Sorry for the long break! I'm still here ;)

Chapter 11

Casual Conversation

I woke to a knock on the door of my room. I sat up and wrapped myself in my sheets as I walked over to answer it. When I opened the door, a young maid was standing on the other side with a bundle of clothing.

"Dinner is ready for you, ma'am," she bowed to me and held out the clothes. "Here is a new change of clothes since yours are still damp."

"Thank you," I took the clothes from her hands, carefully keeping my body concealed under the blankets. "This is very kind of you." I flashed her a smile and she responded with a bright one of her own. After she left, I turned around and walked in front of the mirror to change. It was another dress, but this one was even more elegant than before. It was a pastel blue that complimented my skin tone. Compared to my old dress, it was a completely different style. I twirled around happily in front of the mirror, my sun pendant spinning around with me. Once I had fixed my hair, I walked out of the door to my room and into the hallway. "Hello?" I called out.

Immediately, another woman dressed in a black and white outfit made her way over to me. "Can I help you?" She said politely.

"Yes," I tried to maintain the properness that filled this house. "Can you take me to where dinner is?" I felt slightly embarrassed not knowing my way around. "I'm new here," I added before the woman had a chance to respond.

"Of course, milady," the woman curtsied and turned to walk away. "You can follow me."

I smiled, happy with the kindness, and followed her as we walked through the halls. Eventually, we ran into Areck on his way to the dining hall as well.

"Luna!" He smiled at me and walked over. He stared at me, eyes widening, and said, "Wow, you look absolutely stunning!"

I felt my cheeks go red and I brought a hand to my cheek, embarrassed, "Thanks, Areck."

He beamed at me, turned to the maid and dismissed her, saying, "I'll escort Luna to the dining hall from here. Thank you."

The woman nodded and bowed to the both of us.

"Now that we're alone," Areck threw his arm around my shoulder and led me in the same direction the maid had been bringing me. "I never had the chance to ki—"

"Luna!" I heard another voice. Heroth was by my side in the next instant.

"Damn it, Heroth," Areck snarled at him. "Let us have our time alone together."

"Is that what you want, Luna?" Heroth looked at me with his almost black eyes, and I couldn't help but stare at the scar across his face.

"I… uh…" I stammered, not wanting to upset anyone. "I'm so happy to see you guys again."

"Hmph," Heroth grinned triumphantly at Areck. "Get your head out of the clouds, Areck."

Areck playfully punched Heroth on the arm and, in the end, they both laughed. They must be very close, considering they grew up in the same village in the North Moon Nation. They acted almost like two brothers.

We arrived at another large, two-door entrance. Heroth opened the door for me and I stepped inside, gaping at the beauty of the dining hall. It was fairly large, with a long table in the center. Above hung chandeliers with candles on them. The walls were decorated with various works of art that I admired as I walked in. Kayif and Zephys were already sitting at the table. When he noticed me enter, Kayif stood up.

"Luna," he looked me over and smiled, "you look lovely."

"Thank you…" I glanced over at Zephys for an instant. He was looking at me as well, so I averted my eyes quickly. I took a seat next to Kayif, who was sitting at the head of the table, and Areck rushed to take the chair by my side. Zephys sat across from me and Heroth ended up next to him.

"We're having steak tonight," Kayif said once everyone sat down.

Steak… I thought dreamily about its taste, I haven't eaten anything besides deer and fish in months! I must have smiled unconsciously, because Kayif let out a small chuckle.

"Zephys didn't feed you well during your journey, hm?"

My eyes blinked quickly to Zephys, who was still looking at me silently. I lowered my eyes and turned to Kayif again, "It was my job to cook anyway."

"You're too modest, Luna." Kayif reached out and grabbed my hand. I couldn't help but stare happily into his eyes.

After a couple minutes of casual conversation, maids came out carrying various plates of food. I restrained from licking my lips as a meal was placed in front of me delicately. Holding back the urge to dive in and eat, I waited for everyone else to be served before I daintily picked up my silverware and began eating. Kayif nodded to the maids, who bowed and exited. Everyone ate in silence, enjoying every bite of the meals. Finally, many of the plates were empty. I had put down my utensils, full from the food and unable to finish it.

"Did you like it, Luna?" Kayif asked, gesturing to the food left over on my plate.

"Oh, yes," I nodded enthusiastically. "It was delicious. I'm just not used to having so much food!"

"No wonder your body is so delicate." He said pleasantly.

I felt my face turn red. I had forgotten how kind all the other men from Camp Jade were. "Thanks—" I began.

"Areck wrote in the letter than you had learned more information." Zephys cut in abruptly. It was the first time he had spoken the entire night, but no one seemed surprised except me. I had almost forgotten about the letter until now.

"Ah, yes," Kayif nodded slowly. "Luna," he looked at me again, with a serious expression on his face, "We learned that you were a prisoner of Draehkim's."

"P-prisoner?" I brought my hand to my mouth, surprised. "Why?!"

