***
THE ROOM WAS cramped. The thin width left only enough room for a handful of bunk beds to line the walls. Petrer picked our bunk, throwing himself on one at the end of the room next to an open, glassless window. The view was of the endless ocean, a blue expanse that blended in seamlessly with the night sky. Small vessels bobbed on the gentle currents below, wry lights dotted across the coastal line. A breeze blew through the window, surrounding me in fresh bursts of salt that tickled my face and neck.
It was tempting to reach for it, to answer its call. I knew it wanted me to. I looked behind me, noticing that Petrer’s attention was diverted. For only a moment, I lifted the lid to the cage within me. Only a small amount of magick was needed, I didn’t want to control the air, only feel its familiar embrace. A relaxing sensation washed over me and I took comfort in its familiarity and grasped a hold of it.
“First come, first serve.” Petrer chimed to those who entered the room, breaking my lapse in control. I fisted my hand, pushing the lid back on the metaphoric cage and stuffing the sliver of magick into its hold. Keeping it buried within me was the easiest way for me to control my urges.
I turned from the window to see Petrer who’d taken the bottom, leaving me with the cramped bunk on top. There was not much room between the bunk and the low ceiling, yet it was nicer than the lump of material I was used to sleeping on.
“Since I’m not used to being the bottom, I thought I’d pick it for once.” I didn’t miss Petrer’s wink. Gross.
“Too far?” he asked.
The face I pulled was enough of an answer. I turned my stare away from him and studied the sage coloured sheets that covered the straw mattress and the single pillow that lay at the head of the bed.
“I could get used to this…” Petrer mumbled through a yawn.
“Me too,” I replied.
I pulled myself up onto my bunk, but stopped when Petrer grabbed at my foot.
“Join me down here, just for a moment,” he pleaded, his eyes wide and blinking.
“That’s not a good idea Petrer.” My voice was cold, final.
I pulled my leg from Petrer’s reach and rolled onto my bed, the mattress lumpy beneath me.
“Suit yourself,” he grumbled.
It didn’t take long for the room to fill. I counted eight elves who claimed the remaining beds. I recognized most of them from home: Demitria, who had joined me most nights out when I went hunting, and Gwendolyn, the daughter of Fa’s childhood friend. Gwendolyn smiled my way as she unpacked her bag, placing her set of chalks and parchment on her bed. I liked her, so I smiled back.
I laid down, losing myself in the sounds of the waves crashing against the rocks at the bottom of the palace beyond the window. I was used to being by myself, not sharing a room with so many others. It had even taken me weeks to get used to having Petrer beside me. How I would sleep later was beyond me. But to my surprise, the quiet chatter only aided me, and I drowned in the waiting pits of sleep.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU wake me?” I hissed, prodding Petrer in his side. The room was already half empty thanks to the guards who’d propped open the doors to the room, ushering everyone out.
“Oh, so now you want me to talk to you?” he whispered whist moving for the door. “And plus, you looked too peaceful to disturb.”
As Petrer passed me, he smelled of fresh lemon and salt. He’d changed into a new set of clothes, tight fitting in shades of dull greens and browns. I scanned around at the elves who’d begun to leave the room, all fully dressed in stunning sets of furs and other beautiful materials. Each ready for the feast. Whereas I still sat in my bunk, gaining displeased looks from the guard who stood at the door.
“I don’t care if you thought I was dead Petrer, you should’ve woke me!”
He shrugged in response and I moaned, jumping from the bunk and reaching for my bag. I’d only a few moments to change my dirtied clothes into suitable evening wear before I was left behind.
I pulled the set Mam had packed that morning from the sack, stripping the sticky clothes from my body and throwing them to the floor in a heap. A simple white tunic and leather trousers had been packed for me, the best Mam could buy on such short notice and little coin. As soon as I pulled them out, I could smell the familiar scent of home. It tugged at my heart.
My eyes burned as I lifted the tunic over my head, the stench from beneath my armpits enough to offend anyone. I needed a bath, to wash the grub and dried sweat from my body.
I hopped, keeping balance whilst I shoved my boots on. They were scuffed and muddied but would have to do. Petrer turned and smiled from the doorway, raising his brows silently to hurry me up.
“I’ll meet you out there, stall for me!” I pleaded.
Petrer closed the door behind him leaving me alone in the room. Quickly, I turned for the window. I wasted no time before releasing the lid on my cage and calling for my magick. It seeped into my consciousness and I lifted my hands to the window. In a rush, I pulled the moist wind from beyond the window into the room. I twisted my fingers slowly, the air listening and changing course from my body to my face. The welcomed stream of air washed the remnants of the days travel from my skin, dissolving the stench beneath my armpits and cleansing my hair of the oils that coated it. My loose tunic billowed in the wind as it ran over every inch of my skin, completing the job I called it forth for.
Satisfied, I pushed my magick back into its hold, not leaving a single bit left. It was a risk, one I had to take. Mam would be horrified if she found out I had gone down unwashed and smelling like shit. I had to represent my family, even if I broke their rules to do it.
The door burst opened to Petrer’s face popping around the threshold. “Come on, they’re not waiting for yo...” He tilted his head, squinting his eyes as he looked me up and down. “How did you…” The last call from one of the guards sounded outside the room, distracting him from his train of thought.
“Hurry!”
***
THE WALK TO the main hall passed in a blur. We’d caught up with the rest of the group by the time they were half way down the stairway, filing in behind them with ease as if we had been there all along.
Naturally, I began mapping out the palace, mentally sorting details in my mind. Using the same technique I would in a forest during a hunt, I picked out visuals around me and replayed them back in my mind. By remembering small details, the stained-glass mirrors and faded maroon rugs, I knew I could find my way back to the sleeping quarters.
I whispered the directions to myself. Carvings on the arch, sixty-nine steps down, narrow corridor, vases of ruby and blue, fifth door to the left, rose covered walls.