Moongrace

Part 35

"Yes, you are right. But I still haven't found a way." Eleeza said cheerlessly and sat down on the other side of the table. Cathryn had gotten used to her silver eyes and didn't mind looking into them.

"But didn't you get better in using magic? Isn't there a spell that can bring us out of here?"

Eleeza shook her head.

"I might be able to get rid of the rope and you could open the door. But then you can't run and I don't know if I can change your feet back."

"Then you must leave me behind. I could be your diversionary tactic."

"No way!" Eleeza exclaimed, she could only imagine the sad face of her new friend: "I will not leave you behind! You are my friend!"

She heard Cathryn cry and got up, walked around the table and felt for her. She hadn't really touched her else than on her elbow, so she had some problems finding her shoulders. Cathryn though understood immediately and hugged her, before Eleeza could embarrass herself. Softly Eleeza touched her face and wiped away the tears. Cathryn's face was heart-shaped and had high, wide cheekbones. She smiled under Eleeza's touch.

Eleeza realised just then, how close they had gotten. She knew, that she could trust Cathryn and that Cathryn would always be there for her.

"And anyway,", she added and let go of Cathryn, "I need you. How can I possibly get away from here, not knowing where I am and not seeing, where to go?"

"You have got a point." Cathryn agreed and sniffed a bit.

"We also need to find a solution to the problem, that Lenrio is a huntsman and will always be able find us. At least me, because I present the possibility to treasures he can have."

"Me, too." Cathryn added.

"Why?"

"They gave me a necklace before I got their maid, when I didn't know what it meant. It's pretty and got a sparkling stone in the middle. But once I had put it around my neck, it wouldn't get off. He will always find me because of it. He told me himself!"

Eleeza went to the window. She felt like choking. Their situation seemed hopeless, too many obstacles prevented their escape. And all hope was on her magical skill, on her imagination to find the right spells. Cool air grazed her cheek and she voraciously sucked in air.

"We will find a solution! They will get clumsy and then we will be prepared." She said with compassion.

Cathryn stayed quiet. Eleeza guessed she knew why. She was here only for a few weeks, but what happened to hope when you were locked for years without any chance to escape? She thought back, when she herself had been locked within the castle. But it had been different. Because she hadn't had a place to go back to and in the beginning, had been happy to finally have found a place where she belonged. Even if it had been a horrible place.

"Do you have a place to go back to?", she asked.

Cathryn shifted on her chair: "Well, I have been living with my aunt and her huge family. But I guess they didn't even search for me. I mean they were nice and accepted me as a member of the family, but there was never much love towards me. I was always the outsider. And when I didn't agree to marry the farmer they chose for me, they turned attention from me. I guess, they were happy when I was gone and now don't have to pay my dowry."

"Oh dear! That sounds very sad. Don't you miss them? They are your relatives after all?" Eleeza couldn't believe how somebody could be so passive and uncaring towards his own family. She would give anything to be reunited with her own, or be a real part of any family. Especially of Evan of course.