31 Chapter 31: The Regen (1/2)
”Back in the cave.I found out that I have an Ethereal Spirit,” Yuliah told Ryas.
”It's possible that I could have transferred part of mine to you when I did the blood binding on you,” Ryas leaned onto her shoulder.
With the weight of his body bearing down on her she wrapped her arms around his waist, ”What's wrong?And don't lie to me,” Yuliah demanded.
”It's my back.I hurt it earlier,” Ryas grunted as they continued to walk.
Yuliah went behind him and lifted his shirt, ”Let me see it.”She moved him into the light.It looked terrible, and she bit her quivering lip.Her fingers glide over the red blotch spanned across the blades of his shoulders.She stood in front of him now her hands cupped around his face, ”I'm worried about you,” tears spilled from her eyes.
”Don't be.It'll heal,” Ryas pulled Yuliah into a hug.
She stayed there with her hands tightly around his waist, her head resting on his chest, and the beat of his heart drumming in her ear until their horse finally returned.
They rode for about a day in a half through the valley of the mountain until Ryas spotted a small village in the distance.He told her it was strange to have a town this far out, but they lost most of their supplies, and he wasn't sure how much longer it would take them to get to Murai.He made her watch the village with him for hours before deciding to head into town.
”Do not tell them our real names, or move unless I tell you too. We don't know who they are or if word from the Capital has reached these parts already,” he swung up and over, his right foot cleared the backside of the horse, and landed softly onto the ground.
What was she supposed to do?What should she say if they asked her who they were?Before she could ask Ryas.Four Men, solidly built with swords fastened to their waist approached.
Ryas stood taller than all four Men, but he had a smaller build compared to the Men.
He leads the horse behind him and Yuliah still sitting in the saddle, ”Were just passing through and trying to find our way to Murai,” Ryas addresses the Men.
Their eyes skim right over him and land on Yuliah's blushing face.It made her uncomfortable when people stared at her especially Men.
Ryas told her not to move or speak, but she inadvertently smiled at the Men and caught the interest of the Man in white.His eyes locked onto her but she pretended not to notice.
”I'm Lucan, the Regent here in Novas. Who might you two be?” The ends of his lips curled up at Yuliah.
She gave him another quick smile.A Man's attention always made her uncomfortable and when she felt uncomfortable her body reacted in peculiar ways.
”We're just passing through and need a place to stay for the night,” Ryas answered.
Lucan's eyes gave off a warm and genuine feel when he spoke, and he seemed different, but she couldn't figure out what it was.Could it be the dark locks of hair that fell loosely down to his shoulders? Or Lucan's perfectly symmetrical face, beaded with sweat and opened white shirt, that exposed a tightly rounded chest enchanting her.Yuliah turned away.
His voice deep raspy voice turned her head back to him, ”Please excuse my appearance,” he only looked at Yuliah.”The days have gotten warmer here in the mountains, and the whole towns celebrating a five day Renascence Solstice. We hardly have any visitors here, and the Inn's a bit run down, but you and your... wife are more than welcome to stay there.”
”Sister,” Yuliah corrected him.She hoped that would throw anyone off their trail.The Biah's probably put the word out for a Man and Woman.Not a brother and sister she figured.
Ryas gave her a scowling look but helped her down, then pushed her behind him. ”We'll stay at the Inn. Can you show us the way?”
”I see,” Lucan's head tilted sideways and back, ”Come I'll show you the way.” He motioned for them to follow. ”Do you have a name?” He peeked over at Yuliah.
Red were the apples of her cheeks when she raised her head to see him staring at her again.She quietly sighed when Ryas moved in front of her, blocking her from the Regents gleaming eyes, ”Rhee you can call me that,” Ryas answered him instead.”Where's the fastest road to Murai from here?” he asked. ”We're in a hurry to get back to our Father; he's ill.”
”I see.Well, the rains caused a landslide and cut off the main road, but I'll have my Men show you a different road out tomorrow,” he told Ryas. ”The Inn sits in the busiest part of town, but we should be there shortly.”
Ryas' nodded at Lucan who began to talk again.
”With the heavy rains we've been getting, you two might have to stay a few days.We haven't been up to the other road lately.I'm afraid it's probably flooded as well,” Lucan slowed his pace down to match Yuliah's.
She shifted further sideways and reached for Ryas' hand but stopped midway.Yuliah didn't want to make their sister and brother relationship seem weird.Lucan didn't pick up on her signals. Instead, he moved closer and tried to match his steps to hers and continued to talk directly at her.
”We hold a beautiful festival every year after the rains.Maybe...”
Yuliah abruptly walked away.”What is this?” She moved further ahead.There were festivals in the Capital, but General Wey wouldn't allow her to attend.He told her they were a waste of time for a woman and so she had never seen one until now.
When they entered the village square, every structure stood, lined with colorful banners and gold lanterns.A giant tree rose up in the center and stretched into the sky.It's unnatural height and width, curled out then upward.Green leaves and flowers that were red as wine blossomed from its branches.
Red petals drifted in the wind like ships sailing across the horizon and fell over the tables set up underneath the tree.
Strings of gold lanterns hung from the branches and connected to the surrounding homes and shops.
The entire town square had transformed into a midsummer festival right out of one's dreams.
Yuliah's eyes and face softened causing Ryas to look over at her.She had forgotten about their brother and sister ruse and slid her hands around his elbow, ”It's beautiful, Ryas.”
”Is it?” His lips pinched at the corners.
”I'm glad you like it,” The Regent walked around Ryas over to Yuliah, ”I didn't get your name?” he asked.
She glanced nervously over at Ryas. What name should I give him?Her eyes dashed between the two and pinched Ryas' arm.
She could see his eyes fixated on the tree utterly ignorant to her cry for help.
”Rhea.That's my name,” she smiled sheepishly. A chuckle came from the left of her, but the Regents' voice drew her attention back to him.
”Beautiful like its owner,” Lucan's lips curved upward showing his perfect teeth again.Yuliah started to feel uncomfortable with his overbearing attention towards her.She politely smiled back and scooted closer to Ryas.He shook her hands from his elbow, and she felt a sting of rejection but continued walking.
Soon she was distracted by the smells of cooked meat and sweets that flowed in from the stalls.They filled her nose with pleasant images, and Yuliah abandoned Ryas and Lucan.
Back at Wey Manor, her stepmother would never allow an overindulgence in anything.Especially food.Most of the items in the Manor were either secured or rationed out to Yuliah.If she tried to request anything additional, Madam Wey would always remind her that all girls should have a thin waist and be grateful for what they already had.Ryas had food too, but she grew tired of the dried up meat.
”Hey there,” a plump man called from behind a stall full of sweets.Fried buns glazed with honey that glistened in the afternoon sun called to her.Her mouth moistened.The stall keeper grabbed a bun, wrapped it in paper foil, then extended it out to Yuliah.”That'll be one copper.”
Her face darkened.No.She didn't have any money.All of the excitement caused the truth of her situation to slip from her mind.She was homeless and penniless.
”Here,” Ryas tossed a copper coin at the stall clerk.He took the bun, and he smirked as he dangled it in front of Yuliah before leaning into her.”How are you going to pay me, for this later?” He teased.