Moongrace

Part 45

With all her strength Eleeza kept the protection up, frightened and confused by the new situation.

Someone else stepped forward with very light steps: "Eleeza, dear. You don't need to be afraid."

It was a woman with a melodious voice, that Eleeza didn't know.

"And who are you, to tell me this?", she inquired sceptically.

"Don't you recognize me? We even met in this world!", was the sad reply.

But Eleeza was so tired, she didn't have the patience for playing riddles. Quite harshly she returned: "It seems I don't remember you voice, and since I cannot see you: No, I don't know who you are!"

"But it's me: Esalaa, your sister. Eleeza, darling, we really want to help you."

Eleeza paused for a moment. Could it really be Esalaa, her older sister? The one she had met in the castle? Or was it somebody else, tricking her into trusting them and putting her guard down. If she could only see them! To search for resemblances. Maybe even some memories would turn up upon the sight of them. But no, again her blindness handicapped her.

"Can you prove it?", she demanded. Trusting her own kin too easily could be the wrong decision, as Lenrio had demonstrated.

There was silence for a while. Only the wind whipping through the treetops was to be heard.

"I could tell you lots of adventures we had in Alarana, but you hold no memories of them. I released you from a raspberry-spell at that castle. We spoke about how you remembered me and how it might cause you pain when I freed you. We hugged before the spell. I shattered that huge window when I entered the castle and I also lifted the curse off your Evan."

Eleeza nodded carefully in her blue sphere. She still didn't know for sure if they were tricking her, but this really seemed to be Esalaa: "And you are really just here to help me?"

"Well, of course. You were hidden from our view for weeks. I was very worried. I told our brother, Erno and Sanaani and we started searching. Only after you released that explosion of magic, we found out where you were. We followed you tracks until this meadow." She sounded sad and truly worried.

"Wait: I have a brother as well?", Eleeza asked.

"More than just one." A male voice answered from her right: "I'm Ellob, one of your elder brothers." He faltered: "I missed you, little sister!"

Eleeza couldn't hold back her tears now. The loss of her family seemed so much harder now that she knew members of it.

"Please let your guard fall. You have been strong long enough. You are not alone now. We won't let them hurt you again."

He sounded true, caring and just like a protective older brother. And so, Eleeza did let her shield dissipate. Strong arms pulled her in an embrace. Slowly she let her face sink onto a strong shoulder.

Ellob smelled of pine, cedar and fresh grass. It felt good to be in the arms of her big brother. He first stroked her back, then also her hair. Finally, he placed a soft kiss on top of her head and propped her up.

"Your friend Cathryn told us about what happened at this ruin. We'll track down this Lenrio later and bring him to justice. He won't be bothering you again, promise."

She nodded relieved: "Where is Cathryn? Is she alright?"

"I'm fine, don't worry!", Cathryn replied herself.

"Erno has already healed her", an unfamiliar voice explained.

Eleeza turned her head to locate her: "You must be Sanaani? Another relative?"
Someone chuckled which annoyed Eleeza. How could she know?

"No, I'm not."

Even that woman seemed amused.
"Fine", Eleeza said slightly annoyed.

"It's just that, if you could see us, you could easily tell we're not related. I have red hair and green eyes. Much different to your family with those noble features, blue eyes and blond – or black– hair."

"Well, I can't."

That let their laughing stop and the atmosphere turn serious again. In truth, Eleeza had enjoyed their laughing and good mood, but she was so tired and worn out that she couldn't handle it at this moment.

"Would you let Erno heal you? You must be in pain by the looks of you." But her aversion against Erno was so deep, that she shook her head.

"Eleeza, please! Don't get that ever stubborn face. I do remember your moods. We really want your best!", Esalaa emphasised again.

It hurt Eleeza, that a stranger knew her better than she did herself – even if it was her sister.

"Maybe I can heal your eyes", his dreadful voice rang out.

Again, her panic rose and a lump formed in her throat: "I doubt that. And anyway, the only memory of you I hold, is you giving me an empty promise."

"Zeleenimeeveleeliluleleeza, don't you push away that chance! Let him try!", her sister insisted.

But everything in Eleeza screamed to never let Erno's magic touch her. So, she quickly thought of any argument that could prevent him from using it: "I have been blind for months. Have you ever thought, that maybe I don't want to change it? One of the kidnappers freed me from a mutening-spell. I'm fine now."

The thought of Meino gave her a bad feeling. He hadn't been that bad of a person – and she had simply killed him.

"Those humans are so very cruel and without objection. How could anybody do you any harm? You, in all world..." – "Erno, stop! That's how you lost her last time. Eleeza, little one. Don't tell me, you're not missing sunsets and the sight of nature. Not missing being able to look others in the eyes or seeing the wonders of the world around you."

Tears burst forth, tears she had collected over all those months of being blind. They spilled down her face while she thought of the loss of her eyesight. Her brother wiped her tearstained cheeks with his thump. He desperately wished to not only have his little sister back, but to take those awful memories from her. And to heal all those wounds with which this world had branded her.

Someone else put a light arm around her: "I'm sorry, dear. Please, let us at least try to get that curse off you." By her voice Eleeza identified her as her sister, who comforted her now, too.

Eleeza sighed deeply and nodded defeated. Of course, she wanted to see again, and of course it would be nice if her arm stopped throbbing. Resisting got too exhausting as well, so she gave in.