Frozen heart

Of all the kingdoms from the Uzhor Continent, Nordmar is the biggest, the wildest kingdom, and is covered almost entirely in snow. Up in the vast mountains of Nordmar, it is always cold. The peaks of the mountains are so tall that one can think they reached the sky. Big forests of winter oaks and evergreen trees cover the plateaus of the Nordmar mountains.

Scattered across all the land are villages inhabited by men that the other Kingdoms called barbarians. Tall and strong, the Nordmanders are born to dominate the cold land they live in. But the strongest of all the barbarians is King Rhobart.

After a long absence from the Kingdom due to a war that lasted for thirteen years with the Kingdom of Myrthana, King Rhobart returns home. But he doesn't return alone; he returns with Princess Ayla, the daughter of King Amul, former king of Myrthana. A war prize. His new slave.

When Nordman won the war, Prince Galian, now King Galian of the Kingdom of Myrthana, gave his sister, Princess Ayla to King Rhobart in an attempt to make peace between the two kingdoms. Rhobart wanted to kill Galian like the coward he was, but he was so tired of war and he wanted to take what was left of his people and go home. So he signed the peace treaty, grabbed Ayla, and left Myrthana.

From the day Ayla left behind Myrthana and what she called home, all she ever saw from the small window of the carriage that is bringing her closer and closer to her new prison, is snow, snow, and more snow. If she stared too much at it her eyes would hurt. Ayla loved the snow, it was the cold that she couldn't get used to. She has never been so cold in her life. Myrthana is nothing like the cold Nordman; it is full of life and always so warm. Ayla was sure she would have frozen to death if not for the Fire Mage, Milton, that had been so kind to buy her a warm dress, boots, and a cloak.

Ayla's fingers stroke absently the warm fur of Kerra, the snowcat that was sleeping on her lap. From time to time, Kerra would purr softly. The snowcat had been the only constant companion for the last three weeks, and Ayla grew fond of Kerra.

While her eyes surveyed the forest, Ayla pet one of the two tails of Kerra. From what Milton told her, the day that Rhobart left Kerra with Ayla, she is not an ordinary cat; Kerra it's a magical cat. Kerra has two forms – one of a normal cat while the other is her fighting form. In her fighting form, Kerra is as big as a pony.

Ayla had never seen a snowcat before Kerra, and certainly not a magical one, but she read about them. In the past, they have been common in Nordmar, but a strange disease killed almost all of them. Very few magical cats lived in the wild. And from what Ayla read, magical snowcats are completely white with green eyes. But Kerra's ears and tips of her tails are black, while her eyes are red. Milton said it is probably that Kerra was the runt of her litter. Rhobart found her, almost frozen to death, fifteen years ago, and since then Kerra has been Rhobart's constant companion.

An abrupt stop almost has Ayla fall from her seat. Kerra jumps from Ayla's lap and moments later the door to the carriage opens, and Rhobart enters the carriage and sits across from Ayla.

It was the first time she was seeing him since the day he grabbed her by her arm and dragged her all across the way from the council room to the carriage and threw her in. Ayla didn't think she would ever get used to how big King Rhobart is. Almost 6'7, with strong arms and legs, beard, long black hair, that he keeps braided in a Nordmarian style, Rhobart made her shiver. And this time not from cold.

For a few moments, Ayla studies his face. He looks so tired. And older than his twenty-six winters. She wants to study him for hours, to see and learn who the real King Rhobart is, but when his black eyes stare at her with burning hatred, she lowers her gaze.

A grunt and a mumble make their way to Ayla's ears.

"I am afraid I didn't understand you, my King."

"I am not your King! Don't call me that!" Rhobart said in a harsh tone and Ayla flinched.

Rhobart opened his mouth as if to say something but no sound came out. Seconds later he closed it.

"Wh-What should I call you, then?" Ayla asked. "Your majesty."

Rhobart pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes and took in a deep breath.

Moments later he said, "King Rhobart is enough."

