Love for a Mother - Part 1

 I felt my head knock into the side of the carriage, and my eyes shot open. My hand flew to the side of my head and rubbed it gently. I wouldn’t be surprised if it left a bump or a bruise. I looked towards Ira to see if she noticed, and her silent smirk told me she did.

“Shut up”, I pouted. She giggled and then continued to look out the window.

“We’re almost there”, she warned me, “You slept nearly the entire ride.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time”, I said in response. My eyes were then drawn to the window. Unlike the open port city, surrounded by meadows, we were deep within a forest. The trees towered up towards the sky, only catching glimpses of sunlight through the gaps in the leaves. It reminded me of home.

“By the way, what man were you dreaming of that you were giggling and smiling to yourself in your sleep?” Ira asked, causing me to once again slam my head into the side of the carriage. I felt my face warm, and I swung my head back to look at her.

“Was I really giggling?”

“No, but now I know you were dreaming about some guy, so I demand to know details.”

“You really can’t let me catch a break, huh?” I pinched between my eyebrows and cursed myself out for falling for her teasing. Was I usually this easy to read?

“Details,” she said in a singsong voice, tapping on her chin.

“If we ever meet him, I’ll tell you.”

“Promise?”

“I don’t lie,” I said, meeting her in the eyes. To this, I was serious. She raised her hands by her sides as if to say, ‘If you say so. ’

While I complained and rolled my eyes at her, Ira was truly growing on me. Having playful banter and experiencing laughs with someone was heartwarming. It made me feel like the world was a little easier to be in, even if just for that moment. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed talking with someone so much. Not that I would tell her that. Maybe if we got a little closer.

Then our bodies jerked as the carriage pulled to a stop. The driver stepped off the front, causing us to shake with his weight shifting. Ira and I stood and grabbed our things, preparing to disembark. The door opened for us, and Ira stepped off first, eager to get out. I followed quickly after and slipped the payment to the driver. He bowed in return and then shut the door behind me. I imagine he would wait until he could get a customer in Dunwold who needed to be taken to Tidewick before heading back. Why make the trip for free after all?

This town was unremarkable at first glance. The rundown buildings were covered with vines, and it would’ve been impossible to tell the buildings apart from one another without proper signage. If I were a betting woman, I would guess there’s not going to be a Guild’s office in this place. Sighing, I followed a skipping Ira into the heart of town.

“What are we going to do first?” She asked, “Conduct more secret ceremonies by moonlight? Find someone suspicious and force them to tell us all they know? Oh, I know! Let's find all the local good-looking men and ask them if they’ve heard anything!”

“First, we find a place to stay while we’re here”, I responded, ignoring her outlandish ideas.

“You’re no fun”, she pouted, sticking out her tongue.

“Well, we’re not here to joke around”, I said, “Remember that Cursebearer could be here in this town. We shouldn’t let our guards down until we get more information.” Ira stiffened up, and her smile faded. Her eyes darted suspiciously towards every person we passed. It took me a lot not to laugh at her. The locals would think she’s the one who was suspicious if she kept that up. But it was hard not to blame her. She was the recipient of one of his curses before, and hers was a particularly brutal one.

“Have you heard of the Wishmaker?” a voice spoke as we passed by. I whipped my head to the voice. A young woman was walking with another young woman, arm in arm.

“Of course I have”, the other replied, “I know I work a lot, but I still hear the rumors.” They continued to pass by, but I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. Not when I recognized that name.

“Excuse me”, I called, “Could I ask you about Wishmaker?” The two stopped and looked at me hesitantly.

“Who are you?” the first asked.

“A traveler who just arrived,” I answered, “I’m looking for Wishmaker myself and wanted to know what you knew about them.” At this, they nodded, looking more eager to share.

“Well, I’ve only heard rumors through work. If you meet Wishmaker, you can ask them to grant one of your wishes.. They can’t grant you wishes like making you rich or getting your love life in order, but if you need revenge against someone who has done you wrong, the Wishmaker is your guy. Well, to be fair, we’re not sure they’re a man or not either,” the young woman explained.

“I’ve heard similar rumors in other cities. Do you know of any recent sighting of Cu- I mean Wishmaker?” I asked, nearly slipping on the title. Cursebearer gained an unexpected nickname among his fans. They fantasize about his ability to use it for good, but there have been plenty of people cursed who hadn’t committed an act so heinous as to deserve their curses. Just take Ira, for example. What could she possibly have done to deserve such a curse as deleting her existence to others? Even if she had, I don’t think it was one person’s right to judge another. That’s why there were knights. To take care of those who commit crimes and protect the people within their kingdom.

“I haven’t heard of anyone meeting them here”, she answered, “But I have heard rumors about a few people in town getting cursed. Maybe Wishmaker came through here already, and we just missed them?”

“Do you know the names of those who were cursed?”

“Not really. I know where one is, though.”

“Can you take me to them?” I asked. Usually, it took a few days to get good information. I think this could be a new record.

“If you keep walking straight along this path and take a left by the local inn, you’ll see her.”

“Thank you!” I said, quickly turning and running down the path. They must’ve just seen them, and I didn’t want to lose a lead. Ira took off after me, smiling while we ran. I continued straight until I saw a sign ‘The Resting Hollow’ and took a left. Just as my breath was beginning to quicken, I saw her. There wasn’t a question as to which person she was or if she was cursed. There she was, people heading around her as they walked, a few people giving her strange looks as they passed by. Ira gasped behind me, and I couldn’t blame her. We were looking at someone completely encased in stone.