Softness caressed the length of sprawled aching arms before the gentle breeze tickled a sticky face, prompting a sore body to stir and eyelashes to flatter as Alyviah awoke from deep, disturbed slumber.

Amber flickered, adjusting to the dimness surrounding her. Her head throbbed, swarming with frantic thoughts, alarmed heartbeats increasing the pain as if they were pounding on the walls of her skull. A shaky breath, deep enough to soothe the brewing uneasiness, helped her recall the dreadful events that took place the night before.

Her heart stuttered. How long has she been lying unconscious?

Cautious, somnolent eyes darted to the flapping entry. The wind must've teased the opening, waking her up, she concluded. Unable to make sense of her surroundings, the battered girl clutched the cloak tightly, shielding her body before trudging to the entrance. Then, with silent, careful steps, Alyviah slinked outside.

Bare feet sinking in cold soil and dead leaves, the frosty air bit on her numb face. She shuddered, fists tightening around the dark blue warm fabric, and remained rooted to her place like the crowd of graceful trees around. A detached gaze flitted across the scenery that was, albeit the early morning's mistiness, clear, foreign and very much breathtaking.

Eyes, red-rimmed from a night of muffled sobs, settled on an approaching figure. "Thaddeus," she breathed out. The man advanced with confident steps, shrouded in dark garments and a new cloak that danced around his tall frame. "I must go back to search for my parents." Her request slipped out as soon as he stopped before her. Remorse gnawed at her whole. "I shouldn't have left. What kind of daughter abandons her parents in a time of need?"

Fresh tears renewed the stickiness in pallid cheeks. Thaddeus pitied the beautiful woman before him for she was in for a rude awakening after a sheltered life among the innocence of a devious forest. "Guilt is very destructive, Aly. I do not wish it upon-"

Her interruption was fast, frantic and wary. "I wish to go back, this instant!" It was as if the gears in her brain came back to life in that moment and dread weighed heavier than the suffocating guilt. "Who says it wasn't you behind the fire? Oh, I am such a fool!" Her voice rose with each word, breaths stumbling out of her lungs and not returning.

Masculine outstretched arms reached out for her. "Calm down, Aly-"

"Don't tell me that! I am but a fool," she wheezed out, "that only brought misfortune to those that loved me." Alyviah crouched down, faint whimpers emanated as her whole body ached all over, inside out. It was beyond what she could handle and thus, she was teetering on the verge of giving up. "I don't know what to do..."

Thaddeus's hands twitched before one reached out and wrapped around the fabric by her neck. Fortunately, Alyviah was blessed with a decent height, making her tower over average women and some men, courtesy of her father. Thus, the warrior's tug only brought her to unsteady feet as she struggled to balance herself. "Listen here, lady. I understand, alight? However, I did not risk the lives of my fellow warriors to save yours only for you to lump us among the likes of Veles and his underlings." He forced out, as calmly as possible, through gritted teeth.

Alyviah's face burned hot before her hands, unexpectedly, pushed against his chest so hard he stumbled backward, the air getting knocked out of his lungs. His eyes widened before settling on her. "Do not touch me like that." The iciness in her voice froze his tongue. "I am a fool but not stupid. I realize that you're aware of my lack of knowledge about the outside world. Damn it."

Who was this woman exactly? Thaddeus blinked. "Everyone knows who Veles is," he started slowly, trying not to provoke her again. She had hit a tender spot earlier. Yet, he shouldn't have let his temper flare.

"I don't. No one told me and father always changed the subject." She crossed her arms, drawing his attention to her indecent attire.

Averting his gaze, Thaddeus continued. "How strange." A heavy exhale tumbled out, moments later. "Forgive me, my lady. That was very rude of me. However, Veles is a vile man and I do not wish to be considered one of his men."

"I figured."

The stubborn pout adorning her lips only added to her charm, watering an amused smile to bloom across his face. "I am truly sorry, my lady. Allow me to escort you back to the tent as it is very cold out here."

Sighing, Alyviah turned around and marched back inside, muttering under her breath. "Just call me Aly."

True to his words, Thaddeus apologized twice before keeping a respectful distance between them as he busied himself with papers scattered across a very old-looking table. She wrapped the cloak around herself. "I must apologize about my very embarrassing outburst earlier. However, I need to find my parents."

Alyviah has never been away from her parents, has never been alone, and most importantly...she has never felt this lost before.

Pursuing his lips, he turned toward her. "We shall await the return of the warriors I sent to check your house, Aly. It is too risky to wander about as we're many steps behind."

Her head moved in successive nods, her lips wobbling slightly. "I understand."

Messy brown strands stuck out in all directions, her disheveled look tugged at his defenses. He could remember the awful state in which his father found him after losing his mother. He should have been more considerate. Getting used to pain must've dulled his feelings. Deciding to help busy her mind with something else, Thaddeus dropped the papers and turned her way. "What do you know, Aly?" She hummed in confusion, her eyebrows furrowing. "What do you know about Uthain, about the other kingdoms?"

Alyviah stammered for an answer, caught off guard by his question. "I know that Uthain is based on cursed, neutral lands, tales of dragon wars and human massacres taking place over these vast grounds. I know that Uthain is known for its fruits and woods and that not many come but many leave, that we have no ruler for everyone fears the curse of dragons to befall them."

"What of this curse?"

"That whoever rules these lands will die a terrible death." The solemnity in which she had spoken only fueled his laughter, provoking confusion and annoyance to mar her face. "I wasn't aware I was telling a joke. Mind elaborating on what it is you find amusing in this tale of doom?"

"I apologize again, Aly. However, that isn't true. Well, most of it." Thaddeus sobered up after a while.

"Uthain is not cursed grounds as the tale says. It is, however, the place where the final dragons war took place. Hence why many claim it is cursed as plenty of people have died. What your father failed to tell you, and I presume he didn't want to, was that everyone living in Uthain came from Hothington, the kingdom which Veles rules, on orders from the King himself. Therefore, he is indirectly the actual ruler and so whoever seeks to govern this village gets executed by his men."

Alyviah shuffled around on the makeshift bed, trying to mask the shock plastered across her face. "Do you jest, Thaddeus?"

"I see no point in jesting about important matters, my lady."

"Why would father lie about that?" Her voice cracked.

"I would say it has to do with King Veles searching for someone for many, many years on end. However, it has been all in vain for they have been well-hidden until now."

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Metanoia: a greek noun that means to turn from the darkness and face the light.

Veles: is a Slavic variationon the name Volos. The name actually means ox. In ancient mythology, it was the name of the god of the underworld, cattle, dragons, trickery, the underworld and magic.