I Spy With My Little Eye

Ah, the morning, always brings a hint of optimism when you've managed to slumber through the night without any major disruptions.

At least, that's what I like telling myself. It's a small victory that I can pat myself on the back for, even though no one's really handing out gold stars for sleeping out in the wilderness.

I peel open one eye, half expecting to see a ray of sunlight, but nope, still dark out. Dawn's apparently taking its sweet time today.

Maybe it's just catching up on some extra sleep, like I should be doing, but there's no chance of that happening.

I'm wide awake now.

My arms sprawl up to the empty sky as if that'll somehow make the sun rise faster. In reality, it just makes me feel a bit silly, like a cat doing a lazy morning stretch. I look over at Elara, who's already starting to stir awake.

We both look at each other, neither saying a word.

My gaze shifts up. I'm staring at the barrier she set up before we went to bed, and it's still twinkling brightly. A little morning shimmer to go with nature's soundtrack of birdsong, I suppose.

"G'morning..." I mumble, my voice still a bit gravelly from sleep.

She chuckles softly as she stretches across from me, seemingly immune to the discomfort of sleeping outdoors.

"It's morning, Luc! How do you feel?" she asks, her tone carrying a curious hint.

"Better than yesterday, I guess," I reply with a casual shrug, rubbing my eyes to chase the last bits of sleep away.

She sits up now, fixing her gaze on me, her expression almost playful.

"Would you say you feel... replenished?" she inquires, her voice becoming lilted.

I want to know if she knows any more spells than just a barrier, this is a perfect chance to know more about how magic works here. And it only took what? Leaving my home and becoming a forest hermit to see it firsthand? I need to pry into this more.

"I suppose I do feel replenished…" I reply drowsily. "You did all that with magic?"

"Sure did, one of the first spells I learned at the... I mean, from some books my dad found one day." She says with an awkward pause, her gaze darting to the floor. "They were old books my dad brought back from a long journey from beyond the veil."

Wow. I didn't expect that. Not that it surprises me, it’s pretty damn obvious that this girl is more than meets the eye.

"Is that the only magic you know?" I ask her, my curiosity getting the better of me.

She pauses and pouts in thought, as she looks for the right words. "Uh... Yeah. So far, that’s about it." She says. Her voice is a teeny bit sad.

Elara shakes her head quickly, clearing away the thought.

"I'm not gonna let that get me down though, one day I'm gonna use my knack for this stuff and be somebody!" She beams.

Those words slapped me back in time for a second.

Her words reminded me so much of myself back in the old world, so eager to finally climb the corporate ladder only to later die an immolate death.

To be somebody... It's a familiar feeling, that longing for significance, for a purpose.

If being the employee of the month for 8 consecutive months in a row counts for anything, well, I guess I've already carved my feeble mark in the old world.

But here, in this forest next to this girl who's revealed herself to be a magic-wielding oddity, those old aspirations don't seem so far-fetched anymore. Maybe, just maybe, I can carve out a place for myself in this world, too.

I glance at Elara.

There's something about her unwavering spirit that's contagious. If she can hold onto her dreams in a world filled with magic and mystery, then maybe, just maybe, I can find my own way as well.

"So, what's next on our adventure today, Elara?" I ask with a grin, feeling a newfound sense of excitement bubbling within me.

“I dunno.” She shrugs.

My profound and introspective moment suddenly deflates like a balloon.

✠ ✠ ✠

Eventually, we decided to trek further down the riverbank, without any particular aim. Well, unless you count me soaking in Elara's stories while nature plays the perfect backdrop.

"Who would've thought a little girl from the Byzmean countryside could stand up to those bullies!" Elara exclaims with joy, her laughter echoing through the serene forest.

Her story of a village scuffle between kids brings a smile to my face. I can appreciate someone as courageous as her to swoop in and save the day.

“Now tell me more about you, Luc.” She tilts her head from side to side.

The question catches me off guard.

What more can I say about myself?

I've already made half-truths and fabrications appear out of thin air, like an amateur magician pulling rabbits out of a top hat. My age is accurate, but everything else? Well, let's just say my story is more fiction than fact.

I've concealed the fact that I have parents by straight up pretending to be an orphan, omitted my inheritance to the council, and probably much more.

The thought of exposing my true heritage to the council, even in the presence of someone seemingly innocent like Elara, sends shivers down my spine. I can't take that risk. I have no idea who she might know or what consequences could arise from revealing such a closely guarded secret. So, I stick to my fabricated story, hoping it's enough to keep the truth hidden.

I clear my throat, trying to buy some time. "Well, you see, I really am just a regular, run-of-the-mill guy from a small township in Dralthar, living a pretty ordinary life." I give her my best 'aw, shucks' smile. "Not much else to say, really. Sometimes you need a little forest break, y’know?”

