Brealis

By the time I finished brewing potions and salves, I write down in stock notes for the Medica. Sunset light shines the paper note in my hand.

It's sunset already?

Time goes fast every time I focus on work. Birds' chirp can be heard faintly as it is almost time for them to sleep. In contrary, the darker the sky, the higher energy the forest cats get.

I put the potions and salves in baskets. When all of the baskets are full of potions, I brought one by one to the stock room downstairs. When I open the lab door, Naela was behind the door.

"Oh!" I startled; the basket was shaken.

Naela holds the bottom of the basket, "Claire! I was just about to knock." She took the basket in my hand. "Let me help you with that."

I let out deep exhale as the basket is lifted from my hands, "Phew. Thank you so much, Nael! I can stock faster."

I took another basket in the lab. Naela and I took two trips on the stairs to finish stocking the whole potions and salves. We both fall on a bench next to the counter while exhale deeply. Naela's shoulder is against mine on the bench. We pant as the stocking job is done.

"How's...the patients, Nael?" I panted.

"...Let me catch my breath first." She paused to take a deep breath. "Two of them were sent home. They have fully recovered. And the rest of them are still recovering from the burn." She sat straight on the bench, "Speaking of burn. I need to check on them!" She got up in a hurry to the stock room.

With two red salves in Naela's hand, she runs to the patient rooms. A white light brightens the Medica glass door as Naela went inside one of the patient rooms. In every step I take out from the cottage, Light catchers float in the air, releasing its power to enlighten the whole Elyvenor Forest every night.

It's night already?

Night envelopes the sky, however the search team have yet to return. Chirp of birds has stopped, and only silence remains. My heart beats fast. Sweat flows on my neck. I bite my lip while waiting for them on the outside bench.

The sound of clopping from horses' shoes on both west and east can be faintly heard. I stand up, hoping the sound came out from both teams. A rattle sound from knight armors is getting louder as the clopping horses' shoes are getting closer to the public cottages. Elves from Medica, Craft, Tailor, and Inn are slowly coming outside as they hear a loud horses' neighs. The Light catcher enlighten both teams from the dark.

Both west and east team have returned, yet their faces are down. Their body is worn out. They barely hold the horse reins. When everyone has welcomed them back, Sir Aragorn who rode in front of them shakes his head.

They didn't find them?!

Behind one of the horses, Leir is walking towards me. I run towards him to hug him. His body is weakened.

"You didn't find them on the west?" I whispered. He shakes his head. His face is pale.

I take green potion out of my bag to give it to him, "Drink this. You'll regain your stamina back."

Just as Leir drinks small flask of the green potion, knights behind us approach me to get some of green potions as well. Thankfully, I always carry every kind of potions and salves in my bag.

I give them small flasks of green potions which just need one gulp to finish. Naela suddenly appears behind me with a basket of each variation of potions and salves.

"You really know when I needed you." I indirectly thanked her for reading the situation right.

Naela gives green potions for those who have not get it, "You must admit, you can't do it without me." She smirked while rustling potions in the basket.

I smile at her while helping her to give the potions to everyone without missing any. Sir Aragorn gets off of his horse to approach us. He takes the potions when I leaned it to him.

With only one gulp, he finished the potion. He relievedly exhaled. "I am glad to see you all waited for us. However, with a heavy heart I must announce bad news." He took a deep breath, "Zephyr, Mrs. Keara's son, and Elena had disappeared after the bombings. They could not be found in neither west nor east. The west team and mine met at north without any sign of them." He glanced at me, closes his eyes before turning his sight to the others. "I believe what Claire had shared with us this afternoon was right." He paused. "Brealis and Moustier could be involved in the bombings along with the missing elves. One of them, or maybe both of them worked together to kidnapped them."

The dark sky has become even darker with the fact that either Brealis or Moustier could be the reason behind the missing elves. Meanwhile, Mrs. Keara is at her home, not knowing the information about her son which is not in Aetherux.

We are all staring at Sir Aragorn without any chatters; waiting for him to overcome the danger they are in.

Sir Aragorn takes a breath in the cold air to inform his decision, "However, to prove my claim is true, we need to make two investigation teams. One to Brealis, and the other to Moustier." He paused. "I will send one of my guards tomorrow morning to inform Mrs. Keara that Zephyr is not in Aetherux. No one shall inform her tonight without my acknowledgement." He stared at all of us.

