Of Frost and Flames

Chapter 5

The place they stopped at was gorgeous. The massive building in front of her was everything she had dreamed of when she was only a few years old. But her sighting of it was short-lived as she was ushered in by maids. They seemed to have popped out of nowhere and gently pushed her in the direction they wanted.

"I'm Roslyn, by the way," the brunette called out to her, her voice softer than previously.

As they went through the halls, Cahira looked around at things they passed. Paintings, vases of flowers, maids washing or dusting. It was really like a dream. She was ushered into a room with a bath in the middle, the steam already rising from it. The maids grabbed her clothes, but she swatted their hands away.

"I am quite capable of getting into the bath by myself," she said, taking a step away.

"Princess, let us. You've had a long journey in front of you," one of the maids said.

Cahira opened her mouth to protest, but they were swift as they undressed her and ushered her into the bath. What was it with these people and having a habit of just doing what they wanted? She snorted as she looked at them, and their smiling faces. Did they enjoy this?

"Grab more rose petals, we need to make her presentable," the same maid as earlier commanded before turning to her, "I'm Cassandra, the head maid."

"I'm- "

"I already know who you are, no need for introductions. All you need to do is lean back and relax, let us do what we are here to do," Cassandra said, smiling softly.

"Where am I?" Cahira asked.

"You're in Akerin. It's in the western part of Warkinles. It might not be very big, but it's very pretty."

Akerin? Had she really stumbled into a world with weird names and a lot of different creatures? She frowned and looked up at Cassandra. Could she really trust these people?

"My beautiful Cahira, look at what have been made of you."

The maids took a step back and bowed to the lady walking into the room. Her hair shone like gold in the sun, perhaps more silver during the night when the moon came out. Her posture was one of importance, Cahira could tell as much. The woman waved at the maids, and they left without a word, as she sat down beside the bath.

"Who are you?" Cahira asked, "and why does everyone know who I am? And where is Seren?"

"One thing at a time, little one," the woman said, opening a jar Cahira hadn't noticed, "I am someone you can trust, someone who can guide you on your journey. As for why everyone knows who you are, you'll have to see for yourself."

Cahira looked away. Why was everyone so secretive? Couldn't anyone in the damned place just give her a straight answer?

"The man you call Seren is in confinement. We need to confirm some things, and then he shall be judged as seem fit."

She looked over at the woman, stared at her face for a few seconds before she pulled back. Whatever she had put on the scratches had stung, and badly. However, the woman just smiled at Cahira, softly and like she knew her personally. But no moment came into mind as she watched the woman. The woman poked her nose before standing up, whistling at the maids. Had they really been waiting on the other side of the door just for the woman to signal to them to come back inside? Cahira shook her head as she got up from the bath, letting them put on a bathrobe on her. She was led to a chair and her hair was pulled back. The maids went in and out of what seemed to the closet while the woman braided her hair. She couldn't really say anything, not knowing what to say.

"I will check on the man, you shall stay here, little one. I still have some questions for him."

The woman didn't say anything else before leaving the chambers, the door closing softly behind her. Cahira could feel the shiver down her spine as she heard the fading footsteps. She looked at the door.