I hope she doesn't press further. The less she knows about me, the safer it is for both of us.

“Welp, I guess that makes two of us!” She tries her best to mimic my smile.

I mentally heave a sigh of relief.

Then something dawns on me.

"Aren't your parents worried about you?" I ask her as we continue our stroll.

"They're accustomed to me being away and out and about; that's country life for you. Although, I believe this might be the furthest I've ever wandered from home."

I nod in response to her, but she must be bluffing; parents usually do their best to shield their children from dangers. Perhaps I'm wrong and not familiar with parent-child relationships in this world. I don't know.

I choose to pay it no mind anymore and look around. We're heading towards some foothills.

"Have you ever hiked up a small mountain before?" I say pointing out in front of us.

She gives it a brief thought before shaking her head. “Nah, I've never had the occasion to.”

"The view up there must be spectacular! We should try and see what's at the top!" I try my best to hype her up.

"Sounds good to me, Luc!" She agrees.

We've got a long way to go ahead of us.

✠ ✠ ✠

Our ascent up to what we thought was a small mountain ended up being more of a mesa, its incline challenged us with each step. But we were massively determined, especially Elara, driven by the promise of what might be up there.

Hours passed as we navigated the rugged terrain, chatting and laughing along the way; the usual mountaineer's tomfoolery.

When we reached the clearing at the top of the mesa, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.

The sight that greeted us stole our breath away. It's not just spectacular; it's beyond imagination.

We're still swooning over it now.

The sprawling cityline stretches out before us, bathed in gentle moonlight. The twinkling lights of homes and businesses begin to emerge, casting a warm, welcoming glow. In the distance, the ominous silhouette of Barathrum Castle stands, its dark spires contrast with the serene beauty of the city.

Elara turns to me with a grin that matches the brilliance of the view. "Luc, this was incredible. Thank you for bringing me here."

I can't help but smile back, feeling a warmth in my chest. I stubbed my toe a bunch and almost rolled back down a few times but in my eyes…

"It was worth every step."

We find a comfortable spot to sit and take it all in. The city lights begin to twinkle like stars on Earth. Without a word, our hands find each other, fingers intertwining naturally as if they were always meant to.

Sitting in peaceful silence, we watch the world below and the stars above, feeling the gentle breeze on our faces. It's a moment of pure connection, a shared experience that transcends words.

"You're alright for a wandering kid, you know that?" Elara breaks the gentleness of the night.

"Huh? What do you mean?" I replied with confusion.

"Well, you certainly aren't like the rest." Elara says matter of factly.

"All my other friends and kids back at the village seem rather... I dunno, dull." She admits with a frown.

"But you're alright, you're not overly talkative or stuck up, which makes it a lot easier to talk to you. You're a good guy and I hope you stay that way." She says, poking me.

I can’t help but chuckle at the description of me and my lack of social skills.

"I won't let you down." I replied.

She continues.

"Plus, you're cool and I like you." She tosses that last bit on there casually.

My smile grows wider as I feel my cheeks redden slightly as no one's also said 'you're cool' and 'i like you' in conjunction with one another to me before.

I try to think of something witty in response to that, and end by saying what comes out first.

"You're cool and I like you, too?" I say, grinning, like a completely oblivious idiot.

Elara laughs and squeezes my hand.

"Yeah, you're cool.”

I swear she just called me cute under her breath. My heart skips a beat, but I do my best to maintain composure. Inside, I'm on the brink of a full-blown victory dance.

And then, she drops the bomb. "You know what would make this night even better?"

My mind starts to race, thinking she's suggesting something... well, you know, romantic. But before I can even finish the thought, she mentions fireworks.

Fireworks? Is that some kind of code I'm not aware of in this world?

"Look, I'll show you," she says.

Turning away from me, she faces the view ahead and takes on a defensive stance, extending her hands as if casting a spell. She begins to chant, and I can't help but watch in amazement.

"By moonlight's grace, with magic's embrace, let fireworks fill the night's dark space~!"

Oh, she meant literal fireworks.

Suddenly, sparks burst into the sky, accompanied by a cacophony of colorful explosions. The night sky is painted with vivid bursts of red and gold, and Elara herself is bathed in a mesmerizing crimson glow. She's looking back at me, waiting for my reaction.

My heart thumps as I stand there, utterly dazzled by the display of magic before me. The display is too good that I can't help but stammer out a response.

"That's... That's amazing, Elara," I manage to say, my voice trembling with awe and appreciation. "I've never seen anything like it. You're incredible."

