to him. He blindly searched for a match to light a candle, only for a floating, glowing light to appear in the hallway. Who could possibly be up at this hour? He peeked outside his door to reveal a familiar young woman.
“Hey… you’re awake!” she said quietly as she rushed quietly into his room. She held a ball of light in her hands and let it fly into the ceiling. Somehow, the ball of light dispersed into small, yet bright twinkling lights that illuminated the room, turning it golden. “I just wanted to check up on you and see if everything is okay.”
“Rebecca?” he guessed and she smiled shyly as she looked to the ground.
She nodded. “Yes, that’s me.” She twirled her body back and forth, the hems of her purple dress following her. Ignei looked at the girl and couldn’t believe that she was the same person that gave him a quick pass into the city.
He was flabbergasted. “You’re here! But, uh, how?”
She looked up into his eyes, and behind that twinkle there was some sort of eerie calmness inside of them. “I’m going to be married to the future king,” she said firmly. “I’m a little nervous. I heard very bad rumors about him that I don’t want to get into.”
Suddenly it clicked. Rebecca was a princess, which would explain the extra company, the wagon, and the old woman that had more of a servant-master relationship with her. He wanted to bow in front of her, but she stopped him. “Listen. I know of your quest to rescue the princess. I have all the supplies downstairs. After you pack up, you can go on your journey.”
Ignei nodded, and Rebecca held up her hand once again and flickered her wrist. The ball of light retreated into her palm. She then subtly nodded at Ignei and led him down the corridor. After a series of slight twists and turns (Ignei didn’t remember the castle being hard to navigate, how did she get the overall layout of the place when she just got there yesterday?) they arrived at another large room with a bowl of soup and a sack full of food and possibly other supplies.
“Is the meal for me?” he asked. Rebecca smiled.
“I had a feeling you would wake up early, so I made you something ahead of time. I hope you enjoy it,” she told him softly. Ignei nodded and quietly ate his food, savoring the delicious flavor. The spices and the salt was integrated perfectly. He was polite when eating, making sure not to completely pig out. Even if he was in a rush, he didn’t want Rebecca to think that he was savagelike, since he was from a small village.
Not soon after he finished, Ignei began to follow her out of the castle, to the main exit. No one seemed to be outside. The city was barren, and the only people that were awake were the occasional guards and servants that roamed around the place.
“Well, I hope that you don’t get eaten,” she joked, slightly chuckling. “You’ll do great out there.” She then pointed to a vehicle. “Since it would take a while to head out of the city, the king already organized a ride for you on your way out.” She then widened her eyes for a split second. “Oh wait, I almost forgot! Wait here,” she said before disappearing inside the castle.
He looked outside again. The city looks less beautiful up close now that he saw it, and now that is was less colored, the illusion and enchantment wore off. Perhaps that’s what this kingdom is.
Maybe one day, he could be able to help that poor girl whom the king mistreats. But not right now.
Echoing footsteps snapped the boy of his wandering thoughts. She ran quietly with something long in her hands. It looked dull and slightly heavy. She was panting a bit, holding her breath as the distance between the two grew less and less. When she finally arrived, she was sweating, possibly tired. She held up the item to him.
“A weapon,” she said, “in case you run into something vile, unpleasant, or dangerous.” He took the weapon and slowly slid it out. It was a sword, a long sword in its sheath. Ignei scratched his head as he wondered what to do with it.
“I’m okay,” he said finally. “I don’t need this. I think I can handle myself without a sword.”
She smiled weakly. “Then,” she held up a smaller blade, “at least have a dagger with you at all times.” She carefully removed the sword from him and turned her body to enter the castle. “Just so you know, I have hope that you will bring the princess home safe.” She then fled inside, and the giant doors began to close. Ignei took a step back and had only one quick glimpse of the hopeful girl before she disappeared completely. He turned to the carriage and whistled.
“Well, might as well make the most of it. I’m not going to die, right?” he chuckled nervously at the thought. Then after much contemplation, he slowly began to walk towards the carriage, after taking one last look at the castle. He wasn’t going to miss it much.
Let’s just hope that the king didn’t offer spare rooms for anyone that rescues his sister.
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