by Leah Putz
The family before them had all turned their gazes to Isotta, who sat silent and pensive. Feeling the crisp tension in the room caused me to stiffen; I wasn’t accustomed to this kind of intense anticipation. I felt as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff, hanging on whatever words would come out of this old woman’s mouth next. I didn’t have to wait particularly long before she opened her mouth and spoke, though it wasn’t what I was hoping for. “I’m famished. Let us eat. We can discuss further after we’ve finished.”
Though hungry, I struggled to hide my disappointment. I shared a glance with Jion and Siofra, and saw my own emotions reflected in their eyes. But I buried my feelings and smiled. “Of course,” I replied. “What a wonderful feast you’ve prepared, Alicen. Thank you very much.”
The three guests all bowed our heads to our hosts in thanks. As the custom in Doctsland was for the guest to break bread, I felt it appropriate for me to take the lead. Picking up a knife, I cut into the steak in front of me before popping the delicious piece of meat into my mouth. After swallowing, I lifted my glass, smiled, and nodded- signaling it was time for the feast to begin. The others all followed in my footsteps eagerly, digging into the meal almost ferociously (at least in Jion’s case who, like me, had slept through breakfast).
The meal, though impeccable, lacked small talk, and I took the opportunity to glance around the table. All seemed deep in thought, pondering everything that had just been laid before them. Isotta remained unreadable, but Yeoman, Alicen, and Lisalya all looked troubled. To my surprise, this encouraged me rather than the opposite. If they’re worried, perhaps it’s because they know they’ll have to say goodbye to one of their own because they’re coming on the mission, I thought- or rather, hoped.
The somewhat awkward meal came to a close after each person set down their utensils. After a beat, Isotta spoke. “The rumors you’ve heard have truth. While I am the sole healer in this house, my granddaughter here is, in fact, the empath you seek.”
I held my breath, anticipating her words as she continued. “Unfortunately my health is failing me. I simply would not survive this mission you seek to go on, and would certainly hold you back, and it appears speed is of the essence. I will stay here, and attend to the villagers who need my help.” Jion sighed in disappointment at my side, but I wasn’t so quick to give up hope. After all, the empath was more imperative to the mission than the healer. “I cannot speak for my granddaughter.” She turned her gaze to the young woman in question. “However, I can encourage her to assist you.”
Lisalya stared at her, shock and dismay etched on her rather beautiful face. “Grandmother?” Her argument fell dead in her mouth as Isotta lifted her hand to silence her.
“Lisalya,” she said gently, turning towards her granddaughter and taking her hands. “What have I always told you is the purpose of this family, our purpose?”
Struggling to meet her grandmother’s searching eyes, Lisalya looked down at her feet. “Helping people.”
“Yes, helping people. If this quest were to fail, it would bring insurmountable pain and suffering upon the very people we’ve spent our lives healing and helping, not to mention countless others throughout Doctsland. We cannot allow our beautiful country and its people to fall into the hands of King Siglind.”
“I know,” Lisalya said, sharply. “I agree. But don’t you think I could do more here, helping to protect our home and our town?”
Isotta shook her head. “There is no home, no town. Not as it has been. Not if Siglind’s forces are able to land here. I know you don’t wish to leave. Truth be told I don’t wish you to leave either, I’m sure none of us do,” she gestured to her son and his wife. “But I agree with our prince. Having an empath on this mission is imperative to its success. And you know as well as anyone that there are no other empaths left.”
Lisalya sat completely still. It seemed to me that there were words frozen in her mouth that she couldn’t manage to thaw. It also appeared that the matter was now out of our hands. I stood. “We have made our case. The decision lies in your hands, and we will give you privacy to discuss and make an informed one.” I glanced at Jion and Siofra, signaling them to follow my lead. “We are staying at the inn in town tonight, The Empath’s Arms. We are on a rather tight schedule, so we’ll be leaving in the morning,” I turned my gaze to Lisalya, who sat biting the nails of one hand, and I tried to implore her with a simple look. “If you choose to join us, meet us there before dawn.” Bowing, I finished my speech, and prayed they would make the right decision. “Thank you again for your hospitality.”