When no one said anything more, silence fell between them. But Rhobart didn't linger too much, so the silence didn't become uncomfortable.

Before he exited the carriage, with his back at her, Rhobart said to Ayla the words she dreaded since this journey started, " We are here."

Ayla looked out the window, but all she could see were trees and snow.

Frowning she asked, "Here where?" But Rhobart was already gone.

When Rhobart didn't close the carriage door, Ayla knew she had to follow him. In to the cold. Into his castle. To serve him. Now. And forever.

A slave. This is what she had been reduced to. Not that before she was better. But while she was still a "princess", and kept in her golden cage, there was no King of Nordmar with onyx eyes full of hatred to order her around.

Not that she blamed King Rhobart. After all, it was her father that started the war, by attacking and burning to the ground a village from Nordmar that was closer to the border. Thirteen years had passed since then. Thirteen years of war, pain, and death. Time in which Rhobart lost all of his family members and was forced to become King at only fourteen years old.

Ayla was only nine years when the war started – a child. Just like Rhobart. Both have paid for something they never wanted. Or started. Rhobart with his family's life, and Ayla with her freedom. Well, she has never been free, to start with, but at least back in Myrthana, she knew what to expect from her father and brother.

And all this war started because his father wanted to control Nordamar's magic ore mines. That would have made her father the most powerful man on the continent. But no one expected King Rhobart. Even from her golden cage, Ayla heard rumors of the barbarian king who killed countless men without even blinking. And if the rumors are right, no one has managed to hurt him. Not even a scratch.

Inhaling deeply, Ayla put her left hand under her cloak, her fingers wrapping around her mother's amulet and she sent a quick payer to Addanos – the Water god.

When she got out of the carriage, Ayla was momentarily shocked to see so many faces. In the last three weeks, the only person she has ever seen has been Milton. She was never permitted outside, except to take care of her needs. And in those moments, Milton always cast a shield around her, to hide her from privy eyes.

Most of King Rhobart's men made it home days ago because the carriage was slower than their horses, but his loyal Paladins and a few knights remained to protect the carriage.

"My lady!" Milton said the moment he saw her. "Over here!"

The Fire Mage was standing next to King Rhobart, the seven Paladins, the remaining knight, and the horses. Ayla's eyes landed on Kerra, that was now in her battle form. A scream almost escaped her lips, but she swallowed it. In her battle form, Kerra is as big as a shadowbeast, and with long, saber teeth, she looks every bit the predator she is.

Shivering from the cold, Ayla started walking towards Milton, and King Rhobart. She fisted her hands, in an attempt to hide how badly she is shaking. She kept her eyes on the frozen ground.

To soon, she made it where Milton stood.

"We still got around twenty minutes left until we arrive at the castle. From here we will take the horses," King Rhobart said in a voice cold as ice.

Ayla jerked her eyes first to King Rhobart's face, then to the horses, then back to King Rhobart.

"I haven't had much practice with a horse," she said, fear creeping down her spine.

If she was to be entirely honest she had never been on a horse before. Seeing one so up close intimidated her. But she wouldn't say that aloud.

Rhobart narrowed his eyes, "You either get on the horse, or you walk. Either way, you will make it to the castle, t'xoria."

Several Paladins and knights laughed, while she swallowed loudly.

'T'xoria? What in Addanos' name does that mean?' Ayla thought.

She tried to protest, "But..."

Before Ayla could finish what she was about to say, King Rhobart turned his back to her and got on his horse.

"Come, Kerra. Let's get home," Rhobart said before leaving.

Kerra looked one more time at Ayla before following her master to the castle.

One by one, the Paladins and the knights got on the horses until the only one standing next to her was Milton.

"Let's get you on that horse, Princess Ayla."

Ayla laughed bitterly, "I am not a princess, Fire Mage. Not anymore."

"Look at me, Lady Ayla."

Ayla didn't want to look at him, but when Milton waited patiently for her to look at him, she finally looked into Milton's soft brown eyes.

