Secrets of the Trees

10 - My First Day In The Open

Now that Deliah was finally recovering from the ceremonies, we headed back to the market so I could see everything all in action. In the time it took to stand in line, many of the merchants and such were already back in their businesses. Just a mile or so before we were back in the market, me and Kael made sure to undo our invisbility spells out of sight. I also made sure to take off my rabbit-fur slippers because shoes are frowned upon. As my fingers pulled my pony tail loose, the sun was fully in the sky, transitioning from a warm orange to a vibrant yellow.  

 It felt good to see where my feet were going now, as well as where Kael was. When we first stepped into the market, already merchants were shoving products in my face, asking me a thousand questions all at once. My head was a little dizzy, but the bustling sights were still so breathtaking. There were a few guards present, but they all seemed bored and distant.

 Not once did I stop to let Deliah or Kael catch up before I was talking to some other seller, or viewing someone's jewelry displays. In fact, I was just skimming along, passing a few tents when something caught my eye. No, not the necklaces, encrusted with the finest jewels, not even the pure gold rings.

 A simple silver chain, with the tinitest pearl at the end was what stoked my interest. I reached for the necklace, and dangled it in front of my eyes. The seller had a look of disdain. He held up an over-the-top sapphire adorned bracelet saying, "Are you sure you don't fancy something more intricate, such as this one?"

I smiled at him, and politely shook my head no. Kael finally popped up from wherever he was before, with a bored look on his face.

"How much is this?" I asked with the pearl jewelry in my hand, to which the merchant replied, "Six srallod."

Fumbling around in my satchel, I looked to see how much Deliah gave me. Only five bronze coins were there, but before I could do anything more, Kael handed the guy the money, opened my palm, and dropped the necklace in it. 

"You were taking too long."

"Thanks."

He shrugged his shoulders. Deliah came into view.

"There you are! I was searching but I had not seen you until now. Anyway, I was just talking to Ren. He sold me some beautiful flowers. Just look at the color!" Strange, Kael's eye twitched at the name Ren.

Indeed, the flowers were a deep red-orange color, and smelled so fresh.

"Did you get anything Lily?"

"I bought this necklace." As I pulled it out, Deliah widened her eyes.

"Where did you find that?"

"That guy over there, standing under the beige tent..."

"And he had that, just laying among his sales?"

"Well yeah, how else would I have bought it?"

"What else was he selling?"

"Okay, seriously, stop asking me questions. Why is this so shocking? It's the simplest piece of jewelry I have seen all day, which is why I like it."

"That belonged to Queen Eutr. I've seen it before in our history books... It has been passed down from several generations. I cannot even fathom how it ended up in a place like this."

Though I couldn't help it, my mouth hung open. This belonged to my family, my real family, and royalty nonetheless. How could it have gotten here? Mouth still agape, Deliah sort of pondered and stated:

"When the master took over, he must have thrown out anything he deemed unworthy. I highly doubt he would have taken a second look at that necklace. Who even knows where thats been since these many years, and to think, never once tarnished!"

Of course, Kael just had to make a stupid comment. "If I were leader of all of this land, I could care less about that thing either. Why have that when you could have all the silver and gold you wanted?"

Ignoring his comment, I simply said, "Well I'm thankful I did find it." The statement closed our conversation for a while.

 The rest of the time spent during the day, was spent following Deliah around, who flittered about to wherever her errands or friends were. I met a great deal of people, to whom I was introduced as a distant cousin of hers who is visiting from over-seas. And before I could stop her motor-mouth, Deliah introduced Kael as my husband. My husband! It was nearly impossible not to slap my hand to my forehead. Apparently, she didn't think we looked alike anywhere near enough to look like siblings.

Despite Kael being my 'husband' for the day, it went fairly well. The scenery was magical, as ironic as it is, seeing everyone flying rather than walking. It was also good to see that not everyone was beautiful or graceful like in those dumb vampire novels. People's features here were varying, but a little more sharp than a humans. I always thought I just had model type looks, with my high cheek bones, though now knowing that it's the fairy in me.

There was only one other person Deliah talked to today, of whom she seemed to trust enough to invite to 'meet the princess' tomorrow, along with Blythe. The recruit's name was Ren, the gardener. Deliah seemed to speak very highly of him, her delicate features warming up to the very thought of him.

 Kael was scowling a little, making me mentally laugh, but also realizing something. The reason he seemed irritated that she called him 'like a brother', and the way he scowled at the mention of Ren, was all because he likes her. Kael is totally in love with Deliah! It's no wonder he looks so jealous. Ha ha ha...

Anyway, so much of me wanted to march over to Lilwen, and just start a riot. But no, I have to prepare and improve before anything is set in stone. And, we barely have anyone willing to come to our side and fight yet. Everything I've worked for, seems so minute compared to what we need to accomplish, and cannot be accomplish alone.

 I wondered though, if I was still being searched for. Questions still rang in my head about why the master fled when Deliah and Esiw came after me that day in Elkwood, and how they came to follow him, especially how she isn't currently being hunted down for following him in the first place. Oh the headache!

My legs didn't start to feel tired until the day was over, and we were headed home. We had done more walking than it felt like I had in my lifetime. Once back to Alona Meadow, Deliah departed from us to her tuhrewolf. By then, my muscles felt leaden. I literally collapsed, lying on my back.

So, sleepy...

"Now would be a perfect time to have wings."

"I know, I know. Come on, get on my back, I will get you home." Said Kael, who seemed almost as weary as I. Home, bed, sleep. He leaned over so I could hop on. With my arms wrapped around his shoulders, I inhaled deeply, not intentionally taking in his clean scent of soap, and leaned my head against him.

Next I remember, I felt like I was falling. My heavy lids peeked at Kael who must have just put me in bed. He pulled the blankets over my body, as my eyes closed again. I could feel his hand brush the hair from my face. Goodnight...

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Author's note:

Yeah, yeah, I know, super short, but next one will explain a lot more (:

If you really liked it, I appriciate getting more fans on here, and if you really REALLY liked it, tell your friends ;D