Commission: Mists of Eternity Chapter 3

Another blurry vision.

"Flora," the voice called.

Her brilliant blue eyes opened, the lids slowly uncovering the scene before her.

It was always like this, always the same picturesque valley. Always the same beautiful woman, smile on her lips and in her bright emerald eyes.

"I've been waiting for you, Flora," she said, her smile suddenly fading as the darkness came.

This wasn't right.

This wasn't how it happened.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

"Flora!"

Suddenly, she wasn't so beautiful. No, she was still lovely, but the smile that normally lit up her face was gone and she appeared weak. Oh so weak and powerless against the coming darkness. She was fragile. So fragile she looked like she could break at any moment and here Flora was, unable to do anything but blink in astonishment that the blackness that was not meant to be there.

Not this soon.

It never came this soon.

Why was it… Here?

"Flora!"

Tears were spilling from the woman's eyes and Flora realized her arm was extended toward her.

She tried to move but found she couldn't. She had to help this woman. She had to grab her hand.

All she had to do was take the small, dainty hand.

Why couldn't she do that?

Why couldn't she…

"Flora!"

This time the voice was different.

Everything vanished before her and instantly her eyes truly opened. She was awake.
Rough hands, hands that were made to do work, hands with a strong grip held her shoulders. They softened as her eyes opened and after a moment she was able to take in their owner. Walitug.

"My lady," he said softly, his eyes on her though, somehow, not on her.
"It was the dream again. It was Laira, she needed me. But, but, there was something wrong."

"Flora, it is quite alright. Please, take a breath-"

"She needed me," Flora gasped.  

"I know, it is fine. You are here now, so tell me what happened? You alleged that something was false?"

"The darkness, the darkn- It wasn't supposed to happen like that. It- It-"

"Take it slow, my lady, it is alright."

"No, it wasn't! It came too fast! That's not how it's supposed to happen! We should have had more time!"

"Flora, it's okay. You're here now." This time it was Daniel trying to reassure her. She could see his figure behind Walitug and figured he was standing right behind the kneeling warrior.

You're here now, she tried to echo in her mind though it wasn't as reassuring as she'd hoped. Yes, she was with Walitug and Daniel now, but she'd once again left Laira in that terrible place. Her stomach twisted violently.

Although he was so far away, there was no mistaking the guilt in Flora's eyes. Daniel found himself wincing as he realized how far away she'd truly become. Not physically of course, but mentally. As they'd journeyed together, she and Walitug had become closer and she'd drifted away from him as a result. Though, there was little he could do. Walitug was strong and seemed to understand women much better than Daniel could. It was clear that that strength was what Flora needed, and Daniel… Daniel just didn't have it.

"You're here now," he found himself repeating, "you're okay. None of it's real, you're-"

"But it is!" She covered her mouth suddenly, as if she hadn't truly meant to shout. However, the blow had been dealt. She could not possibly imagine how deep her words just now had struck, however Walitug seemed to.

His head turned to the side, one eye meeting Daniel's. His expression seemed to, 'don't worry, I've got this' and although it was meant to reassure Daniel it did nothing of the sort. Walitug didn't truly get it! He couldn't see how much Daniel cared! He thought they were nothing but friends, which in reality they were but… Daniel was not just concerned about her because she was his friend. He was afraid of losing her to a real man. He found himself sink further as he realized Walitug was a man, surely in Flora's eyes as well. He fit every qualification. He was strong, physically and emotionally. He was used to hard work, which was clear from his muscles. In fact, Daniel wouldn't doubt that this was the type of man who could move mountains. Perhaps he did, it wasn't like they had exercise equipment in this realm.

He was confident, cool and collected. All things that Daniel, at least in this extraordinary place, wasn't. He knew his way around the land, he could easily calm Flora's nerves and, more importantly, he didn't fear the path ahead. Daniel only wished he could say the same.

Slowly, he came back to himself. While his mind had been racing, Walitug had been comforting Flora. Currently, he was singing her off to sleep, something he'd done the past few nights. Daniel backed away, knowing that he'd lost yet another round to the clueless warrior.

