by J. P. Larson
"We're not heading home yet," Eva said.
I paused. "Eva."
She looked at me.
"Please."
I could tell she thought about it, then finally she nodded. "This is more important than our current mission," Eva finally said. "So, she could go with us, but we would not want to linger here."
"We're going back to Nalori via Eva's home," I said. "Although perhaps we aren't staying there as long as we thought."
Eva looked back at me again then smiled and nodded.
We both turned to Allenda. "So I guess those are the choices," Eva offered.
The woman nodded, but her brow was furrowed, and she looked sadly at my daughter. "She is my only child."
"My only grandchild," said Marcora.
"I am sorry," Eva said. "This is difficult. It was difficult when I left home. I was ten, and while I wanted nothing more than to become a magus someday, I was homesick at first."
"I didn't want to go at all," I said, "but I have since thanked the people involved for making me go and for making me stay. I haven't necessarily forgiven them for how they did it, but making me go was the right choice."
"Would she be cared for?" Allenda asked.
"Yes," Eva said. "The instructors are strict, but I believe you can understand why. She would have roommates."
"Eva was my senior roommate," I said. "She'd already been there for two years, and while she is a few months younger than I am, she showed me how to fit in. We've been friends since."
"Not all the girls are nice," Eva said. "Just like girls everywhere. But most of them are very, very nice, and we can make sure she gets the best roommates."
Allenda and Marcora exchanged looks, then they nodded to each other. Allenda turned to me. "Then she shall go with you," Allenda said. "And you will promise she will be well cared for."
"Not so fast," I said. "We haven't asked Lillyanne, and we haven't told her everything she needs to make a decision." I turned to the girl. "Lillyanne, you're a very smart girl, and I bet you understand everything we've talked about, haven't you?"
She nodded. "You'll teach me how to use my magic! I'll cast the light spell and heal people."
"You'll cast the light spell. You might heal people, or you might have other skills." I paused. "I want to tell you a few things, and you must listen very carefully. All right?" She nodded.
"The school is hard. You study a lot. But all the other girls study hard, too, and we all help each other. When I got there, it was especially hard for me, as I hadn't studied some of the classes the other girls had studied for years. But I like going to school and learning things. Do you like school?"
She frowned. "The other kids pick on me."
"They picked on me when I was your age, but they didn't pick on me at the magic school. I wasn't friends with everyone, not like Eva, but I had friends. Do you like learning? Do you like to read?"
She nodded at that.
"In the afternoons on Threeday and Fiveday, we play games outside. The games are fun, and most of the girls play as long as they're caught up with their homework."
"The kids here don't let me play with them."
"That's not a problem at the school. On Sevenday, everyone at the school plays more games. The games in the morning are fun, even when you aren't very good at them. The games in the afternoon are another type of class, and sometimes it's more fun than other times. I didn't like it at first, but Eva really likes it, and I grew to enjoy it."
"I'd have to play even if I didn't like it?"
"Yes. The games are another way we learn. On Eightday we can play more games if we want. That was when I learned to ride a horse, but not until I was fourteen."
She nodded.
"Most of the time, going to Northmere is really good," I said, "but some of it is hard, and some of it you won't like. But even during the parts I didn't like, I was a lot happier than I was before. And I learned to heal people."
She nodded again. "If I go, then I'll be a sorceress like you and Magus Eva."
"Yes," I said.
"And I'll have a swordswoman, too?"
"Yes, or a swordsman if you prefer. Your swordswoman helps keep you safe and helps teach you on Sevenday." I paused. "Lillyanne, I've had some very bad days at the school, but most of the time I was very, very happy. Most of the other girls would say the same thing. I think you would say the same thing, too."
I looked at Eva. "Did I miss anything?"
"No. Lillyanne, did you have more questions?"
"Mama, I want to go. I know it's far, far away, but I want to be a sorceress." She looked at her hands. "And I want to have friends."
