Chapter 14

My eyes felt drowsy as I tried to open them and my head hurt as if someone was trying to crush it. I tried sitting up and assessing where I was. The room looked pretty rustic and the blanket felt rugged. I was trying to remember what had happened or how was I here when I heard someone come in. I was too exhausted to even move a muscle and so even the thought of standing and confronting someone was out of question. But to my surprise a little girl rushed in.

"Mama. Papa. She is awake." She screamed and just like that a man, a woman and Lycargos came in.

"What happened? Where am I? Who changed my clothes?" I asked realising that I now had a different set of clothes on me.

"You were bitten by a poisonous insect when these kind people showed up who helped us and this is their home. Ameezi helped you and got you a cure and as for the clothes, I changed them. And I have to admit this - I loved what I saw" he said as he grinned.

"Thank you so so so much for the help. I really don't have any wor- ... wait, WHAT!! You did WHAT?" I yelled.

The woman, chuckled and said "No my dear. I did. I changed your clothes. All your belongings are safely kept there." She said as she pointed towards a shelf at the corner.

"Thank you so much! I really don't have words that could thank you enough."

"It's ok. It was my duty. How are you feeling now?" She said with a sweet smile.

"I feel dizzy and my head hurts. I hope I'm not causing much trouble for you here." I said

"No, no not at all. You will feel dizzy for some time. Eat something. You will feel better."

"How long was unconscious?"

"Not much. About 7 hours. You recover really quickly. It's almost Extraordinary."

7 hours! I had to get back as soon as possible.

"Come outside. Let's have dinner." Said the man.

I smiled and removed the blanket. I tried to stand up but my wobbly legs gave in and I was about to fall when I felt strong hands holding me. I looked up to see Lycargos's face.

"Could you please help her to the table?" Asked Amizi.

"Yes. Sure."

"I can do it myself." I whispered to him.

"Doesn't look like you can. I don't mind helping." he replied.

"Do you always have to so stubborn?"

"Do you always have to be so pretty?" He said with a cheeky smile.

I just stared at him with a disgusted look but my fluttering tummy felt otherwise. I had to stop feeling like this.

He helped me to the table and we sat for dinner. Lycargos sat across and the little girl sat beside me.

"I'm sorry for being rude but I don't know your names."

"This ravishingly good looking lady is Amizi. This handsome gentleman is Danzer and this adorably pretty girl is Rinzi." Lycargos said as he introduced them.

"I can't thank you enough for saving my life. Is there anything I could do for you? " I asked.

"No no darling. Its absolutely fine. I suggest you have a good night's rest and you can go tomorrow if you want to. I would like to see if the cure works for you for atleast 12 hours just to be sure. Though Rinzi doesn't want you to go."

I looked at Rinzi and smiled. It suddenly hit me. Why were these people living here and not in the kingdoms?

"I don't want to sound rude and pardon me if I do but why do you live here alone and not the kingdoms? Doesn't it make things a little bit difficult? And mostly people live in these forests in groups, so.." I asked Danzer who smiled and replied

"I am from Astmath and Amizi is from Nydalidia. We fell in love and got married and therefore were ostracized from both the kingdoms. So we decided to stay here. We didn't think about going to other cities because both Nydalidians and Astmathians wanted us dead. And this felt like the only safe place. Plus it's not that bad. We have all we need right here. If we ever need anything we just go by the tavern and a friend helps me out."

I felt bad for them. It was true. People from both the kingdoms usually didn't even see each other. Getting married was out of the question. And even if a few did they were banished from both the kingdoms. Even if they were spared by officials the common people wouldn't let them live. As for any other cities if other Nydalidians and Astmathians found out they would make their lives miserable. These forests didn't belong to either of the kingdoms and people were generally scared to venture into these forests because of the myths.

I looked at Lycargos , he probably read my expression but didn't say a thing.

"Speaking of the Tavern, I heard some very interesting news today. The Nydalidian king is going to marry the Glikaraachi princess." I froze.

It all came back.

"They'd make a fine pair, don't you think?" Asked Amizi.

"He's too old and grumpy for a fine princess like here." Said Lycargos. How dare he?

"An old grumpy man who could defeat you in a combat any day and a man who is probably a hundred times wiser. I doubt whether she will be worthy of him and his kids." Yes I was being defensive. I might be angry at him but he is my father afterall and nobody gets to talk about him like that.

"You're being defensive. Why? Do you even know him?" It was like he read my mind.

"No I'm just saying. That's just my opinion." I tried to cover up and hoped that he'd let go.

He thankfully did. We had our dinner and headed straight to bed. Lycargos and Danzer slept in the hall and I, Amizi and Rinzi slept in the bedroom. For some reason I couldn't sleep and so I headed out to get some fresh air.

I opened the door to a gush of cold wind and stepped out. The cottage was situated on the banks of a stream. I breathed in the fresh air.

"So you too couldn't sleep?"

I turned to see Lycargos coming out. I nodded my head.

"Me neither. So, interesting question here. Why did you have this?" He took out a piece of paper.

Not just any piece of paper. It was the paper that Nayella had given me. The one that held the proof of the conspiracy.

I could feel my jaw drop to the ground.