The dark little room was only lit by a couple of flashing bright stripes of sunlight. As I walked through it, an incredible amount of dust filled the room, and I dragged my hand along the wall. Against these dirty, dusty, and crackled wooden walls, my hands looked clean and pale but swirling up even more dust. Around the sunrays, the flying dust almost sparkled, like the idea of a flame hidden right around the light or matted gold glitter surrounding every inch like a magical reflection of the warmth it carried.
It was dirty, dusty, and old, but a calm sensation pulsated inside the entire building. I expected to hate this place; in my head, I would feel the anger, trauma, the same desperation, and pain I felt the last time I was here... The little cabin Astor dragged me to after he found me wounded, hurt, beaten, and tied to a tree. This place should have reeked of hurt and despair, heavy and dark. Instead, it feels like a magical little safes-pace bubble- a safe, calm fairytale cabin. To my surprise, I discovered I liked it. I liked this place, this little wooden building. Strange! I had kind of concluded that the chances of me burning it to the ground before I left were closer to 100% up until I stepped inside.
"We should keep it!"
Drifta's voice filled my head, and the massive smile plastered all over my face even before my head managed to break down what this information told us. She's back! Drifta is back, and she sounds and feels like her old self. Strong, energetic, and a little bit too cocky. However, I was unprepared for my own reaction and never imagined my overwhelming emotional response to this good news. How could it be possible to feel so much happiness and relief while still being so pained and hurt? My heart slammed against my chest in excitement, and adrenaline spread like wildfire as my rushing pulse raced through my entire body.
But everything I had refused to think about, all the worst-case scenarios, now flashed through my mind. I felt the pain of knowing I would never see her again, losing her forever. What an incredibly confusing and hurtful experience! My lips twitched and shook as I made every muscle work up to a smile. And like a switch, the fake smile turned pure and bright, shining through the tears.
"Drifta!"
I wanted to say so much more, and so many things lined up in my mind- all the things I needed to say itched on my tongue. My voice broke, and her name was all I could find the capacity to quack.
"I know, I know, little human. But I told you I would be back!"
A short snort of laughter contracted out of me as I tipped my head forward and wiped my eyes. What a stupid reaction! I knew she would be back! But it never felt right. I never managed to relax or feel really comfortable; something had been missing since the day she had to retreat. Since the day she left me, I could finally let go of the poisonous little thorn hidden deep inside of me. Get rid of the crippling doubt that whispered this could be the rest of my life. That I never would ever feel like me again, never completely happy or satisfied. Now that poisonous, those crippling whispers vanished. She is here, Drifta is back, and I never want to do this again!
"Let's never do this again!"
"I support that decision!"
Her laughter echoed mine and sent me a sensation of relief, joy, and love. Drifta's feelings, and yes. She was correct; for the first time in my life, I knew what I felt was 100% pure love. I loved Drifta with every inch of myself, and it felt good to accept that feeling. It made me feel happy and lighter. I was loved, and I could love!
"I do love you, sweety, and that will never change. However, we don't really have time for this right now. Why are we still here? "
Drifta paused a second before she followed up with,
"Why are we here?"
"Because now I know where the caste is."
"Hm. I agree. A new human female, it would be natural to believe she is in that old building where Lilifolia days were held."
I could hear, no, I could feel the disdain dripping from each word, and I knew just what she felt. I understood and agreed. But we had to go there, we had to look for her. This was the most logical place for her to be, and it was the only place I knew of here besides the building where I met the old Fay king and Myranda.
"And what if she's not there?"
"Then we find our way back to the old fay kings city villa."
"How do we get in? "
"Let's locate the place first and take a look."
"You don't even have a plan, do you?"
"Well, do you?"
"Fine. I don't even know what the building looks like or how many entrances it has! How could I make a plan? We need to study it."
Drifta muttered, and I smiled while my eyes danced with the sunshine shimmering dust flying around me. She was right; we should keep this place. It is such a shame it belongs here, in the Fay lands!
One hour later, dusk had covered the dense forest like a soothing blanket of fog. Shadows grew longer, and the bright sun now painted the sky with deep but bright colors of orange, yellow, and a warm shade of red and purple- the heaven's painting of the day, beautiful watercolors decorating the skies as a last breath. From now on, the sneaking dusk would rapidly shift into night. Dark and final.
"I still think it was a waste."
We had been running for over half an hour, and still, I didn't recognize anything. The rocky and steep hill I tried to slide down last time was much more challenging to move up than expected. I stopped when I reached the edge, stood up, and looked down. I can't believe I thought going down here was a good idea! I guess fear and adrenaline can change how time and lace feel in the spur of the moment.
Rolling my eyes, a little more dramatic than needed, I stifled a laugh.
Even if that sudden emotional reaction surprised me, it didn't control me. It was not a pleasant experience for sure, but I learned something. It gave me a new understanding of primal emotions and the relations between beings. Not to mention shifters.
And my own limitations...
"I know. But you must admit, it lit up beautifully!"
Drifta huffed in response but didn't even try holding her laughter back, and I joined her.
I knew I loved the feeling inside that wooden building, so I had to burn it down.
This amusement felt different, more carefree, almost wicked. But the energy burst lifted my mood remarkably.
Two round targets with a bright yellow bullseye appeared between two tall trees.
"We are here, the castle's archery field."