Chapter 6: Snow?!
Aideen woke up, her senses jolting to life, only to find herself gripped by an involuntary stillness. Emerging from the heavy envelope of deep slumber, she was immediately besieged by a surge of distressing memories, crashing over her consciousness like an unyielding avalanche.
Recollections flooded back with an unwavering force – she remembered her journey toward the Temple north of the Capital, the ill-fated encounter where bandits ambushed her carriage, ruthlessly killing the royal knights. Two bandits had taken her captive, their intentions being to assault her. And then... an elusive gap lingered in her memory.
’Did I end up fainting? There was another person, I remember it now... But what happened after?’
Aideen recognized her surroundings as she lay in a bed, enveloped by a luxuriously soft and thick blanket that provided a comforting warmth. Carefully, the princess tried to shift her arms and legs, a subtle investigation to ascertain if she was restrained in any manner. To her relief, her body remained free of any physical constraints.
’Strange. If I am still alive, does it not imply that I was abducted by those bandits? Why am I not bound to anything? Could this possibly be the Temple? No, I doubt the royal guards would intervene to rescue me and escort me to the Temple.’
Aideen, now conscious of her own breathing and the rapid beats of her heart, made a deliberate effort to calm herself. She pondered her circumstances, contemplating the peculiar absence of restraints and the implications it held. In this moment of uncertainty, she sought solace in her surroundings, striving to discern subtle clues that might unravel the mystery.
Whenever thrust into an unknown place, Aideen relied on her acute sense of hearing and sense of smell to glean insights into her surroundings. The audible nuances and distinct aromas served as her steadfast companions, the sole aids in her endeavor to grasp the essence of the world beyond the confines of her own body.
The woman inhaled subtly, savoring the crispness of the air, causing her rosy lips to gently curl into a light smile.
’The air is fragrant, reminiscent of freshly laundered linens. The bedspread enveloping me feels clean and fresh; it’s been years since I’ve encountered linen this immaculate.’