The Journey Goes On

Sophia woke up and felt sick when she remembered the things she had seen in her, or rather Kieran’s dream. She turned on her side and saw him lying on the floor next to the bed. He seemed to be still asleep. Sophia raised an eyebrow in surprise, because this was the first time she saw him sleeping. Up to know Kieran was always already awake when she woke up. Sophia carefully pulled herself to the edge of the bed to get a closer look. Kieran chest moved slowly and steadily to his breath. Sophia watched him for a while. His expression seemed peaceful and he did not look like the brutal murderer the stories made him out to be. Sophia started to fell pity for the man. She shook her head slightly and had to remind herself that he was a criminal and his sentence in prison and forced penance for the rest of his life did not come without reason. Sophia saw him in action, so she knew that the man was clearly not innocent, but very dangerous. Having a sad back story or not would not change that fact. Still, Sophia could not help but get curious about Kieran. She wanted to know more about his past and wondered what else could have happened to make him the man he was now. Kieran’s face muscles began to twitch slightly. Sophia stopped her wondering and focused on him. His eyes opened slowly and he stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then they closed again. A faint smile appeared on his face. It only lasted for a second then it was gone and Kieran opened his eyes again, looking straight at Sophia.

“Good dream?” she asked smiling.

“Part of it at least…” Kieran replied and sat up, “but you knew that didn’t you?”

“Did I?”

“What do you expect to gain from watching my dreams?”

“Understanding you better.”

“Why? I’m just a tool used for a specific purpose. There is no need to understand me, you only have to know how to use me.”

“You might not need know where a tool came from to use it, but it can’t hurt to do so.”

“It can.”

“Who’s the blonde woman?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why is her face distorted in your dream?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Have you forgotten what she looks like?”

“No.”

“Then why is she the only one whose face is non recognizable?”

Kieran furrowed his brows.

“You saw the other’s?” he asked surprised.

“Yeah, I clearly saw their faces… and what they did to you…” Sophia replied. “Only the woman who gave you food had her face distorted, only the one golden lock was recognizable. Why is that?”

“I don’t know…”

“You don’t know, or can’t tell me?”

“I don’t know…”

Kieran stood up and packed up his things. Sophia watched him for a short moment, then did the same. Kieran turned towards her when he was finished.

“You should really stop looking into my dreams,” he said directly staring into her eyes.

“You can’t tell me what to do,” she replied defiantly.

“I can’t, but I can beg… Please Sophia, stop looking into my dreams, there is nothing that you need to know in them.”

“I don’t do it on purpose, so I could not stop it even if I wanted to!” She grabbed her packed stuff, went to the door and turned around again. “And just so you know, what I need and not need to know is only my decision, not yours.”

Sophia opened the door and nearly bumped into Eric, who was standing at the door, his arm raised to knock.

“Woah, Eric!” she exclaimed surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Good morning, Silvia… I… uhm… came to tell you that everything is prepared for your travel. Your friends just arrived. The wagon is ready and I took the liberty to pack some supplies for you. I hope they will be useful to you on your journey.” Eric said and nervously fidgeted around with his hands.

“That’s so kind of you. Thank you very much, Eric. We better get going then.”

“Ah… Yeah… right… yes.”

Sophia went past him and down the corridor. Eric slowly turned and followed. Kieran went after them. They arrived at the stables soon after, where said wagon was ready. Giebel and another horse were harnessed to it in front.

“Ah there you guys are! Good morning, Silvia and Karl!” Victoria exclaimed happily from the coach box. “Ready to go?”

Bastian was sitting next to her and nodded towards them. Kieran went over and tossed their things on the cargo area.

“I guess this really is it then…” Eric said and looked at Sophia.

“It is…” she said and looked back at him. “Thank you so much for everything you did for us.”

“It was the least I could do… I just wish I could have done more.”

“There is nothing more you could do.”

Eric averted his eyes with a half-smile.

“Maybe we’ll meet again someday…” he began and looked back at her, “and maybe something will change then.”

“Don’t do that Eric…” Sophia said and sighed. “Let’s have a quick word before I leave…”

She gestured Kieran to stay at the wagon and pulled Eric slightly to the side of the stable, where she began talking to him.

“What are they doing?” Victoria wondered and looked at them.

“She’s probably saying her thanks for everything he graciously has given…” Bastian next to her said. “You could learn a thing or two from her…”

“Rude! I say thank you…”

“When?”

“When it’s warranted.”

“I doubt that…”

“Ah shut up you old oaf!”

Victoria glared at Bastian. Kieran jumped on the back of the wagon and Sophia came over after a few minutes.

“Let’s go,” she said, hopped on and sat down next to Kieran.

Bastian snapped the reins and the horses began to pull the wagon towards the gate of the stables. Victoria suddenly stood up and turned around.

“Thanks for everything, merchant guy!” she yelled and waved.

Victoria turned to Bastian with a grin.

“See I can say thank you!” she cheekily remarked.

Bastian just shook his head and steered the horses outside.

“But he somehow looks sad…” Victoria mentioned after looking back again. “What did you say to him Silvia?”

“I just made some things clear, so that he does not hope for something that won’t happen or rather take that hope from him.”

“Huh?”

Kieran looked back and saw Eric slowly waving after them.

“That’s not something you can do,” he stated with a sigh.

“What do you mean?” Sophia asked confused.

“You can’t take that hope from him… he has to get rid of it himself, if that’s possible for him, or if he’s lucky someone else will take it off him, but you… could only grant it for him.”

“What in all worlds are you talking about? What hope?” Victoria was interjected, confused.

“You’ll understand when you’re older,” Bastian told her.

“I’m the same age as her!”

“Physically maybe…”

“Are you saying I’m mentally a child?”

“No… just stupid.”

“You’re stupid!”

“Yeah, yeah…Now sit down or you’ll fall down the wagon!”

Victoria sat down, grumbling to herself as the wagon rolled down the street in the direction of the town gate.