Chapter 29

The others couldn’t find an explanation for what we felt, and with nothing else to go on, they turned back to discussing our plans. Karim believed that, despite Manelia’s warning, we were still relatively safe. The Imperium had almost won here in Marbug, so attacking us would only swing the scales, and no one could predict how they would settle. I soon lost track, and hearing that it would be okay to walk the castle was the only invitation I needed. I had seen enough of the four walls of our quarter, and I decided to head out to clear my head.

The uneasiness in my chest grew the moment I stepped out of the room and walked down the hallway. According to Selene, no magic could create such emotions, and even though I suspected she knew more than what she’d told us, I didn’t doubt her words. It had become better, though, and now, when I was aware of it, I could at least ignore it. It worked most of the time.

I halted as I heard commotion outside and walked over to the window. A group of riders was gathered by the gates, and I could see the old priestess greeting them. Manelia was leaning against the stone wall, watching them quietly. So, the Lords of Marbug had arrived to choose their King?, I thought.

“You should leave”

I spun around. Lanard was standing by the opposite wall, glaring at me. I felt the uneasiness rise in my chest. Was he right? Maybe we should leave. No. I shook my head.

“I cannot…”, I answered.

He strode over and halted before me, and I clenched my fists, readying myself for a brawl.

“Zaria will bring peace and prosperity. What do you offer?”

I opened my mouth to speak, and then fell quiet. Something in his voice made me wonder why he had asked it, and I wasn’t sure if it was doubt or curiosity I heard. In the end, I ventured hesitantly,

“Zaria’s prosperity will be short-lived, but… I don’t want Nashka to be forced to take the burden of the war on herself. She is still so young.”

He gazed at me silently, and I could see he was considering my answer. Was he doubting the situation as much as I did?

“Do you remember any of it?”, he suddenly asked, and gestured towards the landscape that could be seen from the window.

“No”, I said instinctively, shaking my head.

Even though I pretended to be who I was, I wasn’t willing to openly lie about it. He looked at me, but I couldn’t interpret what he thought about my answer. Had I said the wrong thing? But there was no other answer I could have given him…

“That day, I left the fortress carrying messages for Lumeria… It was an honour to do it…”

He paused and gazed out the window.

“Choose wisely, and make sure you don’t regret your choice.”, he said quietly.

He turned and left without another word. I sighed and looked down. I was sure that whatever choice we made now, I would regret it.

I continued down the hallway. The people gave me curious glances as I passed, but no one tried to stop me, or even worse, grab my hand and cry. My feet took me down little-used corridors until I stood in a small courtyard I had never seen before. It was overgrown with weeds, and a tall hedge seemed to mark the entrance to what seemed to be a maze. A simple stone basin filled with water stood at its side. Its thick foliage only let you see an overgrown path on the other side, covered in creeping vines and disappearing with a sharp bend.

I looked at the uninviting trail and hesitated, wondering if I should turn back.

“Not many come here any longer”

I spun around. It was the old priestess, getting up from the stone bench she had been sitting on. I shivered. How come I hadn't seen her when I arrived? I glanced at the small courtyard, but it was empty. She clutched her staff as she hobbled over to me, careful not to step on the weed.

“What is this place?”, I asked as she halted next to me.

She ignored my question and turned to the entrance.

“People used to come here to experience her path and understand her doubts as she walked, not knowing where her choices would lead her.”

She turned back to me.

“But now they only seek comfort in her image as the one who protected us from the darkness.”

I nodded, remembering the tall statue I had seen in Akka. The old woman fell silent, peering at me as the cold wind whipped over the courtyard. I wrapped my cloak closer around me. Had the Goddess really doubted? I looked towards the entrance and shivered.

“She never left a word for us to follow, and all her great deeds were done before she walked among us”

She poked me with the end of her staff.

“You have nothing to live up to”

I looked at her, but she turned and walked back to the door and disappeared into the castle, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I was about to follow when I heard footsteps, and to my surprise, Nashka stepped out from the door.

She looked at me, surprised, and then straightened her features. She bowed and silently walked to the stone basin and washed her face. When she was done, she took off her cloak and shoes and went to stand by the entrance. She turned to me, as if waiting for me to follow.

What did she want me to do? Should I walk with her in this Goddess maze? I wasn’t who she thought I was…

She shivered in her thin tunic, and I blinked. Was this why the priestess had been here? Had she waited for Nashka? The realisation struck me. She must have known Nashka would come, and yet she still left me to handle it. As if I knew what I was supposed to do…

I sighed, but I took off my cloak and shoes, leaving them on the bench next to hers, and slowly walked over to her.

She looked at me and smiled.

“Thank you for being my guide”