The Hollows

Chapter 7 - An Obscure Madness

          There's nothing quite like waking up the next morning and regretting all previous life choices that leads to the wondrous moment of a hangover, no matter how big or small, everyone hates it. Heather woke up with a headache, her hair a mess and some stomach pain. She felt sick and blinded by the sunlight greeting her through the windows. She groaned and stretched, attempting to get out of her bed, before flopping and rolling into ball refusing to move. She felt no need to throw up, but her stomach and dry throat bothered her enough to regret the previous night. She remembered sulking then being approached by a cute and tall-looking Elvish man but he had come when she was sulking the most, making his entry mistimed and unwelcomed. He also commented on her weight and curves, which had angered her enough to leave the banquet earlier than expected. Her alcohol tolerance was not the best, but she wasn't in a defenceless state. She recalled Cassius arriving and staring dangerously at the man. She noted a small scent of brandy on him, with a smoky flavour to it.

           She closed her eyes and pictured herself in that corridor again, where he had immobilised her against the wall, how his voice had gone a bit hoarse in a low whisper and his breath tickled her facial features. How she felt some of his warmth and the intensity of his stare, how his clothing showed off the silkiness of his near-olive toned skin. He had produced a slight muse in her. Her cheeks flushed a little and she rolled out of her sheets, sitting up and gripping the side of the mattress. She hated that the very thought of him had an effect on her. She hated that he was so very... alluring. She stood, determined to rid the thoughts of him from her mind and readied herself to visit the capital. Her plans included the Medicinal Court, visit a bit of the forestry that surrounded the walls, keeping the Light Elvin people safe.

           So far, everything she had encountered was exquisite and carefully polished, presented with perfection. The only flaw she found was the occasional cockiness and self-absorbed personalities of some, if not many of the Light Elvish people. The ones that lived in Delaryr did show similar traits due to their traditional Mondelarian upbringing, but she had not expected it to be an extended issue. Their people took great care into their appearance, putting a lot of societal pressure on physical aspects such as the girth of the waist in the women, and the height of the men. Their physical beauty triumphed over their inner personalities and abilities, showing the unfairness and negativity to their self-worth. Some Light Elvish women who found themselves cast away for being too tall for the average, came to Delaryr to participate in certain battalions or other works to acquire the inclusion that Moondelar lacks.

           Heather walked down and enjoyed the modest breeze that travelled through the trees, giving air to some natural scent of pines, flowers and sometimes, an occasional whiff of air mixed with horse manure. She enjoyed the new mixture as she grew accustomed to the daily repetition of the food stalls back home. It was also agreeable to not be in the presence of the ill or bloodied. Although the outside was well spaced out, she came across certain streets and venues small enough to be lost in if you were not native to the area, creating an uneasy labyrinth. They were also dimmed and let in small amounts of natural light, giving it an accidental eerie effect. She did not care for this, after all, she had wings as a security measure if she ever lost herself. The sun was nearly midway in the sky, noting that she had missed a good amount of her morning time. She went around a few blocks to arrive at the Medicinal Court, peering into their pharmaceutical gardens. Also noticing some spices. Half of the gardens were closed, provoking Heather to remember how medicinal crops around the continent were dying down.

           She frowned and walked towards the wilting grounds. She touched the soil and inspected the leaves of certain species. She took out her diary and took some notes. There was an unfamiliar pungent smell. She questioned whether it could be malnourishment or water poisoning. That wouldn't explain why certain species died faster and others were not affected. She rubbed her forehead trying to find rational explanations when she knew that she had to turn to The Hollows: Tales and Legends. She had read it during her restless periods of the travelling but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary from its tales. It spoke of disfigured animals and wondrous yet deadly plantations. The only peculiarity was that she could relate the described scenery in the novel to the Bhrìsteia Lands despite the novel having more potent descriptions. They would be travelling through a different area of the forest to return back to Sedmion city so she would be able to discover the relation between reality and the imaginary.