Confrontation

From very early that morning, Hyra woke up fresh and fit. Nonetheless, she was surprised to find herself in a room, as she vividly remembered being with the others at the feast. As she surveyed the scene, she saw a gorgeous and straightforward mustard yellow linen dress, along with matching flats, waiting for her by a nice hot bath.

She didn't know who brought her back, but she hoped Kahelle had something to do with it. She was going to thank her immediately, because her night had been right all the same, despite a slight nightmare...

However, she remembered it correctly.

She had seen herself, bathing in a river quietly, alone. She even remembered the feeling of calm she felt at that moment. While doing a few loads in the water, a relatively strong metallic smell had reached her.

When she opened her eyes, she froze in horror. It was no longer the river but blood. Completely panicked, she tried to get out of there, but the more she moved, the more the river of blood stirred. She eventually grew tired as her efforts seemed in vain.

She felt herself sink, despite everything. She called for help with all her might. Only, no one answered her. As she found herself overwhelmed, a firm grip took hold of the hand she desperately extended.

She was saved.

When she reopened her eyes timidly, she was struck by an extraordinary luminosity. The river of blood was gone, and she found herself on top of a cliff, bordered by majestic trees. A calm wind enveloped her pleasantly.

Suddenly she heard a song. It was a woman. She was singing in another language. Hyra let her beautiful voice guide her until she found her sitting under one of the trees. She could just perceive his profile and fabulous red hair. Her head was tilted, and Hyra saw a little girl on her knees.

She sang for her, stroking her hair tenderly. The scene looked unexpected but so calming. She did not understand the words, but this lullaby filled her heart with joy.

The little girl lifted her head and turned to her. Hyra noticed that she had the same gray hair. It was only when she met his eyes of the same colour that she was surprised.

“But it's me!”

It was her with this woman. So it had to be his mother. She was pretty sure of it. Her eyes filled with tears. She wanted to call her, but she didn't want to stop his moving song. The girl who was looking at her smiled at her.

Such a dazzling smile, which made her smile in turn.

She didn't know why. However, she felt that everything would be fine.

That’s how his dream ended.

At least she had been able to catch a glimpse of her birth mother for the first time. According to her, it was a beautiful message.

After getting up and properly prepared, she left the room and found herself in a hallway, not knowing where to go. These were very distinct voices, which guided her to another room, where the half-open door allowed her to hear this:

“Oh, come on! Don't be shy! And take me right now. I know you want it, Astaldo darling!”

- Get out, where I hit you, Brakir. How many times I have to repeat it to you! I'm not like you, who only thinks of mmmm...

Hyra couldn't make out the last words of her sentence, though as she went to knock politely, a hand grabbed hers right away. It was Lydar who motioned for her to silence and forced her to follow him.

She wished it had been someone else, but no! It had to be him. What bad luck! When they got to the backyard, she immediately pulled away.

However, the latter sneered at his gesture:

- What's the wrong, princess? Did we get off our left foot today?

- Meddle in what concerns you! Why did you prevent me from entering ?! It was Astaldo and…

- Her lover?

Taken aback, she thought she had misheard. What was he talking about?

“Ah, if you know how obvious your innocence is, and yet so cute!”

The perversion of this man seemed to have no limits. He hadn't even seen it, which he was already criticizing. She hated him so much right now that she really couldn't hold back:

“Odious character that you are! What are you going to invent that is more discriminating this time? Every time you open your mouth, you make me want to throw up. Stay away from me; that’s understood!”

Lydar laughed as Hyra stepped back in disgust. He could tell she was angry, and he was more than happy! At least a real reaction from her since their first meeting.

- That’s pretty clear, I think! You don't like me much, it seems?

- I hate you, do you hear? I hate you!

- Already ?! Oh, dear! What big words, in such a beautiful mouth...

Hyra, surprised at this unexpected compliment, blushed adorably. He really, in all its forms. It was necessary not to stay in the company of this elf.

