I Can Help You

Mirelah;

"You haven't changed much. "She adds, and I raise a brow as I stare at her. 

An image of that laughing red-haired child comes back, and I can't help but question.

"I'm sorry. Have we met before? "

I watch her raise a brow before a small laugh escapes her, and I watch her closely. I know her. I can almost swear that I do. But I don't know from where.

"Is that a pathetic attempt at a joke? "She laughs and I blink.

I think I pissed her off. Maybe she was a friend? Asking an old friend such a question must be so insulting. I should apologize.

"I'm sorry. Actually I… had an accident, and… I can't remember much from my past. I know I know you, but I don't… know exactly… how. "I reply, and this time, her brows knot as she stares at me closely. She's trying to see if I'm lying, and I hold my breath in fear.

I'm not completely lying. I can't remember. And if I can't remember so much of my past, it only makes sense to tell people I was in an accident, right? How else will I explain it?? 

She leans forward and takes a longer look before pulling back with an index finger bent under her chin.

"Hmm… You seem to be telling the truth. "She says, and I nod. 

Her smile returns, and something about it reminds me of Azra.

"That's okay. I get to make a second first impression. Hi. I'm Liriel Moravian. You, I and kealith used to be peas in a pod when we were kids. "She says as she holds out a hand, and I blink at her in shock.

I had another friend besides Kealith and Meadow?

I slowly take her hand, and her smile grows. 

"I never expected to see you again. "She says as she lets go of my hand, and for some reason, those words don't sound as innocent as they seem.

"I… "I try to reply, but she cuts me off.

"Oh, silly me. Let me help you with… that… "She says. Waving her open palm over my body to specify what she was talking about. 

I watch as she begins to roll her wrist, and as her fingers dance, I begin to feel my dress dry up. 

I watch in awe as she channels water out of my clothes, and my eyes are as big as eggs by the time she channels all the water off me, and back into the pool. Leaving me completely dry. Like I wasn't just soaking to the bones.

"Wow! Hemocrafters can do that!? "I question, and she chuckles.

"No, silly. I thought my scales gave it away. I'm part siren. My dad's a hemocrafter, and my mom is… well, a siren. "She replies, and my jaw drops. 

That's fascinating! I've heard of the sirens of Ocevaris, but I never thought I'd meet one, as they hardly ever leave their homeland. But here I am with someone who's half Siren, half hemocrafter.

She must be so powerful.

"What have you got there? "She speaks again. This time pointing at my closed fist with her eyes, and I remember something very vital that I had forgotten earlier.

I pull up my fist and stare at it in disdain before an idea pops into my head. I quickly look up at Liriel, and a hopeful smile carves itself onto my face. I take a large stride towards her, and she instinctively backs away. I startle her.

"I'm sorry. "I apologise, and she blinks before eyeing me suspiciously.

"Can you do that thing again? Your water powers. Can you help me dry this? "I question as I hold up the soggy heap of ruined paper between us, and she raises a brow as she stares at it.

"What is it? "She questions werily, and I sigh.

"A vow Queen Velnara gave me. I have to learn it for the prewedding ritual tomorrow, but it got ruined when I fell into the pool. Can you help me fix it? I haven't learned the words. "I explain, and she stares at me for a few seconds. 

For a second, I can almost swear I see a smirk begin to form on her face, but instead, she chuckles.

"Mirelah. You really are silly. That's not how it works. If I take the water out of this, it will become a rock-hard mashed mess. It won't go back to what it was, and neither will the ink return. "She says, and I feel every last bit of hope I had crumble in my chest.

I step away from her in dismay as I stare at the soggy mess in my hand, and I feel tears begin to bite the inside of my eyes.

I've failed. Tomorrow hasn't even come, and I've already failed. At this rate, it's beginning to look like all I know how to do is fail. 

Maybe King Damarion and Vealor are right. I'm not fit to be Queen. I'm clumsy and riddled with the worst luck ever. I can't do this. 

I sigh as a teardrop threatens to fall, and I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up, and Liriel is staring at me.

"Don't cry. I can help you learn the vow. You're in this mess because of my cat. The least I can do is help you. "She says, and I chuckle bitterly at her kindness as the teardrop finally escapes my eyes.

"It's not an easy vow. It was written in Blood Crescent's old tongue. "I reply with my voice cracking, and she sighs.

"I know. It's the vow a royal bride is to make to the sacred fire in front of god Ozrith. With blood, I forge my fate, bound in blood and fire. My heart is yours, my soul is this land's. That's the vow, isn't it? "She recites the vow, and my eyes light up. 

"Yes. Yes. That one. That's the one. "I reply, and her smile deepens.

"I told you I know it. I know it in the old tongue too. My Dad wanted me to marry one of the Varkaine sons, so he made me learn it. "She replies as she moves to stand beside me, and slings her arm across my shoulders, and I raise a brow.

"You were supposed to marry a Varkaine brother? Why didn't you? "I question, and I see something shift in her eyes as she looks at me. It looks like anger… like… hate? I can barely understand it before it vanishes.

"Situations… Changed. "She replies very casually, and I blink in wonder. That's not a straight answer, and neither is it a light one. But I guess it's private business.

"Are you okay, though? Did you love him? "I question, and she snorts before looking away from me, and at the road ahead as we walk.

"What do you think? "She replies, and I blink in confusion.

I don't know. How am I supposed to have an opinion on a matter I know nothing about? 

To be honest, it's impolite to probe. I'll keep my nose out of business that isn't mine. For now, goddess Nyzvara sent me a miracle, and I should be grateful. Just when I thought all hope was lost, she sent me someone who knows and can teach me the vow.

Something about her seems off though. But that's not my business. She wants to help me, and that's all I need. That's all that matters. 

Come tomorrow, I'll make Queen Velnara proud of me, and she won't feel like she made a mistake trusting me. I'll finally be able to redeem myself from this morning's mistake.

A smile splits my face as the thought comes to mind.

I can't wait to see the smile on Queen Velnara's face!!

"Thank you, Liriel… "I whisper, and she scoffs.

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Miri. "