A man in knight uniform gets off his horse. He guides his horse by its reins towards Sir Aragorn. Four other men are following his lead behind him.

"Sir Aragorn." Mr. Dior bowed to him with a sword tucked inside scabbard, he stood in front of the others. "Me and my men are ready to accept the investigation mission, Sir." He reported his team's readiness to Sir Aragorn.

Sir Aragorn looks at the other four men behind Mr. Dior, "Very well, Prae. I shall send you to Moustier. Now I need Brealis team." He turned his head down to look at me. "Claire."

I leave the basket on the grass to stand up facing Sir Aragorn, "Yes, Sir."

"I think you are the right person to investigate Brealis. You have been delivering potions to Brealis since Sir Theoden's leadership, correct?" Sir Aragorn asked.

"Brealis and Moustier, yes Sir." I corrected him.

"Yes, Moustier too. Yet, I remembered your last report about last delivery to Moustier that they gave you a cold stare. Every time you passed their gate. Yes?" He waited for my confirmation.

"Yes, Sir." I nodded.

"I am sorry to interrupt, Sir." Leir took one step.

"Yes, Leir?" Sir Aragorn turned his sight to Leir.

"If Claire is assigned in Brealis to investigate, I would like to join her team." Leir said with his deep stare at Sir Aragorn, not wanting a no for an answer.

Sir Aragorn stares back at him, "Very well, I shall assign Leah to come with you two." He looked back to search for Leah who joined him in the east team.

A clopping horse shoes from behind Sir Aragorn grows louder as it gets closer. Leah on her horse is walking towards Sir Aragorn.

She gets off her horse, "I heard you loud and clear at the back, Sir. Oh –?" She glanced at Leir. "Leir."

Leir pinches his head up to Leah, "Hey."

"That's three." Sir Aragorn counted.

"I would like to have Naela in my team, Sir." I quickly added Naela on my team before he suggested for others.

Naela, who is kneeling on the ground busy organizing the other potions in the basket, suddenly bend her head up to look at us standing around her, "Excuse me." She stood up. "You called my name, Claire? I'm sorry I wasn't listening." She gave the last green potion to a knight.

"That is settled then." Sir Aragorn put his fingers on his chin. "However, you lack of defense if something bad happen. Of course, I would not want that. I will assign Morthil to join your team. His defense is unquestionable. I trust Morthil in your capable hands, Claire." Sir Aragorn waved his fingers at Mr. Morthil to come to him.

As Mr. Morthil walks next to Sir Aragorn, his eyes and mine met.

"I shall do my best in maintaining Mr. Morthil's health." I bowed.

"It is officially settled! Prae leads Moustier investigation team, and Claire leads Brealis investigation team. Report to me tomorrow midnight at the latest." Sir Aragorn switched his sight to the others. "Thank you all for your hard work in repairing the destruction that the bombs had caused to our land. I shall take full responsibility in the missing elves and our safety. Please go back to your cabins safely. Good evening, Aetherux." Sir Aragorn ended the discussion for the day.

The stars decorate the night sky. One by one, elves chatters fades as they walk back home. I explain to Naela about her being in my team to Brealis. She listens carefully while lifting up the basket on the ground. When she understands the situation, she would like to come by to my house tomorrow to talk more about the mission. Leah and Leir agreed to the idea of coming over to my house, so does Mr. Morthil.

Naela returned to Medica to put back the basket in the stock room. Leah horsebacks to her house in the east, while Mr. Morthil follows her as he is also going to the northeast, where Sir Aragorn's cottage is.

Now, there is only me and Leir. Leir and I always return home together as our houses are close. We head back home to the west. When he holds my hand, my cheeks instantly blush. I have forgotten what it was like to walk alone in this quiet night, for Leir is always by my side. I tried to match our step so my short feet could catch up to his speed. I take a glance at him a few times all the way to my home.

"We're here." He stopped my steps.

Leir lets go off his hand to hold both my cheeks. I stare at his eyes with my warm cheeks. He leans his face close to mine, and my heart beats twice faster than before. I close my eyes. My forehead is warm as he leans close to it. I take a peek to look at what he is doing to me. He leaned his forehead to mine, while his tip sharp nose pokes my nose. My cheeks are cooling down, so does my heart.