As the final burst of those spellbinding fireworks vanished into the night sky, leaving us cloaked in the starlit darkness, Elara turned toward me, a radiant smile gracing her lips.

"Did you enjoy it?" she asked me, her eyes shimmering with childlike enthusiasm.

I couldn't help but break into a wide, enthusiastic grin in response.

"Enjoy it? I positively adored it! That was nothing short of breathtaking, Elara. Is this something you do often?"

She gently shook her head, her expression taking on a touch of nostalgia. "Not really. These fireworks are a cherished tradition back in Byzmea, typically reserved for the grandest of occasions and celebrations. But tonight, amidst our own adventure, I thought ‘hey, why not create our own special moment?’"

A chuckle bubbled from within me, a warm sensation spreading through me.

"I'm truly grateful you did."

Elara drew nearer, and an electric anticipation hung in the air. It felt as though the enchantment of the fireworks still danced around us, filling the night with limitless possibilities.

She gracefully lifted her arms, as did I. Then, as if choreographed by the very magic that flows through the world, we enfolded each other in a tender, heartfelt embrace.

Holding her close, I felt the gentle cadence of her heart.

✠ ✠ ✠

We decided to make the mesa our resting point for the night before bed. Elara explained that it's an excellent spot for sleep, as she can cast her protective spell again, ensuring our safety.

It's a plan that sounds good to me.

We quickly hurried to gather some twigs and branches to start a small campfire.

"Alright, it's time to get some rest," Elara finally yawned, her voice drowsy with contentment. "I'll put up the barrier, and we'll be safe from any nighttime critters."

I nod, feeling grateful for her knowledge of magic. As she begins her incantation, a translucent barrier forms around us once more, glowing with a gentle, otherworldly light. The same barrier that protected us the previous night. It's comforting to know we have it in place.

We each lay down in our respective spots, and I close my eyes. The night around us was alive with nature's sounds, but the barrier’s dome kept us cocooned from the outside.

As I began to drift off to sleep, I thought about life thus far. This adventure, though daunting at first, had turned into a blessing.

My eyes close and I fall asleep.

✠ ✠ ✠

My slumber is short-lived and rudely interrupted by distant voices that seem to echo through the dark. I blink away the remnants of sleep, disoriented and trapped within a haze of confusion.

"Are you sure we've got the right mountain?" A small voice, hesitant and unsure, reaches my ears.

"We followed the fireworks all the way here," a gruff voice growls, dripping with irritation. "I'm certain he's here."

I strain to listen, my senses sharpening as I realize these voices are drawing closer, closer to me.

"Hush," the small voice continues, a touch of arrogance now. "I sense a presence here."

A jolt of fear courses through me. These voices... They know I'm here. Panic threatens to consume me, but I force myself to remain still, trying to stay hidden.

"You can't hide from Barathrum, boy!" a third voice, cold and menacing, slices through the darkness like a dagger.

Barathrum. The word sends a shiver down my spine. The castle and the council.

They've found me.

My heart races wildly, a thundering rhythm in my chest as I try to piece together the situation.

Oh cripes, They've actually found me.

Suddenly, chaos erupts in the night, and I'm plunged into a maelstrom of confusion and terror. The voices draw impossibly close, and before I can react, a flaming torch slices through the inky blackness. It reveals hooded figures, their eyes were emotionless red dots. Fear and dread knot in my stomach as I realize who they are—spies from Barathrum Castle.

With ruthless precision, one of them approaches the magic barrier. His gloved hand extends, and I watch in helpless horror as a sharp object punctures it. The protective shimmer weakens and crackles away into nothingness.

The other two spies spring into action, moving swiftly and silently. Panic courses through me, but before I can react, impossibly strong hands close around me, and I'm wrenched from my spot. My cries of protest are met with cold, merciless silence.

A thick, uncomfortable net ensnares and digs into me, leaving me trapped and helpless.

During the commotion Elara, too, had sprung to her feet, her eyes wide with fear.

Her barrier. It was supposed to keep us safe, but it failed us.

"Luc!” Elara screamed my name, her voice laced with terror.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I was torn away from her, the net hoisting me off the ground. The last thing I saw was Elara's face, twisted with fear and despair.

"Elara, I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice choked with regret.

The spies don't waste any time. With brutal efficiency, they toss me into the recesses of their wagon. I'm away from the sanctuary of the forest; away from Elara. I watch helplessly as they approach her. With cruel intent, one of them throws a potion at her feet, shattering it into a cloud of mist.

As the vapor reaches her, Elara crumples to the ground, her eyes closing in unconsciousness. I want to scream, to fight, to do anything to protect her, but my own struggle against the net is futile. The world around me blurs, and all I can feel is a sense of real deep regret. I've put her in danger, and I'm helpless to save her.