Chapter Four
Lisalya
After the prince and his entourage departed, I couldn’t quieten my thoughts. I felt certain that my place was here, at home, with my family. It certainly wasn’t with the prince, whom I’d only ever heard of as an irresponsible, negligent person. My mind buzzed with uncertainties, and with the intrusion of my parents feelings. Though they were practiced in keeping their thoughts inside their heads, or at least a lot quieter than the untrained mind, I could sense the distress pouring from my parents and, to be frank, it heightened my own. Grandmother, as always, was unreadable to me. Somehow she had managed to keep her emotions under lock and key, though she hid very little from me verbally. In this particular predicament, she had made herself clear. She wished for me to go with Prince Viktor, but nearly every fiber of my being screamed not to.
When I could no longer take the swirling in my head, I slipped out of the house, hoping to go unnoticed. “Lisalya!” my mother called after me, but I ignored her, having neither the words nor the energy at the moment. Just the need to escape to quiet solitude, if only for a little. As quickly as I could, and before my parents could stop me, I hopped onto my horse and galloped to the well.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I was out of the range of the house and closed my eyes, basking in the sweetness of the silence.
Everything that had been said throughout the day raced through my mind, as well as what I felt from the prince and his companions. They all seemed swaddled in a terrifying combination of fear, tension, and desperation. In his speech, the prince tried his best to convey the dire need of this quest, but none of his words could portray this the way his feelings did. Frankly, it shook me to my core, and increased my desire to stay at home curled up in my bed, rather than the opposite. If the country is on the brink of such disaster, wouldn’t I rather be at home? was the thought that kept circling in my mind.
After tying my horse to the post nearby, I took a seat by the well, resting my head against the cool stone. I closed my eyes, with the intention of just resting them as I thought over my choices, but I slipped into a light sleep.
***
The sound of footsteps jerked me out of my uneasy slumber and I hopped to my feet, defensive. I listened acutely with my mind, but to my horror heard nothing. “Relax dear.” My shoulders dropped as I heard my grandmother’s voice. “It’s just me. I knew I’d find you here.”
I reclaimed my seat on the ground beside the well. “It’s the only place I can feel my own feelings sometimes.”
“I know,” she said, taking a seat on the ledge of the well beside me. She let the silence grow, and I started to fidget.
“I know what you think. I know you want me to go off, gallivanting on this quest with the prince and his lackeys,” I huffed.
“I made my wishes clear, yes. Though gallivanting is not quite the word I would use,” she said, not even attempting to keep the smile from her voice. After another minute or two of silence, she spoke again, this time with no hint of a grin. Her voice wobbled, and I wanted nothing more than to lay down and rest my head in her lap like I had as a child. Pride had me remaining upright, however. “Are you upset simply because you don’t wish to go? Or, are you upset because you don’t wish to go, but you know that it’s the right thing to do?”
I sighed, running my fingers through the soft grass beside me. “I’m not certain. I don’t know what to think, o
r what to feel. All I know is that I don’t want to leave our home, our family. It’s all I’ve ever known. It will be dangerous… I’m scared.” I spoke the last words quietly.
She rested her hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I understand. I wish I could go in your stead, or at least accompany you. You have to do what you feel is right. I can’t make the choice for you. No-one can. But something tells me that in your heart you’ve already decided.”
“I’ll miss you,” I said, wiping at my eyes before the tears that threatened could fall.
“We’ll miss you too,” she replied softly. “Now, do you really want to spend your last night at home curled up on the ground, alone next to a well?”
I stood. “No. I do not.”
“Then come. Let’s go home.”
The ride home felt a lot shorter with Grandmother’s company. We talked the whole way, though what about I couldn’t say. It seemed we spoke about nothing in particular, empty conversations to fill the silence, but that’s what I needed. Speaking about such light, seemingly meaningless topics kept my mind from wandering down the dark path of what the future could hold.
