Fear and Parting

Cynthia was put on what was essentially house arrest for the majority of the next day.

Occasionally grandpa showed up with a list of questions that she tried to answer to the best of her abilities no matter how strange they were.

At first the questions centered around the events of the kiss, then slowly expanded from there, though not as systematically as she wished.

"Do you have memories of living as someone else?" had to be the strangest one of all the queries.

Bit by bit though she came clean about her vision in the ruins of the temple, the existence of which was confirmed by Alberto and then again by a group sent to examine them.

The thing that bothered her the most was how much work was being lost to this.

After leading a group to verify the temple ruins Alberto sat and listed to the elders and leading men hold counsel most of the day.

There were two mages in the caravan who early on had drug their tomes out of their wagons and sat in the corner reading and listening, saying whenever they were asked for input

"We have some theories but want to be as sure as we can before speaking them."

While the group waited on the mages they posed every theory they could think of to explain the events.

Cynthia had been replaced by a shape shifting monster while in the temple,

One elder recalled an ancient legend about an other worlder who had entered the world through someone else body,

Many, many variations of "she had a latent magical power or ability that was activated by her first kiss."

No one dared ask what they should do about it, or even if the ability was harmful.

The idea was, if they could determine where it came from, then that should help decide if they should be worried.

For his part Alberto had mixed feelings.

He had enjoyed Cynthia's company and the kiss plus transformation had been almost as good as sex, he just wished there had been more warning.

On the other hand maybe these positive feelings were part of an enchantment to keep luring him into the situation.

As the sun began to set the mages finally took the floor.

"At this time our best guess is that the only way to our knowledge that any mage might transform another being into an artifact is through the blessing of the Goddess. Many great mages of greater skill and learning than us have tried and failed since mortal magics come through the combining of elements.

That said this is highly unusual as in all of recorded history that we have access to only one type of person ever receives the blessing."

Everyone squirms uncomfortably at that, knowing without say that the type of person in question is the summoned hero and look how the current one turned out.

"That said,' the mages continued 'the only way we can know for sure is to take Cynthia or bring her to a mid or high level member of the clergy."

murmur runs through those assembled.

Where would that leave the already struggling village?

Renaldo chimes in "If she does have the blessing, or even the rumor of the blessing there is another danger to the village. Should the Broken Hero catch wind he may treat her as a rival and bend his full might to crushing her before she can garner the support to usurp him.'

Renaldo raises his hands to fend off an objection

'Even if it turns out not to be something that can rival him does not matter, he rules through might and terror and cannot let something like this go unanswered.

I suggest therefor that we find take the villagers with us and settle them into another village far away from here.'

Renaldo turns to the elders representing the village in this matter,

'Your village is already one worse than usual harvest away from destruction, is that any way to raise those children still here? If this all turns out for naught then we will bring Cynthia to you and she will have marriage prospects and not be the sole provider for those who she loves as family."

This finally won over the Village elders.

The next three days was a blur of activity as Cynthia and the Travelers helped the elders and children pack while Renaldo put the finishing touches on Alberto's inheritance.

"No no,' Renaldo said as Alberto tried to protest 'The girl needs to move with speed to a temple while the main caravan is going the opposite way to throw off any danger she may bring."

Alberto looks seriously at his father "Do you really think the Broken One will seek her life?"

Renaldo meets his son's eyes "We have seen him do worse for less."

They both shudder and resume their work on the wagon with renewed purpose.

Cynthia and Alberto watched as the wagons carrying both their families faded into the westering sun.

She had been mulling over her vision to distract herself from loosing the last of her world, and knew with certainty this would be the last time she saw her home like this regardless of the out come of her quest.

She also knew on some level what the vision expected of her, but until someone told her for sure her subconscious was more than willing to let it sleep for a while longer.

As the dust of the last wagon faded, Alberto clicked the reigns and they were off to the north and east with the goal of reaching the Holy City.

Unconsciously the pair reached for each other's hands.