Her mother had tears in her eyes, but she nodded. "Of course you may go, Lillyanne, but I am going to miss you terribly." Then she held her arms open, and her daughter pushed away from the table and ran to her mother. The two held each other tightly.
Marcora had tears as well, but she took over. "When are you leaving?"
"We can give you a day or two," Eva said. "If you need more than that, we'll visit a few other villages and come back. But travel will only grow more difficult if we linger."
"We have almost nothing to send with her. Clothes and a few toys. We don't have a horse."
"We'll take care of everything," Eva replied. "All her needs are seen to. She will eat well and be clothed well. The dormitories are warm, dry, and well-equipped."
"For travel, she'll need warm outer wear, if she has it," I said. "Or she can borrow from us for the trip."
Marcora nodded. "Perhaps the day after tomorrow? We will spend the day with her."
We nodded agreement. "We'll leave you with directions how you can write letters to her. Sending mail to the school is free. She may be homesick at first; most of us are, and it may come through in her letters. But she'll have friends and be surrounded by people who understand her and can give her what she needs."
"Will she have a mother's loving arms?" Marcora asked.
"That I can't say," Eva replied. "Some of the girls warm to Adept Balarta, who is the house mother for the new initiates." She smiled. "Kia refers to the senior magus as 'mother', and it's not said lightly. She also has a very close relationship with the botany instructor."
"Some of the older girls also take the younger girls under their wings," I said. "I didn't get that at first. I had a tutor named Becka, but she and I never warmed to each other. But later I got to know two journeywomen named Renala and Vimie, and they were very kind to me."
"To us," Eva said.
"Yes, of course. To us."
After that, we paid the bill and answered a few more questions. Then we escorted the three of them to their home.
Two days later, we departed Plinkton. It was a tearful parting, and for a while I thought Lillyanne might change her mind. But then her mother held her tightly and said, "You're going to be a great sorceress, Lillyanne. I am so proud of you. You're going to have friends and you're going to meet the queen. And you're going to obey the rules and you're going to write your mother, every week!"
"Yes, Mama," the girl said.
We had bought a pony for her, but in the end, she rode with Loralai for the few hours as we headed north to Neecor's Harbor. The swordswoman was very gentle with her.
Eva's Home
It took three days instead of two before we arrived at Neecor's Harbor. Lillyanne had grown quiet by the end of the first day, but she perked up and began asking questions. She was a sweet child, and I really hoped she could be happy at the school.
It was Sixday when we came over the hill to see Neecor's Harbor below us, and beyond the village, all of Lake Vartalta. We came to a stop and took in the view.
"Is that the school?" Lillyanne asked.
"No," Eva said. "This is where I grew up. We're going to spend a night or two with my parents, and then we'll continue to the school. I hope you don't mind. If it were warmer, we could go swimming, but I think it has grown far too cold now."
"I don't know how to swim,
" the girl replied. "I'd drown."
"We wouldn't let you drown," Eva assured her. "But we won't be swimming on this trip. We will, however, be taking warm baths."
The girl made a face. "Do I have to?"
"Yes," Eva said. "You smell like a pony."
She cocked her head. "I do?"
She nodded. "We'll all be taking baths, but maybe we'll let you go first."
"I don't want to go first."
"First is best," Lunia said. "You get it out of the way, and then you may play."
"I may?"
"Of course," Lunia said.
"Lillyanne, we need to warn you about something."
She turned to me. "What?"
"Eva's parents may be angry with me. I did something I shouldn't have, and they may yell at me about it. If they do, don't fret. They'll forgive me, and we'll all be friends again."
"Were you bad?"
"I made a great many people worry about me," I said. "If Eva's parents yell at me, I won't blame them."
"Why would Eva's parents yell at you? Shouldn't it be your parents?"
"Eva was one of the people who worried about me," I explained. "And they may be angry at me on Eva's behalf."
"Are you angry with Adept Kia?" she asked Eva.
