Going around on a horse wasn't Eli's thing.
This beast didn't feel large enough to be ridden but he had no choice.
This place seemed very familiar but that was all to it.
He wasn't sure if it was his weakness or if there was anything else for him to blame this upon.
The forest was quiet and the fact that the villagers didn't visit this place in fear of the rumour of it being cursed, was a good thing. They haven't ran into anyone since they made it into the forest.
Truly, the Nuktar forest had some magical abilities, it wasn't as horrific as the villagers described. It only shifted little things from one place to another and for the mind of humans, that could be very confusing. Most of them might get lost and find it difficult to get out of the forest, but they always do and when they do, they run out, terming it cursed.
Eli considered it playful. Kestra hated it. She said it made fetching whatever she needed difficult.
They were pretty used to the forest by now though, it wasn't as hard as it used to be to navigate.
His mind was drawn back to the reason why they were here and Eli felt terrible for how the villagers must have been put into panic yesterday, those that had lost their lives in his castle and those that must have lost their valuables in the rush for safety. He would have to find a way to compensate them when he got back to the castle, he knew that for most, no amount of compensation would ever be enough but still, he must try.
He was their King.
It was his duty to keep them safe and yesterday, he had failed them.
He just hoped, the rumours hadn't gotten to the seven villages yet.
He would hate for the fear to spread that far. Besides, the seven villages thought of him differently than the people in the Capital.
They feared him so much already, if he was making any progress that was still little to how much they feared him, he would hate for them to fear his beast as a different entity that he couldn't control.
Wasn't it the reason he had kept the Bride Thief a secret from them? So that they wouldn't fear the existence of something more?
Eli had given orders to Anok before he left the castle, considering how effectively the General had managed things last time, there was a good belief that he would do well. Regarding, Collin, he was a very trustworthy servant. All should be well, but still, he was worried about his Donna.
The herbs Kestra had administered would work too.
Kestra's herbs had never failed before. He knew that very well, so why was he so worried?
He had also seen to it that new bars were created and new, strong, enchanted chains had been used to chain the dragon back to her bondage, although the magic wouldn't still be strong enough until he would find a new compatible gem, so he could also use his power on the chain, it was far better than nothing.
As long as the dragon remained asleep, then all should be alright. If Kestra was right about the timing of their journey, the dragon would still be asleep even when they make it back to the castle with the new gem.
Eli has ensured everything was in place before he left, so what was the problem?
Why was he so worried?!
The sun had moved in the sky, and through the spaces in the trees, the golden sun could be seen setting.
"We will soon get there," Kestra announced to him and he nodded.
He thought she would be weak and tired after using her powers like that. Enchanting the new chains had taken a lot of strength.
Kestra always needed to feed from her birds after using her powers excessively like that, then she would take a long rest. Eli did know if she had done the former but he was sure she hadn't done the latter yet, still excitement glimmered in her silver orbs instead of fatigue and a light smile rested idly on her face.
What could be making her so happy in this kind of situation?
It was unlike her to be this excited.
Her excitement took a halt though when they got to a specific place and stopped. She got off her horse, looking around like she was looking for something before she looked back at him.
"What is the matter?" He asked, getting off his horse too as smoothly as his weakened state could allow.
"The cave, your Majesty. The cave is supposed to be here."
Well, it wasn't, obviously.
Eli nodded.
"It moved." He said, for once not liking the playfulness of the forest. "Good one, Neq'tar."
"Oh, you remember that. Your Majesty?"
"Of course, I do." He moved past her, staring at the empty space that the cave was supposed to be. He narrowed his gaze, looking past the trees and the shadows that were slowly forming behind them from the passage of time. "Or is there something I am forgetting, Kestra?"
She shook her head but quickly took note that he couldn't see her.
"No, your Majesty."
He nodded, ignoring the pain on his face. His dragon's cuts on his healed at a much slower rate than normal cuts for him, if not treated, they could even get infected.
His pain became more obvious in his slight struggle to get back on the horse. Kestra lead the way yet again but instead of leading them in search of the cave, she had led them to Lake Safi, a small lake filled with blue glittering water.
It was a lake of water, filled with speedy healing qualities.
"Neq'tar cannot put the cave this way. We need to turn around." He gritted, the pain finally getting to him.
If there was one thing the forest didn't play with, it was the location of this lake.
"We need to take care of your face. If you are weak by the time you get to the cave, your Majesty, you might not have the needed strength to go through with it."
His hand moved over his mask, before they dropped by his side and clenched into fists.
"Let me help you with it, your Majesty."
"Then you will have to see my face."
"I have seen your face many times." She sounded taken aback because she was. When did he start to hide his face from her?
That Bell of a girl was really a problem.
Eli's brows furrowed underneath his mask, the small action causing pain to him. He could feel the holes of the scales that had been ripped out, the painful cut across his face, it felt like someone had dragged a sword through it and slashed his face into many pieces.
He was in pain.
As much as he would hate to admit it, Kestra was right. He needed it taken care of before they would go further or he would end up being useless to anyone.
"Alright then." He said, getting off the horse. "Just be as fast as you can. We must get back to searching as soon as possible."
Kestra got off her own horse and went after him, suppressing another squeal.
She had more in mind than just helping him treat his wounds, and his agreement had just open many potentialities of how tonight would go.