Thrain arrived at the old windmill, immediately he heard the bell struck midnight,his heart pounding in anticipation. He didn't know who or what to expect ,he prayed silently that it wasn't his imagination and that someone out there was surely going to help.
The short journey to the windmill went smoothly,he was able to maneuver without drawing the attention of the guards. Too smooth,too quiet that it seemed like the universe itself wanted him to meet this person.
As he entered the dimly lit interior of the windmill,he noticed a small figure waiting in the shadows.
It was a little boy,a boy no more than 10 years of age,was he lost?.
Thrain was amused at himself. This boy can't be the one to render the help he was looking forward to!.
His eyes darted around the dilapidated building, searching for the 'person' that is fit to help.
"Hello Thrain". The boy said suddenly.
Thrain almost jumped out of his skin.
"How- how do you know my name,who are you?". He asked regaining his composure. It's just a little boy,he shouldn't be scared of a child, but deep down,he felt apprehensive.
The boy had a mysterious look almost as though he wasn't human at all.
Thrain tried to calm his nerves. He was the queen's brother after all and almost everyone in the kingdom knows him,this boy should not be an exception.
"But why Thrain, what happened to my lord". He mumbled to himself,then turned to face the boy.
"It seems you have no idea of the one who stands before you". He said looking at the boy,he was probably one of those unruly children,the type that don't listen to their parents or elders.
"Your name is Thrain, you are the queen's brother, you can call me Eryndor". The boy said smiling.
Thrain was dumbfounded that he let out a laugh out of disbelief. Was this child trying to annoy him or what.
"Are you lost, what are you doing here?". He asked instead of correcting the boy that he wasn't just Thrain, but Lord Thrain.
But he didn't see the need to do all that, besides, the boy was distracting him from the main purpose of which he came.
"I was sent to help you, perhaps the name 'Aries' might help me earn your attention ". The boy said.
Thrain was shocked. "How did you know that name?". He asked moving closer to the boy,he couldn't help but feel like this seemingly little, innocent looking boy was some kind of threat.
"Good, now that I have your undivided attention, allow me to introduce myself again,my name is Eryndor...".
As the boy spoke, Thrain noticed something strange, the air around him seems to simmer,as if he was surrounded by an invincible aura.
He didn't need anyone to tell him that that boy was no normal child, it even shows from the way he spoke and moved, very articulated,very purposeful.
"What do you know about Aries?". Thrain asked, this boy wasn't a normal boy and he probably knows something about Aries and where she may likely be.
Suddenly,Nola burst into the building, interrupting them,her eyes searching.
"Thrain?". She called out. Thrain was surprised to see her.
"What are you doing here Nola?". He asked, walking up to her.
Eryndor's eyes locked unto Nola's, something about her didn't settle right with him.
"Who is this child, Thrain?. She asked looking at the boy.
"And who are you? You are not supposed to be here ". Eryndor said to her before he turned his gaze towards Thrain.
"I thought I told you to come alone ".
"She means no harm Eryndor, she's my friend ". Thrain began,he noticed that the boy was getting angry,he didn't want to blow up his only chance of finding Aries . This little boy seems to be the key.
Eryndor eyed her from head to toe,he didn't hide the fact that he disliked her the instant she walked into the building.
"Is she though?". He stopped and listened.
"I hear footsteps,I think the guards are unto us". His gaze snapped towards Nola.
"Your 'friend' brought them here".
Thrain looked at Nola,he didn't want to believe it at first but the look in her eyes said otherwise.
"I'm so sorry...". Was all she said.
After their meeting in the cave, she was really disturbed about this unknown girl or woman that has gotten Thrain in that state. They practically grew up together and she believed that she has seen all sides and shades of him, she knew him like the palm of her hand, better than anyone else,or so she thought.
She didn't like the way he subconsciously smiled when he talked about her,or the way he chipped in her name in every conversation they had in the cave. It was supposed to be a happy reunion, not some boring tale about a witch. Speaking of witches, maybe she casted a love spell on him,if so, then he needs to be cured as soon as possible.
