10. Chapter 10

Chapter ten

A s we get closer to the next village, I notice more people on the paths. They're just not heading in any particular direction.

"We're here. We will just stop for food then keep going," Corvu states. I nod, but looking around, I don't see any walls, gates, or guards. In fact, all I see is woodland covered completely in moss. The only thing not covered in moss is the dirt path, which some time ago had turned into mostly sand. I watch Gecko riding in front, looking very excited to be exploring new lands. I put a hand to my chest and feel the amulet sitting beneath my tunic. I can't believe such a small piece of jewelry causes so many problems. "See that boy?" Corvu asks me, pointing into the forest. I can't see what he's talking about at all. "Look at the boulder," he says. That's when I see him. The boy in question has green, shiny skin, accentuated with fins that protrude from his arms and neck. Splayed out across the boulder, he appears to be eating the moss that's growing on it. "They're called Skellys. The bodies of children who drown in the nearby lake turn into Skellys. They are mostly harmless as long as you don't anger them." After staring for as long as I can before the horse takes me out of view.

I ask, "What makes them angry?"

"When you touch their food and when you mess with their village."

"So you're telling me the village you were talking about is full of those things?"

"No, they just protect the outside border. The actual village is right in front of you." Taking my attention away from the forest that spans out on either side of me, I look ahead to see small wooden shacks and houses. This is a genuine medieval village built alongside a lake. As the trees disappear to the left, I can see just how vast the crystal-clear lake truly is. Upon it are small boats with men using nets to catch fish, and along its bank are children attempting to skip rocks. Gecko is so amused by the rock skipping that he hops off his horse and runs in their direction. I'm sure he'll be fine. The village itself doesn't look very big; I could probably count the number of homes around me with ease. To my left, a man shuts and ropes up a gate to keep some pigs from running wild, then he looks toward us and smiles, coming over. The houses are quaint, with thatched roofs and wooden beams, and the air is filled with the scent of fresh bread and the sound of chickens clucking. Corvu helps my horse to stop before dismounting his own. I'm a little hesitant to try and get off the horse in case I make a fool of myself, but I don't have much of a choice.

My legs are in so much pain. They are particularly stiff, but Corvu stays by me and persists to help me find the ground safely. The man from earlier appears around the horses and his smile grows wider.

"I thought I saw our little trouble maker!" He exclaims, grabbing Corvu by the shoulders and giving him a big bear hug. Corvu seems reluctant about the hug, but okay with the man. The man himself is quite big, but he otherwise seemed completely human. Perhaps he was just a well built farmer. "And who's your friend, Corvu?" So they knew each other. I probably should have deduced that from the earlier embrace.

"This is Tia, and the maggot that ran off earlier is Gecko." He replies, being released from the man's grip. "Tia, this is Gharp. He's my uncle." Surprised was one word for how I felt. Astonished might have been a better one.

"Oh wow, it's nice to meet you." Instinctually I put out my hand and he grabs mine by the wrist. I'd seen this kind of thing before in movies. Less of a handshake and more of a wristlock, but that's okay.

"You're a pretty one, what are you two doing so far from the city?" Gharp questions.

Corvu clears his throat, looking anywhere but at me, "We're just passing through this way for something to eat, then we will get to the next city." Gecko rejoins us, a cheeky smile spread from ear to ear.

"Sounds good to me. The wife is cooking up a broth of some kind. Plenty for everyone. You should come in and tell us how you've been." He turns and begins to walk off further into the village. Corvu nods at me, I suppose trying to reassure me it was okay to follow him, then grabs the reins on the horses to walk them.

The village is different, to say the least. It seems everything here is built with the aid of nature. The buildings blend seamlessly with the surrounding forest, with walls made of intertwined branches and roofs covered in moss. Even the blacksmith we pass uses an open hut and a firepit. The rhythmic clang of his hammer rings out as sparks fly into the air. Children seem abundant here, laughing and playing games in the open spaces, but the main thing I notice above all else... they are all human. Gecko doesn't seem to mind, but Corvu's ears hang low. Is that an indicator of him feeling uneasy? Or sad? I can't tell.

Gharp leads us to a small wooden house attached to another one. The structure is quaint, with vines creeping up its sides and flowers blooming around its base. He opens the basic wood door with broken paneling and holes and lets us inside.

