To where the journey leads

Chapter 3

It has been 10 dawns since I last visited the forest. My blade was still hidden in the stream. As I danced with the blade, practicing manouvers I've seen other militants executed on the training fields, I thought about the days past...
Zaptur had a charm about him, a way with words which easily persuaded others to do as he wished. He knew this and made extensive use of it. Despite my initial observations, Zaptur was polite in a creepish way and requested my input in most of his dealings. Before he'd finalize any scrolls or letters he'd ask my opinion and then today...
A whole afternoon off, 10 nights sleep from just after dusk till dawn. I could get used to this...
When I finished practising, I dipped my feet in the stream. Night was slowly creeping closer and the sky faded into pallets of pink and purple. The stream reflected my image, an elf like being with feline features: long, pointed ears, big eyes with thick eye lashes, when I smiled the tips of my fangs were visible, and long chocolate locks draped over my shoulder. A perfect image if it wasn't for the birthmark, a blue spiral shaped marking on my cheek with finer curls extending from it.
It is almost completely dark now, the middle moon shining high and bore the shape of a smile. The purple planet glowed tonight colouring the water violet. Sweet songs filled the air as the wind gently brushed against the leaves of the trees. A butterfly flew past, it was a beauty, his wings shone with flourescent neon colours; green and yellow, and had two sets of wings, long spiral feelers extended from his head.
Deepend in thought, I made my way back to my quaters. The citadel was really a piece of work, it was built with silver gray stones, the window frames covered with silver and doors of heavy dark wood. The balconies were covered with mother of pearl shell. These shells came from the ancient waters of the Dark sea, where creatures grew bigger than giants.
My thoughts shifted to Zaptur, how his breath kissed my neck as he leaned over my shoulder while I wrote an important letter. This letter, if written with tact could open up new diplomatic opportunities. Zaptur requested me to write it, since my handwriting was more sophisticated than his. As he leaned over my shoulder to supervise the writing of the letter, his hand touched mine. He purposely brushed his hand against mine... When we finished the letter he gave me the afternoon off; "to thank you for your trouble."
Finally I reached my quarters. There was a pile of new blankets tied together with a satin ribbon and a letter:

Thank you for your help everyday, I really enjoy working with you.
Zaptur

My cheeks flushed with warmth as I read the letter, gently I pulled on the ribbon. The blankets felt soft, one of wool, another of goose down. This would surely warm winter up...
I curled up underneath the wool blanket. Zaptur might not be as manipulative as I expected.