The River's Whisper (NEW CHAPTERS WEEKLY)

Chapter 5

   As the cloaked man stood protectively between her and Gael's retreating form, Elara's heart raced with fear and exhilaration. The uncertainty of everything hanging, and she felt the weight of the situation pressing down on her. The mysterious man turned to her, his voice smooth and calming amidst the chaos.

"You don't have to tolerate this," he said, his deep voice resonating with understanding. "I can sense you have a strength inside you greater than you realize."

"What do you mean?" Elara asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. The cloaked man reached out, gesturing towards her heart. "Your heart will guide you, you merely must trust in yourself."

Before she could respond, his form began to shimmer and fade, as if he were woven from the very fabric of the shadows. And just like that, he had vanished before her eyes, leaving Elara standing alone in her now silent yard, her heart pounding in her chest.

Feeling a wave of confusion and fear wash over her, Elara turned and hurried back to the safety of the cottage. Once inside, she rushed to the bathroom, her sanctuary from the chaos of the outside world. As she undressed, she felt the weight of the day pressing down on her, each piece of clothing falling away like the burdens she carried.

After stepping into the warm embrace of the bath she now drew, she carefully placed the mysterious coin on the edge, where the flickering candlelight danced over its surface. As she sank into the water, the warmth enveloped her, but the stress remained, swirling in her mind like the steam rising from the surface of the bath.

Tears began to stream down her cheeks, mixing with the water as sobs escaped her lips. "Why did this happen?" she thought, the confusion and anxiety overwhelming her. The encounter with Gael, the sudden appearance of that man, and the uncertainty of her future weighed heavily on her heart.

Wiping her tears away, Elara glanced at the coin, longing filling her chest. "Please, anything but another day of Gael and the hell he'd cause," she silently pleaded, her heart aching for an escape.

In that moment, it was as if the same soft voice that had whispered to her by the river now filled the bathroom, gently calling her name, "Elara..." the voice echoed, soothing yet insistent, drawing her attention back to the coin.

Shaking her head, she tried to dismiss the allure of its magic, but the connection felt undeniable. With a resigned sigh, she finished her bath and stepped out, wrapping herself in a comfortable black tunic and slacks, nothing fancy.

Tucking the coin securely into her pocket, she decided to retreat to her room. As she flopped onto her bed, exhaustion washed over her, and her eyes fluttered shut, the weight of the day finally putting her in a deep sleep.

When Elara awoke, the familiar walls of her room were gone. She found herself lying on soft, glistening snow under a sky painted in hues of blue and violet. Around her stretched a breathtaking icy landscape, filled with shimmering ice formations and sparkling snow. The air crisp, and the beauty polar world captivated her deep brown eyes as she took in the scene, her heart filling with wonder and awe.