Roses and Thorns ~ The Tale of Roses and Thorns 1.
Chapter 5. ~ A whole new world

They woke up early in the morning. Cirillo led Ivelle to the basement where he opened a portal. Ivelle was amased and for a second she froze. It was beautiful in its own way. Something that looked like a standing purple puddle swirled in fron of her. They stepped through. It felt cold and wet, but when they stepped out on the other side they were dry.

"Are you okay? " Cirillo looked at her.

"Yeah. That was incredible! Where are we? " she looked around.

"Temple District. "

"Why?"

"Because that's where the portal is. " Ivelle was confused. Cirillo sighed. "Until the 14th century it belonged to the Knights Templar. In the 14th century their organization dissoluted. Back that time we, I mean the "fantasy creatures", were hunted. So we came into that district and set up a portal to another world an escaped. Since than the district changed hands a number of times, but the Guardians of the Gate were always here to make sure that noone finds the gate who has no right."

"No right? "

"Who is not a magical creature or not from the other world. "

"Oh I see. Can I have a question?"

"You'll ask it anyway, won't you?"

"I guess you're right. Why did Margareth say that you can answer my questions better?"

Cirillo sighed and looked into the distance. They walked in silence for a few seconds.

"Because I knew your parents." he said at last.

"But how could you remember it? You couldn't been older than... 6 or 5."

"You're wrong... I was 105 years old back then."

"Impossible. You don't look older than 26."

"I'm an elf remember? We can live for thousands of years. In the view of my people I'm very young." Ivelle didn't answer. She completely forgot that Cirillo was an elf.

They arrived to a park. It was empty except for a few birds and squirrels.

"We're here."

"I can't see a portal here." she caught his look. Then suddenly Cirillo grabbed her hand.

"What are you doing?" she looked down at their folded hands and then up at Cirillo. He closed his eyes and murmured something in latin. Then he opened his eyes and looked at Ivelle.

"And now?" Ivelle looked around. There was another, but this time red portal in the middle of the park. Five hooded figure was standing around it. They were terrifying. "Come." they approached the gate.

"Cirillo." said one of the hooded figure in a deep scary voice. "You may go, but the girl has to stay."

"She's one of us."

"I have never seen her before."

"Her parents brought here here when she was an infant. It's time that she learns who she is." Cirillo spoke calm and severe. Another hooded figure stepped closer to her.

"I can feel the magic in her." her voice was more friendly.

"Fine." said the man. "You may enter the portal."

Cirillo pulled her towards the portal. They stopped in front of it.

"You may feel dizzy and sick after the first time." he whispered. He hold her hand tighter. She didn't even noticed that he was still holding her hand. And then they entered the portal.

This time the journey was jolty and she felt like she wasn't able to breath. Although it only lasted for a few minutes, it felt like forever. As soon as they stepped out of the portal she fell to the ground. She still felt that she couldn't breathe and she felt dizzy and sick.

"Hey, hey, hey." Cirillo got down on his knees next to her and took her around the shoulders. "It's okay, I got you. Just take a few deep breath."

She did as he told her to do. After a few minutes she felt much better.

"Are you okay?" asked the elf.

"Yeah."

"Great." He stood up and helped her up. Ivelle looked around. They were standing in a small glade. It was breathtaking.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Abonwan." he motioned her to follow.

They walked through the forest until they reached a road. When they reached it Cirillo whistled. A few moments later a beautiful horse approached them. It had blue eyes and golden fur.

"Wow."

"He's Brandr. An elf horse."

"He looks amazing." Brandr shook his elegant head.

"Be careful. He's already vain enough." laughed Cirillo while he petted his horse's neck, then got on the horse.

"Umn, Cirillo?"

"Yes? "

"I've never ridden a horse before."

"No problem. Come give me your hand." He reached out for her, grabbed her hand and helped her get on the horse. "Just hold onto me tight, and there won't be any problem, okay?"

"Okay."

They were riding for hours until they reached a small town. They stopped at the gate-house. Cirillo got of his horse and the swiss came to them.

"Where do you came from and what's your business here?

"I'm Cirillo of Lordell and this is Ivelle. We came to our friend."

"An elf and a human? An odd couple." Cirillo looked at him with a threatening look. "I suggest you know your place, swiss."

"Okay, okay just go."

Cirillo didn't got on the horse. He led them inside. The town looked like a town from the medieval ages. Strong town wall surrounded it and everything was made of bricks. The only differnce was that this town was cleaner than the ones in the medieval ages.Children were playing on the streets, dwarves, elves humans and others were bargaining on the market. The whole town was lively. They left Brandr in a stall and went to a small house on the edge of the city. Cirillo knocked and a woman opened the door. She was around 45.

"Cirillo." her gaze wandered to Ivelle. "Come in."

