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“Are you going to violate me?” I said in a cold but apathetic tone to break the silence.
“NO! WHAT?!
“Misunderstanding!” he stammered, "There's been a misunderstanding!”
The man shot himself off the bed I was laying on. Now further away I could get a better picture of him. He was quite young and his face was bright red from ear to ear. He had his brunette hair styled in an updo and wore some sort of religious garment. Not one I’m particularly familiar with. The white fabric of the robe wrapped around him in a modest manner and hung precious gems and metals.
“PULSE!
As he murmured to himself pleading for forgiveness, I sat up and glanced at my surroundings. I was in a large room occupied by stone walls and tree roots; a lot of them. My body weighed on a giant plush bed. Across the lavender linen sheets, the man stood before a giant window. it's shape resembles more of a hole in the wall. My fur jacket sat right beside me on a chair, folded neat and clean. When I peered back at the young man he was facing away reciting some sort of prayer. was all I could make out. The rest was some new age nonsense. A crowd of maids and servants could be heard gathering outside the door of the room. Guess it’s not common for a man of his pedigree to be making such a commotion. Before I could get any words out, a group of people rushed through the door.
Three young looking men and an old servant came hastening in. leaving the entourage of gossiping workers outside.
“Brother Benedikt, is everything alright?” a young man with a pretty face and thin build asked.
“Everything is fine here Brother Luciano” Benedikt replied.
“Master Benedikt!” an unrecognizable voice shouted.
A tiny boy with tall animal ears popped out of the crowd of people, he was so small I missed him completely. Now this was rare. I haven't seen a new species since my mortal days. Whatever this thing is, it’s . The mutant shielded Benedikt, showing its teeth to me.
“No need for that Dog.” Benedikt said.
The half boy half beast creatine backed away but bared a bitter face with eyes like burning candles.
“Dog you are scaring the guest,” said an unfamiliar voice, “Go fetch some water for the maiden.”
“Certainly Brother Mantana!” it shouted.
The unknown man rushed up and knelt down towards me. His curly copper hair stood out as he leaned in. He was much more mature but still was suspicious.
“Hello Miss, I’m Mantana, a Doctor under oath to the Mione Palace. You're looking a lot better now.”
“I am.” I blurted.
There were still two men I was unfamiliar with both standing besides the door. They don’t look like they're going to introduce themselves. Their demeanor was belittling; they don’t want to be here. One of the men was young with thin spectacles and golden hair. The other was an old servant with hairs as white as snow who stood next to his master in pride. I could feel their glares piercing my soul.
“Is there anything bothering you?” Mantana asked as he checked my pulse with his rugged hands.
“No.”
he insisted.
“Brother Mantana, you ought to keep a close eye on the lady’s health. She didn’t wake up for 3 straight days.” Benedikt ordered.
“Absolutely.” he replied.
Benedikt walked to the bed I was sitting on and held my hand. He then bowed his flushed head and knelt.
“About earlier…” he paused. Articulating his words better, “ The incident, please accept my humblest apologies.”
I said nothing. There were many words I wanted to say, but none would be fitting. I pulled my hand back from his gentle grasp but he pulled my arm back in. With a wide eye gaze and flushed, red cheeks he held my hand again.
“ I also apologize for transporting you in a wheelbarrow.” he stammered, avoiding eye-contact.
I looked at him in bewilderment.
“I tried waking you up but you weren’t coming too and I was quite tired from working all day and traversing through the wheat fields. I thought a nearby wheelbarrow was the quickest option but I’m realizing now a lady should not be treated like that thanks to Luciano’s teachings-”
“The wheelbarrow was pretty beaten up and rusty too, please forgive me madam I wasn’t in my right mind. If you weren't one of us you could’ve gotten badly injured. No, injuries aside, your dignity was hurt because of me. I’m so very sorry-”
“If my Empress bore witness to how I treated you, she would’ve burned my skin as punishment. What I did was beyond discourteous, it was uncivil and as a man of the -”
Before Benedikt could get another word out, Luciano with a tender smile, smacked Benedikt’s head.
“My apologies fair maiden, this devoted meathead may be an Elder but he never learned how to talk to women properly in his youth.” Luciano added.
I stared at meathead Benedikt and then looked back at Luciano.
“You are all like me?” I asked
“Yes, we're all Elders,” Luciano said, “You, however, are a Foreign Elder.”
“Foreign Elder?” I questioned, tilting my head.
“Some of the terminology we use isn’t universal yet brother Luciano” Mantana interrupted.
“Forgive me, you are correct. Who do you hail as your master young one?” Luciano asked.
“Master?”
“Do you not know your master?”
“No…”
“Miss, do you know what your name is? Where you come from? How old you are?” Mantana asked.
