🌊 ELYSTIA 🌊

The next morning, I bring the xuxu I hunted in the forest to the kitchen. It's a flightless bird with tender meat. It's small, only enough to feed five people, but I'm proud I was able to contribute to the camp.

As I explore more of the forest over the upcoming weeks, I'll hunt bigger prey. Hopefully enough to offer the village.

As easy as this entertaining job is, it's not enough to keep me content. The forest makes me feel connected to home. It has familiar plants, animals, and sounds. Although I may not understand all the social cues of these Zolan people, I will always understand nature.

A servant girl in the kitchen accepts the xuxu and I sheepishly request to use the kitchen. She frowns and tells me that entertainers never cook in the kitchen, but relents.

I'm not much of a cook, but I mastered my mother's stew.

My face warms as I remember meeting Za and defiling his boot. I promised I would make it up to him. A meal will be a good starting place.

I roll up my sleeves and mix vegetables. The servants don't seem to mind since I'm only cooking one serving and not using too many supplies. A few ingredients are missing, like the sweet seaweed my mother adds to the stew. But there are enough seasonings, meat, and vegetables to make it good enough. 

I let the food cool before covering it with a wooden lid. It seems like Zolans everywhere have a preference for food served cold.

I thank the servant—Kellea, and promise to return the favor. Then I practically bounce outside and scan the camp in search of Za. 

There's a buzz in my belly as I look for him. An awakening. An attraction. Za bested my senses, caught my arrow with his bare hand, and remained kind even after I spat on him. His handsomeness certainly doesn't help my case. Those shoulders of his could probably carry Terra.

Last night, as I waited for sleep to take me, I pictured him holding an arrow to my bow. His bare arms under the sun, stretched out with muscles and veins. Giant hands dwarfing the bow.

I bite my lip. How embarrassing. I'm developing a crush. The last time this happened, I was fifteen and chasing after a boy that was skilled in archery. A boy that many other girls loved, and he reveled in the attention. He broke my heart when he passed my love note to his friends for a laugh.

I was a child back then. Innocent and careless. Za is not a child. He is... lethal. The very opposite of innocence.

I ask around, but no one knows a master named Za. It's perplexing. How does the camp not know such an imposing, memorable man?

I'm about to give up my search when I spot him. He stands by the camp entrance, speaking with another master. I hold my bow steady and march forward, pushing my lips in shameful awareness. I hope I can last a conversation without spitting at the man.

"Za!" I wave as I approach.

His eyes fasten on me, and he grits something to the master that makes him instantly walk away.

"Hi," I say, holding the bowl awkwardly against my chest.

I scan him quickly. He wears the same boots, black hide pants and a tunic lined with leather.

"You never told me your name," comes his deep voice. I've never quite heard a timbre so deep. It's like the call of the ocean waves clashing again a cliff. His voice might be more captivating than his eyes and his giant, distracting biceps.

"I'm Elystia," I smile.

He lowers his chin, looking at me intently. "I've never heard that name before."

"It's... foreign." A common name in Terra. An isolated island he has likely never heard of.

I extend the bowl. "Here. I told you that I would make it up to you."

He blinks, but doesn't accept the bowl. "I fear reaching for it. I wouldn't put it past you to spill it on my boots."

I bite my lip and break eye contact, staring at his shadow. "Just try it."

He takes the bowl and slides the lid under it. Then he tips the bowl and slurps, the loud, wet sound making my thighs slam shut.

He stiffens and lowers the bowl, looking at it in disbelief.

"Do you like it?" I whisper.

He clears his throat and licks his lips. "It is adequate."

I smirk. "If it's not good enough, I can just take it back and..."

"Nonsense," he replies, gripping onto the bowl so tightly that I'm surprised it hasn't cracked. "I'll hold my breath as I eat. I'll manage. No food can go to waste during this famine."

I laugh at the arrogant, proud master who is still licking his lips. "Alright."

"Thank you, Elystia."

He offers a faint smile and my heart stammers. I need to get out of here before I start drooling over the man. I'll never hear the end of it if I defile his boots again.

I smile and walk away, my back erect as I can sense his eyes on me. I enter my new tent, having been relocated by the headmistress. We're not sure why she moved us, but we don't mind as long as we still have a home in this electric and fascinating camp.

I rest on my bed and listen to the wind shifting the tent. I try to focus on the present but I'm interrupted by the memory of Za slurping on my stew. I cover my rosy cheeks with my hands and roll over on my bed.

— —

Later that night, I return to camp from the forest empty-handed. I had no luck hunting.

Sidra is in our tent, reading under candlelight. She yawns and greets me sleepily. Most of the camp has retired to bed.

"Are you going to sleep?" I ask.

"Yeah. Don't worry. I'll wake you up if you start sleepwalking."

I'm grateful to have her. Grateful that she's a light sleeper. If she weren't here, I would have to tie myself to bed to avoid wandering off.

She exhausts the candle and I change into my nightdress. After bidding goodnight, we both close our eyes.

— HOURS LATER: SLEEPWALKING —

My body gains awareness, but my mind is wandering in a grey cloud. I feel lightweight. In auto-mode. Something outside calls to me.

It's pitch dark. I rise from my bed and walk outside. The moon is high in the sky and only a handful of torches are lit. I look for Sidra, walking the dirt paths in search of my friend. But then my eyes find the largest tent in the camp and I get distracted. 

My light steps take me toward the tent with the flag above it. The Captain's tent.

I walk for a few minutes, quietly barging past the tent flaps and looking around. It's dark and cold in here. 

Arms come around me, jerking me aside. I awake as soon as my temple hits a strong chest.

I blink a few times, realizing my surroundings. I'm in unfamiliar embrace. Captured by arms that are nothing like Sidra's.

"What are you doing?" Comes a male voice.

A familiar male voice.

I look around the darkness, now fully awake and aware of my surroundings. Aware of the mess I've walked into. I'm in someone's tent. And based on the size of it, the owner must be high-ranking.

Oh no, I did it again! Where the fuck is Sidra?!