When Magic Speaks - NaNoWriMo 2020✔️

16

Kitt attempted to shield Wiss as best as he could as they rushed into the castle, Kitt pushing the heavy wooden door shut behind them. The sound of the trolls chanting and cheering behind the door echoed all the way down the hall. "She's here" they cheered, over and over. As Kitt moved away from the door, Wiss stopped to gaze around the room. The castle, much like its interior, was dark - black walls, dark wood floors, but...it was cozy. Wiss felt the heat of a powerful fire washing in from around the corner as well as the warm light from the sconces on the wall. It all created an ideal winter atmosphere. She relished in the fact that she was now standing within a castle. 

"Why were they saying those things? As though they knew I was coming."

The expression on Kitt's face was ancient - the information he knew could probably fill an entire book. He smiled as he exhaled through his nose, leaning toward her as he bent his arm to his chest. Wiss clasped her hand under his arm. "They've been waiting for you for quite a while. We all have."

As the two of them made their way down the hall, their echoes bouncing off of the walls, Wiss smirked and whispered, "does we include you?"

Kitt turned his head, hunching closer to Wiss as he whispered, "we is me."

As Kitt opened the adjacent wooden door at the end of the hall, they approached a wide staircase dressed with a red velvet carpet. Kitt lead Wiss up the stairs, acknowledging the look of astonishment and utter confusion in her eye. He chuckled warmly. Despite Wiss's frowns, Kitt couldn't seem to stop beaming with joy. "You look like you're harbouring many questions."

This castle was gorgeous and she hadn't even seen the whole of it yet. And while she was completely enchanted by the majestic structure, so many brand new questions filled her head. She was surprised her brain had never swelled once in her life.

"Well for starters...why has everyone been anticipating my arrival? Have I done something?"

Kitt chuckled again, rendered flustered by her helpless innocence. He chose his words carefully. "This kingdom bears many secrets and many ancient myths. Monmouth is considered the root of evil in this small corner of the world and the fact that you once stepped foot in here makes the people believe you to be a legend. No one ever comes near here. In fact the kingdom is entirely magical, only those blessed by Monmouth's founder are allowed access."

Wait, wait. The fact that she once stepped foot here? Wiss blinked. "...I've been here before?"

Kitt froze halfway up the steps, turning to look at Wiss with a surprised expression. "Do you not remember..."

Wiss too froze. "Remember what?"

Kitt inhaled, turning to face her. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated for a moment. "Wiss, late one night, not too long ago...I found you wandering through Monmouth. You were sleepwalking. Do you remember...anything about that night?"

Glancing away as she thought, her heart racing with anticipation, Wiss fought to recall her memory. Normally when she walked in her sleep, Wiss could only recall the last few moments of her moment of wander. But it made sense. It was why the foot bridge felt so familiar, why she felt so at home once she passed through the iron gate. Why she'd smelt red apples that night. Wiss's eyes shot open. "I remember-- I remember someone carrying me home!" She turned her head to look into Kitt's eyes, her heart thumping in her chest as loud as a drum. "It was you," she whispered.

Kitt exhaled as a soft grin spread across his lips. He stroked her hand as he whispered back, "it was me." Wiss too felt a beaming smile push against her cheeks. It was a moment such as this where Amma would have simply said the word 'destiny'. She always said that destiny was something defined by the feeling that rushed through your bones and heart. If you were meant to be somewhere, you could tell by the way your soul reacted to it. Wiss had never felt it with Hural, and she'd nearly felt it at the tower, but here... With Kitt...