I paused for a moment to think. I was pondering if I should pretend to not know anything at all. I tried my best to give a disoriented expression as I opened my mouth.
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“I don’t remember.” I stammered.
“This isn’t good.” Mantana’s voice softened in concern.
Dog came running into the room disheveled.
“The water is here Master Mantana!” he declared.
“Thank you,” Mantana hesitated, with a look of guilt in his eyes, and said, “There is something I must discuss with my brothers. Please excuse us.”
Dog placed the cup of water next to my bedside, and backed away. Despite his small size he was a quick little thing. He hid behind Benedikt’s robe, clutching it as one does with a satchel in a busy street. Mantana bowed his head and waved his arm to the exit, signaling everyone to leave.
“I will check on you in a bit. Please rest in the meantime, you were out for a long period and we want to make sure you're well. I will leave our palace’s head servant Pierre to watch for you.” Mantana said before leaving.
With that, everyone left and I was finally alone. By the power of pure laziness, I somehow managed to infiltrate an empire, Staring at the vast blue sky I found myself thinking too much. There was no need for all that. I arose, picked up my coat and walked to the window. The cold stone floor was smooth to the touch. Hugging my fur, I looked down. Distant buildings stood all around, encapsulated within a tall wall. Massive brown roots and branches engulfed the town, leading up to where I was looking down. I was in a tree,With the breeze streaming through my hair, I leaned closer to the edge. The height was incredible. Without some sort of power, you would never be able to reach these levels. The sheer size of the tree made it impossible for your average human to climb. The tranquility of nature was nice from all the way up here. After this is all over I’ll come back to sleep in this tree. As notes of timber ravished my sense of smell, The gravity of the situation started to hit me all at once. Is that what we're calling ourselves now? None of these people are like me. All of them are youngins. They couldn’t be more than 100 years old. Burying my face in my now clean coat I let out a long sigh. Something happened.
I stared at the cup of water the creature, Dog, left. I need a drink, but this will not do. I walked over to the door and found the servant Peirre, standing right outside. His skin sagged, especially near his smile lines. His eyebrows looked angry and his build was quite thin.
“Do you need anything madam?” Pierre said in a kind tone.
“Do you have any booze?” I asked whilst blushing like a newlywed.
Pierre leaned in close to me with an alarmed look.
“Madam my apologies but alcohol has been banned in this region for 25 years now.”
“I strongly advise you to not mention alcohol to anyone from now on. It could get you a life sentence.” Pierre added.
“My apologies” I said.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“That’ll be all.”
I shut the door, quiet enough that not even a creak could escape. I jumped into the bed and wrapped myself in my fur and the lavender blankets. I need a nap after this discovery. I stared at the ceiling that was an amalgamation of wood and stone. My eyes closed and I dozed off.
I awoke to a knocking coming from the door. The sky was pink, yet it didn’t feel like I was out that long.
“May I come in?” Benedikt said in a formal tone, “It’s important.”
“Come in” I shouted.
With that, the door flung open, with his jingles following every movement he made. Standing up straight, he made sure to close the door behind him.
“You…” he stammered, “you called me.”
Glaring at him I said nothing.
“When you were in the field I heard you calling for me.”
“I was asleep.” I explained.
“I know that, but you were calling me. My name! I heard your voice in my head!” he stuttered.
Benedikt sweat dripped from his forehead. His eyes flickered as his breath rapid. I could hear his heartbeat move at an unnatural tempo.
“How did you know it was me?” I inquired.
“I didn’t know at first which is why I brought you here. I figured if I heard your voice I would be able to recognize whether the person that was calling my name was you and it sure was.”
He came closer and grabbed my shoulders. I could feel his arms shaking as he gripped me.
“You're real?” he stuttered, “You’re special.”
I stared at his arms fore I didn’t want to look him in the eyes. Sensing my discomfort, he let go of my shoulders and sat at the end of the bed.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to scare you. Let's talk about this later when you get settled. My brothers believe you are a newly made Elder. One that was made irresponsibly. We wish to grant you refuge into our country.”
“refuge?”
“Yes. Sorry, you don’t know what any of this means, but you should be lucky you were found by me. I’m quite an important figure after all. My brothers and I are sworn elders to the palace and we maintain peace for all. Both Elders and mortals alike. Our country doesn’t treat Elders any differently!”
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Benedikt’s patriotic speech.
“May I enter?” Mantana asked.
“Enter.” Benedikt responded.
Mantana came in, breaking the anxious tension in the air. In his hand was a brown leather bag.
“Greetings Brother Benedikt. I wasn’t expecting you to be here.” he said with a slight grin.
