Sianna and the Soulweaver

Chapter 9- The Reconciliation Between Foes

Alistar speaks kindly to the horse, with a voice much softer than I've ever heard from him. He pats her gently on the head and she starts off, no further details of our destination needed apparently.

He talks to her like she's a person, not an animal. He treats her with respect.

I wish someone would extend me that same courtesy.

•••••••••

Alistar speaks not another word while we ride, but he does grant me a great kindness. He pulls a lever on the side of the carriage almost as soon as he takes off, a device just out of my reach that I didn't think much of through my skewed vision. The device releases a black curtain at his touch, descending all around the top of the cage. The thick fabric not only blocks the view of the terrifying serpents all around us but also magically tunes out the sound of their hissing, replacing it with the sweet sound of a woman singing. She is speaking in a language I do not recognize, yet her emotion transcends through the obvious passion in her voice.

"Beautiful. Thank you." I murmur, mostly to myself since I am concealed within the curtain. Instead of feeling claustrophobic, however, I feel calm. It cannot just be the beautiful sound of this person's singing that is bringing me such sudden peace of mind; how is he managing to do this?

I doubt I'll receive a proper answer so I won't waste my breath asking.

The ride doesn't take much longer once Alistair is in charge. He seems to be on a mission, or at least the quick work he makes of the journey certainly says so. The curtain raises right as the second song is ending, the woman's soulful voice fading out into quietness. Alistar hops off Ellie the horse and pulls another small lever, an action that results in the the side cage bars opening up. My newfound view reveals that we are once again inside the castle walls, no longer being paraded by snakes hiding in plants.

Or according to that sadistic Lira bastard, we've been inside the castle walls the entire time...but still.

"Come on out, I'll get you something to eat and drink. I would have let you out sooner but couldn't risk you running again; nightfall is the most dangerous time around here." Alistar backs up to give me space as I stretch out my legs, tentatively climbing out of the cage and off the elevated ledge of the carriage. My cramped limbs are finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, my feet enjoying the cool feel of the stone beneath us. Alistar unties Ellie completely from both the carriage and her harness, leading her over to a stable area and giving her another sweet pat on the head. She neighs cheerfully and nuzzles closer to him, pushing her snout towards his hand until he pulls a small carrot from his pocket and feeds it to her. He rubs her nose and then turns in my direction, his unusual yet intriguing eyes looking towards me but not at me.

"Follow me please, it's just a short walk." Alistar states, guiding us down a dimly-lit corridor and grabbing a hanging lantern off the nearest wall. I force my feet forward until we reach an area of light, a humungous kitchen cluttered with pots, pans and bread galore.

Bread. Food. Clean water.

My mouth salivates and I stare longingly at the baguettes and croissants, loaves of wheat and even bottles of wine. It is then that I notice the short person slicing a pungent cheese, his nose long and his ears pointed. He looks human but not, a trait that is seemingly common in this bizarre world.

"You got some cheese and bread to spare for the lady, Cesar?" Alistar asks, gesturing for me to sit at the empty stool closest to us. I take a seat and try to relax a little, my shaking hands calming just a bit.

"Aye, always some to spare. And such a pretty lady at that." The man gives a wink and a chuckle, beginning to set up a wooden board full of goodies.  "Care for some aged wine as well, lass? Best stuff in Glimmerwilde, I guarantee." He says to me directly, his beady eyes dark but kind while they wait for me to answer.