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As I tried to wriggle free, I became aware of a shadow looming over me.
I glanced up, my eyes adjusting to the dim light, and found myself staring into a pair of wise, milky eyes.
The face they belonged to was unlike any I had seen before, even in this strange alien world.
It was an old Chi, his skin a patchwork of aged leatherand scales, with crusted, cracked horns curling from his temples.
One of his limbs appeared to be a makeshift prosthetic, cobbled together from bits of metal and wood.
Before I could muster a scream, a wrinkled hand clamped over my mouth, his fingers cold and slightly damp.
My heart raced.
“Shh,” the old Chi whispered, his voice raspy but gentle.
His breath was warm against my ear, a mix of herbs and that same spicy scent I had detected earlier.
“I mean you no harm.”
He slowly removed his hand, and I took a deep breath, my senses overwhelmed by the myriad of smells in the room — from the musty scent of the cushions to the more earthy aroma emanating from the old Chi himself.
“Who are you?” I managed to croak out, my voice shaky.
“I am Anlon,” he replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “And it appears you’ve landed in my quarters. Quite literally.”
I tried to sit up, the soft furnishings shifting beneath me.
My head was spinning, and for a moment, all I could focus on was the rich tapestry hanging on the walls, their intricate patterns dancing before my eyes, and the soft, rhythmic hum in the background, almost like a lullaby.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up. “I was trying to escape.”
Anlon chuckled, a deep, throaty sound that reminded me of the rolling purr of a large cat. “That much was evident. Though I must admit, most escapees don’t usually drop in through my window.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, I found myself laughing.
The sound felt good, a welcome reprieve from the tension that had gripped me just moments ago.
“Can you help us?” I asked, hope creeping into my voice.
The old Chi paused, studying me intently. “Us?”
“My… friend,” I hesitated, unsure of how to explain Lorik and our situation. “He’s locked up. We were ambushed by Onshev and his men.”
Anlon’s gaze darkened. “Ah, so you’re the guests he was boasting about. Said he’d caught himself a big fish.” He leaned in closer, his eyes searching mine. “But he didn’t mention anything about a brave young woman breaking into my chambers.”
I couldn’t help but smile at his words.
The room was beginning to feel less weird and more like a haven.
The gentle hum, the soft glow from the tapestries, and the spicy scent that lingered in the air all combined to create an atmosphere of safety.
“We need to get out of here,” I said, determination filling me.
Anlon nodded, his expression serious. “And you will. With my help.”
The unexpected ally in this strange world gave me hope.
Together, we began to hatch a plan.