"Good night, Claire." He whispered.

"Good night, Leir." I smiled while giggling.

He leans back his forehead while smiling back at me, "Thank you for saving my life twice today, Claire. I–" He looked down for a second then looked at me. "Nevermind. Now is not the right time." He caressed my cheek.

I stare at his violet eyes, "What is it? You can tell me now. I'll listen." I said softly.

He glances at my lips, then stares into my eyes, "I will tell you soon. I promise." He gently whispered.

I nod to him, "Okay, then. Please don't step on a broken branch." I held his cheek.

Birds are chirping me up from bed. The sun replaced the fire place in brightening my home. Another relaxing scent of the herbs and flowers to begin the day. I stretch my body comfortably. I walk to my lab and open the kitchen door on the left to make fruit soup with mint on top. Just thinking about it makes my stomach growls.

As I finished making fruit soup, I take the plate to my bedroom. I eat one scoop of fruit soup at a time while opening my wardrobe to pick a dress for the day while chewing. Putting the picked dress on the bed, then finish the fruit soup quickly.

I open the bathroom door next to the wardrobe. Just as I take one step inside, a glimpse of memory crosses my mind. I remembered an unusual bathroom I was in. Grandma and grandpa were there too. Not to mention normally I always had a dream in my sleep. Now it was replaced with weird memories I had.

I wipe a drop of tear in my eye. After I finished washing myself, I put on the dress. I get out from the bathroom and a blue light from the sky pass through the window. I close the door and hurry stock my bag with full of potions before they arrive here. When I put on my bag while walking outside the bedroom, a meow sound from outside calls for me.

Meooow~!

"Coming~!" I shouted playfully so the cat can hear me. She stroked her body to my legs as I opened the door. "Good morning Sera~ Oh!" I found a mouse in Sera's mouth. "Caught another mouse for breakfast, Sera?" I leaned down to stroke her head.

Sera puts down the mouse to give it to me.

"Oh! Thank you, dear for the gift. But you can have it." I scratched her chin while she purrs. "I'll stock fish today, alright?"

"Meooow~" She stroked her body to my legs for her ways to say thank you.

"Aw~ You're very welcome." I stroked her body.

She bites the mouse and take it away for her to eat. When I stand up, the ground is covered with another shadow. My body automatically jumps as Leir is watching me from behind.

I hold my left chest as it was about to jump away, "You startled me!" I hit his arm.

He grins playfully while messing my hair, "Good morning, Claire." With his shining eyes, he opened his hood to reveal his beautiful hair and smiled.

His beauty races my heart faster than being surprised by him. I hold the feather attached on the left chest while glancing at his feather on his right chest. Every one of Aetherux elves is using this feather to show status relationship. Our very first leader made it a tradition for the solution to the past cheating issue.

"Good morning to you, Leir." I greeted back. "You came here on horseback?" I asked as a horse stands behind him, and its reins in his hand.

"Yes, Claire. Let me horseback you to Brealis." He let go off the reins.

I agree and welcome him in my house. Leir takes a step forward inside the house. Suddenly, footsteps from behind is getting closer. I turn around to see who else has arrived. Naela comes to my house on foot.

"Morning, Claire." Naela greeted me.

"Oh, hey! Naela, come in." I let the door opened.

Leah on horseback is almost arrived at my house, followed by Mr. Morthil at the back. I welcome them all to my house. I pleased them to sit down on a bench facing the fireplace. To the kitchen I go and get them a cup of tea. As I put the cup on the table, I sit down in between Leir and Leah, facing Naela and Mr. Morthil to begin the discussion.

"Before we enter Brealis, I need to remind you not to appear cautious. For years of delivering potions for them, I know what they are like. Brealis elves considered the land as a paradise. We need to appear at ease, friendly, and most of all, we need to have fun like we are at a beach party. But do not get carried away by their hyped atmosphere. Watch your expression so none of them think something is off. Once they seem to gain trust in us, ask around. We need to get information related to the ambush. Look around but do not get caught that we are investigating. I am afraid if we get caught, it will backfire us." I glanced at each one of them in turns.

"Understood." Mr. Morthil nodded.