The house smells amazing. It reminds me of chicken and pumpkin soup. Nearby the roasting pot stands a woman in a plain brown dress that somewhat reminds me of a hessian bag, though I wouldn't say that out loud. Her black hair is plaited and strung into a bun at the top of her head. The interior of the house is cozy, with a warm fire crackling in the hearth and simple wooden furniture scattered around. The walls are adorned with woven tapestries and dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, adding to the rustic charm.

"Corvu!" She exclaims, leaving the boiling pot to embrace him. This time Corvu does return the hug. "My stars, I had to hug you to make sure you were really here." She laughs. "Oh." She looks to me and Gecko, who is for some reason acting very shy and hiding behind me. "Now I'm fairly sure you haven't been gone that long for a wife and child of his age." She winks at him, then faces me. "I'm Sophii, I'm Corvu's aunt."

"Tia." I say, "And this is Gecko." Shyly he waves but otherwise doesn't say anything. Gharp closes the door behind him but it doesn't block out any of the light. The house itself had holes everywhere, including in the roof that seems to only be made of sticks and straw. Maybe I should tell them the story of the three little pigs.

"We're just travelling to the capital, auntie." Corvu states, taking a seat on a bench that lined up against a table, which was probably the biggest piece of furniture in the room. I thought I lived in a shitty apartment but I'm starting to think I shouldn't have complained so much.

"The capital? That's quite a distance away." Gharp states, sitting down on the other side of the table in front of us. "Why would you want to travel there anyway? They're not that fond of your kind." He warns Corvu as Sophii puts two bowls down onto the table. Gharp passes it to Gecko and myself. She comes back moments later with three others and sits down next to her husband.

"It's also dangerous." She adds.

"We don't have much choice." He states. In front of me in the bowl was a broth of some kind, but I was so hungry I didn't want to risk asking what it was made of and ruining my appetite.

"Sure you do, just go back to the last town you were living in. It's bad enough your sister went to the capital, we haven't heard from her in years."

"Sister?" I ask aloud, not really meaning to. Corvu looks at me from the side of his eye, suggesting I probably shouldn't be asking.

"If you must go at least check on her and send word you're both alright." Sophii persists. I decide not to say anything, technically this isn't my family and it's none of my business, not to mention Corvu looks a little annoyed.

"How long has Corvu lived in the city?" I decided to go with the indirect approach, at least for now.

"It's been about four years now." She ponders, "I know it's a long journey but I do wish you visited more. You and Abigail are all I have left of my sister." I wonder how different my life would be if I ended up being adopted? I almost was, a few times, but something always fell through. Eventually I just assumed I wasn't special enough. If I had been adopted, I never would have met Shelia, and I certainly never would have come here.

"Alright. If I find her I'll let you know." Corvu eventually responds, less interested in the conversation than he was in the broth, which is surprisingly delicious.

"So Tia, tell us about yourself. How did you two meet?"

"That's a boring story-"

"Corvu saved me." I state proudly. I know Corvu was only trying to avoid questions about me and where I came from, but she had specifically asked where we met, and with that I saw no reason to lie.

Gharp chuckles deeply, "Did he now? I'd love to know the story."

"Oh. I was being harassed by a few Daemonaria. He rescued me. And then again a few days ago when I was attacked by bandits." I actually smile at the memory of finding Corvu again.

"I see, Corvu you should have told us you had a thing for blondes, no wonder you moved to the city." In response to this Corvu puts his face in his hands, but the flash seeps through to his ears. I actually wonder about them. The fact that they're real makes me want to touch them, at least once, but I'll resist the urge. "You three should stay for tonight, we're having a big village cook-out. It'll be the best thing to get you on your way in the morning."

That catches Corvu's attention, "We really shouldn't stay too long in one place."

"Hm, are you lot in some kind of trouble?" He was perceptive but perhaps Corvu should have just politely declined instead. Corvu looks at me, clearly contemplating whether or not to say anything. This was his family, they would protect him at all costs, wouldn't they? I raise my eyebrows at him and slightly nod. He exhales in response.

