Legends of Ancient Astillia: The Sephian

Chapter 11

My body is numb, and I feel heavy with sleep. My back aches from the position of which I'm laying, and the mattress is much harder than it should be. It feels like I'm laying in a shallow pile of straw covered by a thin sheet. I opened my eyes to find shadows dancing on the ceiling, and a crackling sound. Moving to sit up, I see where the noise is coming from, and leap to a stand, backing away from it as fast as I can. I had covered my mouth with my palm and swallowed all the sounds that rose to my throat. A young man sat beside a burning fire, poking at it with a sword. Mice were skewered on a spear that stood over the fire. I gagged at the horrendous sight.

The man had heard me then, "Finally awake, huh?"

"Who are you?!?!"

"Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you."

"What about those poor mice? Did you say that to them as well?"

"What? No! Aren't you hungry? You've been asleep for a good three days. There's no food in here, I had to find something," He looked offended. He stood up and walked around the fire, scrutinising my figure.

"You're awfully thin. Is that really your bow? Why do you look so terrified? Have I done anything to scare you? I didn't mean to if I did."

I pointed at the fire, and then at him. I pointed at the massacred rodents, then at him. I finally spoke, "Fire is dangerous. Put it out."

He looked at me like I was insane, "It's a small kindle fire, and there's nothing in here to make it spread. Besides, It would be way too dark to see without it."

I pulled my crystal orb out of my satchel, "Incaendo Lucidus," and the ball radiated brilliant light, "Problem solved. Kill the fire."

"Alright," And he went and stomped out the fire, "Do you know where we are?"

"You don't?" I responded, a little panic creeping into my voice.

"No. The room continues that way for a little while, but I haven't gone too far down it. Wanted to see if you knew where we were before ditching to find out for myself, but you never came to."

"There are no buildings with such high ceilings on Ithshomar, so we can't be there."

"Hmm. Well, my name is Kelther, Kelther Sanguine. I'm not partial to honorifics, but I'm a general in the Imperial Army. You?"

"High Guardian Zoey Sephia. I'm a member of the high council of Ithshomar's ancient forest. In charge of travel and trade. Lady Sephia or just Zoey, I don't mind either."

"Sephia... Where have I heard that name before..." He trailed off. He furrowed his brows and stared at my face. After a few moments, he dropped it, deciding it wasn't important.