I gasped.“The aliens are bombing Earth?”
“Only big human settlements,” Deidre answered.“The bombs clear the blood-cursed and flesh eaters, or what remains of the latter anyway.The aliens can’t have anyone eating the future bearers of their spawn, now can they?”
It took me some time to process that: elves used the termsblood-cursedfor vampires andflesh eaters,for zombies.Crucial changes had occurred in the world since my capture.Changes that I needed to be aware of to survive on my own.“Why did you say whatremainsof flesh eaters?”
Deidre shrugged.“Their king is dead, that’s why.The local Gargoyle King took his head recently, so there’s no one to create new flesh eaters and keep the old ones from decomposing.Their days arenumbered.Cool, right?”
A zombie king?A gargoyle king?Beheadings?Zombies dying out?What?!
A long silvery finger pushed my hanging jaw closed and turned my head from Deidre toward Karim.“You are safe in our kingdom from the enemies we speak of.Focus, please.Do you know how to handle an edelweiss?”
It took me a moment to find my words not only because of the strange news about the apocalyptic monsters but also because of Karim’s gentle touch.“I know what to do, but–the chances of the flower surviving a replanting in the summer, and underground with no sunlight–Honestly, I don’t think this will work.”
“We must try,” Karim said firmly.“With the state of things on the surface, the flower will perish.It is our duty to preserve it.”
“But…” I forced myself to stop there.Arguing with an elf–let alone a prince–wasn’t a good idea.
“Speak, please.I value an honest opinion.”
Okay then.“The flower garden is full.And fitting an edelweiss among plants of another species… I’d say that’s a no-no.”
“You will plant it in my home garden.”
Tisvali gaped, as if Karim’s idea were scandalous.
“That was your plan all along, wasn’t it?”Deidre tuned in.“You are obsessed with this flower.”
“Yes, it is precious to me.”Karim’s tone hardened.“With the Queen so focused on controlling more surface territories, she has no time for our Nature-given task.I’m not going to abandon the plants in need of our protection, now more than ever.This edelweiss is a miracle, maybe even a sign from Nature that our world is changing completely.I will not let it perish in the war!”
His words might sound delusional to other people, but not to me.Not when he spoke with such conviction and ardor.And his feelings were contagious.
“I will do my best to save the flower,” I spoke up.“Just take methere, and I will replant it to the best of my knowledge.”
He nodded, visibly pleased.
I hoped that meant that should the flower die under my care, I wouldn’t share its fate.
“If this flower is so precious to you, Karim,” Tisvali insisted, “why don’t we have one of our top gardeners with us?”
It was Deidre who replied.“Ha.Do you think any of them would brave the surface during the day, unless ordered by the Queen herself?And how do you imagine them transplanting a flower when they can barely see in the cursed daylight?”
“Then why do this in broad daylight?”Tisvali sounded confused.
“Plants are best transplanted in the early morning or late afternoon, not the night,” I spoke up.
“See, Tisvali?”Deidre exclaimed with a grin.“Jasmine is perfect for the job!Come on, let’s get this done before Karim loses his patience and I get jealous of this flower.”
“Finally.”Karim couldn’t hide the excitement in his tone.
As we formed a circle with me at the center and headed for the cave’s exit, I realized I was excited myself.Whatever awaited me after this transplantation madness, at least I would have seen the sun and sky one last time.
– 6 –
Shades On
Isqueezed my eyes shut at first–the light outside was too much.As I waited to get accustomed to the brightness after weeks underground, I basked in the gentle breeze on my face and the warm sun on my skin.The fresh, rich scent of a forest filled my lungs.
My eyes watered when I opened them, and not just because of the bright daylight.I found myself in a forest of evergreens–pines, spruces, and firs stood tall around me.The sky, blue and cloudless, was peeking between the treetops.Two birds darted across, chasing each other with excited chirps.Insects buzzed on their merry way.
