The Light in Aquala

Lena heard a knock on the door and quickly walked over to it, opening it and smiling back at Nia.

“How is your room Lena, is there anything else that you need? I can have it brought up while we are having dinner.”

“It is absolutely perfect and thank you. I have never enjoyed such a relaxing bath and it was very much needed. I feel like a whole new person, and the clothes and jewelry are beautiful. You truly have anticipated everything I could possibly need. Thank you so much.” gushed Lena, who was still relishing the feeling of finally being clean.

There was a loud gurgling sound, and Lena immediately clasped her hands onto her stomach, looking embarrassed.

“It sounds like it is the perfect time to go down for dinner too.” Nia commented, trying to hide her amusement. “Shall we go get the others?” she asked with a wave towards the guest rooms where Mara and Rivia and Jaxx were.

“Definitely, I’m sure that they must be as hungry as me after all that has happened the last few days.” Lena replied, happy that her stomach’s insistence on food was being graciously overlooked.

Nia knocked on Mara’s door, which opened after a few moments to reveal she had completely changed from the previous hour. The lights from the candles and fireplace were highlighting Mara’s glowing Neon blue hair, causing it to shimmer and her jewelry caught the blue glow and cast it outwards in every direction.

Mara looked stunning in her white gown which matched Lena’s gown perfectly.

“Well, you most definitely smell better, and look better.” teased Lena, as she pretended to courtesy to Mara. “I am honored to be your sister, oh glamorous one.”

Mara laughed lightly and continued the act with a haughty wave of her hand. “I wish I could say the same thing about you, my dear sister.”

Nia burst out laughing and turned towards Rivia’s room, leaving the sisters to continue their good-natured bantering. After realizing they were being left behind, Mara quickly shut the door, and then she and Lena caught up to Nia in time to see Rivia’s door open.

A very protective Jaxx was standing there, in full protector mode with his eyes glowing Neon yellow and his curled lip revealing sharp, white fangs. A low growl had started in his throat until he suddenly recognized them.

He slowly started to relax, turning back into the easy-going Jaxx that they had come to know.

Rivia had by this time reached the door, slightly flustered. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what has gotten into him. He just started acting this way a few minutes ago, pacing the room and sniffing everything in sight.”

Jaxx looked up at her innocently and then proceeded to march out of the room, looking up and down the hallway before turning around and fixing his eyes on Rivia.

Mara and Lena watched him with a growing curiosity and Nia watched with a nervousness that gave her away. She slightly stammered as she asked them to please follow her, then turned back towards the grand staircase and started walking.

All three women looked at Jaxx who had put himself between Nia and them and was walking with an alertness which made them wonder what was happening.

“He is acting so weird right now. I don’t understand, he was all relaxed and happy this whole time, up until a few minutes ago.” Rivia apologized again. She turned and hurried to catch up to Nia and Jaxx, while the sisters followed a few steps behind.

“I think we had better stay alert too.” Mara whispered.

“I agree, even though I was all ready to just relax and enjoy the peace and comfort here for a while.” confessed Lena.

They both caught up to the rest, and they continued down the grand staircase, this time turning to their right and going through a passageway towards an open door at the far end.

Light was pouring out from the room, and the smells drifting towards them immediately canceled out any concerns they had; warm bread just out of the oven, rich broth simmering with herbs, onions and garlic softened in butter, and something sweet baking underneath it all, like apples and cinnamon.

The thought of eating a home-cooked meal quickened all of their paces, and even Jaxx lifted his nose and trotted faster.

As they entered the room, they saw it buzzing with activity. A huge rectangular wooden table occupied the middle of the room, with two dozen chairs spaced around it. There was a place set in front of eight of the chairs and 2 large cushions next to the far end of the table.

Jaxx immediately trotted over, delighted to see his new friend Crece already comfortably seated on one of the big cushions. Jaxx and Crece stared at each other for a few moments, before Jaxx got comfortable on the cushion next to Crece. He sat there regally, as if he was appointed to be the guard of the dinner table. Crece also looked like she was alert, her wings gracefully moving, very slightly, like she was about to take off flying.

Aekka greeted them warmly, inviting them to come sit next to her at the head of the table. Rivia sat down nearest to the cushion Jaxx was on and Mara and Lena sat opposite her.

They watched as Nia was busy giving instructions to the servants coming in with delicious looking foods, telling them where to place them.

She stopped as one of the muscular guards motioned her over and leaned down whispering something to her and she responded in a hushed voice. He looked at her, spoke a few words back, nodded and left. The rest of the guards spanned out to cover his area.

Mara caught Lena’s eye, both of them wondering why so much protection was needed when they were just having supper.

When they glanced over at Rivia, they noticed her looking slightly concerned while watching the exchange between Nia and the guard. She noticed them watching her and gave them what seemed to be a questioning look as she motioned with her head towards Nia.

Aekka had been keeping up a steady stream of talk in the meanwhile, explaining what each of the foods were and about the history of the room that they were in.

Nia finished talking to another guard and then spun around with a wide smile, saying that everything was almost ready. As she settled into the seat next to Rivia, she announced that the rest of their guests would be arriving momentarily.

Rivia, Mara and Lena looked at each other with confusion and then they all looked at Aekka as she smiled and stood, looking off into the distance towards the door.

The muscular guard who had been speaking to Nia had just arrived and with him were three women.