"Watch each other's back. Do not let your guard down. Use your magic catcher for emergency only. I suggest we split once we have arrived. Please blend in. I will give you a cue when we begin to scatter around. Any question?" I added.

"None. I understand, Claire." Naela agreed.

"Got it, Claire." Leir nodded.

"Understood. Let us gather as much information as we need." Leah added.

Without further ado, the five of us ride to Brealis. Naela rides with Mr. Morthil's horse. Three horses' shoes are clopping together in rhythm. Birds' singing is hardly heard when we go further from their nests.

The closer we get to the sea; the louder ocean waves can be heard from where we are now. The wind blows harder as we almost arrived at the shore. A seaweed tent has got closer and closer. There is no gate that separate us from Brealis. Their territory is opened.

Finally, we arrived at the very end of the forest; by the shore. A lot of elves are dancing at the center. Some are splashing the ocean waves. The wide ocean echoes their laugh. Not long after we got off the horses all together, one of Brealis residents greets us.

"Oh, hey forest elves!" He switched glance to every one of us and stopped at me, "I know you. You're Aetherux potion delivery service!"

"That's right. Today is my day off. I'll deliver potions tomorrow. I brought my friends to join my day offs. Is that okay?" I asked softly.

"Hey! I'm not the boss of you. You're more than welcomed to enjoy your day off here in Brealis' endless party!" He shrieked in joy. "See you around!" He waved at us and ran to the sand to join the others.

We tie our horses reins together in one tree. We scatter when I nodded. Leir approaches elves near the forest. Naela chooses the coconut leaves tents. Leah takes the south. Mr. Morthil walks to the southeast. Meanwhile, I still standing here seeing them off. I have no idea where to start because they had already taken every spot.

I walk around the shell sand and finally decided to take the southwest. The open sky echoes the shrieking of many elves until it frightens the pelicans away. This atmosphere is very different with Aetherux. But thankfully, I am used to their hyped voices.

My eyes wide opened when I saw the leader of Brealis is enjoying drinks on the sand. She would be the greatest person to ask around for she knows everything around the place. There is so many other elves holding a tiny glass of drink around her.

I approach her. Her eyes turn to mine when she saw me in her glass' reflection.

"Good afternoon, Madam Ainé. Mind if I join you?" I took a tiny glass of orange as she shook her head while busy taking a sip of her drink and permitted me to take any by waving her hand at the table of full of drinks. I sit down next to her with a bright smile.

"How's work, Claire? I haven't seen you around." Her silk sleeves waved gracefully as her hand lifts a glass of coconut in her hand, while pointing at me.

"Yes, ma'am. Next delivery is next week. I took a couple of day offs. Would you mind if I spend it here?" I sat down across her and the others.

"Oh, dear! What a delightful decision you made there! You are welcome here anytime you feel distress." She smiled brightly.

"It feels nice here in Brealis," I continued, "Feast, everyday! I really enjoyed it every time I deliver potions here." I hyped up.

"Why of course! We live in the richest land in the entire Elyvenor. We own billions of pearl coins to trade with. Aetherux made a really great deal in trading your potions with us." She said proudly.

"Speaking of my potions, do they help?" I took a sip of the orange drink in my hand.

"It helped wonderfully. You really are an expert in brewing those herbs into such a delightful potion to drink. Brealis only has seaweeds, fishes, nasty crabs, clams, fruits and coconuts. None of us know how to brew like you, my dear. You really helped us out." She looked at me with gentle eyes of hers.

"You are very welcome to have our newest sample whenever we succeed in making one for free." I stirred the tiny glass gently.

"Thank you very much, dear! I'm eager to try one. If I may ask, what are you planning to brew?" She let down her empty tiny glass.

"Honestly, we have been searching for a rare rainbow herb. Rumor has it, rainbow herb has an incredible healing ability. Some said it can heal any ailments in existence. Imagine if we find that herb. None of Elyvenor would ever want to buy other potions again but the rainbow ones. However, for years of searching I never seen such one. My grandparents couldn't find one before their last breath." I looked down to the tiny glass.

"My goodness. I am very sorry to hear that, Claire." Her eyes widen, no words came out from her for a moment. "A herb which heals every illness. How wonderful it sounds. You won't find it here for sure. No herbs grow in a sand." She looked down to the sand.

