The Girls from Downstairs

Twenty-three: the Appeal

As promised, here is another chapter for this story! There are only 3-4 chapters left, and the last two are already written. It's about time to bring this train into the station, unfortunately. (Lol I know, I'm such a dork!) enjoy! <3 XDee

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I don’t know how she did it, but when she welcomed us, we were suddenly broken by the spell of her beauty and glanced around; we were no longer at the bottom of the cliff! Instead we were surrounded by white marble, in a giant room that resembled a throne room. There were no thrones, but instead there was a small, short round table, with pillows surrounding it. Mother Klara led us to this spot, where Adrian helped me to sit down.

“Is something wrong with your leg?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yes. I tripped over a few too many roots.”

“That can be solved easily. Let me see it.”

She leaned over my injured ankle, and passed her right hand over it three times, mumbling something to herself the entire time. The splint fell away and any pain or soreness was gone. I smiled up at her, ever grateful.

“How’d you do that?” Adrian asked, his head resting on one of my shoulders. I eyed him carefully until he backed away.

She laughed; it sounded like a dozen beautiful church bells ringing all at once. Wonderful, but creepy at the same time. “It is a magic I cannot explain, but I have always possessed. Now, I can imagine that all five of you are famished beyond belief?”

“Oh, it’s believable,” Esmerelda muttered.

Mother Klara moved behind her, gliding rather than walking. She clapped once and a few fairies much bigger than Jinx flew out of doorways unseen before, each carrying a tray laden with food. It was mostly berries, fruit, vegetables I’d never seen before, and dozens of different breads and tarts and puddings.

“Eat up children. When you’ve had your fill I shall have someone show you to your room, where you’ll clean up and get some rest. When you’re ready, you can talk to me about what it is you need so desperately,” she said. Before she walked away, Esmerelda stood up and called her name.

“Mother Klara, I’m told that you know many things about a lot of things, but in case you didn’t know, I’m Esmerelda Swete, brought here by Felix to save his and his brother’s lives. I left a friend back in Reality, of whom I’ve visited recently and she kill-“

“You are too tired, my child. We’ll discuss this later, after you’ve rested,” Klara interrupted.

“No, I’d really like to get this out now.”

She raised her hand, silencing Esmerelda. “Later, my child. Enjoy your food for now, and later a good rest and bathing. After we shall talk.”

“But-“

“After.” Slowly, Esmerelda sat down. Mother Klara dropped her hand and smiled gently. “I shall see you all after you are rested. I bid you good evening.”

“’evening!” Adrian waved, mouth full of food. The moment she was gone, I whacked the back of his head. “Ow! What was that for?”

“Talking with your mouth open to Mother Klara?!?” I exclaimed.

“You should know better,” Felix scolded. “Mother and Father taught us better.”

“But... she’s so beautiful!” he gazed after her, though she was long gone by now.

“It’s rude to stare,” Felix said.

“So?”

“What about Harlow?”