Chosen

Chpt 02

LEALA

There was a sudden knock on the door and I sat up in the bed immediately. "Quick, Eska. Hide." I whispered and she immediately hid in my hair.

The door opened and in came a pure white candle-like lady. The flame atop her head caught my attention immediately and I had questions. In her hand, she held what looked to be fabric and three books placed on them.

"Hello, I am Alice." She said, placing the books on the nearest table before approaching with the dress in hand. "I'm. Leala- not to be mean about it or anything but what are you?" I asked.

"I'm exactly what you think I am. I am a candle, made by the king. I carry an eternal flame. If it were to go out, I'd melt away but it's not called an eternal flame for nothing. Here." She placed the dress next to me on the bed.

"I see.. and what's this for?" I looked at the dress, feeling the soft fabric between my fingers. "King Flaudian asked me to bring you something better to wear since you'll be staying here at the palace." She said.

She clapped her hands and out of nowhere a bathtub floated in followed by buckets of steaming water, pouring themselves into the bath.

"But he said I wasn't a guest, so why-"

"It's best not to ask too many questions about his intentions. Most of us who work here do not question him. It's his home and he is king, so he can do anything he wants." She dropped a few of what seemed to be rose petals into the bath before smiling at me. "I must go now." As she floated towards the door, I climbed out of the bed.

"Wait! Please tell the king that I cannot stay. The people of my village are counting on me to return with food and water." I said and she frowned slightly.

"I'm afraid that's not possible but perhaps he will if you ask him yourself. Between you and me..he might not let you leave because there are traces of magic on you." And with that she closed the door behind her, leaving me alone once again.

Eska flew out of my hair and over to the bath, letting out a squeak at me. I walked over, staring into the bath at my reflection. "..I guess it wouldn't hurt to.. but my people need this water more than I do. If I use this... I'd feel guilty." I dipped my hand into the bath, feeling the warmth.

"But it's also been so long since I've taken a proper bath.." I whispered, swirling my finger around.

Eska licked my cheek slightly before flying around the bath. I sighed and stood up, dropping my dress to the floor. I kicked it aside and climbed into the bath, laying back and letting out a relaxed sigh. Eska carried a sponge over to me and I smiled.

"Hygiene is important.. right?"

NARRATOR

As Leala lay in the bath within the room, Flaudian sat in his chambers, watching her through his crystal ball. He was trying to study her to see what it was she truly wanted.

There was a sudden knock on his door and he sighed. "Come in."

Alice entered the room, floating towards Flaudian. "How was it?" He asked. "She seems to want to go back to her village, my lord," Alice said.

Flaudian stood up, reaching his hand towards the flame atop her head. "Alice, I know you're quite the talker.. so I'll warn you this one time not to speak to her about magic. That is my job. If she finds out that she has any ounce of magic in her, who knows what she could be capable of? You might be alive because of your eternal flame but don't forget who created you." He threatened Alice before moving away and sitting on his bed.