"No matter what happens, don't you ever forget who you are. You are and forever will be a princess. And as for Rhobart. He is not a bad man. And I promise you he will never harm you."

"There's no way you can know what King Rhobart would do to me."

"Yes, I do. I've known Rhobart all my life," Milton said in a soft voice.

"But my father...."

"And you are not your father. Now get on that horse. The sun will set soon and you don't want to be out here when that happens. Trust me."

Ayla looked around the forest, expecting a shadowbeast to emerge from it. Or worse – an Orc.

"Milton?" Ayla said while her eyes still scanned the trees. When Milton didn't reply, she continued, "I have never ridden before."

"I'zoratxu!"

With the help of Milton, after many failures, Ayla managed to get on the horse. The dress she was wearing was not fitted for horse riding so she had to sidesaddle.

Ayla's heart was beating so hard like a bird trapped in a cage. She was sure that the horse would start running and throw her off his back. But when the horse didn't move, she thought that maybe she could get to the castle in one piece. She tried to grip the reins but her fingers were numb with cold.

The journey and the cold have worn Ayla out; she felt so tired. And the endless cold made its home in her bones. She didn't think she will feel warm again. Ayla shivered so bad that her entire body started hurting.

" Don't worry about the reins," Milton said, from his horse. "I will lead the horse. Just hold on tight."

Ayla grabbed the saddle as best as she could with her trembling fingers. She wanted to grab her mother's amulet, but Ayla was afraid she would fall from the horse. So, instead, Ayla sent a silent prayer to Addanos. Her eyes lingered a few moments on the robe of Milton. The robe was black with bright red flames on it – a typical robe of a Fire Mage.

Even if Ayla didn't worship Inoss, the Fire god, she decided to send a prayer to the creator of the world as well.

"Before we leave, I should make sure you don't freeze to death. I don't think Rhobart would be too happy if I brought you back in the form of an ice sculpture," Milton said.

Ayla would have snorted but her teeth were chattering.

From his left pocket, Milton took out a rune. The fingers from his right-hand danced above the rune while Milton recited a spell. Moments later, warmth spread through Ayla's body. Her body stopped shivering and for the first time in weeks, Ayla felt her toes. But her body kept hurting and trembling.

"Better?" Milton asked.

Ayla closed her eyes for a few moments, feeling very, very tired.

"A bit. Thank you!" Ayla said when she opened her eyes.

Milton frowned but not seeing anything wrong with Ayla, he focused on the horses. He hated the idea of being so close to the forest during nightfall, but Milton couldn't set the horses at a faster pace because the princess might fall off the horse. Rhobart might be unhappy with having to interact with Princess Ayla, but the king had been very clear that he didn't want any harm to come to Ayla the moment he ask Milton to bring her safe to the castle.

For a while, they walked in silence, until the cold made every cell from Ayla's body hurt. She tried to focus on Milton, for the thousand times, to see if he was using his rune to keep the cold away from him. But her eyes kept closing. Slowly she drifted to sleep.

She was half asleep when Milton's voice woke her up, "How are holding up?"

"I-I a-a-am c-c-cold," Ayla said in a stuttering voice because her teeth were chattering very hard.

The horses weren't walking anymore so Ayla asked, "W-why s-s-stop?"

Milton looked at her with concern, "I was worried about you and I decided to stop for a moment to check on you. You should not be cold. I cast a fire spell that should keep you warm until we get to the castle."

"H-how c-c-come y-you a-a-are n-not c-c-cold?"

"My robe," Milton said, his eyes studying her face.

The sun set behind a line of trees leaving Milton and Ayla in darkness. The Fire Mage muttered some curses under his breath and took a rune out, from his right pocked.

While Milton was casting a spell, a wolf howled in the forest. Other wolves followed. Ayla bit her lip to stop her from screaming.

A magic light-globe appeared above Milton illuminating their path.

"W-w-what a-about y-your r-r-robe?" Ayla kept talking, trying to distract herself from the wolves.