In typical fashion, my parents were waiting up for me at home, though they seemed more distressed than they had when I’d left. I was met with red-rimmed eyes and sniffling noses, making it achingly hard not to break down and cry along with them. However, I knew it would not serve me to give in to the sadness in my heart. “Come on,” I said. “There’s no need to cry. I’m sure I’ll be home before you know it.”
“So you’re certain? You’re going? Lisalya, this is going to be very dangerous. You’ve heard about Bushand, King Siglind. He rules with an iron fist, killing anyone who opposes him. If you’re caught on this mission…” She choked, her voice trembling in a way that made me squeeze my eyes shut.
“Yes,” I replied, doing my best to keep my voice strong. “I know the dangers. I know the risks. I’m going.”
“Are you sure? Absolutely sure?” It was my father’s voice now that trembled, something I had rarely heard. It was difficult to bear.
I closed my eyes and steadied myself. “Absolutely sure.” Repeating his words, I smiled through the tears that swam in my eyes, feeling relieved that the decision was made, and nodded. “It’s the right thing to do. I know that. We’ve helped the people in Loch for generations. It’s time to help the rest of Doctsland now.”
My parents shared a glance before pulling me into their arms. My mother spoke. “I don’t want you to go. I’m terrified. But I also know that there’s no arguing with you once you’ve set your mind to something.”
Sniffling, I smiled. “Let’s stop talking about it. I’ll make my way to the inn tomorrow morning, and that’s that. Let’s just... enjoy this night together for a while.” And we did just that.
***
Before the sun had a chance to even think of rising, I was out of bed and packing. I pulled my thick hair from my face and tied it back before getting dressed. Initially I wasn’t sure where to start when packing. Sure, I’d been away from home before, but only on short trips. I had no clue how to pack for such an endeavor as the one I now faced. I shrugged my shoulders and took my best guess. I grabbed my riding gear, a few spare clothes, and what little travel wear I had acquired throughout the years. Afterwards, I snuck into the kitchen and threw some food in my bag — bread, fruit, and some salted meat that my father had prepared. I don’t think this was necessarily meant for me, I thought, thinking of his frequent long fishing expeditions. But oh well.
As soon as I had everything in order I crept through the house and out the front door, careful not to make a sound and wake anyone. Making the decision to leave was hard enough, I couldn’t bear the thought of having to say a proper goodbye. For some reason saying goodbye felt like it meant goodbye for goods though saying those words would mean that I was not coming home and wouldn’t see my family again.
I felt a pang of guilt as I hopped onto my horse in the chilly darkness of the early morning. Turning around, I spared one last glance at my childhood home before blinking back my tears and urging my horse forward.
Leaving hours before the sunrise meant that I could take my time, which was very much needed. I didn’t know when I’d see this land again, this town, which had always belonged to my heart, and as I led my horse slowly through the forest I tried to commit as much of it to memory as possible - the lanky trees, the soft crunch of the earth beneath my horses feet, the hills and valleys that I knew like the back of my hand. But even with the unhurried pace I maintained, it felt as though the journey was far too short. Before I knew it, or felt even a little prepared, I found myself approaching the town centre of Loch.
“Well, here we go,” I muttered to myself, urging my horse forward towards the inn. No matter how short the journey had seemed to me, there was no question I had taken my time. The sky had already begun to paint itself vibrant hues of purples and pinks with the sunrise, and I knew as I approached the front door that I was just in time.
I felt everyone, scattered and worried, before they even opened the door and stepped outside. As soon as their eyes fell upon me they froze, both physically and emotionally, it felt like their very minds were holding their breath, trying to figure out if I was real or if my sudden appearance was too good to be true. I dismounted, bowing to address the prince and his companions. “Prince Viktor.”
