The head cook noticed her tears and tsked. He patted her on the shoulder and uttered some words in a soothing voice. She wiped tears from her eyes, trying to be strong. She had to come to the realization that she may never see her husband or her students again, and she couldn't stop weeping. Why do I only remember the good things about him now that he's gone?                                                                                                ***                                                                                     

Three months had passed, and Eldora was beginning to pick up the language of the foreign castle. The language was called "Tournish" and utilized long words that encapsulated verbs and proper nouns alike. Eldora had learned some Spanish in her time and decided the language was decidedly similar, although vastly different at the same time. But it was closer to Tournish than English was. Eldora had difficulties learning, and wished she had the mind of a child so she could learn it easier. But she could string together a clunky sentence and understand most of what others were saying. 

She had learned that the land she was in was called Tournath, and its king was called Dagonet. Eldora was shocked that the king appeared not to know her, as she was absolutely sure he was Adrian. He must have forgotten who he is…

She worked as his personal attendant. She bathed him, fed him, clothed him, and served him food. She had learned that the king was a Druhath–a member of a religious sect who let a spiritual power they called Legantz flow through them, control their actions. Legantz was a holy power that, when used correctly, had the power to make the world a better place. However, there was a different religious sect–the Gruhath--who desired to command Legantz, rather than let it command them. The Gruhath could not use this power for good as the Druhath did…. or, at least, that was what Fraunt had told her.

Eldora listened carefully during her morning lesson with Fraunt, and Fraunt told her he was going to teach her a few new words and conjugations, and then teach her some history. 

Eldora raised her hand while she was learning new words. 

“Yes?” Fraunt asked. 

“I… why did they turn us humans into these creatures? I don’t understand?” Eldora questioned. 

“Only one human is allowed in Tournath, and that’s the king.” Fraunt answered. 

Eldora was baffled by this. She shook her head in confusion. “What? Why?”

“Because there is only one good human in our prophecies, and the king matches his description. If too many humans are allowed to exist in our lands, they will bring about the end of Lalookin.” Fraunt explained.

Eldora looked down. “So I have to live in this freakish form? I… want my old legs back. I want to get rid of these wings. I don’t even recognize myself anymore.” 

Fraunt pushed his spectacles up on his wooden face, frowning compassionately. “That’s what happens to all humans here. They forget who they are, and truly integrate themselves as a member of the race they were turned into. You, my maiden, are an Elfkorn. These creatures are used mostly for manual labor. They are amazing caretakers and look after Lost Children.” 

“Elfkorn.” she repeated, her mind mixing an image of an elf covered in corn. “But I don’t want to forget! I have people and a history that I would never want to throw away!” 

She thought about that for a moment after saying it. There were things that had happened to her in life that she honestly would rather forget. She even thought for a moment that her marriage had become so painful that she would rather forget it. These thoughts were too hard for her to handle, and she turned to trying to find a solution instead. “What can I do to retain my memories?”

Fraunt sighed. “Speaking of such things is blasphemy.”

Eldora pursed her lips, but said nothing else. If I befriend him, he’ll eventually want to tell me on his own. Besides, there is a library around here, and other servants. Perhaps they will tell me. 

Fraunt continued his reading and writing lesson, and then began to tell her the religious history of Lalookin, according to the Tournish people. “Lalookin was born in a shower of violent fire when the two gods, Rui and Marook battled. They blew apart the world, and Marook took a piece of that world that had been destroyed and created intelligent creatures to inhabit it. Rui became jealous and wrested a piece of that world away. She broke the land in half yet again, and that piece of land was called Raklin. The Raklin are our enemies. They worship Rui and live by her laws, and use Legantz in a hideous way.”

“I thought there were people here in Lalookin used Legantz in that way, too–the Gruhath.” Eldora was surprised. 

“Both countries do, indeed, have both sects. But to be a Gruhath on Lalookin is deeply frowned upon.” Fraunt explained. “To be a Druhath on Raklin is also to be frowned upon. The opposing sects are often hunted down and killed on either country.” 

Eldora listened carefully, making mental notes about each country, the sects, and what to avoid doing in this foreign place. 

After her lesson with Fraunt, she was shepherded to the Church of Tournath. Everyone was there, including the king himself. Eldora sat between the Californian woman, Celina, who was now a furry creature, and the woman with the head of a heron. Eldora had become friends with both of them. She had learned that, while Celina was from earth, the heron woman–Pilinka–was native to Lalookin.