He Who Knows

I push the door open, and Orville is standing before a large map spread out across his table.

Captain Roach is sat beside him, his bruised face unable to hide his determination. The previous animosity between them has vanished, replaced by the shared, heavy burden of command.

They both look up as I enter, their quiet conference comes to a halt. Roach tries not to acknowledge me, but I can tell he no longer sees me as an outsider.

He turns back to Orville. “It’s settled; I’ll alert the kingdom guard at Ineiba and send for emergency guild members. You organise the reinforcement of the southern palisade.”

Orville shakes his head in agreement. “Keep steady Roach, be safe.”

Roach leaves without another word.

Orville places a hand on my arm. “Thank you for being so valiant in my people’s time of need Shikara.” He gestures to a chair at the table.

“Shikara, now that you’re a part of this village, you have a right to know what we’re up against.” he begins, as he takes the seat next to me. “What Anya’s patrol encountered… Well it wasn’t natural.”

He taps to a forested section of the map. “Anya’s patrol was ambushed at dusk by a horde of at least thirty Turshades. They are nocturnal creatures that usually hunt alone but in this instance that presumption was misinformed.”

An unnerving feeling writhes inside my body. The fact that seasoned guards could be so easily overwhelmed at a moment’s notice.

“From what we’ve been able to piece together, Anya’s squad were trying to retreat and link up with Roach’s squad. But their desperation is what inadvertently led the entire horde right into a fight Roach’s men had no chance of winning.” Orville continues, the loss hitting his vocal chords as he speaks.

He pauses, giving me a moment to digest the information.

“There was something else as well." he says, leaning forward. “The guards all reported the same foul smelling purple hue radiating from the Turshades. We believe that is what drove them into a frenzy, making them hunt in a pack against their nature.”

A purple aura. The bruised, lilac light I saw pulsing from my own scars. The connection is faint but logical and it makes the hairs on my skin stand up.

“We suspect some kind of poison is ravaging the forest.” Orville concludes grimly. “Roach is on his way to Ineiba as we speak and will request immediate aid from the kingdom’s guard and any available Guild members. In his absence there will be no further patrols.”

“So we just wait?” I ask, the thought of huddling behind the walls feels like surrendering to the powers at be.

“We aren’t waiting, we are preparing.” he corrects me, in an attempt to regain his composure.

“Tomorrow, I am calling for all able-bodied villagers to come together. The work Roach mentioned has already begun. We will reinforce the palisade. We will sharpen every spear, fletch every arrow, and turn this village into a fortress. We will hold out until help arrives.”

He finally looks away from the map and meets my eyes. He sees the fear there, but he also seems to see the question I’m too afraid to ask: What can I possibly do?

“I don’t expect anything from you Shikara, I hope you know that. I mean you hardly know me or any of my people. And you already harmed yourself at our expense last night.” Orville’s sentiment is earnest, but I know I can’t lay down and allow something worse to happen.

I was expecting a ‘You need to rest Shikara’ or a ‘We need your help now more than ever’ but he seems to be sympathising with the situation I have been put in. The life of torment, and pain that led me here. He must see it as a cruel fate.

I can’t let this sweet old man down.

“Orville, I know you don’t expect anything from me, but I expect something from myself. I’m here to help in any way I can.” The words are effortless as they filter from lips.

Orville’s composure breaks as he approaches my shoulders for a hug, I give in and join him in a much-needed embrace.

“Thank you.” We both say in unison before letting out a nervous laugh.

His shoulder reminds me of my dad's, spongy and warm. Unfortunately, a lifetime of village living has rendered the smell to be one of which I am not accustomed to.

As I pull away, Orville goes to speak but seems hesitant.

“I-Is there something you wanted to say?” I reach out hoping my words bring comfort to his inner turmoil.

“No no, it’s fine, go take a nap, you need to rest.” I can tell he’s hiding something from me, but it’s not the right time to pry.

“Ok, I’ll be in my room if you need me.” I turn on my heel, but Orville stops me in my tracks.

“Tomorrow morning there will be a funeral for Anya and Maris. They’re the guards who passed away. There is no pressure to attend if you aren’t up for it. But you are welcome.” Misery catches the air as he speaks, I’ve never been good at funerals.

“I’ll come, I can handle it.” I have to be able to support the people I care about.

“Thank you Shikara, I’ll wake you up later for some food, you’ve hardly eaten anything since you’ve been here.” Orville’s tone brightens as I retreat to my room.