The woman led them to a small living-room.

"Sage, this is Ivelle. Ivelle, this is my friend Sage."

"Nice to meet you Ivelle. What brings you to my house, Cirillo?"

"I'm in need of help. Ivelle is from the other side of the gate. Could you give her some clothes?"

"Yes, sure. Come with me Ivelle." she led Ivelle to small room and gave her some clothes. "Here. If you need anything just tell me."

Ivelle examined the clothes. She got a long-sleeved white linen shirt, skin-tight black leather trousers, and black boots. She put on the clothes and went back to Cirillo and Sage. They were talking, but as soon as they saw Ivelle they finished.

" You look great." said Sage with a bright smile.

"Thanks."

"We should go. " said Cirillo.

"Where? " asked Sage. "It's getting dark. Stay here for the night. "

"We don't want to be a nuisance to you. "

"Don't be silly. I'm alone all the time. I would be happy if you stayed. "

"In that case, we'll stay. " smiled Cirillo.

"Perfect. I only have one room... "

"No problem. I'll sleep on the floor. " stated Cirillo.

"Okay." Sage looked at them. "Follow me."

Sage showed them the room and then she gave them dinner. After the dinner Ivelle went to sleep. She felt more tired than ever. This whole new world was so unknown and strange for her. She felt overwhelmed.

She woke up in the middle of the night, sweaty and scared. Cirillo was sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked worried.

"Hey, are you okay? " he asked gently.

"Yes... Just a bad dream. I got used to it." she answered and sat up.

"Do you usually have bad dreams? " he looked more worried.

"Yeah." she shrugged her shoulders "For a while now. "

"What dreams? "

"I... I'm usually waking up in a cold place. Then hear steps and see red eyes. I feel this...thing getting closer to me. And then, I usually wake up, when it attacks me." she looked at Corillo. The man frowned and looked deep in thoughts.

"That's... Interesting." he said "I have been having the same dream for a while... Although, I can suppress it. " he examined her face.

Silence fell upon them. They sat on the bed, looking at each other. Ivelle examined the man's face. He looked young, but wise. And really handsome, she had to admit. Sha was happy, that he was the one who shows her this world. Finally, Cirillo broke the silence.

"Go back to sleep. My kingdom is far, and we have to leave early in the morning. " he stood up and laid back on the floor. Ivelle just sat there for a few more moments, then went back to sleep.

Cirillo hadn't joked when he said, they'll leave early. He'd woken up Ivelle before the sun rose. Sage gave them breakfast, and packed them food for the journey, and at sunrise they left. The town was silent, most of the people were still asleep. It was peaceful and tranquil. They went to the stable to get Brandr and left the town.

They had been riding for 30 minutes when Ivelle broke the silence.

"Cirillo? "

"Yes? "

"Can I ask you something? "

"Sure." he turned her head side, so he could see Ivelle.

"In my world, you and Margareth were talking in latin, but since we arrived, I haven't heard anyone talking in latin. Why is that? "

"Most of us were simple Peasants, and couldn't speak in latin. So when we came here we spoke in english. However, the elves and the magicians knew the latin and they still speak it. "

"So, when we arrive to your kingdom, everyone is going to speak latin? "

"Yes." he must have noticed the fear on Ivelle's face, baceause he quickly add "But as soon as they'll find out, that you can't speak their language, they'll switch to english. Don't worry, everything's going to be okay. "

"I hope so. "

Cirillo turned back his head and didn't say another world. Ivelle had realised that he wasn't a chatty person.

It took them 3 days to get to the border of Cirillo's kingdom, and she could already see the difference. From where they were it looked like that the kingdom was a large forest. The trees were high and ancient, and the air was filled with magic. As they got deeper in the forest they saw more and more strange creatures. She heard steps. She turned towards the sound. A hoofed, deer-like creature stepped out the bushes. It had fur, scales and horns and as soon as Ivelle looked at it it covered itself in flames. She winced and hold Cirillo tighter. He turned towards the creature, and than looked at Ivelle.

"You don't have to be afraid. " he gave her a comforting smile " It's just a Kirin. They may look frightening when you first see them, but the truth is that they can be quite gentle. They use the flames to protect themselves. Come. " he got off the horse and went towards the kirin. When the kirin saw him the flames disappeared and it bowed. Cirillo reached out and stroked its head.

"See? " he asked. "Come, it won't hurt you. "

Ivelle hesitated, but got off the horse and approaced the creature. As she examined it closer, it looked beautiful and majestic. She let Cirillo to grab her hand and put it on the head of the kirin. She stroked it and the kirin let her.

"See? As I just said, they're gentle creatures. " Brandr shook his head. "Don't be jealous Brandr, it doesn't fit you. "

Cirillo led her back to the horse and helped her up. They resumed their way into the center of the elven kingdom.

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