Lydar, who admired her beautiful, troubled face, took the opportunity to come closer.

When she looked up, she was mesmerized by his incredible emerald eyes, which were staring gently at her.

Why did he always have to provoke her? Didn't she know what he wanted from her?

“Princess Hyra...”

When he whispered those few words in a tender voice, she trembled slightly. She didn't like the turn of their conversation. She had just confessed her hatred to him, yet there was tension in the air! It was incomprehensible! She stepped back further. This did not prevent him from moving forward! The cheeky !!!...

Even if she asked him to stop, he sure wouldn't listen to her. His seductive and determined gaze reflected this. As her back hit a tree, she wondered apprehensively what was going to happen now.

Lydar, on the other hand, wasn't entirely in control of his movements. All he knew was that this woman had been turning his head from day one… He wanted to, no, he had to prove, that this was just a passing physical attraction! Could it be only that?

So why was his heart racing so fast?...

Her eyes went down to her beautiful, ruddy red lips. They made him want!

He suddenly whispered elven words she didn't understand at all. Arrived in front of her, he suddenly leaned down, and his breath caressed her cheek. Was he going to kiss her? Please, no...

“My lord!”

They both jumped while Voronyi bowed respectfully.

“My brother and I would like to discuss with you the plan to adopt for the next step. If your highness is willing?”

His intervention was a blessing from heaven, which allowed Hyra to escape without asking for his remains. She was so upset, she found herself on the edge of a wood, without knowing it. She got lost. But that didn't scare her. It was much better than seeing that hateful Elven King again. On the contrary, on this beautiful sunny morning, a good walk would do her good.

All around her, nature was resplendent. She heard birds chirping with joy. A gentle wind lifted her lengthy hair, and she took a deep breath. The smell of flowers, of the earth, of life!

It felt good to be here. She wondered if Elyra, the sacred forest was the same. She was already anxious to check it out, despite everything.

She sat for a moment on a large boulder, which was on a hill, which slightly overlooked the city. She could even see the roofs of houses in the distance, but a roof was above them all. That of an imposing castle. She was pretty sure her brother was there.

A twin brother. Yes, she did.

She had seen him in a dream and still had a little idea of what he looked like, mostly since it was from their mother that he got that beautiful red hair. On the other hand, she wondered if he, too, was asking himself questions like her about their mission. Did he already know? Or would he be afraid when he found out and try to escape? No, she didn't believe it.

She was pretty sure he would be delighted. I had to admit that she also loved adventure. Well, especially in the novels she read. Finding herself overnight in an epic like this… At least she wasn't alone. Kahelle was there.

However, she knew that when the time came, no one could replace her. He would have to act and without flinching. Though come to think of it better, his powers weren't that extraordinary. Yes, she knew very well how to defend herself. She handled air as well as water. But from there, to save an entire forest?...

He would have to practice hard. Maybe her brother had mastery of the air, much better than she did. He could teach him other, more powerful tricks. She smiles, just thinking about it.

As she turned back, a little more serene than before, she heard the sweet melody of a flute. The sound sounded melancholy. She strained her ears, trying to determine her location. Only, the closer it got, the more it intensified. Even the air all around her seemed sharper and more agitated.

What was certain was that this person didn't want to be disturbed. The weather had changed completely, heavy clouds appearing out of nowhere, invading the already dark sky. Hyra, as a precaution, surrounded herself with a large air bubble as a shield.

She eventually perceives a clearing behind a large tree. She stepped forward cautiously, but as she was about to find out who it was, a colossal stone moved towards her. Without wasting a second, she awakened her power and repelled the projectile, which crashed further. More rocks, and even a tree, moved towards her with frightening speed.

It whirled around for a moment, creating a vast field of air that crushed them all with force. Coming back down to the floor, she cried:

“Stop it now!" I do not know who you are! But I am not here to fight.”

