Mirean

Chapter 18

Nalani lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind drifted to her encounter with Ordas, the assassin who tried to kill her.

Curiosity and questions kept her from sleeping. Moonlight Came in through the window, creating soft shadows in her room. She sighed and turned onto her side, trying to find a more comfortable position.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mita enter her room through the connecting door.

Mita’s expression showed concern, her hands twitching in sign language as she asked why Nalani was still awake.

Nalani sat up, running a hand through her hair. “I met Ordas,” she began, with a voice as low as a whisper. “The woman who tried to kill me. She is in the dungeon.”

Mita’s eyes widened in shock. She gestured quickly, asking for more details.

"What is she like?"

Nalani pondered, trying to remember what she had seen in the darkness illuminated only by a little moonlight. "Her hair was black and she didn't seem very tall."

She tried to recall the moment when the assassin approached her before she stabbed her. "I think she was only a few years older than me. Her eyes... her eyes were very interesting. The pupils were purple in color. I've never seen eyes like that."

‘I’m glad they caught her.’ Mita said with a gesture. ‘If she escapes, maybe she’ll try one more time.’

Nalani recounted the encounter, her voice starting to shake slightly. “But I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m a nobody and I just got here. Who sent it? Why would anyone want me dead? I need answers, and I need to tell Kabar about this.”

Mita nodded, her face wearing a stern expression. She signaled that she would help Nalani.

Nalani swung her legs over the side of the bed and reached for her writing utensil. “I have to write a letter to Kabar. It is very important for him to know about this assassination attempt. Tomorrow morning, I want you to deliver it to our contact.”

Mita nodded again. “Sure,” she said in sign language. “He must know. Write now.” She pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down.

Nalani dipped the pen into the ink and began to write, her hand moved quickly over the parchment. She poured her thoughts and fears into the letter, detailing the assassination attempt and her suspicions.

Once finished, she sealed the letter with wax and handed it to Mita. “Be careful,” she said. “This information is very important, and we can’t let it fall into the wrong hands.”

Mita nodded solemnly, a sign that she would be careful.

She put the letter in her pocket and gave Nalani a reassuring smile before re-entering her room.

Left alone once more, Nalani lay back down and thought.

News might have infiltrated her person among the Karyan people, and it was she who would deliver the letter from her to Inverno.

Mita was the only one who knew the person, Kabar did not want to tell Nalani at all. Nalani wasn’t curious, but her instincts told her not to find out, at least for now.
***

Nalani had no intention of telling Karyan that she already knew Ordas’ whereabouts in the dungeon.

But that morning, when she passed Karyan in the palace corridor, she pretended to ask about the assassin as if she knew nothing.

“Karyan,” she began, trying to keep her voice calm, “what happened to the person who tried to kill me?”

Karyan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening. “She’s been arrested. I arrested her myself.”

“She? I thought the assassin was a man. And what are you going to do with her?”

Karyan brought his face close to Nalani’s. His amber eyes were sharp and intense. “Listen, Nalani, you don’t have to worry about that,” he replied, his tone harsh. “I’ve already taken care of that. All you need to do is follow my rules and stay within the estate. No going outside without permission.”

Nalani swallowed, maintaining her innocent face. “Of course, but-“

“There is no but,” Karyan cut in, his voice was firm. “And don't even think about trying to escape. There’s no point. There are dangers out there that you can’t even imagine.” He stepped closer, his presence started imposing. “Remember that.”

With that, Karyan turned and strode away, leaving Nalani Standing in the corridor.

Feeling lonely and abandoned, Nalani walked towards the garden to calm down.

The garden had become her sanctuary, a place where she could find peace in the midst of her new life. As she approached the garden gate, she was surprised by what he saw.

New shoots were springing up everywhere, vibrant and full of life. It was amazing; she had only planted them a few days ago.

She knelt down, touching the fresh green leaves and delicate buds with her delicate fingers.

How did this happen? Plants don't grow this fast. Was there something in this garden that caused all this to happen? Was it because of something inside her?

Because honestly sometimes she felt that there was something strange in her. She was a witch, but almost with no powers.

And now this…

She got up and left her garden in a hurry, rushing to Bertoldi's Residence.

She felt that only Bertold could explain the strange phenomenon.

Just like when she came back to life after death, she had a feeling that the two things had a connection.

"Bertold! Bertold!" She called out to the old healer, bursting through his lush herb garden.

"I'm here." The healer appeared from behind a cluster of rosemary plants.

"Oh, Bertold, why did all my plants grow so big overnight?"

Bertold raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t explain it if you haven’t seen it for yourself.”

“Alright.” Bertold fixed his tattered and splotchy outer robe. “Let’s go there.”

In the garden, Bertold paused to look at the flourishing plants, whose seeds he had given to Nalani only a few days ago.

He crouched down to take a closer look.

“Come here, child,” he called to Nalani. “Touch this soil.”

Nalani bent down next to the old healer, reaching out one hand to the small patch of earth Bertold was pointing to.

After only a few seconds, he raised his hand, and a small greensprout slowly emerged from the ground.

Nalani gasped. “Why... why is it like that?”

Bertold rubbed his beard, seemingly deep in thought. “I’ve never seen anything like that. What magic do you have secretly, my lady?”

Nalani shook her head. Her face was suddenly grim. “I have no magic, though I am a descendant of witches. They in Inverno call me a ‘mirean’.

***