Nadine's Journey

Chapter Four

Nadine

The air smells like fresh baked bread... mmmm, delicious. I want to drift back to sleep, my eyes glued shut. Somehow, the sheets on the bed feel different than my own-- but that would be impossible. Glimpses of the past flit through my memory. I burrow deeper into the pillow. I don't want to remember. Maybe if I don't acknowledge it, it will just go away. I want to go back to sleep, to go back to a reality that Rachel is in. My eyes open, and my gaze focuses on a dark wooden wall.

The air shifts, and a door creaks open. The aroma of broth wafts up to me. My stomach growls, but I'm not hungry. I'm not anything. This world is false... it must be false. "C'mon, lass. I know you're awake." I don't move. "I know you're hungry."

"She's gone," I state blankly, not moving my gaze from the wall.

"Who's gone, lass?" His concerned voice makes me want to cry. Before I know it, I feel tears falling down my face.

"It really happened... she's really gone." I turn my gaze to his face. It is a stranger, and yet he looks familiar. An older version of that boy, perhaps?

His brow creases, and he sets a bowl of broth on the table next to the bed. "Now, none of that lass. You can tell me all about whatever's troubling you after you eat."

My stomach growls again, louder. I sigh and reach for the spoon. My hands shake, spilling broth back into the bowl before it can reach my mouth. I put the spoon back into the bowl, frustrated with my inability to feed myself. A woman enters the room, her green eyes full of warmth and compassion. She lays a hand on the man. "Charles I will take over. Agustin is wearing a hole in the floor with all his pacing. Go talk to him."

Charles leaves the room. "Can you tell me your name," the woman asks. "Nadine," my voice wobbles.

That's a beautiful name," she coaxes. "My name is Daleen. You can tell me all about what's bothering you after you eat." I move into a sitting position at her prompting, and she lifts a spoon full of broth to my mouth.

After I finish the bowl of broth, she opens her arms to me and I rush into them, burrowing my head into the hollow of her neck. She rubs my back, slightly rocking the both of us. I start crying again. "She's really gone," I murmur.

"Who is gone, Nadine?" Her concerned tone envelops me, making me want to cry even harder.

Slowly, I come back to my senses. "Where's my bag?"

"Your bag?"

"Yes, my bag," I panic.

The boy from earlier, Agustin, enters the room. My pack dangles from his arm. "It's right here."

"Did you open it," I ask, my panic rising.

My tone must have shown my state of mind because he immediately reassured me. "No, I wouldn't invade someone's privacy."

Charles comes into the room. "Sorry, Daleen, I couldn't stop him."

"And for good reason," Agustin interrupts. "Mother," he addresses Daleen "I found this girl wandering in the woods, chased by a family of Andrews. She obviously knew nothing of the dangers of the woods... and then she collapsed in front of me. You have to understand that I am naturally concerned about her well- being."

Wow, I guess that underneath that arrogant exterior he is a gentleman. Maybe he isn't as bad as I initially thought.    

"It's fine," I address everyone. "I must get to the castle to seek an audience with the King and Queen. I thank you all for your kindness and concern, but I must be off. The matter I seek to discuss is one of importance." I sit up and start to stand. They seem speechless. Obviously, they had not expected that. Perhaps I can sneak out of the house while they are dazed. 

Unfortunately, the shock did not last for long. "What is so important that you had to travel unaccompanied with no knowledge of the potential dangers and seek an audience with the royal family," Agustin asks.

"It is of no concern to you. Now, I must be going." I stand up and walk towards the door of the room, heading into the left hallway.

"The door is the other way," Agustin calls out.

"Ugh," I grunt with frustration. Agustin walks toward me. "Can you please walk me out," I compromise.

"It would be my pleasure. However, I will not until you answer my question." I start to nod when he adds, "And you allow me to accompany you to the castle. You do not know the way or the dangers, and it would make me feel better if you had some protection."

"It is out of the question," I state. "I thank you for your hospitality and kindness, but I will not be further indebted to you. This is not your problem."

"Tell me princess, do you even know which province you are in? Do you have a map to the castle in which the king and queen reside?"

"Well, not exactly." 

"Precisely my point. And if you do not know which province you currently are in, then you obviously won't know the creatures that are native to this area, let alone the ones that are native to the provinces you must go through. Some of these animals are highly dangerous-- many are extremely lethal."

"Still--"

"Think of it as a favor to me," He cuts me off. "I would worry myself sick if you left. Out there, all alone, with no idea the exact way or the dangers. Many have perished in these very woods without a guide. I also am extremely knowledgeable in the art of battle, and could help someone like yourself. If you die because I didn't come with you, then I will never forgive myself." 

I think it over. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have some extra protection. "Fine," I agree begrudgingly, "You may accompany me, but be warned that a darkness follows and seeks to destroy me before I can complete my journey."

"Okay," he replies without any hesitation. "Now that that is settled, tell me what is so important."

"I will as we are journeying. I am afraid that I have little time for dallying."

Daleen disappears into another room, emerging with a bag filled to the brim with food. Charles hands his son an arsenal of weapons, everything from knives to a long sword. "Take these, son." Charles's gruff voice rings out. They both embrace Augustin, shedding tears. We head out with the supplies into the unknown.