A laugh answered her. However, by the time she finished her sentence, a large boulder was already rushing towards her. She rose quickly into the air, past the trees all around. Having the big picture would make it easier for her to pinpoint where the attacks were coming from. However, in addition to the rock, a sabre was coming in from the opposite direction. It was clear. She was attacked on purpose.

Without wasting a second, she conjured up a large lasso of water, which swallowed the sword while crushing the rock. Finally arriving at the tops of the trees, she scanned the surroundings on her guard.

Yet there was no one in the clearing below her. And she no longer heard the sound of the flute, which she was also looking for.

After a good few minutes, she thought to herself that her attacker might have fled. She came down slowly. What did this mean? Plus, being attacked out of the blue, in broad daylight. This person had mastery over the land and not just a little. As she was still thinking, a dart came dangerously close.

Suddenly another arrow pulled her away from her before she even reacted. Voronyi, out of nowhere, came running towards her:

“Princess Moon! You have nothing!?”

He stood in front of her, scanning the surroundings, alert.

“I'm fine, Voronyi. Do not worry.”

After really making sure they were out of danger, Voronyi retrieved the dart from a tree. He took it carefully and smelled it a little.

- It's poison! And not just any. The person who attacked your majesty, have you seen him?

- Not at all. However, I did hear a laugh. There was also a melody played by a flute before that. It's strange...

- Fortunately, our king sent me to get you. Although you can defend yourself wonderfully without me.

Voronyi looked away in embarrassment as he replaced the dart in a bag. Hyra smiles.

- You are an excellent Voronyi archer. I also practice archery. I will love to hear from you about what you know if you don't mind.

- Certainly, princess! I would be delighted.

Suddenly his eagle came to rest on his shoulder. He had a piece of cloth in his beak. Voronyi immediately recovered it by flattering its raptor for its beautiful catch.

“Coliro has found something. It belongs to your attacker, without a doubt. He must still be around. However, we had better get home. They must all be wondering where we are.”

Indeed, when they arrived, Kahelle hugged her a little too tightly.

“Stop scaring me like that, Hyra! Yesterday, and now today. You disappear without saying anything. What happened? Even your hair is…”

- I have nothing; you can see it.

- Can you tell us in great detail what happened to you?

Lydar looked stern, asking his question. He even seemed angry. Perhaps because their exchange this morning had been abruptly interrupted. Never mind! She didn't care.

She told them everything. At the end of his tale, Astaldo and Lydar nodded, looking at each other.

- I didn't think they'd be chasing us yet. We still have to recognize that they are ahead of the game. But we will know how to remedy it. We will have to be extra vigilant.

- You want to talk about ...

- Yes. Probably, they've already located where we are. No doubt, thanks to black magic. That is why we must not waste time. Voronyi, we'll take a look at this dart and the piece of cloth together later. Astaldo, send an emissary to the castle to warn Queen Pahela of our visit the next morning. She will certainly understand.

While Astaldo and Voronyi were already leaving the room, Lydar turned to Hyra, giving a playful smile:

“I imagine that attack must have messed you up, princess. I would advise you to rest for now. If you want to run away from my company so badly, let me know first, will you? Your safety is at stake.”

“I'm doing very well without you, Hyra retorted, looking down on him. Come on, let’s go, Kahelle.”

When they finally got out, Ofyr sighed, while Lydar chuckled:

- You're not doing well with her! Still, it sounds like fun, am I wrong?

- Hmm. I like to see that indignant look on her pretty face when she looks at me.

- She'll surely hate you.

- Hey, why not? Either way, we're not here for that. She needs to stop acting like a spoiled child. She puts herself in danger for nothing.

- Be a little more indulgent with her, will you? Try to put yourself in his shoes.

- She's Princess Moon. It is time for her to act as such.

As Lydar walked away, Ofyr shook his head. Could it be because he had never known love? He was doing the opposite of what he felt. He still had to deny his growing feelings.

Finally...

His brother was still a real mule, as usual. It didn't seem to change!