The Keeper's eyes surveyed her before settling on the poker she currently had pointed towards her, and a small smirk formed on her lips.
"And what were you planning to injure with that?"
"I was…" a struggled breath, "hoping to use it on some vile beast, but it seems I've lured something worse"
The woman chuckled before asking, her voice filled with amusement, "Exploring again?"
"What can I say…" a haggard breath, "your world intrigues me"
"Is that so, and here I thought you were trying to escape."
"And why would I want to leave this beautiful haven?"
The woman only smiled at that and walked towards her. She stopped before leaning to her ear and whispered, "Fate always catches up, Little One."
She moved and surveyed her again, "Can you walk?"
She nodded absentmindedly
The woman slowed her pace enough for Lyla to be able to follow at her side, while she went on to tell her about the tunnels
"These tunnels were dug decades ago. No one knows when or who built them, but whoever those people were did it for privacy. Actually, not many people even know of their existence, and those who do only speak of them as just a tale of the past, and we like to keep it that way," a sidelong glance at her
"I discovered them when I was still new and like a curious cat, I decided to explore." Another look at her: "These tunnels are protected with ancient magic; if you are not strong enough, that magic could easily trap you here."
"I know," the woman lifted a brow in question, "when I was in the tunnel, you found me…it seemed like it had no end, no matter how long I walked. I collapsed at a certain point, and could've sworn I saw another tunnel. A new one, and someone was standing there. It was probably just an illusion."
The woman fell silent before asking, "Do you know how long you've been here?"
"A night and day"
"Little one, it's been three nights and two days."
She halted. Surely not, it couldn't have been that long, right? But then again, that could explain why her stomach turned and twisted so much, while her throat felt dry enough to the point of pain.
She couldn't understand where the time had been lost; was it when she collapsed, or in the never-ending tunnel? Or had she been lost from the very beginning
"You're lucky you know," the woman went on, "the air down here is too dense and hot to stay for too long, yet somehow you're still fine," she sized her before adding "barely."
She could not respond. The words she had allowed herself to say earlier had taken a large part of the strength she had left. She didn't know how long she could drag herself out before she gave in to the exhaustion
They came to the mouth of another tunnel, and there she saw the Paisos standing, the man had a worried look on his face as he surveyed her. Next to him stood Aeneas, the same look on his face, his eyes surveyed her longer, up and down they would go, then back again before settling on her eyes
"I'm fine," she breathed, but she almost fell the moment she tried to walk on. Aeneas rushed to her, managing to catch her before it happened. Someone pried the poker she didn't remember she was still holding from her hands. Lysander…he was also here.
They walked on for a few seconds before Aeneas, who had been leaning her weight on him, asked, smirking, "Piggyback or Princess?" It took her a few seconds to remember
"You already know," she forced, giving him a small smile
He squatted before her. Lyla eased herself onto his back and was grateful for the offer. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep on his shoulders, her breath fanning the little hairs on his neck
Aeneas released a sigh of relief the moment he saw her. Yes, she looked haggard and weak, but she was alive. He had been distraught when he heard the news. None of the Keepers workers had seen her, and poor Ismene had been so scared when she found out.
Sure that she had not left the mansion, they searched every room in the house twice and it was only when they had gathered to re-strategize that he had remembered their last conversation, that with the information he got from Ismene about their chat that day had made his suspicions clear, she was trying to escape and he knew exactly where they should be looking.
They had scented her the minute they stepped into that office, but with the magic protecting the tunnels, it was hard to scent her in here
The Keeper and Paisios had ventured to look for her since they knew the tunnels better, but it was only the Keeper who had ventured deeper.
The Keeper confessed when Lyla was asleep that she had gone too deep, that it was a surprise she was roughly okay. Perhaps the heavens had made sure of that.
*
Lyla woke up a few hours later and found Ismene sitting on the same chair she had that other night. The girl had been so happy to see her well and had shoved mouthfuls of food and water into her mouth until she was too full even to move, so she just fell back to sleep, and by the time she awoke again, she felt far better.
*
Lyla followed the Keeper through the halls. The woman had come knocking on her door earlier, asking her to follow, and without explanation, she just walked out, and Lyla had to quickly put on a coat before rushing behind her
She now stood in the room she had the first day she awoke here, and like that day, all who were present were here and were currently staring at her. No one said a single word; they just stared, and it made her quite uncomfortable.
"Can we get this over with? It's unsettling how much you're staring."
The old man smiled at that, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, the Keeper cut in.
"We know you were trying to escape," she just shrugged
"That was dangerous, who knows what would've happened to you?" the old man said, frowning
"You would have lost your chosen," she stated nonchalantly
"You think this is just about that? We were honestly worried. I was worried," Aeneas said, a look of hurt crossing his eyes.
Lyla sighed and looked to the Paisios, "I'm sure there's a reason you called for me."
"I know you hate everything that is happening and this whole situation is unwelcome, but you are the chosen, that cannot change, and we don't want to force anything on you, but..."
"I have no choice," she finished
"Our whole realm depends on you, Lyla, and I'll be the first to say we're desperate. We are running out of time, and we might not know when danger springs up or where it comes from, but the fact that you are here already means it won't be long. We want to protect our land and people, and we can only do so through you. So I plead with you, please help us."
Lyla stared at the man. She sympathized with him and understood where he came from. She would not deny that she had thought about them, the people of Luminaraeth. She had, on those sleepless nights and wandering thoughts, but even then it had still been hard to accept
"I understand, and you are right. I don't like this, and I am afraid of what this means to me. I will have to leave my life as I know it and risk everything, including my very existence, so it's not an easy decision. If anything, it's not a decision I want to take."
The man's face fell at that, and she saw the Keeper beside him ready to retaliate, "but... I've already made my decision."
Anticipation built up as they awaited, and everyone held their breath
"I will help you."