You don’t believe that shite, do you? [Part 1]

The road was dead silent, and we were surrounded by pure darkness. Even though she was right next to me in the cart, I couldn’t make out the details of Eleanor’s face.

“It’s pitch black… is it really likely that a transport will be moving at this time of night?” I asked in a hushed voice. 

“I spake of þe same problem wiþ Lady Alice erlier. Supposedly, Edelweiss traders haþ developed a sistem of sleeping in þe afternoon and erly eve, befor awaking to travel þrough þe nyte,” Eleanor explained. “Raþer ironically, ‘tis a tactic to deter raders and þieves. Criminals will of'en target moving transports on þe rode during þe day and look for camps by nyte. Staying off þe rode in þe bisiest part of þe day befor moving at night alloweþ one to kill two birds wiþ one wiþ stone, as you’d say.”

“I guess that makes sense… must be awful for the horses, though.”

“Aye, I suspect as much. Altering an animal’s nachural sleep sykle ys rarely wiþout consekwence. þough, considering þe sirkumstances, are we not committing þe same sin?”

“…I suppose you’re not wrong.”

Though our horse had settled down to sleep for now, at some point  our target would get here and the horse would inevitably wake up. Since we’d be leaving back home almost immediately afterwards, it was unlikely for the steed to get any decent sleep at all.

It was just one of the many reminders that we were gonna have to do quite a bit of bad if we want to do good. Noble though our goal may be, there would be suffering as consequence for our actions. That much was undeniable. There was no point getting all guilty about it now that we were already here.

Staring out into the inky blackness, it was difficult to tell how much time was passing. Neither Eleanor nor I spoke much, and there was little in the way of stimulation, so my perception of time was thrown all out of whack. It may have been hours, or maybe just 30 minutes later that Eleanor suddenly began to speak in a more serious tone.

“Master Mackay… myte I ask someþing of you?”

“Hmm? Shoot.”

“I… I would lyke to ask you to tæk good care of lady Alice. In my stedd, I mean.” Her voice was unsteady, as if speaking had become difficult for her.

“In your…? Why do you make it sound like you’re leaving us. You’re not, are you?”

“Hevens, nay. I have no intenshon to abandon þe lady. I would sooner dy. However…” she paused for a moment, and it seemed like each word was hurting her. “…I believe my role as her closest confidant haþ been fulfilled. I am no longer þe most important person to her. þus, it ys only fitting þat I entrust her to þe one she nau careþ for þe most.”

“Hmm? Why are you selling yourself so short? You’re still her closest…” I trailed off, and I realised that I had answered my own question. Her closest friend. Just friend. “…she shoot you down?”

“A-aye… you couldst say as such…” the usually confident and strong Eleanor sounded almost meek as she spoke. “þough, even had she not voiced her rejection, ‘twas clear to me þat þis was þe way ‘twould go. It… haþ become increasingly obvious þat it is not I þat her affekshons lieþ wiþ. And so, if you art to replæs me in her hart, I ask þat you do all in youre pauer to keep her safe and happy. I trust you, truely, but I cannot help but worry for her. þus I ask þis of you.”

Despite seemingly being abjectly down about the situation, she was still worrying her head off over Alice instead. Selfless to a fault, this girl. It ticked me off a bit.

“Come on, you don’t actually believe that shite, do ya's?”

“…p-pardon?”

“So she doesn’t see you in a romantic light. I get it, þat probably stings pretty hard. But you still love ‘er, right?”

“O-of corse, my feelings for her are not diminished.”

“Then don’t go tryna pawn ‘er off on someone else. Romantic or not, it’s obvious Alice does love ya. And she trusts ya to the moon 'n' back. Hell, I’d wager she trusts you twice as much as she trusts me. Even if… A-Alice and I…” I trailed off, suddenly feeling a little awkward talking about my as-yet ambiguous relationship with Alice. “…even despite whatever relationship me and Alice have, you’s still her best friend. She still relies on you a lot. Surely you don’t actually think that’s gonna change just because your feelings and 'ers don’t align?”

“I… I suppose…” she seemed to want to reply, but was unsure of what to say. We sank into silence as I left her to think, and think she did for a short while.

Unfortunately, whatever conclusion she came to would have to wait, as a dim light appeared to be growing closer in the distance. What grand bloody timing.