What happened?asked Saga, a phantom pang of worry knotting Silla’s stomach.
We killed them.
A trickle of relief came from Saga’s end.Thank the gods. Though of course I can’t trust this. If the queen has drugged me, what will she do next?
Are you safe?asked Silla, hands balling into fists.Have they harmed you? Please, Saga, tell me you’re safe.
Define safe, thought Saga, with a distinct note of unease.
What has happened, Saga?she thought.I sense worry.
I fear I’ve made a mistake, thought Saga.I’ve stumbled into something. And by now the queen surely knows…there will be consequences to be sure.
Silla’s heart squeezed.I’m sorry. I wish I could be there with you.
A bitter feeling flowed from Saga’s end.I wish you were real, Mind-Eisa. I miss you every day. I wish I could see you. Hug you. Feel like I have someone in this world…
You do have someone in this world, Saga,insisted Silla.You have me.
Saga did not reply.
I am practicing,continued Silla. Getting better each day. And when I have mastered my Galdra skills, I will come and get you myself. We will walk away from the castle, arm in arm.
I want to believe you,thought Saga.But I learned long ago that hope is a wasted emotion.
Silla’s eyes brimmed over, tears tracking down her cheeks. A sense of tenderness reached through the bond, as if sunshine had warmed her through.
You used to climb into my bed when you had a bad dream, thought Saga.I would stroke your hair and sing you that silly song about Kisa the cat. We got into trouble, you and I, stealing sweet rolls and hiding under the table to eat them—sneaking out of lessons to chase butterflies in the gardens.
I…I don’t remember you, Saga,Silla thought with a heavy heart.But I’ve carried you with me all the same. I dreamed of you. Of that night.
Thatnight,sighed Saga.
Tell me of our parents,begged Silla. Moments ago, the thought of asking had made her queasy, but with Saga, she felt like the little sister, begging for one more story. She drew her legs up onto the bed and sat cross-legged.
There was a long stretch of silence.Father was stern, but you could get him to do anything you wished.
Truly?
Saga laughed, and the warmth wrapped around Silla like a hug.Yes. You’d mastered the look…a tilt of your head, your eyes extremely large. One look, and Father could never say no to you. It made Mother rather cross.
And Mother?Silla prodded.
Father called her his light. They loved each other very much. She smiled often and made up incredible bedtime stories.Saga paused, and the warmth faded as though a dark cloud passed over the sun.I scarcely remember them.
Silence stretched between them.
It’s not right,thought Silla at long last.What they did to our family. What they’ve done to Íseldur.
Saga was silent.
I will find a way to free you, Saga. One day, we’ll look each other in the eye—will wrap our arms around one another and never let go.
I’d love that, Mind-Eisa,thought Saga.Though like you, I’m certain it’s naught but a dream. Already I feel you fading.
Silla felt it too—Saga’s presence grew more distant with each passing second.Stay, begged Silla, desperate to keep her.One more minute. Please!
Saga replied, but it was muffled, impossible to understand. And at last, she was truly gone, leaving Silla with a hollow, aching pit in her chest. For a moment, she’d had her. Impossible though it seemed, she believed with every bone in her body—that sarcastic, sad voice had belonged to Saga.
