Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 5

Ludis spoke first. Picking the hairbrush up from the floor, she approached Kora. Sitting down beside her, Ludis began to help Kora with her long hair. Stella took the cue and grabbed the clothes.

“No wonder you wouldn’t speak. Do you know who turned you to stone?” Ludis asked softly. She genuinely felt for this woman. Her entire life, everything she knew and loved, was gone. Forever. The entire world moved on without her. Did anyone she had cared for even know what her fate had been? Ludis’s heart ached for her.

“Yes.” It was clear from the look on her face, that Kora was not inclined to tell.

Ludis let it go and softly asked how she wanted her hair arranged. Kora asked for a simple braid, and then stood up again to dress herself. The hot water had certainly done the trick. Kora’s movement was more graceful now. A knock sounded from the entrance of the tent and Ben asked to enter.

“Ah, good, you’re all done! You look much better. I mean, not that you looked poorly before, it’s just good to see you on your feet.” Ben, awkward? The world really had turned upside down. Ludis saw Stella’s expression and took the lead again.

“Koraline- she prefers Kora- was just thanking us. Did you happen to replace any food?” On cue, Kora’s stomach growled. They all looked at her, and giving Ludis another small grin, she said, “It has been a while since I last ate.” At that Ludis and Stella both laughed, Kora joining them.

Ben could not believe it. Her laugh was like the sound of bells and rang throughout the tent. It filled his head, and he was frozen, staring at her. Her name was Koraline. Kora. What is this hold she has over me? Why does she affect me so? Ben snapped out of it.

“They are serving in the main tent. I thought a walk would do you some good?” He gestured at the door. They all agreed, and Kora stepped out first, Ben right behind her. He stayed close in case she fell or became weak again. The clothes Ludis had shared did fit her well, a cream long sleeved shirt with black breeches. A sleeveless deep green over robe lined with fur and mahogany brown boots completed the look, helping to keep her warm. Ben kept glancing at her sidelong, and when he caught Kora looking at him, he quickly looked up.

“Ben? That is your name, right?” Kora looked up at him, and Ben swallowed hard.

“Yes, Benjamín Althan. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kora.”

“I wanted…to thank you. You woke me, though I still do not know how. And for caring for me. I really needed that, and I am forever in your debt.” He could see in her eyes she meant it, and he felt his heart flutter.

“It was no problem. Anyone with eyes could see that you were in need, I just happened to get there first.” Ben brushed off her thanks - hoping she could not see how much he was enamored by her. It had only been 2 weeks, but the mere thought of not seeing her took the breath from his lungs. What was wrong with him? He resolved to speak with Ludis about it later. It must be the magic that held her captive. An after effect from the spell breaking.

The main tent was starting to empty, most of the men had already eaten. Upon entering, Royce was hard to miss at a corner table with Cade and Rickard at his side. The women grabbed trays and served themselves, Ben insisting on carrying Kora’s tray. After being seated, Royce let out a low whistle.

“Well, lass, you clean up well. How are you feeling? Seems you had a rough fright, waking up from god only knows how long as a garden decoration.” Leave it to Royce to be less than delicate about anything. Ben glared, but after seeing Kora’s small smile, he let it go.

“I wish I could say I am all better but, I still have a way to go. I wanted to thank you three as well. I deeply appreciate all of you. Who knows how much longer I would have been that way if it weren’t for your replaceing me.”

“Oh, that was all Ben. We were just along for the ride. Dragged us down that musty tunnel, he did.” Rickard spoke, smiling. Not missing an opportunity to tease his friend, Rickard added,

“It’s like he knew a beautiful woman was waiting for him.” Ben’s face blazed as a chuckle went around the table. Kora smiled but did not laugh. She seemed aware of her beauty, but also did not feel it was something to be proud of or to flaunt.

“So how long were you trapped, Lady Kora?” Cade, ever the gentleman, asked. Of course, she was a lady, wherever she was from. She was too well-off physically to be anything less. If Stella had met her anywhere else, she would have bet her crown that she was royalty. Kora looked down and then sideways at Stella and Ludis, an almost pleading look.

