The Scent of Lilacs

My eyelids grew heavy as I lay in the water, the sweet scent wafting around my head like a cloud. My limbs felt like lead and I took a deep breath, inhaling more of the fumes. I was completely relaxed when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. Turning my head was a great effort as I looked blearily at the person who was commanding my attention.

“Time to get out,” Ellena said.

I tried to obey, but my limbs had developed a mind of their own. Smiling stupidly, I laughed and splashed in the water. Ellena took me firmly by the arm and hauled me from the tub, tossing a towel over my nakedness as she did. I stumbled forward a few steps and fell to the ground, the grin never leaving my face. I had not realized before what a beautiful place this was! The candles were dancing merrily on their sticks, the light refracting off the crystals that dangled in long strands from … somewhere above me. A sunbeam shone across my legs and I followed it up, noticing the small particles that flew back and forth across it. I began to giggle as I reached out to grab on of them, but Ellena caught my hand.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Leila Sinclair,” I replied. A game! I hope I win!

“Where are you from?”

“A world different from this one.” These questions were too easy!

“Different how?”

“No war, no spirits, no elves,” I ticked off the differences on my fingers, only to become distracted by how long they were. My train of thought took a sudden detour as I stared at my hands.

“How did you get here?” Ellena pressed.

“Followed a spirit,” I told her, my eyes still fixed on my fingers. “It stole my umbrella. I chased it, but got lost in a storm.”

“You can see spirits?”

“I saw that one,” I replied, letting my hand fall to my lap.

Ellena’s small mouth pursed into a thoughtful frown. I watched her with an amused grin on my face, waiting for the next question to see if I’d won the game. Ellena snapped her fingers and I suddenly felt extremely sleepy. I fell over onto the pillows, still covered only by a towel, and fell asleep. The scent of lilacs was still heavy around me, and I smiled in my slumber at the comforting fragrance that reminded me of home.

I woke sometime later to find that it was night again. My head felt thick and I was sore all over, but I couldn’t remember why. It must have been the long walk to the Huryl camp the day before. I shivered and sat up, only to have my towel slip away. I blushed and grabbed it furiously, covering myself from hidden eyes in the night. Beside me were my clothes, washed and folded, and I dressed as quickly as my body would allow. Still feeling tired, I turned over to return to sleep when I noticed the door to the tent was open. Curiosity overcame tiredness as I struggled against my protesting muscles to go to the door.

The night air was crisp and fresh, unlike the heavily perfumed atmosphere inside the tent. My head started to pound, and I winced at the sudden pressure. It was quiet, except for the sounds of the feasting carrion birds and the occasional death cry of a man succumbing to his injuries. I turned to re-enter the tent when I felt a strong hand on my wrist. Turning, I was astonished to see the brown eyes of Fynn.

He stared into my eyes, and I blushed in spite of myself. After a minute, his expression turned to one of disgust and he released my arm.

“They’ve got you in a bad way,” he said softly. “You are a greater fool than I thought.”

I felt anger boiling up inside me, but it never had a chance to explode. Something in my brain held it at bay, soothing it until the flame died away. I smiled at Fynn, and he rolled his eyes at me.

“Come on,” he sighed, pulling at me.

I hesitated. I should return to the tent, I know I should. Ellena will be expecting me to be there in the morning, and she had promised to send me home. Besides, Roric had warned me about Fynn. I shook my head and pulled my wrist free. Fynn stared at me in disbelief. If I remained, I had a chance to go home. I could find out why the Dyrel started this war. I could find out what the face in the water was. So many questions could be answered if only I stayed in the tent, but looking at Fynn, I began to doubt my decisions.