Fresh Air (62)

She woke to the same routine they had executed before.

A waking feast was delivered by Bat who had left only after he saw her sit up, and then returned with the food. A tenth of it actually reaching Caeli's stomach and another tenth sadly strewn across the tray in her failed attempts at feeding herself. Eventually she gave up.

The women arrived, her wound was tended, she was bathed and dressed, her arm placed in the sling and they began her exercises, Caeli mentioning her difficulty eating as they helped her from the bed to begin.

They had her walk to the bedroom door and back, practice using cutlery and cups, and had her attempt to brush her hair.

After many tumbling dishes, and two strokes through her hair, she was spent.

The women saw her weariness and halted for the day.

They helped once more to get her arranged at a table and chair before leaving her, informing her that food would be sent for her lunch.

Caeli declined their offer to stay and help feed her.

"Lynx, is there a library here by chance?", Caeli asked before the women turned to leave.

Lynx lifted her head and smiled.

"Yes, of course my lady. A modest one but extensive nonetheless.", she answered.

"Could I possibly have something to read? In the hours that I am alone it would be nice to occupy my mind even if my body is unable to continue.", she said smiling nervously. It felt odd to ask for something and not to do it herself.

Lynx smile widened.

"As you wish my lady. Is there anything specific you would like to read?", she asked.

Caeli thought a moment about the question.

Before she had read anything she could get her hands on, scientific journals, fantasy stories, historical rewritings.

To have the luxury of choosing was almost too much to comprehend.

"I'd like anything on the Midnight Forest. If that would be alright that is.", Caeli answered sheepishly.

Lynx bobbed her head with her curtsy.

"Of course my lady. Is there anything else?", she asked kindly.

"No, thank you very much. For everything. Thank you.", Caeli answered with a smile.

The women left promptly and only moments later Bat returned with a stack of books teetering on his back.

"I hope you don't feel obligated to stay with me. I can't help but feel as though you are babysitting me. You needn't stay because of Raven.", Caeli said laughing.

Bat happily arrived beside her table and his prehensile tail clumsily placed them in front of her. He sat heavily and looked expectantly at her.

She scratched behind his ear and wished she had something to reward him with. He seemed to be the sole provider of deliveries to her room (aside from the one time Raven had brought her food) and had brought her comfort with his companionship.

"I'm sorry Bat, I have nothing to give you.", she said sadly caressing his smooth cheek.

Just as she had finished her sentence, a knock came at the door.

"Come in.", she said, her voice cracking with her attempt at being loud enough for the person to hear.

Einar entered the room and smiled brightly at her.

"Hello Einar.", she said warmly.

"Good night my lady.", he said back cheerfully.

"Does that mean afternoon here?", Caeli asked.

Einar nodded as he placed the tray of food next to her newly acquired stack of books.

"Yes I suppose so. I'm sure you'll read about it in one of those books. The top one, with the blue cover, is the most modern writing about the Midnight Forest and it's people.", he said pleasantly.

Caeli's eyes rose in interest and she lifted the small book. Arguably the shortest she'd ever read up until that point, and the pages were thin and aged.

"Of course it was written by a traveler who visited long ago, one of the last really.", he said regretfully.

"When was it written?", she said observing the dusty cover in consternation.

"About a two hundred years ago.", he said plainly.

Caeli was shocked at first but realized that this only made sense.

What little she had read about the Midnight Forest was speculated to be myth, and there was almost no mention at all of the people who lived there. The galaxians in particular. It was always speculated that the history was so obscured due to its natural geographical isolation. The isolation more stringent once the war between Folk and Humans had began.

"I think you'll find it most instructive, despite its length.", Einar said chuckling in response to her marveling expression.

Caeli set the book aside when she noticed Einar's pointed glances at the food he had brought her.

She lifted a bite to her mouth and once swallowed, noticed that he was now looking at her expectantly.

"The food here is always marvelous. Thank you Einar, for bringing me my meal.", she said quickly and sincerely.

His smiled broadened.

"It is my pleasure my lady, soon enough you'll be strong enough to join us for our meals in the dining hall.", he said a sparkle in his eye.

Caeli laughed and smiled warmly.

"The idea of it will be incentive to work hard.", she said.

Einars heart hammered against his chest.

"Well I will bother you no longer so that you may enjoy your meal and books. Please call should you need anything.", he said quickly before bowing and exiting the room.

"I wonder if it is custom for everyone to leave so abruptly in these parts.", she said expectantly to Bat who responded with a confused look and a happily wagging tongue.

She laughed and gave the gargoyle a loving scratch before turning to her food.

She ate slowly, still unable to fit a normal sized meal into her severely shrunken stomach. After she'd taken a couple bites, she carefully placed the silver dishes on the floor, inviting Bat to finish the food. With the majority of it still remaining, it seemed a waste to send it off almost untouched.

She laughed as she watched Bat eat the food excitedly, snorting as he did so.

Once they were finished, Bat took her dishes and left the room with them.

Caeli sighed heavily and then turned to the blue covered book Einar had pointed out.

Sleep lurked nearby, her body weary and her stomach full.

But she wanted the knowledge the book had to offer.

"Just a few chapters.", she said to herself in the empty room.

As if anticipating her desire to read, the glowing stones brightened slightly.

She hardly noticed.

—————————————————————————

The next day, after her morning routine, she asked Bat to take her to the room he had first brought her to with the large balcony.

She wanted to be outside.

"You'd have to carry me though, is that alright?", she asked, raising a brow.

Bat excitedly bunny hopped in circles around her before diving between her legs and lifting her off of the ground.

They made their way to the room he had taken her to before. She thought she had been too exhausted to remember the way but now she was sure it was because of the maze like halls.

The hallways winding and weaving, other corridors branching off of the ones they walked down. The walls all similar, black marble and glowing stones.

Despite the disorienting similarity of the halls, only a few minutes later, they arrived. The door was closed and Bat approached close enough for her good arm to reach out and gently knock.

There was no answer.

Bat pushed the door open and she saw the balcony doors were open to the outside. They made their way slowly across the room, Bats steps muffled by what looked like thick carpet.

In no time at all, they made it to the railing of the balcony.

Bat brought her close enough to see and she gazed in awe.

The air was cool but not cold. All around, Caeli could hear the life in the forest.

'Mmm, it is beautiful here. Not in the way most others would think. I don't think anyone I know could have even dreamt of a place such as this, let alone know that it exists in real life.", she said smiling softly, appreciating the cool breeze on her face and watching as fish like creatures floated dreamily through the air. Their fins whisper thin and varying in shades of blue.

Caeli heard what sounded like a hushed movement of air, she turned to see what was behind her.

She saw a flash of a large black body with a white head moving away from the door. She waited for it to return.

"I think he is trying to give me space.", she said to Bat, who sneezed in response.

"I don't know what to do Bat. He is kind and caring but I am frightened of my feelings for him. And what power that gives him over me. His betrayal cut deeply. Deeper than I had thought possible.", she said thoughtfully.

Bat whimpered in response.

"I know. I shouldn't be so hard on him. I would like for us to at least be friends but I just need a little time is all.", she said patting Bat's head.

They sat in silence for some time. Caeli enjoying the fresh air and view while Bat easily supported her atop his back, his tail wagging happily all the while.

"Can you take me back now my friend? I can no longer fight the dark.", she said dreamily. Her tiredness combined with the fresh air slurring her words.

Bat turned away from the railing and took her back to her room.