"I need to know why I am here and why my mom would ask me to search for a Darynem before she died" i asked Yoda
"I don't have all the answers, but what i know is that, you are the Darynem Princess who was taken to Anoryl years ago" she replies
"Come with me, I know something that might help" she turns around and walks out of the room. I scramble quickly to follow her, barely able to keep up with her long strides. If I thought the room I was in was beautiful, this hallway was magnificent. The tall ceilings with beautiful antique artistry made me feel like I was in a palace. "Is this place a palace?" I asked "You still haven't figured it out?"
After walking for what felt like an eternity we stopped before a grand door that was at least 9 feet tall. Yoda gently pulls down the handle and ushers herself in, I follow closely behind her. Upon entering I gasped at the sight before me. I stood before the largest library I had ever been in. The rows of books stretch so high up that I had to crank up my neck to see where it ends. And before me were hundreds and hundreds of shelves. "This place is beautiful" I exclaimed. "This is one of the libraries. Holds the most ancient knowledge" Yoda replies. "One! You have more?"
But she was already on her way out, gently closing the door behind her. I couldn't help but think of how graceful Darynem was. Such a sharp contrast from what we had been taught back in Anoryl. I took a deep breath and stepped deeper into the library. Where would I even start? "The oldest books are at the farthest shelves, history books below and magic above. That's the order" a voice echoed from down the lane. Out of the shadows emerged a thin and tall old lady. She had thin glasses that were propped on the bridge of her nose but couldn't hide her bright orange eyes. She was beautiful with her pale blonde hair that tumbled beyond her shoulders in waves. "Thank you", I muttered. I still had my guard up against these people, they still are murderers after all. She walked past me and back into the shadows… gracefully.
I crouched down in front of the shelf before me, looking for my first history book on the dreadful Darynem. I reached for a random book with a red hardcover. "Glaciers"
"You're not going to find what you're looking for in that book", a deep voice bellowed from behind me. I jumped. Do these people just materialize out of nothing? I don't even hear them walk. He chuckled. I'm sorry I startled you. I stood up from my crouching position, turning around in the process to face him. I came face to face with a demigod. I could get lost in his cloudy gray eyes. His chiseled face, and snow white skin. He had strikingly dark hair, which fell into his eyes. Quite different from the other Darynem I had seen so far. "My name is Mateo Sorvo" he said gently, taking my hand and kissing it. "You must be Princess Arina," he asked. I felt blood rush to my face at his charm. "N-no, I mean yes but I- ", huffed, frustrated. I wished that the ground would swallow me up that instant. "My name is Mildredte, not Arina, and I am not a princess" I said with the boldest voice I could master. Taking my hand out of his hold.
"So I've heard. My apologies Miss …"
"Mildred. Mildred Sinkette" I said
"Yes Mildred. Pleasure to meet such a beauty like you." he spoke again, bringing back my embarrassing blush
"We are about to have dinner soon, would you care to join us?" he asked
Dinner with Darynem? I had almost forgotten the situation that I was in. My mother was just murdered by own people and I had been kidnapped by the dreaded Darynem.
"I would rather starve to death than join you for dinner!" i spat
The shock was evident in his eyes before he regained composure "We lot, as you call us, just saved your life. If you have any respect for the sacrifice of Meredith, you would join us for dinner" he retorted calmly, turned on his heels and walked out of the library.
My only shot at getting out of here was piecing the puzzle that lay before me. And dining with the enemy was the first step. My stomach grumbled in response.
They did have amazing food.
"Wait, I'm coming!" I yelled as I ran for the door, remembering to carry the book I picked along with me.
"It is too soon to take her to the training academy , she just lost her mother!" a voice says
I step into the dining room behind Mateo, and I am panting. "There is no point in keeping her here any longer. The Training academy is her best chance at joining the fight" Frieda responds in her usual calm tone. She is at the head of the long dining table. I recognize some familiar faces. Yoda and the man she was with who came to rescue me, and … is that.. My father?