The Legend of Valtera: Chapter 8
“You’ll understand someday why I’m doing this. When you have your own family, you’ll understand it’s your job to keep them safe, to watch them live and grow and become their own person. You’ll want to give them the best life possible,” Prea explained to her sister. “That’s what I’m doing, Alvie; my job is to keep you and Carr safe. The two of you have your whole lives ahead of you. I’m trying to protect that.”
Prea embraced a speechless Alvie one last time in the doorway of their home. She pulled away from her little sister who was no longer a girl, but an impressive woman, albeit a little naïve.
“I’ll be back soon, Alvie, I promise. And when I get back everything will be better and Carr will be awake and happy,” Prea said in farewell as she turned and walked away without another glance.
She met her friends outside Beda’s family’s shop which was on the main road leading out of Beech. The salty fog rolled off the bay and past the docks, creating a creepy haziness as if everything was shrouded in a gauzy white film. The sun was still low in the sky, just peeking out over the horizon like a mischievous child. The sea breeze was crisp and heavy with morning moisture and the wind rustled, as Prea came face to face with Beda and Dal just outside the door. Horses weren’t especially her forte, so the plan was just to go on foot through Alder until she reached the border town of Colter and passed into the land of Rodor.
Her friends looked wary and confused at their current situation, their eyes narrowing as they took in the large pack over her shoulders.
“What are we doing here, Prea?” Beda asked, breaking the silent tension between the three. “You tell us to meet you here at dawn but don’t tell us why. Out with it, Prea,” Beda added bluntly.
Prea looked from Beda to Dal, suddenly scared to tell them. They won’t understand, Prea thought, they’re just like Alvie. “I’m leaving for a little while. I’ve found something that can help Carr, but I have to go retrieve it personally,” she replied vaguely.
“You found out what’s wrong with him?” Dal asked surprised.
“What is it?” Beda added.
Prea hesitated, trying to find the words. “We…didn’t find out what’s wrong with Carr. He’s still the same,” she began quietly, hands clutching the straps of her pack as she stared at her feet. She took a deep breath. It’s now or never, she thought, and spoke before she could talk herself out of it. “I’m going after the stone from the story of Aylin and Ciro.” She waited for the uproar.
Unlike her sister, Beda remained silent after her declaration. On the other hand, Dal just laughed. “Are you crazy? You’ve never left Beech and now you’re going to just up and leave, going who knows where? You won’t survive a night on your own.”
“I can handle myself,” Prea argued, taken aback by his reaction. He was never this direct. “I know what I’m doing.”
“No, you don’t. This is my family’s business. My brothers are stationed in posts all over Valtera, receiving and relaying information, news and anything else. All they do is travel. And you know that. What’s your plan? Do you even have one?”
“Yes, in fact, I do,” Prea responded indignantly. “I have a plan, I have a map, I know where I’m going,” she added, though the last was a bit of a lie.
“How do you even know the stone’s out there?” Dal wasn’t going to let this go. “How can you be sure you’re going to find it? And what about your family?”
“Dal, stop attacking her,” Beda interjected sternly.
“What?” Dal demanded, turning on Beda. “She’s going to get herself hurt or lost or worse. What are Alvie and Carr supposed to do then?”
“You could trust her,” she countered softly, acting as the middleman. “Prea’s not stupid. And she’d never do anything to hurt her family. Or us, for that matter.”
“I know that,” he argued.
“Enough!” Prea exclaimed, quieting her friends who both turned to face her. “Do you think I want to leave Alvie and Carr alone? Do you think I want any of this? I wish to the heavens and back that I didn’t have to do this. That I didn’t have to deal with any of this.”
“Prea…” Beda interrupted.
“You two are my family. You know that. But there are only two people left in this world that are my flesh and blood. I can’t lose another person I love. I won’t survive it. So, yes, I’m leaving even though I’ve never left before. Because I have to. I don’t have any other choice.”
“All right, Prea. What do you need us to do?” Beda offered finally.
