Kajji-Tarra

Chapter 8: Lost in a Dream

Khathari's POV

I was sitting by a pond in a garden area, trying to line up my thoughts.

So far, all I know is that I've been unconscious for three days. There's also the surprising fact that someone from the royal family here found me unresponsive in the aftermath of a forest wildfire.

This whole situation sounds like something out of a dream, yet everything feels all so real.

My reflection in the water made me look like an entirely different person. I almost looked like that lady from earlier, except for the light brown hair with the white streak and the turquoise eyes.

I gently moved my finger over the waters of the pond and watched the ripples move across.

The creatures in the water looked like nothing I've ever seen. They had bodies of dragons, fins of fishes, and scales replaced with bird feathers.

The flora of this place looked similar to what I was used to, except for the colors.

The grass was white as snow here, and the leaves on the trees exhibited various shades of purple.

Nothing unusual here surprises me anymore.

The lady told me to wait here while discussing something with two other elegantly dressed people, a male, and a female adult.

I assumed those were her parents, judging by genetic features and her respectful attitude around them.

They were taking a long while.

"Child, come over here and let's eat," I heard the lady say while her parents were already taking seats.

I ran to the table and took a look at the food.

"Flowers...?" I mumbled.

There were different types of flowers on the plate.

No utensils, just two silver cups that were only small enough to fit my finger.

I watched the rest of the people at the table.

They fit in the small cups to their index and middle fingers, then used that to pick up the flowers by the stem.

Then they ate the flowers.

Worth a try, I guess.

I did the same and took a bite of the petal.

It was sweet tasting and melted in my mouth. It was just like candy.

"Eat up. It's good for you," the lady said to me with a smile.

"Something this good and sweet is healthy?" I asked.

"Of course! What makes you think something that tastes otherwise would be any good to our bodies?"

"Interesting," I told myself.

If only the same was said for vegetables.

After the meal was finished, the lady's father stood up.

"I've seen this kid's attitude, and I must say she has unusually behaved well for someone her age. I find it safe to say she won't be a burden in this family. As long as you, Isti, will take full responsibility for this child."

So Isti is the lady's name.

"Thank you, father," Isti responded with a slight bow and both hands to her heart.

I guess that is how women bow here.

The father bowed with one fist to his heart in return.

I'm also guessing that is how men bow here.