On one hand, these were her rescuers. She felt that she owed them some explanation, but she knew nothing of today’s affairs or what these people would mean for her and her survival. They seemed genuine enough, but she had learned the hard way that you could not trust anyone. She did not even want to tell the two women. There was torture in holding it in, though.

Stella came to her rescue.

“Poor Kora’s memory is still a bit fuzzy, she isn’t sure. We are hoping to go through some memories with her as they come.” Kora nodded, giving Stella a thankful look. She knew that none of the men believed it, but they let it pass all the same. The talk moved on, with the men filling the women in on the things they had missed while buried in research.

“The king has announced it’s time to break camp. We’re going home finally.” Royce pushed his plate away, sipping his ale. He glanced at Ben and Kora, then to Stella and away.

“It will be strange to be home again, and to not be at war.” Ludis mused and the group quietly agreed.

“We have been at war my whole life; I don’t think anyone will know what to do now.” Stella spoke and looked around the table. “What do each of you want to do now that we are free to live?”

“I think it’s time for me to focus on the teachings at the mage academy.” Of course, Ludis would go academic. She did not know the meaning of rest.

“I think it’s time to settle down, maybe start a little tribe of my own.” Royce was looking at the ceiling, leaning back against a post of the tent. Stella started. Royce, start a family? With whom? Why did she care? She looked down to hide her face, bangs coming forward over her eyes. She supposed that now she would need to return and focus on her affairs at the castle too. Not too much of a need for a Princess Mage outside wartime. She could work on projects for the villages-making sure there were clean water wells, reinforcing river walls. Lost in thought, she desperately pushed the thought of Royce with some beautiful woman who had sizable…assets and holding a miniature Royce on her hip.

“What would you like to do, Kora? I have a house in town I never use. I always stay in my castle quarters. You’re welcome to stay there if you like, while you figure out your next move.” Ben’s offer popped out of him, and everyone glanced sharply in his direction. Ben straightened and looked Kora in the eyes.

“You, of course, are free to do as you like, but if you have nowhere, I would be honored to help you while you decide what you would like to do.” He looked around the table, daring anyone to question him. He really could not bear to part from her yet. Stella saw the opportunity and seized it.

“Yes, please come to the capital. Any one of us would be happy to help you replace your way.” She had not forgotten the power she felt and where they found this woman. Keep friends close, enemies’ closer mentality in play-she would much rather keep Kora where she can be watched until they could determine whether she was indeed a threat or not. Her little magic display with the tub not forgotten. Kora looked at each person and then spoke softly.

“I don’t want to be a burden; I can work and replace my own way.” Kora seemed reluctant. Stella saw the small hesitation and went for the kill.

“Please, as the princess of this country, I would take it as a personal insult if you refused our hospitality. You would be an honored guest.” She saw Kora bow her head; her eyes hidden.

“Then I must accept, thank you.” The group stood and bid their farewells, knowing tomorrow would be a busy day. Ben walked next to Kora in silence, mentally making a list of the things needed for tomorrow.

“Ben. I greatly appreciate your offer, but I feel that I have burdened you enough.” Kora made one last attempt to protest, and Ben halted.

“How long were you a statue, Kora?” He could see her hesitation, and he waited. It was the first time he had asked her, but he needed to know. Did she have a family who missed her? A husband, children? Kora looked him in the eyes, and he felt himself drowning in those green pools all over. The light of the moon on her face gave him chills. She simply did not look real; she was so beautiful. Like a Fae from old.

“1500 years Benjamín. I am 1525 years old.” She turned before he could respond and made the remainder of the walk to her tent alone. Ben was stunned. Realization dawned on him. The only people she knew were just at that table for dinner. She has nothing, no one. A wave of grief hit him in the stomach, and he felt sick for her. She was alone. He stared at her tent for a long time before retreating to his own close by.