Prea released a low hissing breath when she heard the words she most wanted to hear. Beda trusted her and her instincts completely; they had known each other forever and the two had long ago come to a certain understanding.
“We moved Carr to the infirmary so he’s always being looked after, but I don’t want Alvie to be alone in the house. Beda, it’d be great if you could move in. If not, can you both stop in now and then to check on her? She’s angry with me, but I don’t want her to feel alone. She already accused me of abandoning her and I don’t want her to be right,” Prea directed.
“Okay, we can do that,” Beda assured her as Dal remained silent. “Right, Dal?”
Prea’s gaze turned to Dal who had his arms crossed over his chest, a look of stern reproach on his face. Beda looked at him too and nudged him in the ribs with her elbow as his silence stretched on.
“Right, Dal? We can do as Prea’s asked,” she prodded. He looked from Beda to Prea before staring out into the fog past her.
He didn’t answer and her heart beat harder every second the silence dragged on. “Dal?” she asked, unsure of him for the first time in her life.
He sighed and looked to the ground. “I don’t like it and I can see how Alvie thinks you’re abandoning her, but I’m not going to stop you. You have reasons for doing what you’re doing and I trust you,” he said and lifted his eyes to hers. “We’ll take care of Alvie and Carr,” he promised. “Which way are you going?”
“I’m taking the crossroad all the way to the Rodor border,” Prea answered.
“All right. It’s not a well traveled road, but you won’t get lost. You’ll pass through a few towns before you make it to Colter at the border. Rest in all of them. Take your time and regroup while you’re there, with food and preparations. It’s always better to have some sort of plan and more supplies than you think you might need, better that than not enough.”
“Okay. I can do that.”
“Hurry back.” Dal stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.
“I will, I promise,” Prea whispered. “Thank you, Dal.”
“Be safe,” he replied, grabbing Prea’s face in his hands and kissing her lightly on the forehead before he walked off into the fog.
“Don’t worry, Prea. I’ll stay with Alvie,” Beda said. “We’ll keep them safe.”
Prea laughed a little without feeling. “There’s no such thing as not worrying when you’re a guardian to children. Worrying is all I do.”
“Well, they will be safe while you’re gone,” Beda said as she brushed hair out of Prea’s face. “I love you, Prea. Be safe.”
“I love you, too,” Prea whispered and hugged her friend tight in farewell.
* * *
The sun was full and blazing as Prea reached the outskirts of town and she stopped to take one last look at her home. Her life had become unrecognizable these last few weeks and it seemed it would never be the same again. A new phase had begun and she had no choice but to follow whatever came next. After a deep steadying breath, Prea turned her back on the town and set forth into the unknown.
She moved west until she reached the crossroad that cut all the way through Alder to Rodor. There were a few towns along the way, but for the most part it was just forest. It didn’t take long to cross into the dense woodland that occupied the majority of the land in Alder. The entwined web of leaves and branches above caught most of the light, only allowing a few rays to creep below to the forest floor dotting the dirt road with pools of dancing light.
She walked for hours, stopping occasionally for rest or food. It was the first time she had ever truly been alone, with no distractions and only her thoughts to keep her company. Her friends and family had always been with her, around her, in her life. It was an odd feeling and it only exaggerated the emptiness she already felt.
Animals, birds, wind and land helped calm her mind as she let instinct take over. She didn’t want to think or feel and, now that she was alone, she was dangerously close to losing it again. Prea tried to keep her mind blank as she focused on the sound of her footsteps on the ground, but no matter how far she traveled she never came across anyone else. Only when the light began to fade did she think about stopping and making camp for the night.
Prea hesitated for a moment as her heart skipped a beat, looking up and down the road in both directions, ensuring she was indeed alone before moving into the woods. Twilight gave the forest a spooky feel and the air chilled, sending a shiver across her skin as she cautiously made her way through the surrounding trees. She only ventured far enough to be out of sight.