This seemed to snap them out of their stupor, and I felt a semblance of relief flood over me through all three of them. The prince flashed a somewhat rectangular, though unquestionably charming, smile I recognized from yesterday. “Miss Manyeo. I’m very pleased to see you. Does this mean you’ll be joining us?”
“Please call me Lisalya,” I replied. “And yes, it does. As much as I don’t want to, it’s our best shot at saving our country, is it not?”
He grew solemn. It appears that it is.”
The woman I had met in the glade, Siofra, stepped forward, though rather than the armor I had seen her in previously she wore tanned trousers, a white shirt, and a cloak the same deep green that was the signature of many Doctsland uniforms. “Thank you for your assistance.”
I smiled grimly. “Don’t thank me yet. We don’t know how this will all turn out.”
“Nevertheless,” Prince Viktor said, and I noticed both he and their third companion bore matching cloaks, “we truly appreciate your willingness to accompany us. And to use your gifts to help Doctsland.”
“I know,” I said.
The third spoke. “That settles it. We’ve gained an empath.” He cracked a buck-toothed smile in my direction, and despite his cavalier demeanor, I felt the relief that was washing over him. “Now, let’s be off.”
“Off where, exactly?” I asked. The prince and the other man, Jion, I believed, both turned to Siofra with questioning looks.
“Right, where do we go from here, Siofra?” Prince V asked.
I gaped at them, choosing not to bother hiding my growing irritation. “You don’t know? You’ve had all night to plan. I left early to meet you here and you don’t know?”
Siofra ignored me, fixing the prince in her gaze. “That’s up to you, I suppose. Now that we know the empath is joining us.” She shot a glance my way. “We know we don’t necessarily have to go back to the city to formulate a backup plan. But we still can if you’d like, to re-group before we head out on our next endeavor…” She trailed off and the prince picked up where she left.
“But then we’ll probably run into the coronation issue again. They’ll all be furious with me for having left. I can’t imagine it will be as easy to sneak away again. Can we use the ship we have to get all the way to Bushand?” he asked.
Jion shook his head. “No, we need something larger. We should also pick up a few more supplies, to re-stock and to prepare for the new journey. We’ve got another mouth to feed and a much longer ride ahead of us.”
“Miss Manyeo,” Siofra started, but I held up my hand to stop her.
“Please, all of you, just call me Lisalya.”
She nodded and gave me a friendly smile. “Lisalya. Do you know where we may inquire after a larger boat?”
I shrugged, not entirely familiar with the shipping industry, but I knew the town well enough to guess. “I would probably start with the docks. Occasionally they’ve got ships for purchase or hire. It’s not terribly often. We are a smaller town after all. But it happens.”
“Great,” she said. “I will head to the docks to see if we can find a ship for us. Lisalya and Vik, you will make your way to the market to grab provisions. Jion, go with them, please. It doesn’t seem anyone knows the prince is here, but it’s best to be cautious in case he is discovered.”
The prince shifted, feeling unsure of himself. “I’m not sure where the markets are.”
I sighed, feeling annoyed at his inability to pick up on the obvious. I’d always heard of him as an inept young man, incapable of doing much for himself beside pouring a drink, and he was certainly living up to those expectations. Plus, it was strange being surrounded by so many unknown people. I felt their emotions in a heightened sense, and I wasn’t sure why. It was overwhelming me, and making me moody. “I know where they are. I live here.”
The prince seemed to sense my irritability, and was beginning to match it. “Thank you for the reminder,” he snapped back. “Lead the way.”
Our party split as Siofra had directed, and I started making my way towards the market, trying to ignore the fact that I had the prince and Jion following me. They seemed to have picked up on the fact that I wasn’t interested in small talk, so they trailed behind silently. As we walked, I worked on the exercises Grandmother had been telling me to practice; building up the walls in my head to protect myself from everything that everyone else was feeling. If I was going to be traveling with these people for months, I was going to have to learn how to shield myself from the onslaught of their emotions, otherwise it would simply grow to be too much.
