Chapter 17 The tavern became noisier as the dancing became more lively. Germaine wondered if they could get any more ridiculous looking. The men were practically hopping around and throwing their partners into the air. She was scared the women would fall, but as if practiced, they landed into the men's arms. She had been expecting Storm to bring up the discussion about their upcoming journey but all he did was order a thick-looking brew inside a large wooden tankard. Keratin ordered one as well and they both heartily began to drink and sing along to the music. She waited impatiently for the musicians to stop, but after a few minutes, that did not happen. Instead, they changed songs, and Germaine suppressed a groan. Keratin suddenly swung her up from her seat with a wide smile. "Don't even think of throwing me up." She warned him. He just smiled, and they danced normally for a few minutes. It happened suddenly. One minute, her feet were on the ground and the next, she was looking
Chapter 18 Storm watched as tears seeped from Germaine's eyes and spilled onto her cheeks. She was beside herself with upset, yet he could do nothing to make her stop. He felt wretched just standing and watching her. Ever since he first laid eyes on her, he knew it was her destiny to find the talisman. Of course, he and the others were going to tag along, but she was really the one running the whole show. She just did not know it yet. Something inside of him made it known the moment he set eyes on her for the first time. She had also confirmed it from the dream in which the moon goddess had appeared to her. She had never appeared to anyone else before, not even him. He was only a channel, a messenger, and her mouth piece. But Germaine. . . she was the chosen one. Chosen by the moon goddess to change their world as well as the other various worlds. He still found it strange, because Germaine was an earthling, an outsider. She knew nothing about their ways, yet she had been chosen b
Chapter 19 As she stomped through the woods, Germaine cursed her fate. How was it that amongst the trillions of population on earth, it was her bakery Storm and the others had appeared in. It was preposterous at best. Why did that have to happen to her? What kind of shoddy fate do I have? She thought. It is your destiny. A voice whispered inside her mind. "Shut up already." A deer which had been drinking from a nearby brook looked at her for a few seconds before running off. "Great! Now I've chased that harmless animal away." She kicked at some stones at her feet, but instead of hitting them, she missed and stumbled. She fell flat on her backside as pain lanced her behind. She could not help it. She began to bawl like a baby she was not. Ever since the mage had cast a mind sharing spell, she had not been able to rest from foolish remarks coming from inside her head. It was either Storm was chastising her on following a path she should not have taken, or Keratin was telling her
Chapter 20 Germaine had begun to realize something. The other worlds, at least the ones she had encountered, like the werewolves and the dryads, were full of magic. As she looked at the large camp site, she realized her assertion was correct. As far as her eyes could see, tents and tents spread out and lots of people milled around. It seemed to her inexperienced eyes like a gypsy camp, one that would soon fold up and leave at any moment. There were different make shift stalls set up at different corners where people sold knick knacks for their kind to buy from. As Daya turned to talk to someone, she approached a stall, marveling at the goods on display. There were colourful materials that attracted her eyes. As she moved closer, she found out the patterns on them changed intermittently. She gasped as a triangle changed shape into a circle. "Tree spirit magic." Someone whispered from behind her. She whipped round, almost colliding with Meeka. Her impossibly green eyes were almost to
Chapter 21 "I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Germaine's eyes were twin orbs of fear as she gazed at Daya. "I said I will take you-" "I know what you said, but why?" Daya rubbed a spot on her nose and let out an exasperated breath. "That is the only way, child. You can never get in unless I take you there. You will not even know where to find them in the first place. You will only wonder around in circles in the forest until you become frustrated and go back the way you came or.something much worse happens to you. And let me just say this - when I do take you there, it has got to be as a hostage because they do not like visitors." She shrugged her shoulders. Germaine's shoulders tensed. "Are you saying that without this plan of yours, I will not get the ork." "You finally understand what I have been trying to tell you." Fear laced the insides of Germaine. The way Daya had painted a picture of the original Dryads was not a good one. If they were as harsh and unyielding as she un
Chapter 22 Germaine pulled at the heavy metal chains binding her hands and stared balefully at her surroundings. She felt with her feet, the odd-shaped ridges jutting from the ground. Hot mist seeped out and heated the dark cell she was locked inside. It was a good thing because she had begun to get cold. She tried to stretch her legs fully but found out the cell she was in did not have enough space for that. Good thing she was not claustrophobic otherwise she would not have been able to stand it. Echoes of clangs of metal rang out from the walls all around, keying her into the possibility that there were other prisoners. At first she had not believed it was possible. It was crazy to conceive that other creatures and beasts inhabited the earth, apart from humans, animals and insects. After the appearance of Storm and Keratin in her bakery as well the vampires, her eyes had gradually opened to the truth. Something strange indeed was afoot. She still did not understand why she was ch
Chapter 23 The noise which began at a dull hum suddenly boomed all around making Germaine flinch. Ever since Storm had told her of the plan, she had felt ill at ease. Her stomach began to heave, like she was going to puke at any moment and her palms were sweaty. She was still bound hand and foot and the clothe across her eyes was still in place. She could sense activity taking place around her. Things seemed to be heating up with the dryads. She wished she could see her surroundings at least. It would help plan her next move. As if her thoughts were spoken out aloud, the clothe around her eyes was removed and she squinted at the sudden brightness. Where is it coming from? She wondered. She did not have long to find out as she looked up to see the sun peering down relentlessly at her. She closed her eyes against its glare and looked down, right into the eyes of the strangest being she had ever seen. Green eyes peered at her from a face that could only be described as full of roots.
Chapter 24 When she finished speaking, she felt a great burden lift off her shoulders and a gentle nudge in her mind. It felt like an encouragement from Storm, even though he remained silent. Surely, he had been listening. The elderly dryad looked pensive. The twigs on his face deepened, if that were even possible. He turned to his counterpart who was still standing behind Germaine, and said something to him. Suddenly, the twine around her hands were removed and a stool appeared. "You may seat." The elderly dryad said to her kindly. Relief poured through Germaine and she smiled and thanked him before sitting. Murmurings rose amongst the other dryads in front of her. "Listen to me, fellow tree spirits. The elderly dryad addressed them, the earthling will stay for the feast. After that, I will decide if what she says is the truth or not." Turning to Germaine, he continued. "If I find out you speak anything but the truth, mark my words, your blood will be spilled directly on the Or