Snowy forests, castles, lotuses, and strange glowing stones. All part of a mysterious dream that ends abruptly with a strangers silhouette. My head felt groggy and my body was weak, it took a lot of energy just to sit up. Nothing was out of the ordinary though, just the same pale pink room I'm used to. Scenic paintings sit on the walls, my jeweler's desk sits in front of my small window, my bookshelf lined with every book I could get my hands on, and my small dresser filled with the little amount of clothing I own. My little nightstand next to my bed holds my satchel and Moonika’s gift.

I lay back down and stare at my ceiling, out of the corner of my eye I catch something glowing. I turn my head slowly and my eyes set on Moonika’s gift. The seam glowed an indigo blue, slowly my hands moved on their own to open the box. I gently flipped open the lid and stared at the sparkling gems that were being illuminated by the mysterious light. Slowly, one by one, I take out each gem and set it on my satchel. I took out every gem except one; the glowing one. The glowing one was large and smooth, taking up a third of the box. It was a deep rich indigo blue with streaks that glowed brighter than the rest.

I reached my delicate fingers into the box and around the large stone. As soon as the tip of my finger touched the gem, a jolt of energy filled my body. My body felt like it was on fire but at the same time like I was drowning. My heart pounded in my chest like I was running, I was afraid and lost but I didn't feel like myself. I felt like I was someone else. I dropped the stone gently back into the box and placed the rest of the gems back into the box as well. My heart still pounded and I could still feel fear that wasn't my own. I laid back in my bed and tried to calm myself and forget everything that happened. Slowly, with the help of my mother's lullaby, I fall into a deep lucid sleep.

I know I'm dreaming but I've never had two dreams in one night. I was in the middle of the woods, snow was up to my boots and my cloak blew furiously with the chilling air. My nose was numb from the cold and my lips felt dry and cracked. My lashes were iced so badly that I was unable to see. Before I knew it I was on solid ground but before I could enjoy it, it gave away.

Icy water froze my skin making it hard to stay afloat. I was surrounded by familiar lotuses and before me was a disheveled mansion. I couldn't support my weight anymore; I slowly began sinking, my consciousness faded. Before everything faded for good I felt something grab me and start pulling me up. I was on the soft yet bitter snow again, my body shaking violently. Suddenly, I was warm and felt safe. Something or someone caressed my cheek so gently that I thought it didn't even happen. My consciousness began to fade again, my eyelids got heavier and I fell asleep. I heard a deep voice start singing a gentle and sweet lullaby. I was warm and felt loved and safe, then that faded away too.

The sun shined in through my window awakening me from a deep slumber, my dreams and what happened in the night were still fresh in my head. Quickly, I shuffled to my feet and open the jewel box, nothing was glowing. I took out all the other jewels except the one that was glowing before. Now that there was light I could see it in more detail. It had a glassy look in certain areas, wavy lines that were almost like veins ran through it, it sparkled like a dark sun and gave off a wave a mystery.

I cautiously picked it up again, in my hand it felt like it was beating like a heart. It tugged me and tethered me to something unknown. I felt like I wanted to find what it was tethering me to, I needed to find it. But what if what I find is dangerous, what if I get hurt or lost. Worries filled my head but curiously of desire was greater. I threw on some warm clothes, my old boots, and my new cloak from Eliisabet. The cloak was incredibly warm and soft, I ran my hand down and thru the silky fur.

Grandmother had prepared me breakfast and I prepared lunch for later and a snack for my little adventure. I told her that I was going out and might not be back for a while, she worried and I consoled her. She's always been a gentle and kind woman, it would break her heart if I got hurt. As I ate she went through today's mail. Suddenly she stopped shuffling through it and warily handed me an envelope. I bore a wax seal with the symbol of the town on it which could only mean one thing, Eliisabet. She hands me the letter opener with a worried look on her face as I quickly open it almost cutting myself. I don't even have to look at the words to be annoyed.

Dear Baelfire Lepik,

You will report to the townhouse immediately.

You are needed for important business by Mr. Kangro and his daughter.

Be sure to act accordingly and be prompt.

Everything will be explained once you arrive.

Sincerely, Sven Puhvel.

...And his despicable daughter, it should say. Mr. Puhvel is like the scribe for Mr. Kangro, he oversees all of the written problems in the town. Whenever you get a letter from him you know you've done something wrong but since I know I've done nothing wrong that means that this is about Eliisabet.

