“We’ll speak later,” Takari called after him.
A familiar twitch of jealousy went through me at their familiar banter. Again, I recalled they were old friends and I was simply an outsider. As soon as Romulus disappeared, the envy faded under Takari’s kind ministrations.
“I brought lavender leaves and rose petals.” She pulled some out of the basket. “Washing with these will help alleviate any lingering pain and sadness.”
Without a hint of embarrassment, she pulled her dress over her head and lay it on the bank to dry. I followed her example but sank low in the water to hide my chest, as well as the scars on my back.
Takari tossed me a bag-like substance filled with flower petals. I inhaled and let out a slow breath, letting the calming scents fill me with peace. Ducking under the water, I scrubbed viciously at my skin, as if to remove the stain of what Jezebel had done to me. Takari seemed to sense my mood, for she chatted on about nothing, without asking me direct questions. “I brought you a new dress; I hope it fits. I tried it on and we’re of similar build. I tried not to select anything too bright. I love wearing bright colors but Romulus said it’s best to blend in when we travel. Once we reach the elves I can dress as I please.”
“What about weapons?” I asked as I washed my hair, thankful Takari had not remarked on the shortness of it.
“Food and clothing are more popular here, but Elsdore isn’t known for armor. In fact, they often trade for weapons.”
“Because of the demons,” I filled in, and glanced to the sky, which was blue and clear without even a hint of a fluffy white cloud.
Takari shrugged. “Aye, but I came here for advice, not to concern myself with darkness and demons.”
My thoughts flitted back to Adomos and the sheen of his blue skin, and then back to Takari. She’d come to visit the witches.
“What advice did you want?” I moved to the river bank and Takari followed, lying down in the grass to dry off. I did not feel quite so brave, and quickly reached for the basket to pull out the dress she’d found for me. I was expecting something drab and plain but it was a length of light blue material that easily fitted over my head. The sleeves were mid length, leaving me plenty of room to move my arms and legs, and the skirt was full but fell to mid-calf. It fitted snuggly around my breasts and waist and I breathed out a sigh of relief when my bruises did not itch. Romulus must be right, there must be something in my blood that helped me to heal faster. I thought back to the centaurs. They played rough, but I was the only human; there was never anyone to compare myself to.
Takari lay on her back and held her arms out in front of her. The blue runes shimmered as she spoke, the cadence of her voice wistful with longing, reminding me that I wasn’t the only one with pain. “When we first met, the wood nymphs of Duh-Cillie, my home, were under attack. Usually, the squads don’t come this far away from the kingdom, but the free folk are growing more rebellious against the tyranny of the kingdom. I suppose they thought we were rising up and needed to quell the rebellion before it become something unspeakable. The angel of death likes to teach those who oppose him lessons and make examples of them, so that others will lose the courage to stand for what is right. We weren’t ready. They came through roaring and killing, and we scattered. Many died. We were outnumbered and I couldn’t fight them alone. You saw what happened.” Takari paused to wipe tears from her face.
A lump formed in my throat and I stared at the river shimmering in the light, heedless of the darkness that seemed to surround me. I considered how I’d treated both Romulus and Takari, oblivious to their past because I was wrapped up in my own destiny. They had lived in the world much longer than I and had stories to share, stories I did not know.
“We knew the day would come, and determined to go to the elves if the worst should happen. It is the one haven that is left, but the road is long and I have my doubts. If I hadn’t met you and Romulus, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“Why come here?” I leaned back on my elbows in the grass. A wind blew the strands of my wet hair, gently drying them. It was hard to believe that demons ruled the night in such a beautiful, peaceful land. “If you know your people will go to the elves, why stop here? I’m grateful you did, but I’m curious.”
Takari sat up suddenly, her back to me. She picked up a stone and tossed it in the river. It bounced across the surface before sinking down to join the silver fish. “Because of the witches. Although they do not know the future, they have a way of looking at circumstances and making predictions based on them. Some call them theories, but their words revealed truths I could not grasp alone. I am at a crossroads in my life, much like you, and whichever path I choose will determine my destiny. So will yours, Aofie.”
Standing, Takari dressed in a pale green gown and faced me, eyes shining through her tears. “You have felt the deepest hurt, and now you understand the grief that loss brings. Don’t you wonder if your future is what you expected and whether you should continue on the path that was laid out for you? Or try something else? Something new?”
Chewing my lower lip, I nodded once. Takari’s words echoed my thoughts. It was easy to think of revenge when I was hurting and angry. But now? A hollowness consumed me, and fear. If I resumed my quest, wasn’t I tempting fate? And wouldn’t more evil befall me? I could not survive being captured and tortured again.
Takari spread her arms out and threw back her head. “I’m alone, lost, adrift in a wild world with endless possibilities. I must seek my fortune and I’m not sure what to do. What comes after I reach the elves and find the remnants of my tribe? What should I do? At least the gods gave you a vision to follow, and you fulfilled it as best you could.”
Slowly, I eased myself down until I lay on my back, heart in my throat, waiting for the skin to tear and itch—but nothing happened. “I followed my vision, and look what happened,” I huffed. “What the gods ask of me is impossible. I cannot defeat the angel of death; I can hardly keep myself alive! Like you, I don’t know what I want, but I was taught it was selfish of me to look out for my interests over others.”
Takari plopped down beside me and poked my arm. “You could talk to the witches. My conversation with them plus my time in solitude gave me clarity. All you need is something to trade.”
I shuddered, my thoughts going to Jezebel. “I don’t want to talk to witches.”
“It’s up to you.” Takari shrugged. “They aren’t who you think they are. Everyone calls them the witches, but they are old wise women.”
I shook my head. “One thing I don’t understand, though, is why the witches stay here? Demons plague the skies at night. Why don’t people leave?”
Takari turned her arms in the sunlight, admiring the runes. “It is the perfect hiding place. It saves the witches from the persistence of too many people because only the desperate travel here. But I’m not the only one who wanted to see the witches. Romulus did too.”
I went cold at the thought. “Witches are not to be trusted.”
Instead of replying, Takari lay back with me, basking in the sunlight. A comfortable silence stretched between us and I closed my eyes, lulled by the peace almost to sleep.
“You’re coming with us when we leave, aren’t you?” Takari’s question broke my rest.
I lifted my head. “Aye, if you’ll have me. My mother gave me a letter with instructions to go to the elves, learn how to use my magic, and take up a red sword.Claíomh Dearg.
Takari’s head snapped around and her eyes widened with horror. “TheClaíomh Dearg?Are you sure?”