"It is made from the hide of a black troll, and magic spells are woven in the fabric."

"S-so i-it is a-a ma-magic robe?" Ayla asked.

Milton looked at her and frowned, " Yes, it is a magic robe. You don't look too well. Apart from being cold, how are you feeling?"

Before Ayla could answer the wolves howled again, this time sounding even closer. Moments later, an ice wolf emerged from the trees. Other three ice wolves appeared from behind the trees. Beast and man stared one at another, for what seemed like an eternity before the pack leader decided to attack. His brothers followed his lead.

When one of the wolves ran towards her horse, a scream escaped Ayla's lips. The horse moved nervously and almost threw Ayla off his back. She heard 'telekinesis' before feeling her body glued to the saddle.

Just before the ice wolves reached them, Milton stretched his right hand.

"Shield!".

Seconds later the wolves hit an invisible wall. A few yelps sounded into the night, but the ice wolves were not about to give up once the hunt started. They started circling the horses, but every time they tried to reach the prey, the wolves hit an invisible wall.

Milton took out a blue flask from his pocket. His mana was getting low and soon he would have to stop feeding the shield with his magic power. The mana potion replenished some of the mana he used during the day.

"Princess, listen carefully. I will have to bring the shield down. Once I do that, I will attack the ice wolves with fireballs. We might have to run because I am low on mana. If that happens hold on to that saddle as if your life depends on it. I will send a message to the castle to let Rhobart know we are in trouble. Nod if you understand."

Ayla nodded. She was not ready to die. Not today and certainly not like this.

Milton fisted his left palm, waited for the wolves to move in a better position. He knew he had seconds to send the firebird after he would drop the shield and the moment he would attack the wolves. He inhaled and prepared himself.

The Fire Mage counted to ten and dropped the shield. A firebird flew from his left hand.

"Fly home!" Milton instructed the firebird, before casting an attack spell, "Fireball!"

The fireball erupted from his hands and hit three ice wolves in the chest. Two of the beasts fell to the ground and sounds of pain came from them. The third one didn't get wounded badly, but it was enough to slow him down.

The fourth ice wolf jumped towards the Fire Mage, but a fire arrow hit the beast in the face killing him.

Milton expected to see the wounded ice wolves rise from the ground, and attack once again. He only had mana left for another fire arrow. But when the yelps stopped, Milton knew that the beasts died.

The remaining ice wolf tried one more attack but Milton hit it in the head with his magic staff. Knowing that the fight was lost, the beast retreated into the forest.

Not wanting to wait for more beasts to appear from the forest, Milton said to Ayla, "Hold on, my lady! I am afraid I don't have any more mana for another telekinesis spell. If you fall from that horse, Rhobart will add my head to his collection."

'Head collection? Surely the King doesn't have one,' Ayla thought before the horses started moving fast.

Ayla was still shocked from seeing the ice wolves so close. She had never seen a wolf before. But she read about them. Back in Myrthana, she had a big library – the only luxury she had ever been permitted. So Ayla read and learned. In "Beasts from the Uzhor Continent" she learned about ice wolves – The ice wolf is bigger than any other type of wolf. Only the warg is bigger and more vicious than the ice wolf. Equipped with a strong jaw, an ice wolf is capable of killing an ice bison in less than a minute.

The horses were galloping, bringing Milton and Ayla closer to the castle.

"There!" Milton shouted and pointed with his finger until Ayla looked at what he was showing her.

Less than five minutes away, tall walls made from stone promised safety.

The last part of the journey felt the longest. Ayla was praying that nothing bad would happen.

Five minutes or five lives later, they finally reached the gates.

"We are home!" Milton said.

The adrenaline that fueled Ayla from the moment the ice wolves appeared up to the moment they reached safety disappeared, leaving her weaker than ever. Her vision blackened and she fell from the horse.

"Princess!" she heard Milton yell.