After slipping her pack off her shoulders and propping it against a tree, Prea began searching the area for kindling. Fire was a familiar element, used for cooking, heating and bonfires back home. Her skills were…unconventional, but she was not incapable. She had a way with fire and, more importantly, she had a firestone. Her only problem was finding the correct wood to use.
Alder was full of many different trees and this forest was no different, but it was ultimately unfamiliar. It was frustrating and took more time than she would ever admit, but eventually Prea got a flame to ignite. And it took all of her skill to keep it alight as she settled in to her first night on the road.
Immediately she pulled out the food from her pack and rationed a little off for the night, given she had no idea how long it would take to reach the first town. And after dinner there was nothing.
The dark encompassed her, with the flames providing the only light and small amount of warmth around her. Cold and quiet were her only friends, expanding the loneliness surrounding her. Pulling her knees to her chest, Prea focused on the fluidity of the flames. The unrelenting movement calmed her, slowed her breathing, lulling her into a sense of safety.
A branch cracked, the sound echoing through the air and her head snapped up, her pulse began to pound.
“What was that?” Extending quiet was the only available answer and the longer it lasted, the more she relaxed.
She stoked the flames and started to drift off, leaning back against a large tree. It was hard to get comfortable between the uneven ground, the rough bark and the unnerving atmosphere. Uneasy rest came and went, but sleep never truly found her. Before long a howling cry filled the night, waking her abruptly and she jumped up in surprise. The fire had started to wane, but her eyes scanned the darkness looking for the source of the noise.
Her blood began to freeze as icy fear swept through her. The forest back home felt different: comforting, friendly, welcoming. But these woods were home to creatures both large and small. And many creatures at that. She was far from alone, surrounded by things she could hear but not see.
Prea’s stomach twisted and she suddenly felt sick, her mind racing with all the possible fears in the world. “What have I done? What have I gotten myself into?” Another sound echoed through the trees, but it was indistinguishable and that frightened her even more.
“What have I…what have I…what…” Her lungs would not fill, the air insubstantial and unsustainable. It seemed impossible for her to get a handle on her breathing and the world began to spin. “I can’t do this. What…what was I thinking?”
Prea fell to her knees and her hands shot out as the ground continued to sway. Her heart beat faster, blood pulsing loud in her head as her panic rose until she was crying in the darkness. And she couldn’t stop.
“Why didn’t I listen to Dal? He knows what he’s talking about. I never…I never should have left.”
The fire almost burning out provided a much needed distraction from her panic and, as she worked to keep it alight, her nerves finally began to calm. Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind, but she forced her gaze to remain on the fire. The tears dried up as she focused on the flames, watching them grow and move, letting reason come back. “But Carr needs this. He needs me to do this.”
* * *
Dal checked the infirmary at first chance, then the Reed home, but found Alvie wasn’t either place. There was only one other place she could be. He turned the corner around the back of the house and found Alvie kneeling in her garden tearing weeds from the ground.
“What are you doing out here?” Dal asked and saw Alvie jump at the sound of his voice.
“The house is empty,” she answered as if this was sufficient explanation. Beda had yet to move in.
“I know. But why are you out here?”
“Because the house feels like a graveyard,” Alvie yelled, standing and throwing weeds to the ground. “They’re all gone, but I can still feel them. Like an echo. But it’s not comforting. It’s excruciating.”
The wind blew Alvie’s hair and she brushed it back with dirty hands.
“I’m here,” he said quietly.
“Yes, you’re here. My sister’s friend is here, but she isn’t. How could she do this to me? How could she leave me here alone?” She was screaming now and kicking at the ground where she loosened a stone beneath the dirt. Alvie snatched the rock and heaved it towards the woods with as much strength as she could muster. “She abandoned me!” Alvie turned back to Dal. “I hate her, Dal,” she managed through gritted teeth, her body still vibrating with pent up rage. “I hate her.”
“I don’t agree with her choices, Alvie. But I know Prea has only ever done what she thought was best for you and Carr. Like when she made sure your life didn’t change much after your mother passed. You might not be able to trust her right now, but you can trust me. I’m here for you. Know that.” They stared at each other until Alvie saw the sincerity in his eyes. “Now how about I stay with you while you attack some more weeds,” Dal suggested with a hint of a grin.
