by J E Mueller
Lela made it sound like my magic was its own entity. Maybe it was.
“Thanks for your help and advice, Lela,” Lee said. “Mother said she would love to have you over for dinner.”
“Thank you, but I’ll decline. I’ve got a few other matters to take care of this evening and Aggie is having some trouble understanding a vision she had,” Lela replied.
“That’s unusual for her. Is she okay?” Lee asked, surprised.
“It’s not as uncommon as one would think, but yes she is well. Sometimes just talking it out with another is all you need to see the story clearly. Sometimes someone else is able to point out things you overlooked. Have a good evening.”
“Well, that’s kind of fun,” I said, watching her go.
“What do you mean?” Lee asked me, confused.
“Well, we know it doesn't work, but better yet now you can’t say I can’t kill you,” An amused smile spread across my face. Now he couldn’t flaunt that my curse couldn’t kill him. It wasn’t so much of a good thing as a way to bring his ego back in check.
“Ugh, and I thought we were getting somewhere on that.” Lee grumbled, “Maybe you’ll forget over dinner.”
“Doubtful,” I replied heading inside. “Any other news today?”
“Yes, actually,” He replied, following me inside and into the kitchen. “A scout was sent ahead. Our pleas have been heard and aid is on its way. In theory, they should be here tomorrow or the next day, but they could be delayed if they meet our enemies in the forest, which still helps our cause.”
“That’s fantastic,” Amazing really. “I’m surprised they heard us out so quickly and took action.”
Lee hung his head for a moment. “We’re actually not the first to bring this to their attention. We’re the first that they could respond to before the village was destroyed. That’s why the mob is so adamant about staying. We’re the first to keep them at bay.”
“What? I thought this was the only magic village?” I cried, each word raising in volume.
“No. We were the first. There are others that followed our lead and others that have mostly magic users as well with other normal people living in peace together. Two of these towns are now completely gone.” Lee replied, emotion deep within his words.
“That’s… awful.” I took a seat as horror washed over me and only vaguely noticed Juni was already making dinner.
“People always have a hard time understanding and accepting differences,” Juni stated tiredly “Sadly, I don’t ever see it ending. Hopefully, it can be lessened, though.”
“It’s a good thing our kingdom supports us.” Lee sighed with a bit of relief, taking a seat for himself, “That does make things a little better. We can at least get aid.”
“I’m surprised they still do,” I mumbled.
“What do you mean by that?”Juni asked, taken aback, “Why wouldn’t our own kingdom support us?”
I looked at Lee. “You never told her?”
“Your past is yours. I wouldn’t betray that trust. I just said you had a really difficult past and probably wouldn’t open up much about it,” Lee explained and shrugged at his mother.
I thought for a moment. “She can know,” I decided and filled her in on what had happened. It was a more abridged version, but with the added context it did make sense why I questioned how the kingdom still supported magic. I had given them first hand experience of how magic can be bad.
“That makes more sense…” Juni nodded, letting things slide into place. “That would explain why you were so eager to leave. While it’s unlikely any of your family would show up here, you didn’t want to take any risks. Too hard to tell how they’d react to you, but from how I see it, and with this whole situation as added support, they’d probably be happy to see you.”
“Accepting someone and being happy to see someone are two very different things,” I replied. “Either way, I don’t want to even think about seeing them until things are fixed. If there really is a cure and I was meant to see them, then it’ll happen.”
Juni nodded. I could see she had more to say but was kind enough not to.
“Mother?” Lee asked. “I’d like to revoke my nomination of the world’s most stubborn person.”
I laughed. “No, you still have the title.”
Juni smiled. “That is tough. But I gave you that title when you were six, and I see no reason why I should change my mind now. You can both share the title instead.”
That night we actually got to bed early. The smell of rain hung in the sky, but even though the sky had darkened no storm came. I fell asleep quickly but awoke suddenly from a terrible dream. That was when I first heard the shouting. Grabbing my pack, I rushed outside, ready for action.
The far side of the village was under attack. Arrows covered in fire rained down upon the village. People who couldn’t help headed my way.
I didn’t wait. I ran towards the fire to see what I could do. The first group in need of aid was collecting buckets of water. I grabbed one and joined in to help put out what flames I could. Lee showed up, gasping, and scared.
“Go help someone else!” I shouted at him. “I’m fine.”
He wanted to say something but thought better of it and was off again.
We managed to put some of the fires out, but it seemed to slowly spread the moment we began making progress. Most of the inner village was made out of stone and tiles so they would be safe, I hoped. Instead, we did our best to minimize the damage to the rest.
After what felt close to an hour the sound of combat and the tingle of magic became present.
Something in my gut told me I was needed elsewhere and I searched for Lee’s magic. My instincts took over and I was able to find his signature without much issue, I did see him daily now after all. I could see his magic was currently in use and I was able to slowly make my way towards him.
