Why am I following this strange person? Maya frowned, she didn't stop though. Her escape route lied somewhere...if she kept going.
Her head hurt as she tried to process what she saw under the bed. Why would she see her father all of a sudden? It had been a year since he disappeared. Who screamed "help" just then?
Maya was being led to a dark room. She did not remember stepping into that place when she came through that door.
"Excuse me, who are you? I am not going through that door with you--" She froze when the figure turned back. It was certainly a lady with big bold eyes, and though an athlete built body, you could see her curves–she was a model.
She waited for the person to speak but got nothing. Already fed up Maya grunted. "Come on, you don't speak English?" The lady tilted her head slightly. "Oh, you understood that?"
A guard's voice was heard from a distance, "find the witch now. She has been declared by the queen. Dark magic is forbidden and she used it on the king!"
The other voice caused Maya to remain frozen like a statue, she felt goose bumps prickling her skin. "Execution is ordered for sunrise."
"Execution? Did I not hear that right?"
The lady pointed towards the room again, then hurried inside. Maya shrugged, "oh well, this is the end," she sighed and went inside as well.
The room was next to magical. Her first step in was soft like she was floating into the—"whoa!" A soft gasp escaped her lips. This was no longer a room but a palace with bright lightening bouncing, making every painting blend brilliantly with the objects—giant furnitures forming a circle at the center, dark green curtains hung on tall windows that stretched on the wide wall, some ornaments and statues for decoration...this room was impossible.
It was a tiny space leading into a bright area. The lady quickly shut the door behind. On one of the chairs—two sitter—it turned like it had wheels under, revealing Alric and a woman beside him. They both got up to welcome her.
He was tall in contrast to the woman, who had a shawl wrapped around her head and neck. Her dress was thick, appearing a bit tattered you would think she wore three fits at once.
Alric was still on his princely outfit, but his expression tightened. "You're here. Come," he turned back, heading toward the window away from her.
Maya frowned, "uh, yes your majesty?" She stood beside him, exchanging cautious look with the older lady. "What is this place?"
"Mine." Was all Alric had to say. "Now, what did you do to my father?"
Her jaw dropped. "To your father...? Wait, what!"
"We needed to be here where no one can eavesdrop. They seem to gossip a lot in the palace." It was the older woman in the most serene voice ever. Maya frowned as she stared deeper. This woman was beautiful. Almost compared to the other silent knight who had lured her here. Or...saved her?
Alric sighed, "Naja can somehow cloak this place. Priestess Naja." He said, then pointed towards the other lady. "And silent knight."
"Guess I got her nickname right," Maya chuckled.
Alric flashed her a raised brow which she instantly dismissed ever said anything.
"This is the gate witch, how fascinating is that!" Naja studied her with intense interest in her eyes.
"Thanks silent knight, you saved me." Maya said, imitating a bow.
"He is one of my trusted allies," Alric said.
"He?" Exclaimed Maya. She took another glance at the woman with obvious soft features and frowned. Deep down, she could have sworn the knight shook her head as a means of shutting Maya up. She swallowed and tried to dismiss that. Of course they didn't believe a woman could be a knight in the medieval world.
"I'm a Priestess," Naja started. Maya rolled her eyes and muttered, "yea we got that before. I believe you," but Naja just went on, "we want answers as to your divine powers."
All this time, Alric's gaze was fixed on her. He didn't understand how his father had almost died, and no physician could save him, yet she swooped in saving the day. If not magic, then was science real? He had a lot of questions for her.
Maya ignored and turned to Alric, anger slowly stiring up inside of her. "You acted like I was spewing garbage. I'm sorry, but what the actual fuck?" He blinked, but that did not stop her. "You think I'm lying?"
"I believe you, I know he was poisoned. That Ronard and Marilyn are evil."
Maya paused. Marilyn...Ronard...
"Then why are you attacking me?" She blurted out. Silence from him followed, with Naja muttering.
Naja definitely stole the silent knight's voice and added it to hers, cos what the fu...!
"I am just curious, that's all." Alric confirmed.
"If you know all along, then why don't you just poof them out of the kingdom? You are the crown prince," Maya insinuated. "Why can't you just--"
Maya was yet again interrupted by Naja, "I am a Priestess,"
"Damn it, Naja, what is it?" Maya was cut short as Naja's eyes began to glow, not faintly but like fire. Brightness filled the entire room and for a split second, Maya imagined her to have been floating.
There was an echo chanting beneath that flashing light, it was a soft hum. It was off key. It didn't make any sense.
Maya felt a grip pull her hand tight. He pulled her further towards the giant windows, then when she showed signs of resistance, his hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She met his firm chest, slowly raising her head up. He lowered his gaze—mind you, everywhere was still so bright, yet, Alric acted calmly and just as she turned, she found the silent knight rolling the wheels of the two sitter chair and...laughing?
"And you," Maya half-expected him to be yelling, raising his voice, yet his deep bold voice remained calm, "there is so much you don't understand yet. I will tell you, but tell me everything about your world."
All the chaos died down abrutly.
"She doesn't have time!" Everyone remained calm, Maya was still so uncomfortable though, pressed firmly against Alric's chest. All attention was directed to the now calm Priestess. This was something normal to them. Was she a witch...!—
"If she keeps talking any more longer. She'll cease to exist." She concluded, then almost immediately, with eyes bulged open and jaw dropping, muttered out loud, almost like a different person, "What?"