Chapter 8

Aislin was still drowsy from sleep when she woke up to the camp bustling outside the tent. Eru was sleeping next to her, her small head resting on her shoulder. She glanced around, but apart from Sami sleeping on the other side of Eru, the tent was empty.

She slowly extracted herself from the girl and sat up. Were they already packing the camp? She got up and peered out the flap. The traders were moving to and fro, and some wagons were already ready to go. She looked around, searching for Terwen, but couldn’t see her. Did they have to leave the camp already?

She returned to their beds, careful not to wake Eru, and gently shook Sami.

“Wake up…”, she whispered.

Sami stirred and opened her eyes, and when she saw Aislin, she was suddenly wide awake.

“Has something happened?”

She sat up, staring wildly around her, and Aislin almost expected her to reach for her sword, but Aislin hushed her.

“It’s okay, don’t wake up Eru.”

She glanced at the girl, but she was still sleeping.

“The traders are packing. We need to leave.”

Sami’s mood fell.

“So soon?”

Aislin nodded.

“Where shall we go? Eru still isn’t…”

She glanced at the girl. She was better, and her fever seemed to be coming down, but she was still ill. Sami got up and dressed, peered out the flap, and then returned to sit down next to Aislin.

“We’ll just need to find a way…”

“Can’t we…?”

It was a thought that had formed in Aislin’s mind, but it would be a long way to reach it.

“The harbour… Can’t we take a ship? We have money now.”

Sami shook her head.

“They don’t allow passengers, even if you pay.”

Aislin sighed. So they were on their own again. At that moment, the flap burst open, and Terwen came in, carrying a tray of food.

“Oh my, so you’re already awake?”

She put the tray on the ground and sat down.

“I’m sorry”, she said. “We are leaving earlier than we had planned.”

Aislin opened her mouth to speak, wanting to say that she shouldn’t worry, but the woman continued,

“We’re going North. You are welcome with us to the border.”

Aislin stared at her.

“To the border?”

“If you wish.”

“I will not be able to enter”, Sami said.

Aislin looked at her.

“They do not like my people. We aren’t welcome there.”

Aislin sighed. She wouldn’t leave Sami alone. They would travel together, or not at all.

“You always have the right to ask for permission to enter”, Terwen pointed out.

Aislin looked at the woman and she continued,

“They will not turn her away on the spot, and if the ask is favourable, she will earn the right to pass through the gates.”

Aislin fell silent, and Terwen got up.

“We are still a few hours from leaving. Think about it, and let us know your decision.”

She left, and Aislin looked at Sami.

“What do you think?”

“It’s our best chance.”

Aislin nodded. She was right, and she didn’t know how much longer they would make it without shelter. She got up, and Eru stirred and opened her eyes. Aislin crouched down beside her, not wanting her to panic in this unfamiliar place.

“It’s okay, we’re safe”, she signed.

The girl sat up, rubbed her eyes and looked around.

“We’ll keep travelling with them, we’ll be okay.”

To her surprise, the girl acknowledged her words with a nod. Aislin helped her get dressed, and when Terwen returned some time later, they were all three ready to leave.