Lost

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I turned away, and walked out of the room. I walked down the hundreds of stairs, and exited out of the tree. I ran around the tree town searching for the stake that Quinlan was burnt at. They usually leave the stake up for about a week to remind people of the punishment. 

After asking people and searching for another fifteen minutes, I finally came across the stake. I bent down to see if I could find anything of Quinlans that hadn't burnt. I searched through the pile of ash until I saw something glinting in the sunlight. I dug through the ash, until I dug  up a chain. Quinlans chain. He used to wear it around his neck. But now he's gone. And I'm holding the only thing left of him.

My face contorted with rage. I fell to my knees, and started literally ripping my hair out.

He's gone! My Quinlan! Gone... 

After shouting a few curses at Lothandra, my father, and all the residents of Lothandra, I ran out of the tree city. I ran, and ran. I didn't even care where I was going! Nothing mattered to me anymore. All the hope, all the light... gone... 

Once I had ran as far as I could run, I made myself set up a little camp. I started a fire, built a shelter, and found a water source. I sat next to the fire, thinking of what I would do now that Quinlan was dead. Where would I go? Who would I be? What would I do?

I could go home... I could see if Timlin ever got there safely. I could see how grown up Mavricks has gotten. I could see how they're faring now that I haven't been there to care for them. It's been almost seven months since I left home...

I thought about it for a second. 

Home it is... But who will I be? I can't be my family's caretaker again, because what if I leave again? No, they have to learn to live by themselves. I can't just be a normal person. I don't want to be a normal person. I don't want a normal life. What do normal people do, anyways? Get a job? I guess I'll find out who I am and what to do when I get there.

I laid down in my shelter, and tried to relax. There were too many thoughts, too many emotions, running through my head though. Relaxing was impossible. So, I just thought about nothing. I literally thought about 'nothing'. 

When there is nothing, you usually think about darkness. But in nothingness, there is no darkness. There is no light. There is no black, or grey, or white. It's just... nothing... Your mind can't grasp it. It's too... complex, too...

I stopped thinking. I had fell into a light sleep for the first time in days. No one to hold me. No one to comfort me. No one to keep me warm. No more Quinlan...

~~~

The long, weary days of traveling passed slowly. Traveling without a horse was tiring beyond belief. Two weeks had passed since I left Lothandra, yet I never did recover from losing Quinlan. I am starting to wonder if I will ever recover. I'm like a piece of paper, and I've been ripped. Maybe, one day, I'll get taped back together. But even when it's taped, you can still see that the paper has been damaged. You can still see that it's torn. 

I grew tired of traveling. Walking for eighteen hours a day, without knowing if I was even going the right direction, dragged me down. If I just had a sign that I was going the right direction, I would be motivated to continue.

This particular day was rainy. I was still in the forest, and had no idea if I would ever get out. After waking up early, and walking for a few hours, I spotted a dim light through the trees. I approached it cautiously, not knowing if it's a trap of some kind. As I got closer, I noticed a pillar of smoke floating through the air. I followed the pillar down to a chimney, and the chimney down to a cabin. 

A real cabin?! Are my eyes deceiving me??

I run closer to the cabin until I'm within arms length. I run to the door and knock three times, before a man opens the door. He has grey hair, although he only looks to be in his 50's, he has brown eyes, and tanned skin. 

"What is your business here?" He asks sternly.

"I'm a traveler. I only ask for some food and direction." I respond respectfully.

"Who are you?" He asks, softening his tone a little.

"I'm Alexandra."

"Ah. You have the same name as the kings daughter." He states.

"I... am the kings daughter." 

He gasps and his eyes widen. 

"Mi... Milady!" He bows deeply.

"Please... don't..." I plead, and he stands straight.

"Milady. What are you doing out here in the forest all alone?" He asks, concerned.

"Running away." I reply.

"W-Why, Milady? If you don't mind me asking." He asks.

"He killed my... uh, best friend." I say, and look down.

"Oh, umm... Would you care to spend the night here? My wife has prepared a bedroom already. We don't have the finest of things, but we would gladly give you our best." He says kindly. My eyes widen this time.

"You... you would do that for me?" I ask, my heart warmed. 

"Of course, Milady! Come, right this way." He says as he leads me through the cabin and into a small room with a few blankets on the ground.

The cabin is a small, quaint, cozy cabin, designed for hard weather. All the walls are made with wood for insulation. There are only two rooms and a hallway. I walk into the small room after thanking the man thoroughly. 

Here I can get a good nights rest. Here I can finally think. Here I can finally relax and let go of all the stress and emotions that have been weighing me down. Thank you God, for this kind family.

The Immortal Blade Trilogy: Book #1: Fate's Destiny.Where stories live. Discover now