"Tia got herself transported here from a different realm, we need to get to the capital and get the wizard to send her home before the Orcs catch up to her and take the witches amulet and overthrow the King." Corvu ends and anticipates a response. At first there is nothing. Then Gharp lets out a bellowing laugh.

"I didn't peg you for such a story writer!" I look at Corvu, he seems almost defeated. I wonder how often he's told the truth only for it to be assumed as false by others. I don't want them thinking that this time, so I pull the amulet out from underneath my shirt and let it drop around my neck in the same position, but in clear view. Sophii grabs Gharp's arm in shock with one hand, and her mouth with the other. Gecko breaks the silence by slurping his bowl, clearly he was without a care in the world for this conversation.

Sophii was the first to speak, "Tia, do you realize the danger you are in carrying that around with you? If you know what's good for you, you'll throw it into the deepest part of the lake."

"I can't." I tell her, "It's the only thing I have that might get me home. Once I'm home, then I'll get of it. After all, it'll be in my world where no one here can get their hands on it." Which was true. Once I get home I plan to find the biggest hammer I can and smash this thing to pieces. Shelia won't be impressed but it's better than accidentally teleporting back here in the middle of an Orc war and getting my head lopped off.

"Corvu," Gharp starts, leaning on the table to give him close and direct eye contact with each other, ", is it worth your life to bring this girl to the capital?"

Without the slightest hesitation Corvu's answer is, "Yes." Gharp nods his head repetitively, processing that answer. I think I needed a moment to process it too. After all he just admitted finding a way to get me home was more important to him than his own life. I couldn't believe it, of all my luck I ran into the one person that was willing to risk everything to help me...and I had run away from them. I tuck the amulet back underneath my shirt where it remains unseen. "I'd still rather not die, which is why we can't just stay here. We need to get going." Sophii didn't seem overly enthusiastic with that response, but accepted it either way. "Can Tia stay here while I go see George?"

"Of course, dear." Sophii says, smiling. Corvu stands and excuses himself from the table, only to disappear moments later through the front door. I suppose he didn't want me to go outside in case anyone else found out about the amulet. Did I really need that much protection? I feel so useless. Gecko gets up and lifts the cloth that barely covered the window.

"You can go outside if you want. I'll be here." I tell him. His face lights up in excitement. Who knew skipping rocks could be so much fun? I don't even know how to do it. As Gecko runs out, Sophii reaches across the table and grabs my hands in hers.

"I understand you must be terrified in your position," She starts, ", and truly you seem like a good person. Please make sure Corvu doesn't do anything foolish." Looking her directly in the eyes, I nod with determination. "Great." She smiles, letting go of my hands. "Can you tell me about the land where you're from? Is it much like ours?" I giggle in response,

"Oh wow, you have no idea how vastly different it is."

Gharp and Sophii are helping me stock the backpacks strapped to the horses with plenty of food and water canteens when Corvu eventually returns. He has a large rolled up cloth. Was it to sleep on? I suppose we didn't have anything particularly comfortable to sleep on aside from our backpacks, so that wasn't a terrible idea. He goes to his horse and begins to strap it up. Gharp goes to aid him.

"Tia," Sophii whispers to me, catching my attention, ", if it comes down to it, I heard that witch's amulets can be destroyed with something in particular." Reaching into her specially sewn in pockets she pulls out what looks to be a very short dagger. "A dagger that has been blessed by the Lake of Gods. Most of our daggers in the village have been blessed, since it aids in killing Skelly's should they ever travel into the village to harm us." The dagger itself was nothing particularly special. The blade appeared somewhat blunt and the hilt was wrapped up in a dark brown cloth. I nodded, accepting the blade even though I was sure it wouldn't be that useful to me. I needed the amulet more than anything else. As far as I'm aware there was no other way for me to get home. Destroying it would just secure my place here in this world.

"Are you ready?" Corvu asks me.

"Ready." I respond. Sophii gives me a quick hug as I tuck the dagger into the satchel that slung over me. Even though I wasn't expecting him to, Corvu stands beside me to make sure I get on the horse safely. I suppose he also thinks that without assistance I'm pretty useless. Not surprised about that part. My horse takes off alongside the others in a slow trot.

Turning back I wave goodbye at Gharp and Sophii, for the first time realizing that when I say goodbye to someone here it really will be the last time I ever see them.