"I was. I'm not anymore. We made up. But my parents haven't had their chance to yell at Kia yet."
Eva gave Lillyanne a mini tour of what she could see. And ten minutes later, we descended the hill.
Eva's father, Cane, was the village cooper. The family operated out of a small farm that had belonged to Eva's mother's family. Like me, Eva had two brothers and a sister; she was second in line behind Toren, with Sard and Maureena one and three years younger than Eva.
Eva's brothers had shown little interest in learning to make barrels, but it was Toren's wife, Shara, who had become the assistant to Cane and would eventually take over the family business. Under their mother's oversight, Toren and Sard ran the farm. Ivarine, Eva's mother, also managed a small winery.
It was a very industrious family.
Like me, Eva had been ill suited to the life led by the rest of her family. Like me, she was well loved by all of them. Unlike me, in spite of her young sorceress ways, she had always been popular.
And so, we descended the hill and passed through the village, offering an occasional hello, then turned to the west and followed the road a mile out of town to Eva's family's farm.
We were entirely unexpected, although the dogs announced us loudly. Eva hadn't lived here in thirteen years, and none of the dogs knew her, but while they were a good alarm system, they were not aggressive, and they gave the mounts a wide berth. We dismounted. I took the horses from Loralai and Lunia, and they helped Lillyanne down from her pony.
With the ruckus the dogs were making, it didn't take long to gather some attention. It was Maureena who stepped out of the farmhouse, waddling as she walked. I hadn't known she was pregnant.
"Did you know?" I asked Eva. She shook her head.
"Eva?" asked Maureena. "Eva!"
Eva moved to her sister, and the two hugged for a moment. Then Eva leaned away. "Look at you! How soon is it due?"
"He's late, the cantankerous little shit," Maureena replied. "I am so ready to drop him right here in the dirt."
"Well congratulations," Eva said. "I'm going to be an auntie. Again!" She gave her sister another hug. Then she separated and said "Maureena, you remember Loralai."
I still had the horses. Loralai stepped forward and gave Maureena a tentative hug. Lunia was next, and then Eva introduced Lillyanne.
"Is there a baby in there?" the girl pointed.
"There sure is," Maureena said. "Hopefully not for too much longer."
I tried hiding amongst the horses, but Lunia and Loralai stepped over to take them from me, and Eva called me forward. Maureena saw me, and her eyes narrowed at me.
"Mama isn't going to want her staying here," she said to Eva.
"Does this also mean you won't be coming to my wedding?" Eva asked.
"You weren't at mine," Maureena replied.
"No," Eva said quietly. "I suppose I wasn't."
I stood a distance away for a moment then said, "Maureena, I don't blame you if you hate me, but I'm sure Eva has explained why I left."
"That's no excuse," she said.
"I understand," I said. "I am a good healer, Maureena. Did you want me to take a look?"
She flashed her eyes hotly at me. "Keep your hands -- and your filthy magic -- away from me."
I stepped back two steps.
Eva didn't care for her sister's reaction. "Maureena, she only offered to make sure your baby is healthy."
"If she doesn't need my help, I'm not the sort to force it, Eva. I think it's best if you have a nice visit with your family. I'll stay at the inn."
"No!" said Eva.
I didn't listen but turned to my horse, pulling her away from the others. I then grabbed the packhorse that had my healing supplies and climbed up on my horse.
"No. Kia, climb down from there."
"Eva, your sister is going to deliver that in the next day or two. No one here needs the stress of dealing with me. I'll go into town and let people know there's a healer available. I'm sure there's room at the inn."
She looked at me pleadingly.
"If your sister misjudged your mother's reaction, you know where to find me," I added.
I didn't wait but tugged on my horse's reins and began plodding for the entrance.
"Go with her, Lunia," Eva said.
"No," I threw over my shoulder. "She's welcome here. I'm not. I'm fine."
But Lunia caught up to me by the time I was twenty yards out of the farmyard, riding her own horse.
