‘Teanne!’
Chev slowly turned her head looking around the room, and focused on the figure sleeping up against the far wall. It was funny she never imagined Jacob with facial hair, but there were traces of a beard. She wondered how long she had been in this room. An image from the below world filled her mind. She shut her eyes tight trying to force out the flooding memories. She heard Jacob stir and opened her eyes once again. He sat rubbing his face and looked up at her; his green eyes had lost their lustre. He rose and walked over towards her and gently sat at her side, brushing the hair from her face.
‘Hello.’
Chev smiled brightly looking up at his face, then turned away, not wanting to look anymore,
‘How long have I been here?’
Jacob whispered—he sounded exhausted—‘Over a week.’ He sat at her side and gently took her hand. They sat in silence, Chev was relieved that Jacob was not asking her questions immediately, she wouldn't know how to answer. She was yet to work out what had happened. It still seemed like a dream.
‘Do you feel well enough to get some food? You must be starving.’
Chev slowly turned to Jacob and nodded. As Jacob helped her stand, her body seemed to cry out, her legs cramping as she put weight on them. Covering her with a gown, Jacob started leading her to the door. Chev felt fearful as he turned the knob. He smiled as he motioned her outside.
The courtyard was beautiful and grand. Servants rushed around doing their errands. Nothing looked familiar. Slowly Chev took a long breath, it was nice to breathe fresh air again, and her lungs ached for more. Jacob put his arm around her shoulder taking some of her weight.
‘Right. Food!’ Chev's body slowly waking allowed her stomach to grumble loudly. Jacob chuckled and started across the courtyard towards a hall. ‘Come on, you have to try Wilfred’s green mas. It’s the best in all of Aelia.’
Chev stopped and looked at Jacob questioningly. ‘Aelia? We are in Aelia?’
Jacob nodded.
Aelia – Noon