I explained everything to my grandmother and then leave for the townhouse making sure to take my sweet time. I brought a bigger bag to carry my snacks for later and I made the large gem into a necklace that was covered my cloak. The tether from the stone got strong and stronger as I walked. I stopped in front of the opening to the forest where the tether felt the strongest. I whispered to myself and the pulsing stone that I wouldn't go in there. I took a lot of mental energy to pull myself away from the forest entrance.

Once I got to the townhouse the door was immediately opened for me and Eliisabet rushed out in a pearl colored gown and an opal necklace, earring, and bracelet set that I made for her. She sparkled like a diamond as she showed off her outfit. With a large smile on her face, she pulled me into her house and the doors were shut behind us. Well, there goes my escape. I am brought to the living room and she pushes me down and sits on the opposite side next to her father. We are served tea and cookies then sit in awkward silence, Mr. Kangro clears his throat loudly and begins talking. ”Baelfire, we have known each other for a long time correct?” I give him a bright smile even though I want to grimace. ”That is correct sir.” He nods approvingly. ”You have also known my daughter for a long time correct?” I clench my teeth to remain smiling and nod. ”Good, good...well you're a smart boy and I know that you know my daughter is quite fond of you and I also know that you are quite shy, ” I worry for what he is about to say next. ”And knowing that I have given you the honor and prepared a wedding between you and my daughter.”

My eyes go wide and my mouth is gaping open. Eliisabet giggles and hugs her father. ”Oh daddy, you're the best! I'm so happy that I’m getting married tomorrow!” Tomorrow. As in tomorrow, tomorrow. The wedding is tomorrow! Mister Kangro smiles and gets up, ”Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds to talk.” He leaves the room and I want to run after him. Eliisabet moves next to me and hugs my arm. She roughly nuzzled my neck making me try to move away from her. ”What’s wrong Bael darling? You don't have to hide your love for me anymore, we'll be married by tomorrow.” She slowly slides a ring onto my ring finger, I jolt up. ”Eliisabet, you're a very nice girl, ” that's a lie, ”but I don't think you're the one for me.” and that is an understatement.

Her face is blank then it becomes trusted with rage as she stands up. ”Don’t get snarky with me you ungrateful peasant. You're lucky I'm even giving you a chance. You'll get everything you want if you marry me. Do you really want to go back to that sad tiny cottage with an old woman or do you want to marry someone as beautiful as me and live in luxury?” My patience snaps but I don't yell. I'm escorted out and I quickly run back house. I still have my bag and stone with me, I can't stay here anymore, I have to leave.

A gentle knock at my door stops me in my tracks, my grandmother walks in with a sad smile, ”I heard the news, Väike Phoenix.” She eyes my bag, I wince but all she does is set a bigger bag down onto my bed. Inside it is enough food and clothing to last about a month. I stare at her confused but she just grabs my hands and holds them. ”If you need to run from that witch then I fully support you. Run my boy, run and don't come back. Just remember that I will always love you.” I smile softly as my eyes start to tear up, she let's go of my hands and walks out. Once I'm done packing I notice that the gem started glowing. I whisper softly to gem, ”Lead me to what binds me but avoid the cursed forest.” The glowing got brighter then went back to its normal glow, I felt the pull and decided it would best to use the window.

The uneven marsh behind my house was hard to trek but not impossible. Each step I took, my boots were sucked into the moist and squishy ground. When the ground finally hardened a could hear the sound of water flowing. Trees were sparse but getting a bit more abundant as I neared the sound of water. I finally got close enough to see a little river flowing father than I could see. Squatting down, I drank some of the fresh cold water. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something floating down the river. 

A familiar flower passed in front of me, a lotus. Miss Võsu did mention that she found the lotus floating down the river. I looked up towards the direction the lotus came from the see more floating towards my direction. The gem started to glow brighter again, I felt like it wanted me to follow the lotuses upstream. I decided to go with the gem and follow the lotuses upstream. ”Okay, I'll take your advice, I'm putting a lot of trust in you right now. I must be bonkers to be putting my life in the hands of a mysterious glowing stone.” I whispered into the cold bitter air. I trudged up the slight incline of the river, as I walked the trees seemed to get more abundant.

Plants and greenery became more sparse, trees became darker and more barren, the wind started to pick up and get much stronger. The wind nipped at skin that wasn't covered, my cloak bellowed behind me. Snow coated my eyelashes and swallowed my boots. Wait, the snow in my village was never this high. I lift my head against the wind slightly pushing me back. I was surrounded by eerie tall barren trees, bitter snow covered the ground, the sound of wolves blended into the wind howling. I was cold, lost, and stranded in the dark forest.