"That's why I initiatively deliver potions here." I took the last sip of orange and put the glass away. "Did you hear anything loud came out of the forest yesterday? Like a blow-up thing." I put down the tiny glass.

"I think I did." She looked up; pointed at the forest, "What made it obvious was that birds flew out from the loud sound over there." She paused. "Claire." Her sharp look stunned me. "Since you've been so kind to us; Brealis, I would like to return the favor." She let a big shell out of a box next to her. "Take this as a symbol of our friendship with Aetherux."

A shiny big shell in front of me takes my breath away. She leans it to me, and I hesitantly accept it.

"This shell can produce a very loud sound. Blow this shell if there's a trouble Aetherux cannot fix. We, Brealis, will gladly help you with everything we got." She opened and placed the shell in my hand. She rustles her bag. She leans a clam necklace in her hand, "Wear this to go everywhere around Brealis. They will allow you to go in even if it's limited to some elves." She put on the necklace around my neck. "Let's try the shell first." She sat down next to me.

A siren's melody flows out from the shell when I blow it. Note by note flow through my ears. Madam Ainé sings in rhythm along with the beautiful melody. Her voice is as beautiful as a siren. Her voice and the shell melody are wonderfully mix to be even more hypnotizing. Despite the harmonious melody of the shell and Madam Ainé's beautiful voice continue to fill the air, a sudden deafening noise disturbs my hearing. It grows even more as the time goes. I do not want to stop this beautiful melody, yet it gnaws in my ears even further. Without notice, my eyes are heavily shut.

My body is slightly trembling as if I had passed the cold darkness I once passed through before my eyes are opened. A glimpse of previous dream slipped through my mind like a slash from a blade. I hold the side of my head with a loud groan when it aches my brain. I pant unstably. I get my half body up from whatever I was laying on.

My bottom sits on something soft. I try my best to open eyes wide to see better. A white cloth is under me. I sit on a bed which strangely familiar to me. The navy sky mixes with white light from the white round glass on the ceiling.

My body moves on its own to run downstairs. I yell their names in each room I opened to look for grandma and grandpa. Until one room next to the stair has not opened. I knock the door.

Creak~!

When the door is opened, there is nothing but pitch black.

Am I not exactly where I think I am?

Vroom!

A familiar sound of ride coming out from this house. I run outside the house to where the sound came from. The glass on the ride is too dark to see who is inside it.

When the glass is slide opened, grandma is waving at me, "Claire, we're home!" She got out from the ride followed by grandpa.

"Hey, Claire. You woke up! We brought you something." A delicious smell hovered around the square box grandpa holds.

I smile at them to hide my confusion of what triggered me for getting back here. I run back inside the house. I keep running, and running upstairs until I reached the bedroom.

I slam the door shut. A familiar empty bowl on the table reminds me of the salad grandma gave me. I hurry lie down on bed with my hands on my stomach. I empty my mind and relax my body; trying to sleep.

Madam Ainé's voice calling out my name echoes in my ears. When I force my eyes to open, my hands are still holding the shell in my mouth.

"Are you alright, Claire?" She held my arm.

Before I let down the shell in my mouth to answer, Brealis elves run towards where the melody was.

A man in front of the others put a fierce look, "Is there something wrong, Madam?!" His scary deep voice asked Madam Ainé. "Did this young woman hurt you?!"

I lean away the shell from my mouth, "Wha–?"

"No, no, no. Don't you see who blew the shell, Eros?" She cut him while holding my back. "I gave Claire, the Aetherux potion delivery, our emergency shell. Inform the others, from now on Claire is our friend. Aetherux and Brealis will help each other out. Understood?" He let go off my back to cross her arms after she gave the man an order.

"Yes, Madam!" He straightened his back.

He bowed to Madam Ainé and I before he leaves.

"You see? My guard came as soon as he heard the call." Her silk sunset orange skirt gracefully lifted up as she crossed her legs with her fingers under her chin.

I lean the shell to my chest, "Thank you so much, Madam. I will treasure it." I put the shell inside my bag. "I should leave you with your lunch for now. I want to see how are my friends" I stood up.

"This is nothing compared to your potions. We had been in a great health since you delivered them to us. Please enjoy our food here. I wish they're to your likings. And perhaps you wanted to try the use of clam necklace?" She smiled brightly.