“Greetings Brother Mantana. I was informing the maiden of the conversation we had.” Benedikt said.
“Good,” Mantana said looking at me, “you may stay here for a while. Elders are very important in our society. We don’t want to see you struggle to get back on your feet.”
“Thank you.” I mumbled.
“I better get going now. I am needed in the chapel.” Benedikt stated.
“Of course.” Mantana replied.
Benedikt got up, nodded to Mantana out of respect and left, ensuring the door clasped on his way out. Mantana placed the large leather bag onto the lavender sheets of the bed. He looked at me with a smile but there was an unexplainable grief in his eyes. His brown skin glowed as the setting sunlight hit it.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Fine.”
“Do you usually sleep this much?”
“Yes.”
I didn’t say much. There was nothing to say. I am immortal, why do I need a doctor? Also, our kind being treated equally? These fools are living in a delusion. Mantana took out a notebook from his black garb, like that of Benedikt’s, and started writing. I fired a fierce glare. It took him a moment to notice it.
“Oh, this? I just want to keep track of your condition. Please don’t mind.” Mantana hesitated.
My glaring started to make him uncomfortable. I did have a sort of deadpan look in my eyes. Nonetheless I continued to watch him as he documented things until he looked back up to me. He was tense, yet continued to smile.
“Is there something about me that's bothering you?”
“No…” I paused for a moment before continuing, “Actually, I have a question.”
“Ask away.” Mantana said with wide eyes.
“Is there something wrong with my heart?” I inquired.
“Your heart? No, everything looked okay. Why? Are you feeling any pain?” he answered with great concern.
“No…” I muttered looking away from him.
My answer didn’t please him at all. His cheerful grin completely vanished and he now bore a worried expression. His thick copper brows creased. He had a sort of fire in his eyes that I haven’t seen in a long time. A determination built off fears and agony. Without second thoughts, I turned my head and pointed at the brown leather bag he had placed nearby.
“What's in there, Doctor?” I said, in hopes to change the subject.
“Oh, these are medical supplies. I know us Elders don’t have to worry about this kind of stuff, but your case is particularly special, so I brought it. However, you're looking quite healthy now so it was probably unnecessary.” he said chuckling.
I stared at him, analyzing all the words he would write down in his notebook. Then a loud knock came from the door.
“Master Mantana, Dog would like to have a quick word with you.” Pierre shouted.
“I’m busy at the moment!” Mantana responded.
“ He says it’s of utmost importance that you speak with him.”
Mantana’s eyes met mine and then he looked at the door and sighed. His facial expression changed, irritated he has to stop his work mid session.
“I’m sorry madam, I’ll be right back.” Mantana shrugged.
He exited, leaving the brown bag of his unattended. Without any hesitation I slipped my hands in with malicious intent. I felt the hardness of cold metal objects brushing my finger tips before gripping what felt like a cork. Wrapping my hands around the entirety of the corked item I pulled it out and gawked at its beauty. A slim bottle sat in my palms. Its small brown cork held a clear-like liquid prisoner. With brimming life, I popped the cork off. This smellI chugged the small amount of booze down. The burning sensation thrashed at my still fragile throat but the flavour alone was worth the risk. I made sure to get every drop and then shoved the bottle back into the bag.
Mantana returned with sweat dripping down his forehead.
“I’m sorry,” he exclaimed, “something came up and I’m going to have to end our session early.”
With a poker-faced look I stayed silent and nodded. Mantana grabbed his bag in a hurry and bolted to the door.
“One last thing. I’ve assigned Dog to give you a tour of the palace. He’ll come for you first thing tomorrow! Pierre will bring you dinner from the cafeteria. Please rest for tonight.” Mantana said while leaving.
Within seconds of him leaving Pierre arrived at my room with a tray of many dishes. There had to be about five, all filled to the brim. Every plate had engravings with gold accents and looked to be of the finest china. Not a blemish insight. On the plates were a bunch of different meals. One had fish and peas, the other had beef, another had chicken. It was never ending. I looked at Pierre in disbelief.
“Madam, your dinner is served.” he said with a bow.
He then exited and left me alone, one on one, with the feast. I looked at the food in disgust. The smell of cooked meat was nauseating. Once you get a whiff of bodies burning in a smelting fire, with an explosion recoil so strong skin starts to peel to reveal the red, plump muscles underneath, you grow a certain disdain for meat.
Clasping the elegant tableware, I placed them on the windowsill. There it was far enough to radiate its odor without interfering with my presence. Eating was not a concern for me. I’ve grown accustomed to the feeling of bubbling stomach acid and throbs of pain. If anything, eating will mess up the efforts I put into fasting this long. Jumping back onto the bed, I huddled myself underneath all the blankets and fell asleep.