A second, minute, hour, a lifetime later – Ayla wasn't sure how much time passed – strong arms lifted her from the frozen snow. She never knew that Milton was so strong. He was shorter than King Rhobart, but not by much, maybe an inch or two, but his robe hid that the Fire Mage was as strong as the King.

"I have you, Princess. You are safe now," Milton said.

Ayla opened her eyes, and looked at Milton, "P-p-promise?"

Milton frowned at her. Still looking at her, he asked someone Ayla couldn't see, "What's wrong with her?"

A voice she thought she recognized said, "I think she is sick."

Milton muttered something about gods under his breath.

"I promise you, Ayla. You are safe. I will take care of you."

Ayla nodded, closed her eyes, and rested her cheek against his chest. Milton talked some more, but she was too weak to understand his words.

She buried her nose in his robe and inhaled Milton's scent – he smelled like the snow.

While Milton walked with her in his arms, taking Ayla to her new prison, she was drifting between awake and sleep.

When Milton put Ayla on a bed and whispered 'sleep' to her, Ayla clung to his robe, like a child clinging to his mother.

"D-d-don't l-l-leave! I-I d-don't wa-want to b-be a-alone."

So Milton stayed, gathering Ayla into his arms, and she slept knowing that Milton will keep her safe.

When she started burning up with fever, Milton took care of her. When nightmares of another place, another time, another life made Ayla scream in her delirium, Milton was there helping her calm down. When she needed anything during her sickness, Milton was there, never leaving her. And when she slept, Milton's snow scent soothed her.

Between life and death, then and now, there and here, delirium and reality, nightmare and dream, whispers and more promises that Ayla could not remember, calloused fingers and strong hands, she gradually started feeling better.

It was during the day when Ayla opened her eyes and felt like she was alive, and not trapped somewhere between worlds. She was lying in a bed that she didn't recognize, covered with soft animal furs. While she had been sick, Ayla forgot about the war and King Rhobart, but now that she was better everything came crashing. She groaned wishing she could be far away from Nordmar and buried her nose in the furs and inhaled deeply. Milton's scent filled her lungs.

After she had her fill with that snow scent, Ayla moved her head left and right, trying to see if she was alone. When she didn't spot anyone in the room, Ayla tried to get in a sitting position, but she felt weak like she had been sick for a long time. When she wanted to move her hands, Ayla saw they were trembling. Horror filled her, thinking she was still sick. What kind of sickness was this that left her weak as a newborn?

Being weak or showing weakness was not an option. Ayla was in a place where she was sure people hate her. Not because she was to blame for anything but because people would look at Ayla and see her as the daughter of the man that was responsible for the death of sons and daughter of Nordmar. So, Ayla tried to move and sit on the bed.

It took her a long time and a lot of energy to get into the position she wanted, and the effort left her panting and sweating. Ayla leaned against the pillows, closed her eyes to rest, just for a few minutes. When she opened then again, it was twilight. She started wondering for how long has she had been sleeping when Ayla realized she was not alone. She heard Milton's voice before she saw him.

"You are finally awake!" the Fire Mage said in a cheerful voice and moved close to the bed. "You scared me for a moment! And Rhobart he.... He was out.... Never seen him...."

Milton stopped for a moment, smiled at Ayla, and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Ayla was curious about what Milton wanted to say about the King but decided not to ask.

She returned Milton's smile, "Like I died and came back. But I am glad to be alive. "

When Milton only nodded, Ayla added, "I feel very weak. How long have I been sick for?"

"A month. The sickness that we call Death-Shake can kill a warrior in days. Not many survive it. Count yourself lucky."

Shock hit Ayla. No wonder she was feeling weak. She didn't remember a time when she had been sick for more than a few days at a time. And surely medical treatment had been used to save her life. How is she ever to pay the King for everything? She had nothing, was nothing.

"Is the King mad at me?" Ayla asked. She actually wanted to ask how will the King make pay for whatever herbs Milton had to use for her potions.

Ayla grabbed her mother's amulet and waited for Milton's answer.

