Chapter Two
Distrust & Misgivings
Eramus watched the clouds turn pink as the sun dove behind the mountains. An eventful day left him exhausted. He and Inara sat at the wooden table in the living area of their small home, finishing the last of their dinner. Besides the two tiny rooms on the eastern side of the cottage, this space held the majority of their possessions. It wasn't much, but he'd never wanted for anything.
Inara glanced at him when his fork hovered in front of his face for too long.
“How are you feeling, dear?”
Eramus sighed and dropped the utensil back to his plate. “I don’t know. A storm of questions is what I expected, but we’ve waited all afternoon. Surely Arnan will hold the meeting soon?”
Inara nodded and placed another chunk of potato into her mouth. “I wouldn’t think on it, dear," she said after swallowing. "The others will demand answers, that is to be certain. But for now, I think it best we enjoy the quiet.”
“I suppose you are right, but I can’t help but feel anxious about the whole of it. I would prefer to get it over with, rather than sit in unending anticipation.”
Inara watched him for a moment, her lips curling into a small smirk. “Is it the opinion of the village or one young lady in particular that has you so anxious?”
Eramus swallowed hard. How was he to answer that? Surely he wasn’t so obvious that Inara had noticed? “What do you mean? What specific young lady are you referring to?”
She narrowed her eyes, suggesting she was completely unconvinced of his ignorance on the matter. “Oh, I don’t know. One with blonde hair and green eyes. About your age, I should think. You might have saved her life recently.”
Eramus mussed his hair and leaned back in his chair. “Why would I care what Evree thinks? She will react no differently than anyone else here.”
Inara scoffed. “I should hope not. You saved her. I would expect some gratitude, at least, and hope for more than indifference if you are to court her.”
A piece of potato lodged in his throat, throwing him into a fit of coughing until it came loose. “Court?” he sputtered with his hand over his mouth. “What makes you think I wish to court her?”
“Oh, Eramus, stop it! I may be old, but I’m notthatold. I see the way you look at her, watch her like no one else exists. You’ve had an affection for her for some time. You should do something about it.”
Eramus groaned. Was he truly so obvious? Did that mean Evree knew of his feelings as well? He could think of nothing more embarrassing.
A knock sounded at the door. A strange mixture of relief and trepidation filled his chest. Inara welcomed a young man inside. When his brown eyes fell on Eramus, the man fidgeted with his gloves and moved his attention to the back of the cottage. “Forgive the intrusion, but Arnan has called a meeting. Everyone is requested to be present.”
“I see,” said Inara. “And we are to discuss what happened at Roderick’s cottage earlier this morning?”
The young man shifted his weight and stared at the floor. “Yes, Madam. I believe we are. You can hardly blame anyone for desiring answers. I saw the event with my own eyes.” He looked up at Eramus, his eyes reflecting the turmoil of emotion below the surface. “It was quite amazing, to be sure, but I think it has left folks unsettled.”
Inara turned towards Eramus, and a set of deep wrinkles formed on her forehead. Eramus stood. He wasn’t sure he could give the villagers answers, but he could tell them what little he knew. He didn’t want to be feared or despised. The village had been his home for the last decade. Most of the people knew him well, and he hoped they would forgive his deception.
“I will come to the meeting and do my best to answer their questions. I assure you, I mean no harm to anyone. I only desired to keep Evree and her father from injury.”
The young man smiled. That was a good sign, wasn’t it? He seemed to accept his answer and approve. Perhaps the rest of the village would as well.
“I suppose there is no avoiding it,” said Inara, holding up her skirts as she started for the door. “I always knew this day would come.”
They made their walk to the meadow in silence. Eramus focused on his breathing, hoping to calm his racing heart before they arrived, but the effort did little good. The sizable crowd sent his heart hammering with such intensity that his chest ached.
The village leader, Arnan, stood at the front, his suspicious eyes watching from beneath his thick, bushy brows. Eramus believed Arnan had always held him in high regard, but it seemed the incident this morning had replaced that respect with distrust. Eramus suspected that was the case for most of the people who were standing on the dark green grass, waiting for his explanation.
Arnan spoke with the tone of a man in charge—heavy and firm. He was not someone to be trifled with on the best of days, and Eramus could sense this situation had him in a rather foul mood. “I think we all know why we are here, and as you all well know, I don’t believe in wasting time. So, allow me to proceed without formalities. Eramus, if you wouldn’t mind joining me up here. We’ve some questions for you about the accident this morning at Roderick’s cottage.”
Inara patted his shoulder. Slow, even steps moved him forward as he studied the expressions of the parting crowd. He could see everything in their eyes. Some held fear, others an intense curiosity. Before he reached Arnan, his gaze found Evree’s. Her lips pulled into a soft smile. His chest constricted, but he managed a nod. At least she didn’t appear to hate or fear him.
Eramus stopped beside Arnan and waited for his interrogation to begin. He shifted nervously as the man’s dark eyes looked him over for several moments.
“Let's start with the obvious questions, Eramus. What is this power you possess, and where does it come from?”
Eramus chewed the inside of his cheek. Why must they start with questions he had no answer for? He would have to do his best to answer honestly. Hopefully, that would be enough. “I don’t know what to call this power. Some might call it magic, and I think that may even be appropriate, but others might call it a gift.” He found Inara in the crowd. She beamed and gave him a reassuring nod. Eramus drew in a deep breath and continued, “As for where my power comes from, I cannot say. Everyone knows I have lost all memories of my past. I can only assume I gained thisabilityin my youth, or was simply born with it.”