"You know, I am quite capable of seeing to my own needs. You could stay here."
"You know I'm not going to do that, so why do you even protest?" Lunia asked. She reached over and clasped a hand. "They'll come around."
"No they won't, and then they won't come to the wedding, either. Eva really wanted them there, too." I looked away. "I screwed everything up."
We rode a minute or two before she asked, "How many lives did you save while you were gone?"
"That's not the point. I could have saved lives here instead."
"Kia-"
"No," I said. "Lunia, I'm fine." I looked back at her. "I'd rather you stayed with Eva."
"I'm your swordswoman, not hers. And you aren't allowed to dismiss me without lining up a replacement. You're stuck with me."
I sighed.
* * * *
There was room at the inn. We told the innkeeper I was a traveling healer and that I would be available to help with healing tomorrow. She immediately asked, "What kind of healing?"
"I cannot do too much to cure the effects of aging," I said, "although I can sometimes ease the discomfort. And there are diseases that are difficult to cure. But I can usually do something to help most people."
"Burns?"
"Yes, easily."
"Come with me," she said, dragging me by the hand. Lunia smirked at me as I was led deeper into the inn and pulled to the kitchen. "Adept Kia," she said, "I am Imana. This is my daughter, Gretchen. She burned her hands terribly two days ago."
"And you're back in the kitchen already?" I asked. "Let me see."
I stepped forward. Her hands were bandaged. She didn't even protest, and I unwrapped them. She had, indeed, burned her hands. I didn't know what she was doing back in the kitchen. I took one look and turned to Lunia. "Set us up somewhere." I turned to the innkeeper. "This needs proper attention. Where may I see to this?"
"The main room?"
I nodded.
"I'm fine," said Gretchen. "I can't leave the stew. I'm browning the meat."
I stepped over to the stove then grabbed a towel and used it as insulation to remove the pan from the heat.
"But-"
"The longer we argue, the longer until you return. I need ten minutes with your hands, and you'l
l thank me when I'm done. Go!" I pointed back the way we came.
Lunia knew what I needed. She went to the first table in the common room and began pulling things from my pack, setting them out. I made the woman sit on the table and I thrust two of the bowls to the innkeeper. "Clean, wholesome water." I knew Lunia would see to it from there. I turned to Gretchen. "They hurt."
"Of course they hurt," she replied.
"Well, let's deal with that first. This is going to be weird, but it is temporary. Then I numbed her hands from the elbows down.
"What did you do?" she asked. But the furrows in her brow eased.
"I numbed them. Once I'm done, I'll give them back. Let me look at them. Right one first."
It didn't take that long to heal her. When I was done, she looked at me in relief.
"Thank you," she said. "Oh, thank you."
"You are welcome, Gretchen," I said.
"What do I owe you?"
"I like being paid in hugs," I said. She laughed and gave me one.
And then she whispered into my ear, "I'd offer more than hugs."
I kissed her cheek, told her she was sweet, and said, "My fiancé is Eva Truebright, and you would not want her angry with you."
She released me quickly. "No, I believe you are correct." She paused. "You're back."
"Ah. The rumor mill enjoyed discussing me?"
"Yes. You are not popular on a certain farm east of town."
"Which is why I am staying here for two days while Eva visits her family."
"I must return to the kitchen," she said. She turned to the innkeeper. "Mama, I cannot tell you what to charge for your rooms, but you will not charge Adept Kia or her swordswoman for their meals."
"We will not be charging them at all," the innkeeper said, "unless this turns into an extended trip."
"We expect only a day or two," I said, "but it may be that Eva will wish to stay for the birth of her new niece or nephew." I paused. "Can you make sure that the local midwives know I am here? And is there a place I could see patients tomorrow? Otherwise we can set up the tent on the green."
* * * *
We stayed in that night, although there was a knock on our door shortly after dinner. Lunia answered it and a moment later invited two women into the room. One was a few years older than I was; the other looked to be her grandmother.