She managed to sneaked into the palace unnoticed, she wanted to tell the queen everything and hopefully she might be able to stop him from ever leaving the kingdom.
"Oh- Nola ,its been awhile since you visited the palace,I know you are here for Thrain right?". Lythari said, setting aside the book she was reading. Nola curtsied and said.
"I'm sorry for disrupting your leisure time your grace, but I really need to tell you something ".
The queen noticed how nervous the girl was and wondered what could've happened.
"What is it Nola, tell me ".
"I met Lord Thrain few hours ago and he told me about his plans to leave the kingdom, he's meeting someone at the old windmill tonight ". She said looking around like a thief in broad daylight.
Lythari studied her carefully. She didn't have any reason to lie,besides she was well aware of her brother's obsession to leave.
"The old windmill?". She asked.
"Yes your grace,I think he's planning to leave tonight, you have to stop him".
"Thank you for this information Nola,I will handle the rest".
Lythari walked into the building with guards falling in line behind her,her face expressionless.
"Seize him!".
The guards rushed towards Thrain to apprehend him, but he was too weak to react,too stunned to speak. Why would Nola do something like this?.
" Your majesty please I beg of you". He began slowly
"It is really important that I leave, I have to find Aries, please let me go".
Nola's heart sank, the mention of that name felt like a hot dagger in her heart, that witch definitely did something to him, because this is not the Thrain she remembers, the one she grew up with.
The Thrain she knows doesn't easily get swayed by anyone, she knew he had eyes for her only and she remembered how he always joked about marrying her one day, when they are old enough.
It was a silly,innocent joke of a child,but Nola never saw it as one,to her Thrain was her betrothed. She only had to wait for the right time.
" Since you have chosen to disobey me, you shall be confined to your chambers until further notice ". Lythari's voice startled Nola, from the corners of her eyes, she could tell that Thrain was looking at her,but she dared not to look back.
She was scared to see the look on his face, the look of disappointment and disgust, she had broken his trust and their relationship might have been ruined, but that was the extent she was willing to go to keep him from leaving.
It doesn't matter how long it will take, someday, somehow, she will eventually warm her way back to his heart.
As the guards dragged him away,he turned back to look at Eryndor, the only person that seemed to know where Aries was at the moment,but the boy was long gone and so was his opportunity of ever finding her. It was almost as if he wasn't there in the first place.
Only a miracle could save him now.
********
Aries traced the strands of her hair with her fingers, she stared back at her reflection in the mirror, maybe staring hard would bring back some kind of memory,even just a fragment of it would do.
She tilted her head,her gaze fixed on the stranger in the mirror. The face was familiar,yet it wasn't. The eyes, nose, lips -all were recognizable,yet somehow,they didn't belong to her.
Her fingers continue to comb through the hair, the soft strands slipping through her fingers like silk. Then she began to wonder how long she had spent in that room, she knew not when it was day nor night, only that she had a daily routine,eat, sleep,wake up and then shower then back to sleep.
She only had someone to talk to when the physician woman comes to check up on her, surprisingly, they bonded so well after a few visits and Aries realized that the woman was actually good at heart, she was only obeying commands. Even when she had fully recovered, the woman kept on visiting, from time to time.
"I'm happy to see that you are becoming more comfortable and relaxed ". A voice spoke. Aries turned her gaze,expecting to see the physician,but her countenance changed when she realized who it was.
"Look,Kyla am only trying to protect you from all the forces that seek to destroy and take your powers away". Xylara said, moving closer to where she sat.
Aries shook her head slightly and said."protect me from forces, what forces? More like protecting me from yourself".
She may have lost memories but she was no fool. These people made their intentions clear the moment she opened her eyes in this very room.
"You have no idea of how much power you willed child".
"Why can't I feel it then". Aries asked frustratingly.
Xylara smiled.
"If you really want to see what you are capable of,then I will show you just a glimpse of it ".