Milton looked at her hand while he talked, "Mad? Because you were sick? He was rather mad at himself. I've never seen him...."

A knock on the door interrupted whatever Milton was about to say.

Milton muttered something about Inoss and timing before saying, "Come in!"

When the door opened, Kerra darted into the room, followed by a maid that was carrying a tray.

"Kerra!" Ayla said excitedly.

The snowcat jumped on the bed, went to Ayla, and started licking her face. Moments later, Kerra started purring.

"I missed you too!" Ayla said while she tried to calm Kerra down.

The maid put the tray on the table, then went and said something to the Fire Mage.

"Excellent! Thank you! You can go, I will take care of the rest," Milton said to the maid, and she left the room.

Kerra stopped licking Ayla and decided to sleep on her lap. Ayla was never allowed to have pets while growing up, and while Kerra wasn't hers, the Princess started loving the snowcat.

Milton went to the table, picked up a bowl, and brought it to Ayla.

"While you have been sick Kerra never left your room. Well, except today. She tends to get restless if she stays inside for many days. So Rhobart took her, well, hunting. I think. Hungry?"

Ayla was actually starving so she gave a short nod and then looked at the sleeping cat, "I understand her. Back home I went outside each day. I had a small garden, where I used to plant flowers and herbs. I got anxious if I didn't get to tend to my garden daily."

The Fire Mage wanted to hand over the bowl full of broth but when he saw how her fingers trembled decided against it.

Ayla smiled bitterly, "I am afraid I am going to need some help. Sorry."

Milton shrugged like it was no big deal, "It is not the first time I am helping someone eat. During the war, I had to help those that were too sick or too wounded to eat. Some lost limbs and had to learn..."

Horror must have shown on Ayla's face because Milton muttered an apology, "I shouldn't speak of such things."

"Why? They are true, aren't they?"

Milton cleared his voice, "So you are interested in gardening?"

Ayla was about to answer him but when she tasted the food her eyes went wide, "By Adanoss! That broth contains dragon-roots! I can't eat it!"

Her finger went around the amulet once more.

Milton's eyes followed the movement of her hand then looked at her, "Why?"

"Because it's rare and expensive. And because you shouldn't waste it on me!"

Milton chuckled, "This dragon-root is only for you. It will help you gain your strength back."

"But..."

"It took a long time and effort to track down this dragon-root. And then the time to prepare the food. Now stop protesting and eat."

Ayla knew she should waste Milton's medicinal plants. If she didn't eat the broth it would probably be thrown away and it would be such a waste.

Left with no choice, Ayla ate while she told Milton about her books and her little garden. She told him how her mother and grandmother started teaching her about plants and herbs. Her mother died when Ayla was nine years, a month after the war started. Her grandmother died the following year, leaving her alone with her father and brother.

When Ayla finished eating she realized that she was already feeling stronger. She moved a hand and joy filled her heart when she saw that the trembling stopped. But not only that but Ayla felt stronger than she felt half an hour ago.

Milton handed her a cup of tea, "Now drink this. It will help heal your body faster."

Ayla took the cup smelled the tea, drank, closed her eyes, and said, "Embelia and white eclipta. Embelia for healing and white eclipta to help me sleep well."

"You are good with plants, aren't you?"

Ayla shrugged, drank some more, and replied, "My mother used to say that on the day I was born the royal garden bloomed with all kinds of flowers and plants. Even to this day, I don't know if she was joking or telling the truth. Besides, I only know the healing plants used by the Water Mages."

Milton laughed, "There is no such thing as healing plants used by the Water Mages. Fire Mages, Water Mages or Dark Mages use the same plants for healing."

"But Drax told me that Water Mages use different plants than the Fire Mages."

"I have no idea who this Drax is, but he doesn't sound like he knows a lot."

"Well, you see, Drax is a Water Mage novice. He is, was, my only friend."

Milton shook with laughter, "I think your friend Drax failed his Herbology Class."