Flora had allowed her eyes to close once again, though she wished that she could stay awake longer to hear the rest of the song. Walitug sung in unfamiliar language though unconsciously she felt she could understand. The song was always the same, and night after night, after each and every vision, she found herself in the same faraway place. As he sung, she found herself transported into a lush forest. Wild plants shot up about her and tickled her hands. The sound of water provided acoustics as Walitug sang. She walked forward, searching for the waterfall. Before she knew it, she was asleep and Walitug's song had faded momentary before being echoed by the vibrant birds that soared overhead.

Walitug stood up, feeling his leg muscles return to work. He'd once been able to stay in position for hours, his training had ordered that he relax his muscles and relay on his frame to hold him steady. He supposed it was something he ought to teach the boy who traveled with them, as he often complained of muscle ache. Though there was something about the boy that seemed off. Walitug wondered if he'd offended him somehow. Perhaps when he called him 'boy' Daniel took offense. Their ages weren't that far off after all...

"Squire, perhaps, this night, you were at ease?"

It took Daniel a moment to answer as it usually did. Daniel seemed quite simple, although perhaps it was merely a different tongue he was accustomed to.

"I slept fine, if that's what you meant. I'm not a baby, I don't need lullabies."

"Ah," Walitug said, taking a moment to wonder if Daniel truly did not speak English as a first language. It was kind of cute, Walitug decided, how he'd pronounced babe, 'bay-be.' He would have to tell Laira about it. She always loved how foreigners would mistake their words based on how they were spelled.

"Babe or not, the song is more than song," Walitug explained, "it's a spell meant to aid those in a peaceful slumber."

"Hm," Daniel said, uninterested.

Walitug could not quite understand this boy. He was in a whole new world, but he didn't seem excited by it at all. "Well, if it does not offend I may scout the nearby territory. Miss Flora shall slumber though til the sun has ridden across the sky halfway. Tis almost morn, ye could do the same."

"You mean you want me to ride with you?" Daniel asked. It was weird, but he felt a little proud. The first night they'd been together, when Walitug had ridden off in the early hours of the morning, Daniel was sure he'd abandoned them. Flora hadn't started having the nightmares yet, and so Daniel had woken up before she did. When he saw that Walitug and his horse were gone, he'd been furious. Confused and startled as well, but mostly furious that Walitug would put Flora and he in danger.

But then, he'd returned. It turned out that he'd been checking, or as he called it scouting, out the land and forest around them. The maps were old, he had explained, and things changed. Where there were once clear paths now held pools of murky water too dark for Daniel's liking.

Walitug was a little taken aback by Daniel's response, but deciding it was progress, he decided he'd make it worth Daniel's while.

"Go ahead, take my brother out to the west." He said, nodding his head in the direction of his horse. "Bevel will listen to you better than that mare will."
Bevel and he trusted each other with their lives. They'd fought together and in Walitug's mind his horse was his brother in arms. He had put Flora on his horse with him, since both she and Daniel were new to riding, however Daniel seemed fine with riding Bevel's sister, Lily. However Mares had attitude and so now, when Walitug simply wanted to be alone, he was fine with walking.

After a quick pat on the rump, Bevel was trotting away with Daniel. He'd sent him on the right path, though he'd pretended it wasn't. He himself was heading toward the nearby cliff face. He and Laira had once traveled to this place. The cliff had an excellent view of the nearby lakes, not to mention the sunrise. Laira had loved it… Flora would probably like to see it as w-

He shook his head violently. Flora and Laira were two very different people. Why was it that he had to keep reminding himself of that?

Tonight, when he'd kneeled over Flora in the dark, he'd pictured it was Laira. He had been mistaking her for Laira far too many times these past few days. It wasn't fair to Laira, though he couldn't help the confusion. They looked exactly the same, except for the hair and eyes. But, even so, they had the same face and mannerisms. Flora made the same expressions that Laira used to. When Flora smiled, her whole face lit up. Just like Laira.

Walitug had reached the cliff. He looked out, smiling at the movement down below. When the sun rose the pools would shimmer and sparkle. Such a beautiful place, too bad it was so far from home. He remembered when he'd brought Laira to see it. Walitug had been eighteen but Laira was younger than he.  She'd had to sneak out because her father would not have approved. Walitug almost chuckled, remembering how angry her father had been when they returned. He'd wanted to skin Walitug alive, although he couldn't risk losing another member of their village's soldiers.

