Chapter 19

AUDREY POV

The ride to the cave was quiet as Myst didn’t really speak much. All he did was just tag along hitting the grasses in his front.

I didn’t want this to be an awkward journey so I quickly broke the ice by clearing my throat.

“Is everything alright? Are you parched?” He asked handing me a water bottle as I drank from it and cleaned my mouth with the back of my palm.

“Yes everything is fine, thank you. I want us to talk about you. You seem to know everything about me, yet I know nothing about you. I wouldn’t call that fair now, would you?” I said as he smiled and replied,

“There is really nothing to know about me, I am just a plain person, that does things and help others.” He said as I replied,

“I know but there had got to be more to you than your name Myst. What does Myst means? Where are you from? Do you live in the village, do you have any friends. Where are you staying? What is your work occupation? Why do you always seem to appear and disappear whenever you want without a word.” I rapped out of him as he looked very shocked.

“That is a lot of questions. Hmm, I will try my best to answer the ones I can. Okay, my name is just Myst. But I like to teach of myself as Mysterious. I am from this village and kingdom. Do I live in the village? Well I guess I do. Friends, I have you as a friend. Apart from you, I am rather lonely. Let just say, you are not the only one being treated like an outcast. My work occupation…apart from guiding people to find their true path, I am not sure I know anything else. Well you aren’t paying enough attention to watch me slip away. That is all I can tell you.” He said as I nodded my head.

“I am sorry to hear that you are been treated like an outcast too and you have no friends. Now I know why you always take me to the woods instead of the town. But I am your friend now, you should be more than happy. A whole princess is your friend. No one else gets that privilege.

“True fact. You are right. I am lucky to have you in a way. At least you see me and talk to me, you make me feel human in a way I guess.” He said as I smiled.

“Well I guess instead of dwelling on the negative parts of life, why don’t we focus on something more thrilling. We will soon get to the cave if my directions are correct. It is not an exact science, just a familiar feeling of walking down this road.” I said as I started to jog and he jogged up to keep up with me.

“When we see this person, what do you have in mind?” He asked as I said without a heartbeat.

“Well I am going to rescue him of course. You will help me with it. No man should be locked up in such a damp place. If he has been exiled from his house and can’t go home, I will bring him back with me and allow my father to grant him permission to stay here.

“Alright. I guess so.” He said mumbling as we fell dead silent till we reached the cave.

It was already getting dark when I got to the cave with Myst and I saw that it was empty. Someone had been here already. And they might have either released the man or killed him.

“Where did he go? We are too late? He is dead.” I cried out to Myst who looked at me and just smiled.

“Why are you smiling? This isn’t a funny matter. I am being serious here, there was a man in this cave and now he is gone. Can’t you see the chains littered on the floor.

“Maybe he escaped? Do you see a body around here? I mean if they killed him, why go through the burden of stealing his body.” Myst said as I thought about it.

“You are right but it is not still enough, if he was freed, why couldn’t he leave before my arrival or when I arrived. He seemed like the chains were too strong and painful. Almost as if It was created not to let go.” I said softly as he looked around and said,

“Can you tell me what happened when you were here last. Did you touch the chains, did you interfere with him?” He asked as I frowned chewing my lips trying to remember that fateful night.

“I remember heading up to him and yes I did touch the chain before he attacked me and left me with a big cut and I left and fainted on the way.” I said as he nodded his head and replied,

“I see, so the curse is broken.” He said as I looked at him.

“What curse?” I asked confused as he just shook his head and said,

“We have to get going. Your parents will soon be back and someone might get suspicious if your chambers is quiet for a long while. Prince Liam might decide to check up on you.” He said as I slapped my forehead. I totally forgot that I had to head back soon.

“Oh okay, come with me then, show me the way.” I said as we ran through the woods, eager to get closer to the town. Deep down, I was happy, he was rescued. I only hoped that I would get to see him again and understand him more. There is something about the curse that Myst wasn’t telling me. He was trying to avoid the topic for now so I decided not to bug him. I will learn about it one way or the other. I was tired of being kept in the dark.