When the Fire Mage finally stopped laughing asked Ayla, "Do you know why all Mages use the same plants?"

When Ayla shook her head Milton continued, "Because healing wasn't a gift from Adanoss or Inoss and most certainly not a gift from Beliar. It was the last gift of Aylarra to Inoss."

Ayla narrowed her eyes, "Aylarra is the name of our planet. And it was Inoss that created it."

Milton pointed at her amulet, "I thought you knew since you are wearing an aquamarine. It is the stone of the goddess Aylarra."

"I never heard of a goddess Aylarra," Ayla said.

"That's because we don't talk about her too often. When the Void created the gods from his emptiness, he created four gods, not three. First was Inoss, the Fire, then Beliar, the Darkness, followed by Adanoss, the Equilibrium. Aylarra, the Peace, was the last of the gods, and the only female. Inoss loved his brothers very much, but Aylarra was his favorite. Even the Void and Adanoss loved the gentle Aylarra with all their souls. Beliar didn't love his sister and was jealous of her. One day, filled with rage and hatred, Beliar killed the goddess. When Inoss found the dead body of Aylarra he wept and the first planets and stars were born from his tears. And because he loved her so much, Inoss made our world from her body. In the beginning, the planet was bare, but when the Fire god stepped on it, it filled with flowers. Do you know why?"

Ayla was so captivated by the story that she almost missed Milton's question.

"No," she answered.

"Because Inoss used to call his sister Ayla which means flower in the language of the gods."

"So my name means flower," Ayla said.

Milton nodded," And from her last gift to Inoss, Mages and herbalists make all sorts of potions and remedies. There are women that worship her, even if she is no more. After all, Inoss created the woman from the image of Aylarra. The women that worship Aylarra usually have an amulet with an aquamarine."

"In Myrthana we worship Adanoss. This amulet belonged to my mother. And before that, it had belonged to her mother, my grandmother, and so on for many generations. But I never heard them talk about Aylarra. Thank you for telling me about her, even if her ending is sad."

Milton gave her a sad smile, "You know, there is a bit of the goddess in each man and woman from this planet."

"How so?"

"Because Inoss created the humans from the soil."

Milton looked out the window, "It is growing late and I should let you rest."

"Thank you for talking with me and taking care of me," Ayla said.

"Just doing my duty. And if you ever need to talk to someone I would be happy to listen to you."

Before he left, Milton added a few logs into the fireplace, helped Ayla settle for the night, and retreated to his tower.

That night Ayla dreamed of flowers and snow. When she woke up there was something about her dream that she tried to remember but no matter how hard she tried Ayla could not remember. In the end, she let it go.

While she got up from bed, Kerra, in her battle form, tracked all her movements. Ayla went to look in the mirror that was in the room. She frowned when she saw how she looked – she lost weight, the undergarment she was wearing hang loose on her body, her black hair lost all its shiness, her blue eyes looked haunted, and the dark circles from under her eyes made her look more tired than she felt.

When she finished studying herself in the mirror, Ayla decided to inspect her new room. Given that this was her new room. It was simple but beautiful. Feminine. Apart from the bed with its two typical nightstands, the table, and the mirror, two chairs, a wardrobe, a desk with an armchair, and some empty shelves completed the furniture of the room. Soft rugs made from animal furs covered the stone floor.

On the table, Ayla spotted some books, a bouquet of flowers, and a basket with fruits. She had never seen flowers like these before, they were small, white, delicate and the petals formed a bell. She picked the bouquet up and smelled them – the scent wasn't familiar to her, but she loved it.

After that, she decided to look at the books. There were five in total, three of them about medicinal plants and flowers from all the continent, and the other two about stories and myths about the gods.

"Oh, Milton! Thank you!" Ayla said.

A door closed behind her and when she look to see if someone entered the room, there was no one there. Ayla frowned, but she turned her attention back to the books. She picked up one, took a fruit from the basket, went to the bed, sat on it, rested her head on Kerra's belly, and started reading.