"Sure thing, Madam." I waved then left her.

Brealis isn't the one who ambushed us!

From that moment on, I realized Brealis has come clean. With this clam necklace, we can fasten our investigation in Brealis.

The blue sky has turned into orange by the time I left Madam Ainé. I fetch Naela is eating in the tent, Mr. Morthil is fishing at the southeast, and Leah at the south. I bring them to the border between Aetherux and Brealis, where Leir is. They obediently follow behind me.

I hurried search for Leir near the forest. Leir is standing in front of a man. His gesture is telling me he is talking to the man. Before I catch up to him, the man has already left.

"Leir." I called him.

He turns around his body, "Claire. Wait, why are you guys here too?" He looked the others behind me.

"Claire wanted to talk to us all." Leah bent her arm for her hawk to land.

Before Leir asks another follow up question, his sight stops at the clam necklace around my neck, "Whoa! Where did you get that?" His eyes widened.

"I befriend with the Leader here, Madam Ainé." I lifted the necklace and showed it to him and the others, "This necklace is our access to everywhere around Brealis. And 'everywhere' I meant even the limited ones. I was thinking of using this to the limited tents. Have any of you found any?" I looked at every one of them in turns.

"She trusts you to hold on onto that?! How nice of her." Naela shrieked a bit until she covered her mouth.

"Not just that." I showed them the Siren shell.

Everyone gasps even Mr. Morthil, "What is that, Miss Priest?" He walked next to me.

"When I asked Madam Ainé whether she heard an explosion from the forest yesterday, she gave me this. She said to blow this whenever we have trouble we could not solve alone," I continue, "She said this shell is a symbol of our friendship, Aetherux and Brealis."

"Are you sure it's safe to blow that? What if it's a trap?" Naela bit her tip thumb.

"Don't worry, Nael. Madam Ainé had already thought that through. She wanted me to test it out before I take it with me. And when I did, Brealis guard immediately came. He thought Madam was in trouble until she explained to him about our friendship. She ordered the guard to help us." Suddenly, I remembered a glimpse of the unexplained world I was in.

Leir frowns his eyebrows when I shook my head.

I try to smile it off so he would not worry about it.

"This is a huge message to tell Sir Aragorn." Mr. Morthil's eyes a bit blanked. "Brealis had put so much trust in you, Claire. You represented a great gesture of Aetherux towards Brealis." His eyes looked amazed.

"Claire, you don't have to bother using that necklace in searching limited tents. Trust me, everything here is opened. Just look at it." Naela waved to the coconut leaves tents. "I wonder which place she meant limited." She rolled her eyes. "I think she meant you can join in even though the tents are full." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Naela is right, Claire." Leah responded. "While I was at the south, I did not see any suspicious tents or hidden place to imprisoned elf. Nor did Litz." She pointed her hawk. "Like Naela said, Brealis are using tents which literally opened to the sky." She turned her head to the sky. "Not to mention their faces are all in high spirit. None of them is in a cold sweat knowing Aetherux elves are here." Leah reported.

"That's right, other me." Leir teased Leah with smirk on his face. "Based on the elves I asked, including the one you guys saw just now. We don't have any bad memories in the past. So, they have nothing against us, and the other way around. Even the first elf who bumped into us was glad we chose their land to spend vacation." He continued to report though Leah hit him for teasing.

"Alright then." I lifted the clam necklace with my fingers. "I will just use this to buy fish for Sera if the tent is crowded." I smirked.

"Miss Claire. I gathered information from elves around the whole southeast and search for weapon or dangerous tool they could have been using to make a bomb. Apparently, they do not own any weapon to use other than fish rods, net, traps, and spears. Some elves even offered me to fish with them with those tools when I was looking around." Mr. Morthil reported. "I did not know they are very kind, Miss. I have never left our Leader's side."

I clap my hands after Mr. Morthil's report, "That concludes it. All of your reports are stating Brealis is cleared from the suspect list. I must admit, we have successfully gathered a lot of strong information to prove that Brealis is not the culprit behind this. Please wait here, I will be back in a second to buy fishes."

They nod to me before I left them at the border. Not long after my bag was filled with a bag of seatrouts at the southwest fishshop where Mr. Morthil was, I lead them back to Sir Aragorn before the sky turns darker.

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