The Curse of Thir
Chapter 14

Howling winds whistled at the windows, stars blinked with false promises. Her body lay completely enveloped by the mattress and blankets, and although warm and comfortable she found the experience disturbing. She had been left alone in the room while the Princess and Francis where summoned for supper with the King. They had left when the sun had begun its dissent only arriving back when the room had been wrapped in darkness. His guards had remained outside and Xylee had had supper of a million different fruits, which she found most appealing.

When Naveen had arrived back from supper, Xylee had found her face flushed and angered. Obviously the supper had not gone well from the amount of words that streamed out of her mouth.

“Well I don’t care what he thinks so he can go El-tanant himself.” Francis blushed and proceeded to complain about her language, but Naveen cut her off.

“Really Francis, that is not the worst word you have heard I am sure of it.”

“Maybe not Princess, but I don’t think it’s very becoming of a young royal lady such as yourself, to say such words.”

“Being a lady requires a lot of El-ta, and I am sick of it. I think you can switch the Light-Globes on now, Francis. It’s terribly dark in here.” Xylee had been sitting in the red velvet chair staring outside watching and wondering how so many stars could had fallen to the ground, her thoughts then went back to the Dreag compound. Their lanterns would be lit and most of them would be drunk by now on Roccas’ homemade mead. A light from behind drew her attention; she could smell the storm again.

The room was now well lit by the glass cylinders that hung on the walls, they created light brighter than a flame but lighter then the sun. It was amazing and she found herself drawn to it, she got up and made her way towards it.

“What... are these?” she held out her hand towards one of the illuminated glass containers, stretching with her finger tips to touch it, then it went out. Her hand snapped back in surprise, and she heard Francis laughing hoarsely. Had she done something to the magic to make it disappear?

“Dammed Francis, do not play about with her like that. Don’t worry Xylee you didn’t do anything wrong, Francis is just being a fool.”

“Ha! At least I know what a Light-Globe is and how it works! She’s the foolish one. A foolish, numbskull, demon-thing.”

“FRANCIS! Go to the washroom and run a bath for your Princess. Now, if you please.” Lady Francis left under her stern gaze. Naveen walked towards a tiny black lever by the door and flipped it down. This inconsequential action caused the glass to light up once more to the amazement of Xylee. Standing in wonderment she attempted to touch the globes again, but was stopped by a gentle hand.

“I know it’s very pretty but,” Naveen pushed her hand down to her side, “if you touch it you will get burnt. They heat up very quickly, in fact it’s terrible during the summer months, and the room gets extremely stuffy and unpleasant.”

“Oh. Sorry Princess.” She looked longingly at the globes.

“Don’t apologies, and please try and call me Naveen in private.”

“Yes Princess Naveen.”

Naveen sighed and exhausted her lungs.

“So, you’ve never seen a light-globe then? Do they not have them in the surrounding villages near your old compound?”

“No, I’ve never seen these before.”

“Strange , I thought electricity was available in all villages.”

Electricity. So that’s what they had called this magic. She lay awake in this cushy bed she found herself in and her thoughts resided in the magic she found herself surrounded by; the necklace, Gelnane and this electricity thing. A gentle puff of exhaled air escaped the large be in which the princess resided, followed by a snort from Francis’ room.

Xylee felt unclear as to what her purpose was concerning the princess. She obviously did not require her to clean or cook or run about, for those services where already occupied by a hundred different humans. It seemed the only viable reason was entertainment, and how long would she be able to entertain this whimsical human brat with the power to command even the king, it seemed. Her friendliness was far more disconcerting than Gelnanes enchanted necklace.

Sitting up she could no longer stay in this terribly soft thing, so climbing out she grabbed a blanket and lay next to it. She found the floor, which was covered with a large carpet, far more comfortable and fell quickly asleep.

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It was cold and empty. Echoes of strange words and saddened thoughts murmured softly about her body. She was frozen; her eyes where crusted over with a blue cold that kept them shut. She knew she was breathing but she felt no air enter her lungs.

Inside her heart galloped to the feeling of panic and wildly thrashed about in her chest. The words were no longer murmuring, they had turned loud, clear and truly incomprehensible to her ears. She pushed herself up, yet she did not move. Her body was no longer hers as the words turned into shouted, garbled forms about her, yet she couldn’t run or hide. Any tears she wished to shed remained tightly sealed behind eyelids.

Words stood up about her, like giant air golems from so long ago. Their bodies shifted, growing colder and larger. Then the eyes came and stared past her heart and soul, into the darkness she forgot she had.

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Her body shot up and she found the noise unbearable, and it was streaming out of her gapping mouth, the tears flooded her face and neck. The two guards from outside had charged through the doors with their swords clutched at the ready in their hands. Princess Naveen was next to Xylee, grabbing her arms. Francis slept on.

“Princess, back away from that demon immediately!”

“..No...no... she has not harmed me, she’s having a nightmare, and why shouldn’t she after everything she’s been through.” Naveens eyes scoured Xylees’ face. Her mouth was now tightly shut, but now she was whimpering pathetically.

“Shhh... it’s ok Xylee, you were just dreaming. Shhhh.”

“Princess please we beg you to step back from that thing, we will-”

“You will nothing! Leave my room immediately for this is none of your concern.”

“But Pri-”

“GET OUT! Be sure to tell Gelnane and my father to stay out as well.”

“Princess please...”

“OUT!”

The two guardsmen backed out of the room and reluctantly shut the door behind them, all the while Xylee remained in her state. Naveen leant forward and held onto Xylee in a tight embrace, Xylee stopped crying out of shear shock and pulled backwards.

“...w...what are you doing... p... Princes?”

“...I’m hugging you.”

“Why....?

Naveen drew back and held her at arms’ length.

“Because you’re obviously terrified and upset and this is what friends do.”

She resumed her embrace which left Xylee in a state of disbelief which was not altogether unpleasant. She was being hugged for the first time in her life, and by a princess none the less.