"I… We… don't know," Kayif sighed. "I'm sorry. We overheard a group of soldiers talking about how you had escaped their custody somehow."

"I… I did?" I propped my elbow on the table and used it to support my head. I felt frustrated not knowing about my past. As if sensing my aggravation, Kayif reached over and placed his hand on my arm lightly.

"There were wanted posters around some of the cities we traveled through with her face on them," Zephys folded his hands on the table. "Apparently, she committed treason in her past."

I winced and looked around to see the reactions of the other men at the table.

"Way to be, Luna!" Areck was the one who broke the silence, patting me on the shoulder, "You must have been a bad-ass in your past!"

The difference between Areck's reaction to my wanted poster and Zephys's reaction was so drastic, I had trouble comprehending it. My face flushed and all I could do was smile slightly.

"Hmm… I wonder what you did, Luna." Heroth was looking at me with a somewhat excited expression. "I'm also curious about how you managed to escape captivity."

Everyone was staring at me now, but I could only shrug. "I'm sorry…" I said finally, "I don't remember anything."

"That's fine, Luna," Kayif's thumb rubbed the side of my arm reassuringly. "You've been so brave so far."

I nodded quickly, relieved by the calmness of the men in the room. No one was upset with me for anything. The warmth of Kayif's hand on my arm was noticeable. When I turned to Kayif, he was squinting, staring at something on my head. Then, he reached out a hand to move my bangs and touch the scar on my forehead.

"Luna, what happened?" He had a concerned look on his face, eyes filled with worry.

"Oh…" My hand instinctively moved to my forehead as well. "It's nothing… I just fell."

"You fell?" Heroth sputtered a laugh.

"I… Yeah…" Overwhelmed with embarrassment, I looked down at my hands, which were folded in my lap.

"There were many run-ins with people who were trying to kill her." Zephys had his arms crossed against his chest, leaning back in his chair. It was then I noticed how he looked different than before. His hair looked smoother and he was wearing new clothes, which were much cleaner than what he had been wearing during our travel. The hairs that had begun to grow along his chin were now gone, revealing a smooth jaw line. No longer paying attention to the conversation, I spaced out staring at Zephys.

"…anyone, Luna?"

Kayif's call to me snapped me back into reality. My eyes darted to his and I tried to regain my composure. Everyone was staring at me now.

Crap… I thought helplessly, my face heating up.

"I-I'm sorry…" I said, ashamed. "I missed what you said."

"Did you recognize anyone? Of those who came after you." Kayif repeated.

"I… No… I'm sorry."

"Anything else you guys learned?" Zephys said curtly, changing the subject.

"We heard some soldiers mention something called the 'Golden Heart'," Kayif placed both his hands on the table. "It seems they were commanded by Draehkim to retrieve the artifact at any cost."

A sharp pain hit my head at Kayif's words. Moaning, I brought my hand to my forehead to try and massage the pain away.

"Luna, are you okay?" Kayif's voice caused me to open my eyes. Through blurry eyes, I realized that everyone at the table was looking at me worriedly.

"Yeah," I winced. "I just… I have a headache… I think I just need some air." I pushed myself back from the table slowly. "I'm sorry, please excuse me." I stood up carefully and Zephys did so simultaneously as well. Our eyes locked briefly.

"I'll come with you," he said quickly.

"It's okay," I looked at my hands. "I can go alone."

"Be careful," Zephys frowned. "Don't go too far from Orhaven and don't do something stupid."

I wanted to roll my eyes at his words, but I just nodded and stepped slowly out of the room. My headache was beginning to worsen and my knees felt weak, but I made my way through the halls of the building. Somehow, I managed to find my way through the maze of hallways and back to the entrance hall. Dazed from the pain clouding my head, I leaned against the railing of the stairs.

Maybe I shouldn't have gone alone… I thought regretfully. Just as those words raced in my brain, I imagined Zephys's condescending face flashing before my eyes. He would probably say something about how I was being a hassle or how I was causing problems for everyone else. Even though I was only visualizing the scenario, I felt the blood in my veins boil slightly. I had never been so frustrated before, and I was not accustomed to the flame of anger flickering in my chest.

With a huff, I pushed open the double door entrance and exited the mansion. The night air nipped at my skin, causing me to shiver slightly, but I kept pacing forward. Almost at once my headache subsided a little. This alone made me feel calmer. A new confidence carried my stride as I moved through the quiet town streets. The lanterns lit in front of their respective buildings painted the cobblestone golden. A weak shadow was cast off to my side as I passed by each small blaze guarded by a metal cage.

I continued walking until I reached the beginning of the beach. After I was about halfway to the water, I took a seat in the sand and let out a sigh. The sea breeze rustled my hair and the only sound I could hear was the crashing of the waves. I felt very at peace.

The hoot of an owl far off startled me slightly, but, soon, there was a call in response to the first. I listened as the delicate cries of the two owls echoed back and forth to each other mixed with the rising and falling of the beach water.

After a few minutes, I heard a voice.

"Luna…"