There wasn’t much of a choice. The closer I made it, the thicker the fighting got. I quickly removed my sword from my pack and jumped in where I could help. I was able to give others a chance to use their magic while I distracted our opponents. Twice I was disarmed and had to use my curse to save someone. A life for a life, but I didn’t linger on this. I couldn’t, not now.
Finally, I saw him -surrounded. I dashed and dodged to reach Lee and saw him take a terrible hit on his side. Watching him fall while clutching the injury spurred the adrenaline in me and I was able to block what would have otherwise been a fatal hit. At this point, my gloves were off, lost somewhere in my need to defend others. It didn’t matter, they could be replaced unlike the people around me.
I parried against the next hit, but the following thrust almost made me trip over Lee. I barely kept my footing. Lee struggled to regain his feet and our enemies took notice. It was clear they had the advantage. My jumping in did little to change the situation.
We were surrounded. It was clear that our magic wasn’t meant for this and they were ready to take full advantage of it. My moves slowed and turned more frantic until I lost my sword. Panicking, I looked at Lee just as someone raised a sword towards him.
My heart pounded, the sound of blood rushing through my ears deafened me. The desperation inside was rising. There was no way I’d go down without aiding my friend.
Screaming, I could feel the fire inside building to a crescendo. I didn’t hold it back and pushed it from my core, through my fingertips, and out into the air in a circle around me. The grass picked up some of the flames and the wind from the nearing storm swirled around me turning the fire into a shield. My anger and fear pushed the fire further out and latched onto those closest to me. Excited, the fire grabbed at them greedily. Their screams barely reached my ears before they collapsed to the ground. Any remaining attackers took off into the distance.
When they were gone my fear dissipated. The anger fizzling out. I finally had a moment to look down to see Lee was unconscious and his chest was not moving.
I fell to my knees and listened for a breath, b
ut was rewarded with nothing.
All of it was for nothing.
I cried, cursed, and screamed. My magic picked up once more and dying out as my screams turned into sobs. He was gone.
Lee was dead.
The sounds of fighting echoed around me. There was no one here, and for once I felt terrible that no one was here. I couldn’t move Lee from the battle -he was too heavy for me to lift- instead, I ran to find someone. The two people I found to help had trouble moving him. His body was still so warm from my fire.
When they took him away, I left. There were still some parts of the village on fire, and it danced with glee behind me, but I could see that help had arrived sometime during my fight. They wouldn’t need me here, and I had no desire left to stay. Beaten and numb, I was done. Another friend was gone.
19
I stared at Celia and Leia, having forgotten for a moment where I was while rehashing my past for them. I still was grieving terribly. I had been pushing myself into a routine and trying to make life normal again, but it wasn’t enough. I missed my friend. Stupid sarcastic Lee. In the end, I was right and my magic had won out. Such a bitter victory.
Without another word, I went to bed. My eyes stung with fresh tears and my throat hurt from the retelling. There really was nothing they could do to help this, and if time was the answer it wouldn’t show until much later.
The next morning I didn’t get up. I laid in bed until noon. I wanted to go back to work, but the illusion that things would be all right was broken. I tried anyway and made myself as useful as possible. The next day wasn’t much better, but I got up earlier and forced myself to help more. They tried to talk to me, but I didn’t have much to say. One or two word answers were the best I could give. I don’t know why anyone would think I felt like talking, not after all of that.
At some point, Leia had left. I felt as if her disappearance confirmed that they could not help me, even though I had known she was just passing through from the beginning.
My dreams were only filled with nightmares, and all were of that recent terrible night. The flames spreading from building to building faster than we could work seemed to trap me in the dream. Then the fighting would make my dreams more restless. The fire, the swords, and those final moments caused me to wake in a cold sweat. My heart was racing, as if it could break free from my ribs and be done with this cursed body.
If I had arrived moments earlier would he have survived? It was too much to tell if my timing was at fault or if things would have still ended badly regardless. Awash in my own feelings, I didn’t notice the days ticking by.
Surprise struck me as I ran into Leia one afternoon.
“Oh, you’re back,” I said, dropping the pile of blankets I had just folded. Leia and I both bent down to pick them up and started refolding them.
“My task is done, so I have returned.” She replied with soft words and a kind smile. “Are you feeling any better today?”
I ignored the question. “How did your task go?” I asked instead. It was clear I wasn’t better, so I chose to ignore the rhetorics. Where had she said she was going? I tried to remember, but nothing came to mind.
“Well, I was only extra help. They just needed someone with strong healing powers. The aid they had was very well experienced so I hadn’t needed to do much.”
“Oh, that’s good…” I thought about it for a moment, “If they already had healers why did they send for another?”
“The situation was special.” She laughed with glee at the thought, “In short, the person had wanted to be fully healed so they could set off for a noble quest. I gave the story a listen and decided it was worth it. One of those rare true love tales you can get swept away in.”
“Oh,” I replied, not wanting to hear it. I rather avoid those cutesy facts for the time being. “I’m sure Celia will be happy you’re back.”
