Caria broke the silence, saying, "Actually, I know who saved her , it was a girl from my team. She was near Eryssa that time and happened to see the assassination or kidnapping, whatever it was. Veer said," Got it, but the problem is why did we forget something so important, and even the majesty did not seem to investigate it."
Eryssa became crestfallen as Caria mumbled," That I don't know, maybe ask John, after all, from your words it seems John was added to your team by the King." They were walking with the horses as Veer, Eryssa and Eleana turned to John. John answered in a panicked voice," I don't know. He did not say anything about that. He only said to take care of Lady Eryssa."
Everyone mounted their horses and headed for the ruins. Eryssa seemed to have little trouble riding a horse, but she learnt quickly with Caria's guidance. Veer was able to do it naturally, even though he had no recollection of how to handle horses. Veer got into his pondering mode as he looked over. It was almost evening. The sun's red light painted the sky beautifully with the misty mountains visible in the distance.
Field of violet flowers surrounded both sides of the brick road as Veer mumbled, "Fairies cross the misty mountains, veiled by the purple dew flowers..." He wanted to say more as Eleana gave him an odd look as Eryssa said in a surprised tone, "Veer you also know how to compose poems." Veer awkwardly replied," The scene is so beautiful that it came naturally."
Caria caught up and asked," So, who are the fairies in this poem of yours ?" Veer looked at her and said without hesitation," Obviously, it's Lady Eryssa and Eleana." Caria protested, "So am I not beautiful enough" as she pointed first at herself.
Veer sweated instantly as he sped up. He could hear Caria in the back," Wait, give me an answer, I say". When he passed by Eryssa, it seemed her face was a bit red. Maybe the weather really got her. Eleana had the same nonchalant look as she also sped her horse. John shook his head and also followed.
It was past dusk when they reached the vicinity of the ruins. He could sense a very deep pressure emanating from somewhere in the woods and the ruined landscape. Eleana said, " let's stop here for today and camp" as everyone got off from their horses.
Eleana nodded to Eryssa as Caria shouted excitedly," Will I get to finally see the magic for the first time? Very few people are there in the kingdom who can perform magic nowadays."
Veer was curious to what would transpire as Eryssa whispered with her wand in hand," O seven spirits of the world, I, Eryssa Drudar summon you to connect to my storage space ." As she said this under the dumbfounded eyes of Veer, John and Caria , space seemed to warp as a whirlwind was forming with the spirits around.
It slowly stabilized and Eryssa pushed her hand through it and retrieved a lot of things from there one by one. Veer's worldview really changed as he wondered . Yes that's my Lady. Wait, I am just a bodyguard of sort. He shook his head as he started setting up the camps.
The cook was actually Eleana. Her every movement seemed graceful as conjured the food from Eryssa who took them from the void space. Veer froze when he finally got to know what was happening. It seems she was just heating up the food. Elena finished her cooking and Caria laughingly served everyone. Today's menu was just vegetarian foods and chicken soup for everyone. Veer enjoyed it as he also took a sip from the alcohol bottle John brought up.
After the dinner was done, Veer laid down on the patches of grass as he looked into the deep starry sky. It was just so mesmerizing. A face blocked the view but it made the view even more beautiful. Eleana asked, " Veer can you take the first turn for guarding and after that I will continue ?." Veer nodded as Eleana first sat on as nearby stone as she said," Be careful though, I can't imagine what you are going through? So many things happened in the couple of days."
Veer murmured, " Same for you , go take a rest." Eleana nodded as she went inside a camp. As Veer continued to look at the skies. He seemed to feel a resonance with the skies. His body became relaxing and his thoughts began to become sharper.
He could connect a few dots and it seemed the old man saved him not once but twice, but why ? Why did the King sent Eryssa here ? What was John doing here ? Even the presence of Caria might not be any coincidence. Hmm Veer pondered with his eyes closed but senses awake.
Suddenly, he shuddered as he opened his eyes as he sat up and look back. A bit distance way there was a shadow gazing upon him giving him shivers. Only his two bright white eyes could be seen. His body seemed to be of moving shadows bringing a chill in the surroundings.
Veer cautiously pulled over a long stick and hurled it in the shadow's direction as it ran away. He turned his head to see Eleana coming over with a shocked and fearful expression. This was the first time he saw her expression change that much. Don't tell me because they encountered a ghost or spirit.
Eryssa and others also came over here as she muttered with a grave face, " Its a very dangerous spirit. I am getting goosebumps all over."
None of them had a sleep in the night and the good news was that shadow didn't come over again.
It was morning now and Eleana said, " Let's go to the location where this elixir plant is commonly found. Eleana leaded the group while John seemed to lack a bit of energy as he continued to slack a bit as he ocassionally took rest. Caria mockingly mentioned, "What scaredy crow ! It seems we have to give you protection!". John looked at her awkwardly as he shook his head. The group continued on their journey.
They moved over a small spring after sometime . The ruins forest was very big with occasional debris of maybe a lost kingdom. Currently, there seemed to be two areas they need to look for so Eleana murmured,"Veer , Eryssa and I will go in the north, you two go in the south. Let's meet in a incense worth of time."
As Veer looked over the area infront of them, it seemed they were in the middle of a fairly open areas. It was already some time after John and Caria parted. There was a huge tree in the middle of the open area. There were green shrubs and small flower plants and he could see mist surrounding at the far back which was layered by forests and the majestic hills .
As they neared the big tree , Veer saw a smaller tree there as Eleana shouted," We got it. This is the elixir plant." Veer focussed on a small yellow fruit that seemed to barely hanging from the small tree. It looked really delicious that he wanted to taste it.
Suddenly his gaze focussed as he mumbled , "Is there a trap? Why do I feel so attracted to the fruit?" as Eleana mumbled, " Not a trap but basically its the power of that fruit. Speaking of which, where are they?"
Meanwhile, Caria continuously barked at John and was currently saying," What a useless guy we have here who knows nothing , hah." Suddenly they seemed to freeze in horror as the familiar shadow came in their vision. It just looked at them and they also looked at it.
Caria and John's pupils turned completely black as their movements turned a bit rigid. They turned back and continued to go the way from where they came.