“All right,” Alvie answered after a moment, before she returned to the earth and the task at hand.
* * *
It wasn’t easy, but Prea managed, walking as long and far as her feet would carry her in a day. Even though fear kept sleep away once darkness fell, it only took about a fortnight before she reached the small town of Ashton. The entire town encompassed less than a mile of the road, with a row of buildings on each side. Can you even call that a town? Prea thought absently. Well I wouldn’t know, would I? Her feet were sore, her legs burning, her exhaustion unbelievable and, when she reached the inn, she almost cried in relief when she crossed the threshold.
Prea was greeted by a rather portly innkeeper with ruddy cheeks who sat on a stool, the legs of which appeared as though they could buckle at any moment, leaving the innkeeper in a heap of splintered wood on the floor.
“Well, hello there. How may I help you?” said the innkeeper warmly.
“Good day, sir. I am in need of a room for the night,” Prea answered politely.
“A room we have,” the innkeeper replied and took her money, before leading Prea up the narrow stairs to a door by the landing on the third floor. “Here you are, miss. If you need any help just holler.” He laughed. “Let’s see, what else? Ah, the inn is joined by the tavern next door when you’re in need of food. Enjoy.”
Prea let her pack slide off her shoulders, down her back until it finally rested on the floor. Surprised that she was still upright in her condition, Prea dragged her feet as she shuffled to the bed where she collapsed on the soft pad and closed her eyes.
Two weeks out in the elements, two weeks without a bed and she was on the verge of tears when a building came into sight. How was she going to make it the rest of the way? She was weeks away from her destination, possibly months. It was becoming a more daunting task the further she journeyed. But those were just faint murmurs in the recesses of her mind as her exhaustion yielded a dreamless sleep.
Hours later, Prea woke to find night had fallen and she walked to the window in her room overlooking the road below. The sky was dark, the moon not yet at its peak, which gave her an idea of the current time and she watched the barren road as she stretched out the kinks in her tight muscles. A fierce low rumble grew in her stomach, forcing her gaze away from the window. Prea quickly brushed out the ratty mess of hair on her head and pulled it back so it was off her neck before going in search of something to pacify her hunger.
Faint sounds floated upwards as Prea stood on the third floor landing and closed the door to her room. She silently descended the creaking stairs and snuck past the innkeeper who was back on his stool, snoring lightly as his head rested against the wall.
Prea padded outside to the next building and entered the small town tavern, stopping in the doorway at the sight of so much wood; wood walls, wood floors, wood tables and a wood bar. There were a few patrons inside; some individual customers and a group of rowdy men were drinking pints in the corner. The door closed behind her, bumping her completely into the tavern where a young man by the bar signaled her to sit down.
“Pick anywhere you’d like, miss. I’ll be right with you,” he said.
Prea nodded and took a seat at an empty table in the middle of the room. She looked around, suddenly nervous about being alone in the company of these strangers. This was the farthest from home she had been in her whole life and she was uncomfortable with her loneliness.
The young barkeep came over. “Hello miss, what can I get for you?”
Her frayed nerves lessened a little as she looked into his kind face. “Could I get some water, please? And do you have any vegetable dishes?” Prea asked softly.
“Sorry, miss. Could you say that again?” he asked as Prea was distracted by the hoots and hollers directed towards her from the drunk men in the corner. She couldn’t really make out what they were saying, but she didn’t think she wanted to know.
“Oh, could I have some water and do you have any vegetable dishes?” she repeated louder as she tried to avoid fueling more comments.
“Uh…” he said as he eyed the men in the corner for a moment before turning back to Prea. “We have a vegetable soup.”
“Yes, that will be wonderful. Thank you,” Prea replied politely. She looked around at the other individual patrons who all happened to be men. She was now acutely aware of the fact that she was the only woman in a room full of men and her vulnerability was blatantly obvious. She sat quietly and minded her own business as she waited for her dinner. But soon she was interrupted when one of the loud men came over and sat down right next to her.
