Thirteen - Wash away the past

That can not be possible.

By the jewels of the world.

My friend?

Other people survived?

“Du! It is me! It is …” I stopped myself.

I was not that person anymore. That person no long exists. I never dared to use that name again.

“It can not be possible. No. Q-…?”

I push her away.

“No! Do not say it. I am not anymore. I do not use this name. I go by no name. I am no one.” I manage to stand up.

“You became a no one?” She points the knife at me. She is very angry.

Now I realize that I am completely surrounded on all sides. Three other people are on top of the hole.

They are all armed.

“I did what I had to do. We are on the same side.”

“That is what all of you say. Just: ‘Do what must be done.’ This is not how the world works. Do not put me on the same side as you. I believe in consequences.”

“Let us talk. We were friends. No need for weapons.”

“What are you doing here?” She ignores my pleas.

“This is my house.”

“You are no one. You have no house. You are trespassing.”

She got me with this one.

I sit on the floor.

“What are you doing? Stand up!”

“No. I am not fighting you. I surrender.” There was no possible reason to fight here. I do not know if there are any guards outside or if I can use magic or not. And most important, I do not want to fight my friend.

She puts down her knife.

“Did you know about this place? I lived here and never thought this existed.”

“Elder Afi created this place to hide important knowledge from the Capital. You invaded, desecrated it, tainted it and is stealing it. You must be stopped.”

“What use all of this has if not to fight the Capital? Grandma would like me to have it.”

“This can not fall into the wrong hands. Now I have to burn all of it. It is more safe this way. I have no choice.”

“No! This is my house!”

“You are a no one. You have nothing.”

Maybe I will have to fight my friend if she wants to set my old house on fire. I do not know what happen to her all this eight years.

She seems serious.

Unbreakable.

We all changed that night.

“Get out! This is my last warn. Or I will burn you inside.”

“You can not use magic. They will find us here. How are you going to burn the whole house?” I stand up.

“I have my ways.”

Very reluctant, I admit she is right.

I climb up the hole.

She comes up right after me.

She orders one of her man to use his weapon to set the house on fire.

She is right.

I am no one now.

This house is no longer mine. Nor its memories.

I grab my things and leave with them.

We go towards the forest.

The fire will alert the guards.

“Just because I am letting you came with us now, does not mean I accept you.” She warns me.

We get inside the Skyfold.

Much more deeper than we ever entered as children. This is very close to elf territory. What are they doing? Elves are not known for being friendly.

I keep following.

We stopped at a camp.

“This is the furthest you are coming. We must part ways now.”

“Explain me everything. Are there more survivals from that day? How you guys survived?”

“That is none of your business anymore.”

“It is! We all are fighting for the same cause. I can help.”

“The same cause, yes. But not the same way.”

I do not think I will get anything from her.

“And Roger? Is he alive?”

“No.” She sombers. “Some of us survived running inside the forest. Even the Capital never dared to enter elf territory. The elves helped us their own way. You know they do not enjoy the presence of outsiders.”

“Is my family with you?”

“No. Elder Afi trusted my mother with the protection of her home. They prepared the hideout months in advance of the invasion. They were aware the Capital was striking its neighbors. She fought until her last breath.”

I take a deep breath to calm down.

“I am traveling south. To the mountains. My next battle is there. It was a happy coincidence find you on my way there. I hope we fight another day side by side. Together!”

She pierce me with her eyes.

She is very angry still.

But I am also very angry.

What we shared had forged us this way.

“Safe travel.” She says and all of then disappear into the forest.

Now, I resume my way. I must get to the south.

No detours anymore.