Child of Magic | jerza

The Druid Girl [3]

It was dawn.

I was sitting beside the window in Minerva's chambers, watching a couple of the king's guards haul lumber and various pieces of wood to the communal courtyard. They were preparing for an execution, I could tell. Judging by the abundant amount of wood, the Druid man would be burned at the stake.

"You've been here a lot," Mira said, changing Minerva's bed sheets. "Are you close friends with Lady Minerva?"

"I guess.."

Mira sat beside me and looked out the window.

"At least it's not you," she whispered, putting an arm around me. I smiled dejectedly and leaned my head against her shoulder. Giving my arm a comforting squeeze, Mira Jane got up and left. I immediately felt bad for not telling her about Wendy.

Minerva came out from the obscured changing room.

"She won't eat!"

"Here, let me help," I said, brushing past the linen curtains that separated her bedroom from the hidden area.

Ding Ding Dong Ding

The warning bells sounded. This was the second execution I was about to witness in less than two weeks.

"Save him!" Wendy screamed, causing my head to throb. "Zarina!"

"I can't," I thought in my head.

"SAVE HIM! SAVE HIM!" 

The crackle of flames could be heard in the distance. The sizzling sound of burning flesh.

Minerva looked away from the window, her eyes closed, her bottom lip trembling.

"NO!" Wendy screeched.

The mirror shattered and Minerva jumped back.

"W-What happened?" she asked, stepping carefully towards the broken shards of glass. She knelt beside the broken antic mirror in distress.

I looked at Wendy and said, "Nothing. The mirror must have fallen off the wall."

~ ~ ~ 

"My lady?" Porlyusica asked, running into the room. "Are you okay-"

I tried my best to push the Druid girl behind the curtain, but it was too late.

Porlyusica sighed, "I should've known. You never listen to me, Erza."

"I have to help her!" I protested, rubbing my forehead.

"She's injured badly," Minerva whispered. "She's just a child. And I..I've been researching the Druid people..in the library.."

I gaped at her, not at all aware the king's ward had been so invested in protecting Wendy.

"Your Father will be angry if he finds out you were helping her, my lady."

"Please?" I asked.

"Let me look at her wounds," Porlyusica grumbled.

She took one look at the herbs I had put on her injuries and shook her head in dismay. Taking a step forward the old woman whispered in my ear, "You may be the greatest sorceress in all of Fiore, but you are the worst physician ever."

~ ~ ~

"Boots?" Jellal asked.

I threw them at him, but unfortunately, he was able to catch them.

He grinned and said, "Grumpy?"

"Be quiet."

I picked up his jacket and helped him put it on.

"Don't you know how to dress yourself?" I asked. "What have you been doing all your life?"

"Fighting wars."

"Fighting your father's wars," I corrected. "But seriously- do you actually know how to dress yourself?"

"I do," he said. "All I need help with is my armor."

"I can put on my own armor," I muttered.

"Father says you are to help me until I find a suitable servant."

Stupid king.

"Aww, come on!" he said. "Tomorrow is my twenty-sixth birthday, can't you be a little bit more cheerful? I miss your sarcasm!"

"I'll be more snarky tomorrow," I promised, my thoughts elsewhere.

'Cause tonight I'm taking Wendy back to her home.

~ ~ ~

"If the king catches you," Porlyusica began, worrying as always.

"I'll be executed and my destiny will be ruined," I said, pulling on my coat. "Got it."

"Erza! Stop doing this right now!"

I groaned. Was there a way to block voices?

"What now?" Porlyusica asked. "Change of plans?"

"The stupid dragon won't stop talking to me in my head..." I trailed off. So much for keeping secrets.

"You mean Igneel?" Porlyusica asked, not at all surprised.

"The dragon's name is Igneel?" I said. "How do you know the dragon?"

"I helped capture the dragon many, many years ago," she said sadly.

"Why?!"

"King's orders."

~ ~ ~

"She's dressed," Minerva said, pushing Wendy towards me. "I'm worried, though. She hasn't said a word."

"She'll be fine."

"Zarina...Where are you taking me?" Wendy asked.

I picked up Wendy and ran downstairs.

"Home," I whispered. "Back to the other Druids."

~ ~ ~

Two unconscious guards later, I managed to find a suitable horse and traveled towards the edge of Fiore where the Druid camps resided.