Chapter 9 Faraway Allies
Chapter nine
Faraway Allies
Alaceandra
Despite the prince’s invitation, over the next couple of weeks, I steer clear of the gardens.
I still spot the prince in the halls around the castle, but we do not find ourselves alone, and for that I am grateful.
He made me feel so off balanced and I am not sure what to make of him.
Instead, I find refuge in a little library doing all I can to learn about Helomasi.
Hard as I try, the texts are bereft of any information regarding the kingdom or its history.
I found only two things of interest. One was the mention that Helomasians use smaller elvisera for mail carrying, as they are much speedier than their larger counterparts, which I found to be quite odd, as I have never heard of a smaller elviserian race.
The other was a singular sentence in one of the children's books.
It mentioned some sort of plague that had wreaked havoc on parts of the land eons ago:
Those who are naughty best be careful of the plague, for once darkness finds you, you can never be saved.
As creepy as that line was, it only led to a dead end.
When I tried to ask some of the servants about it, they refused to give me a straight answer on the matter, citing some chore or task that they must get back to before making a hasty retreat.
Once word got around that I had been asking questions the servants started avoiding me all together.
I found food deposited on my bed along with my garments only after I had left my chambers and the halls strangely empty when I walked around.
I am sure that they are probably still there on the outskirts watching me, but they are doing a great job of making themselves scarce.
It is frustrating to know so little about the new place I am living, but it is quickly looking like that cannot be helped.
This is definitely starting to feel like I have just hopped prison cells.
My father also enjoyed keeping me woefully in the dark about information regarding Tikilium and the surrounding kingdoms, and I hate that this new king is acting similarly.
Sighing I pick up a pen, writing out a letter to Philos.
She is sure to have more information than anyone on these matters.
The watchfulness of this kingdom has me on edge.
I have only let my elvisera, Addie, carry my letters to Philos instead of their smaller elvisera, which the king did provide for me about a week ago.
Although Addie's size means the letters get back and forth a bit slower, I do not mind.
It is better to have a carrier I can trust than a speedy one that might spill my secrets.
Plus, Tikilium did not have such small elvisera, rather we used our full-sized elvisera to serve both the function of mail and travel carrying.
I worry about the origin of the smaller ones and fear they might even be the babies of the magnificent creatures being put to work too early.
I bite the edge of my pen, before shaking the thought away for the time being and continuing my letter to my dear friend.
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Philos,
It has been so nice to be around Sam and Sorin over the past couple of weeks, although I do miss the freedoms, I had with them in Tikilium.
They are supposed to be my guards here in Helomasi.
Logically, I know that once I marry the prince that will be over entirely and moreover, I would not have had them anyway had they not had this plot to disguise themselves as Fadres and Credour, but still.
Having them so close and yet so out of reach has been difficult.
I have found that the crush I have on both of them that I have been trying for so long to bury has only gained in intensity by their constant nearness (yes, I admit it.
Hush your teasing!!). At least in Tikilium their constant distance from missions made it easier for me to ignore these feelings, but now.
.. I do not know. Any of your sage wisdom would be welcome here.
Moreover, there is the issue of the prince of Helomasi.
He is.... complicated. We have only met once and yet I find that my thoughts get tangled up between the three of them in the middle of the night (you would be proud of me admitting so).
Should I go back and see him? Would I survive losing Sam and Sorin?
I do not think so and yet what choices do I have?
Speaking of! What all have you heard of Helomasi?
I should have asked you sooner, but I figured I would be able to learn more of this kingdom organically.
That is not proving the case unfortunately…
. I did read a children's book mentioning some kind of plague here as well…
have you heard of it? The book is called Fables of Helomasi: Children of the Sun.
Also, do you have tiny elvisera in your land?
They tend to be yellow and fly quite quickly due to their size, but I find them quite unnerving.
I never thought to ask the question before, but I have not seen these creatures so small in Tikilium.
Any information would be welcome at this stage.
I miss you dearly,
Alaceandra
p.s. I do hope this letter gets to you. I am having my elvisera burn any letter close to interception by others.
If you do not receive a letter in a while, please do not think I am ignoring you.
It only means our means of communication has been interfered with.
I will be sure to write out a code for you in the future.
.. just in case you never see this one. Love you so much!
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I fold the letter into a nondescript envelope and call Addie to me.
She comes with a loud caw, and I giggle at her antics.
I lay my head against hers conveying my need for privacy with the letter and her returning emotions tell me she understands her duty.
Kissing her nose, I give her the letter and with one last look she flies off, her speed gaining until she is just a speck in the sky.
I smile and lay back onto my bed, closing my eyes for the night.