The Ancients: Light of Truth [CRK]

3

Silverbell stands up and flies to the bedroom doors. "You need some rest... I will return to His Majesty."

My tongue tumbles over my words as he leaves. "Wait, but—Silverbell! I need—"

Silverbell slams the doors shut.

"...to go outside," I finish my sentence, my head crashing into a pillow. I close my eyes and sigh, hoping these overwhelming feelings will fade.

What do I do now? Is it acceptable to sneak out of the Silver Palace?

Perhaps Elder Faerie has palace guards patrolling. Either way, White Lily is out there, and I want to help her in battle.

I have to get out of this palace.

I get up from the bed, stifling my violent coughs whenever the urge arises. I need to remain silent so I don't get sent back.

I creak open the bedroom doors and peek outside. Initially, I expected to see guards, but there were none in sight. Perhaps they are all at the Silver Tree.

White Lily.

Oh, White Lily. I truly hope she is safe out there.

I shake my head, reminding myself to stay focused.

I tiptoe out of the bedroom and gently close the doors behind me. They hardly make a sound as they click shut.

A violent cough booms down the hallway, startling me. I nearly knock over a Silver Tree Knight's armor, which wobbles precariously, threatening to crash to the ground.

A sensible Cookie might return to the bedroom. Yet, it's too late for me. I hear the fluttering of Faerie wings approaching, heading towards the silver staircase nearby. If I return to the bedroom, the doors will slam loudly. It will be obvious I tried to sneak out.

The fluttering sounds grow closer, and I recognize them. It's Silverbell. I've heard that sound many times before.

I'm going to get caught.

The urge to cough is overwhelming, but I shoot my hand over my mouth, muffling the sound as the wings draw nearer.

As expected, it's Silverbell. He flies down the silver staircase, and soon he'll spot me outside my bedroom. I wonder why he is heading outside... wasn't he supposed to stay with Elder Faerie?

I quickly tiptoe out of Silverbell's sight, my hand still covering my mouth. The flutters fade and eventually disappear.

That was close.

I must follow Silverbell to exit the Silver Palace, but I do not want to get caught.

Another cough from earlier booms across the hallway, and it sounds familiar.

Elder Faerie!

Perhaps I'll stay with Elder Faerie, now that Silverbell left. I follow Elder Faerie's coughs in hopes of finding where he is.

~

I end up in front of a grand bedroom—I can tell from the doors. They are silver and floor-to-ceiling tall. The Silver Tree is carved across the bedroom doors.

This must be Elder Faerie's bedroom.

I gently open the door and peek inside, searching for any sight of Elder Faerie.

I spot his legs resting on a grand bed. I open the doors even wider and allow myself to step inside the bedroom.

Once I enter, I physically flinch. The silver in the room threatens to blind me every time I move. I look out the floor-to-ceiling windows next to Elder Faerie's bed, noticing the sky. Instead of the crimson-red sky earlier, it has returned to its normal hue.