It seemed so long ago, though it truly wasn't. He had given up being a solder when Laira was cursed. He never wanted to leave her side.

Flora woke up alone. She looked about, realizing that both guys were out. It wasn't that big of a deal, she hadn't been left completely by herself as of yet but it was still early. She could see horse tracks leading one way and footprints leading another. Figuring the footprints were made by Daniel, she headed that way. She wanted to apologize for earlier, although she wasn't quite sure what she should say.

She followed the prints for about five minutes before looking up to see Walitug. Well, it wasn't what she expected but she couldn't exactly walk away now.

"Walitug," she called, striding toward him. She almost gasped as he turned to face her. The sun was raising over the cliff, the light shining through the strands of his hair. He looked so very handsome that she wondered if he was real.

But, like the crimson sky behind him and the coming storm clouds, he was real.

"My lady," he said gently, offering his hand. She briskly stepped closer and took the hand. He lifted it to his lips and kissed it gently. Flora couldn't help but blush at first. Then she noticed the tears.

"Walitug, are you okay?"

"Ah, yes, yes my lady."

"You're crying," she said simply.

"I- Well, yes, I am," he admitted.

"What's wrong?"

"I just… I just miss her so much," Walitug lowered his head as he spoke. He hated breaking down like this, but it had been months since he'd seen Laira and now especially in the place she'd loved, he couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

"It's okay," she said soothingly, wiping the water from his cheek.

In the light, Walitug could just picture it was Laira caressing his cheek. Flora's hair was tinted just right, and her eyes… It was almost hard to tell what color they were. Before he could stop himself he'd captured her hand where it was. Her skin was soft and warm beneath his own and he found himself leaning into her touch.

Flora blinked, she was surprised by Walitug's reactions but she couldn't pull herself away. His hands were worn and rough, callused from years of hard work.

"Laira." She thought she heard him whisper as he pulled her second hand toward him. He was meeting her eyes, although once again Flora had the faintest feeling that it wasn't really her he was looking at. Before she had time to really think about it though, his lips had crushed themselves upon hers. Startled, she almost gasped… She was prevented from doing so only because Walitug had taken that as an okay to press further. He had somehow tilted both of their heads and without thinking she allowed herself to kiss back.

'What the heck am I doing?' She wondered, not quite sure why she couldn't pull herself away from him. When they finally parted, she realized that she wasn't the only one confused by what had just happened. Walitug flushed and looked down. He opened his mouth to apologize but no words left him. Awkwardly, Flora stepped back, Walitug freeing her hands without hesitation. Neither could really find the right words, though Flora knew there weren't any "right" words that could be spoken.



Daniel trotted Bevel back toward the camp. He had found a clear pass and he couldn't wait to tell Walitug there had even been a path out there. Maybe Flora would wake up earlier than usual as well and they could go. Hopefully Walitug had returned already. Daniel didn't like the idea of leaving a sleeping Flora all alone for too long.

However, when he got back to camp, no one was there. He'd found the footprints and followed, wondering what had happened to Flora and Walitug. Surely, they were all right… Yes, they had to be okay, he told himself. This was Walitug he was talking about, there's no way anything bad could have happened with him about.

Daniel finally got sight of them a few minutes later. He beamed, delighted to see both of them were just fine. He noticed Walitug was holding one of her hands, although he didn't think too much of it. Walitug often kissed Flora's hand in greeting. They were talking, but he couldn't hear the exchange. However he abruptly stopped Bevel when Flora touched his cheek.

'What the-" he started to think and it happened. Walitug pulled Flora to him and was… No. Just no. There was no way he was kissing her.

No.

No.

No! There was no way! There was no way this was happening! This was just so wrong…

And the worst part was that, wrong as it was, Daniel also thought maybe it was right. Flora was beautiful and talented and just so very, very kind. She deserved a real man, not a boy who was too scared of his own feelings to just tell her how he felt.

Walitug was a good guy, he'd probably taken Flora out there so that Daniel wouldn't have to see. Too bad he'd been mistaken. Daniel had seen. Daniel now knew that there was no competition. What was he even doing there? He wasn't one of the chosen ones? He would just slow them down.

Without stopping to see how the scene played out, he turned away and kicked Bevel into a canter. He couldn't watch. He just couldn't bare the sight of them together.