Lienna.
I walked through the dark woods, feeling lost and confused. I didn’t remember how I got there. All I remembered was running away from danger and finding Daisy. But now I was alone, surrounded by tall trees that seemed to touch the sky.
As I walked, I heard only my own breathing and the crunch of leaves under my feet. I tried to listen for any other sounds, but there was nothing. It was too quiet. It unnerved me and I soon became uneasy.
Then, I saw someone running in the distance. My heart skipped a beat as I froze, my instincts screaming at me to hide. I darted behind a nearby tree, my back pressed against the rough bark as I peeked around the trunk.
A wave of surprise crashed through me when I realized the runner was a woman. She was holding a baby in her arms, cradling it protectively in her chest. But it was what followed that made my blood run cold. In the distance, a group of people gave chase, their torches flickering like fireflies as they gained ground. The woman’s breathless gasps carried on the wind, mingling with the soft wails of the baby.
I held my breath, my heart racing with the woman’s every step. I wanted to help her, to reach out and grab her hand, but an invisible force held me back. It was as if I was rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak. All I could do was watch in helpless horror as she ran for her life, the baby clutched in her arms.
The woman’s breathless gasps filled the air as she desperately sought a safe haven. She spotted a hollowed-out log on the ground and quickly hid the baby inside, kissing its forehead until its cries subsided. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered a gentle blessing: “May the moon goddess keep you safe, you child of prophecy.”
With shaking hands, she covered the log with leaves and shrubs, concealing the baby from view. Then, she rolled up her discarded robe to create a makeshift decoy, making it seem as though the child was still with her. The ruse was clever, but I wondered why she had hidden the baby and what prophecy the child was connected to.
As the woman continued her frantic flight, her pursuers followed, oblivious to the hidden child. They thundered past the log, their torches casting flickering shadows on the trees. I watched, transfixed, as the last of them disappeared into the darkness.
But my attention was soon snapped back to the hidden baby. Had it survived? Was it safe? I took a step forward, my heart heavy with concern, but before I could move closer, a fierce gust of wind swept through the clearing, lifting me off the ground. I felt myself being carried away from the scene, helpless to resist the powerful force. The last thing I saw was the log, nestled in its bed of leaves, before I was plunged into darkness.
I woke up with a start, gasping for air as if I’d been underwater too long. That’s when I realized, I was back in my room in the maid’s quarters and it was dawn outside. My heart raced, and my sheets were drenched with sweat. As I sat up, a trickle of wetness ran down my cheek, and I touched my face to find tears. Had I been crying in my sleep? The dream still lingered, haunting me with questions. Who was that woman, and why did I feel such a deep connection to her?
Before I could ponder further, the door creaked open, and Mara entered, looking disheveled from sleep. Her eyes widened as she took in my awake state, and a warm smile spread across her face. “Finally!! You’re awake!” she exclaimed, rushing to my side. Her hands enveloped mine, and her face radiated relief. “How are you?”
My voice cracked as I replied, “I’m fine…” Mara’s gaze softened, and she released my hands to fetch a cup of water from the nearby pitcher. She helped me drink, and the cool liquid soothed my parched throat. After I’d sipped half the cup, she placed it on the bedside table and asked, “What happened?”
My mind felt foggy, like a dense mist obscured my memories. “I… I don’t remember right now,” I admitted, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my head. Mara’s expression turned concerned, and she leaned in closer.
“You were brought into the fortress unconscious!” she said, her voice laced with worry. “What happened to you?!”
I tried to recall, but my memories seemed to slip through my fingers like sand. “I don’t know… How long was I out?”
Mara’s face grimaced. “You were out for five days.”
My eyes widened in shock. “Five days!?” The words felt like a punch to my gut. To me, it had felt like a long dream.
Mara saw the confusion on my face and let out a sigh. “I’ll get you some food and clean water to clean your body. You need to use your medicines as well. After that, we will discuss. Hopefully, you would remember some things by then.” She said, standing to her feet. With a small smile on her face, she walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.
When Mara returned, she tended to my physical needs with gentle care, cleaning my body and feeding me a nourishing broth. She helped me take my medicines, her hands steady and reassuring. Only after I’d finished did she ask the question again, her eyes searching for answers.
This time, fragments of memories surfaced, like pieces of a shattered mirror. “I was attacked by a group of assassins,” I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mara’s brow arched in surprise. “Assassins?” she repeated, her tone laced with skepticism.
I nodded, trying to recall more. “That’s what I can describe them as. They were hell-bent on killing me.”
Mara’s confusion deepened. “Why?” she asked, her eyes furrowed.
I shook my head, frustration creeping in. “I don’t know. All I know is that I was running from them, and then… nothing.” My memories seemed to evaporate like mist in the sun.
“Are you sure that’s what happened?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
I hesitated, trying to rack my brain, but the memories remained elusive. “I think so… Is the story out there different?” I asked Mara, feeling uncertain.
Mara’s shoulders lifted in a shrug, and she released a measured breath. “Rumors have it that you used magical powers,” she revealed.
My eyes widened, taken aback by the claim. Magical powers? I didn’t know what to make of that. “But, I’m just a regular human being. I could I have powers?” I asked Mara but she just shrugged, equally as confused.
“The investigation is saying something different. And the mistress has been adamant about labeling you a witch too.” Her voice was laced with a hint of warning.
I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Accusations of witchcraft? This was escalating faster than I could keep up. “I don’t know what’s going to happen now, but it looks like you’ll be summoned by the Shifter Kings once you get better. Sooner or later, that is,” Mara explained, her expression grim.
I tried to process this information, but my mind was a jumble of questions and fears. Summoned by the Shifter Kings? What did they want from me? And why was the mistress so eager to brand me a witch?
“Thanks for telling me this,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mara nodded sympathetically. “You’re welcome. Now get some rest. You may have woken up, but you’re still far from recovery.” With that, she stood and left the room, leaving me to my thoughts.
As I lay back on the bed, a groan of frustration escaped my lips. Why did I always seem to find myself in these impossible situations? I couldn’t catch a break, no matter how hard I tried.
My mind drifted back to the dream, and I stiffened. Was that really me as a child? And was that woman my mother? My adopted father had always told me he found me in the woods, but I never thought much of it.
A pang of hurt hit my chest, and I rubbed the spot, trying to soothe the ache. I closed my eyes, breathing in slowly. Though it seemed impossible, I held onto a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find her. Maybe I could uncover the truth about my past and my connection to that mysterious woman.