“Well, hello there beautiful. What’s your name?” the man slurred into her ear, so close she flinched. “Don’t worry, love. You have nothing to fear from me. My name is Almer. What’s yours, darling?”
His heavy breath was warm on her bare neck and the stink of ale on his lips made her queasy. She tried to stay as calm as possible, but she had no experience in these kind of situations.
“My name is Prea. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, keeping her voice steady and hoping that politeness would be enough.
“Well, Prea, you should come over to my table and meet my friends,” Almer said, moving to brush a strand of hair from her face. This time, she not only flinched but deliberately moved her seat away from him.
“That’s a very kind offer, but no thank you. Take no offense, but I’d much rather be left alone,” she answered firmly.
“You don’t need to meet my friends. We can just stay here, just the two of us. Let me buy you a drink,” Almer insisted, moving towards her and leaning in.
Prea held her ground; she did not move away, but straightened her spine and sat up as tall as she could. She turned, looked him dead in the eyes and spoke clear as day. “I do not want a drink. I would like to be left alone. Please, leave me be.”
“Oh beautiful, you don’t want to be alone. Just let me buy you a drink,” he repeated and she was now afraid that he would never leave her alone. His advances were unwanted and she could not get rid of him.
“No,” Prea exclaimed. “Please…”
A bowl was set down on the table in front of her, along with a glass of water. She looked up and saw the friendly face of the young barkeep standing before her.
“She asked you to leave her alone,” he said to the drunk Almer. “Go back to your friends or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Prea kept her eyes on her food as a rejected Almer rose clumsily and reluctantly turned to his table of friends in the corner of the room. He would not leave quietly though, and when he passed behind her, he trailed a finger along her shoulder. Prea shivered. As soon as he walked towards them, the rest of the men burst out laughing at their defeated comrade. But Prea kept her eyes on her food.
“Are you all right, miss?” the young man asked quietly.
“Yes, thank you,” Prea replied.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let them give you any more trouble,” the man declared and walked away, leaving her staring at his retreating figure in grateful appreciation.
Unbeknownst to her, the whole exchange had caught the attention of another of the tavern’s patrons. The man sat alone, silently debating whether or not to intervene. Like the young barkeep, this man kept an eye on Prea for the rest of the night.
Prea ate as quickly as was humanly possible without choking and finished her soup in record time. When she was ready to leave, the young barkeep walked her to the door, collected her payment and wished her goodnight as she left.
That other interested patron watched Prea leave, his eyes following her through the window as far as he could, knowing there was only one place for her to go.
Prea returned to her room at the inn, making sure no one saw what room she entered. The whole exchange in the tavern had rattled her more than she had let on. There was more to worry about than she first thought. Now she was finally getting an idea of the dangers a young woman could come across while traveling alone.
She locked the door and pushed the lone chair in front of it. It wouldn’t do much good against an intruder, but it gave her a little more peace of mind. In spite of her worry and fear, her exhaustion had her falling asleep as soon as she climbed into bed and her head hit the pillow.
* * *
Dawn rose and so did Prea, setting out on foot heading north on the road, leaving Ashton behind her. She moved quickly as she attempted to put as much distance between her and those drunk men as physically possible. Her advantage was in waking early; she would be gone long before they woke and safely on her way.
The road looked the same; the dirt path, lined with trees and covered by branches and leaves. It stretched out in front of her, going straight for miles before making a turn. It must have been hours since she left when a sound in the distance stopped her in her tracks. She wasn’t alone on this road anymore, she could sense it; the hairs were rising up on the back of her neck.
A look over her shoulder confirmed there was no one else on the road, but she could still feel a presence. She listened closely for any more sounds of footsteps or hooves in the distance, but there was nothing. Prea didn’t have time to listen long when she was grabbed from behind and dragged into the woods. She didn’t even have time to scream.