“She hates my unannounced visits.” Leia laughed with childish delight. “My little Celia demands perfection in her life and I waltz in here with little notice, bringing my chaos and charm. This time she hasn’t had time to miss me, so we’ll see what she says.”
“She says what the heck are you doing back without notice?” Celia groaned tiredly. She leaned in the doorway, arms crossed and covered in dust and dirt. “I thought I smelled a brat.”
“Did you not bathe recently, sister?” Leia asked sweetly, batting her eyes.
“If I could smite you with my broom I would.” Celia tossed her broom at her sister who caught it with ease. “While you’re here you can sweep up. I have to head to the market.”
“Send Key. You’ll love the story I have to tell,” Leia insisted, “And she doesn’t want to be a good sport and listen to me.”
I shrugged, she was right after all. “I don’t mind.” If it would spare me from hearing a tale of love and life I’d gladly jump for it. I was already filled with enough grief and didn’t need a fairy tale to worsen it.
She glanced from her sister to me, then back to her sister. “It’s decided then,” Celia dug out her change purse and a list. “Best rush off before Leia gets started. She’s overly dramatic in her tales.”
“Am not!” Leia gasped as dramatically as she possibly could. “Where’s the sisterly love?”
“It needs a notice,” Celia joked. “Go on, what’s the tale this time?”
I made my way out the door before she could start it.
The air in the market was cool and almost soothing as I set about finding the things on the list. The commotion at the end of the day was a wonderful distraction. I let the noise push out any thoughts I had and took in all the gossip I could hear. Most of the conversation was about the quality of the crops and that an easy winter ahead might make the next season less bountiful. If the ground thawed before it was ready it would hurt much of the crops and the forest.
It was odd to think that winter was near. There was no stopping that fact. With my task completed, I headed back.
Just as I reached the door, Celia was there with another list. “I forgot to write some things down. Blasted sister. I should have looked it over first.”
“No problem.” I read over the items. These wouldn’t take much more time to grab.
“Hurry along then.” She was biting her lip, gazing off into the distance.
“Everything okay?” I asked. Celia never had appeared nervous before. Did her sister create some sort of trouble in the time I was gone?
She shook her head. “My lovely uninvited sister brought extra guests.”
“Oh.” I nodded, understanding. That would certainly put Celia on edge. “I’ll be back quickly then.” I handed her the full basket and took the empty one she had ready.
It seemed odd that her sister wouldn’t let her know such an important fact right away but then again she did enjoy giving her a hard time. Leia was probably amused by it and could easily make up for it by helping her sister fix things. After causing such a stir of course. I quickened my pace so I could be back soon to help them and was once more in the market.
The more I thought about it while I shopped, the less it made sense. While her sister may show up once in a while with little or no notice Leia knew how much her sister cared about having everything ready and in perfect order. Celia had mentioned that her sister never caused her much trouble, just minor grief with her timing. It seemed unlikely that she would just invite other people over when her sister wouldn’t be ready. With everything on the new list now safely tucked into the basket, I headed back quickly, wanting to see what was actually going on. Everything felt strangely out of place, but I could have been overthinking things. I hadn’t known them that long and my mind was pleading to focus obsessively on anything but what it should be.
Celia and Leia were both sitting outside on the step awaiting my return, and I had to pause at the edge of the walk. This didn’t look like getting ready. Were they waiting for the company to arrive? That didn’t feel right either.
“What’s going on?” I demanded
an answer, feeling too tense to move any closer to them.
Leia waved at me. “Well dinner first and then the story,” She insisted.
Celia nodded. “That’ll be the best. Yes.”
I stood firmly where I was. “There weren’t unexpected guests?”
“There are.” Celia sighed. “That wasn’t a lie in any fashion.” Her glare at her sister seemed convincing enough.
“Unexpected, yes, but she had an hour's notice.” Leia waved off her sister’s glare, unconcerned, “It went with my crazy story.”
“It actually was a good story this time.” Celia smiled a little. “Come on, Key.” She stood up. “Ignore my sister not writing to us about this and let’s go in.”
I hesitated for a moment, but there weren’t going to be any answers unless I went inside. I hated these games. Surprises were not my thing in general, so I stayed on my guard. Celia took the basket from me when I reached her and I followed her in with Leia behind me. The sisters were a strange pair when put together.
At first, I couldn’t hear anyone, and Celia stepped out of the way and I saw him.
I stumbled right back into Leia, and she caught me.
“A little friend told me you just needed to stay put until the full moon,” she explained with a wink.
My brain was not comprehending what I was seeing. Slowly standing up from his chair in the kitchen was Lee. Juni helped him to his feet. I sank to the ground.
“How are you not dead? I checked and you were dead!” I sobbed. Every part of me felt emotionally overloaded.
“Turns out Leia did have a fantastic tale.” Celia smiled, happy with my reaction.
“It’s a bit of a story, Key,” Lee replied with a laugh that turned into a cough.
“Will you stay and listen?” Leia asked with a sly grin, “Or are you still not a fan of those cutesy tales?”