Chapter Nineteen

Once they were far enough away that Lusya was confident Ariya would not see any of the demon’s scattered remains, she released Ariya’s hand and slung off her pack to rest it against a tree once more. Lusya gave Ariya’s head another pat and started digging through her pack for her first-aid supplies.

“Well done, child. You may open your eyes,” Lusya said.

Ariya obeyed and blinked several times, adjusting to her returning sight. Her eyes were downcast, and she did not speak. Though she glanced up at Lusya once, the moment Lusya looked directly at her, Ariya flinched and averted her gaze to a stone near her feet. She kept her eyes fixed there, unmoving. It was obvious the child was upset, but Lusya was not sure what could have caused such behavior. Perhaps it was a way of coping with the pain? Or perhaps Ariya blamed Lusya for the wound. That would not have been unreasonable.

She pulled out her supplies. She was no healer, and her resources were limited. All she had for tending to injuries were the bandages and a few poultices known to speed the healing process, numb pain, and stave off infection. She had bought those in Riverglade in anticipation of the child at some point getting hurt. Lusya had not imagined she would have been responsible for the injury in any way.

There was also a sewing kit for stitches, but that was for dire emergencies. Though she knew the basics of how to use it, she had never done so, and would not risk making things worse with a mistake unless there were no other options. She had not used the poultices either, for that matter, but she believed they were simpler in application with less potential for error.

She looked again at the gash on Ariya’s shoulder. The child still refused to meet Lusya’s gaze. From what Lusya could see, the cut was nothing more than a flesh wound. It may have been painful for a child unaccustomed to any injury, but the only threat it posed was if it got infected.

“I will tend to your wound now,” Lusya said. “Remove your dress so I can have a better look at it.”

Though the bone shard had pierced through the sleeve of the garment as well, the fabric would still impede access to the wound. While going without the dress may not have been comfortable, the weather was warm enough to allow it without issue while Lusya treated the wound.

Ariya gave shallow nod. “Yes, Lusya.”

She removed the dress. Lusya took it and rested it atop her pack. The gap where the bone had pierced was easily visible and the area around it had been stained with both Ariya’s red blood and the demon’s black.

“I will need to get this cleaned and repaired,” Lusya said.

Despite having a sewing kit, Lusya knew even less about how to repair clothing than about how to stitch wounds. She would have to look into that. For now, her best and only option was to have a tailor fix it next time they were in a town.

Ariya replied with a silent nod. Her gaze flitted about the area, though still avoiding Lusya. There was nobody around to see her state of undress, if that was what she was worried about. She also shivered a bit, but she would live. Though Lusya did note that the child’s undergarments had been soiled in the front. Lusya had noticed the scent of urine, but the stain was larger than she had expected. She would have to handle that as well.

Lusya approached the child and knelt to get a closer look at the wound. She had considered that it may have been larger or more severe than it appeared with the cloth obscuring it, but that was not the case. Her earlier judgment of it had been correct.

“Does it still hurt?” Lusya asked.

Ariya nodded. “Not as much, though. Plus, you said to bear with it.” Her voice was small and unusually flat for her. “And you weren’t hurt at all after that big monster hit you, so I can’t cry over this…”

“You did well tolerating the pain, but you do not need to hold yourself to my standard,” Lusya replied. “I am older, stronger, a different species, and skilled in motomancy.”

Ariya sighed and hung her head further. “I guess you’re right.”

It may have been debatable if Lusya, being half-human, was a different species, but the spirit of the statement was true enough. And the child still seemed to be under the impression Lusya was a reltus, a notion of which Lusya would not disabuse her.

Lusya took a glob of poultice in her hands. “This may sting. Brace yourself.”

Ariya nodded.

Lusya rubbed the salve over the wound, spreading it evenly throughout the area. Ariya’s body tensed and she let out a quiet hiss and whimper, but she conducted herself well otherwise.

“Next, I will apply a bandage,” Lusya said. “Lift your arm so I can wrap it properly.” Ariya raised her arm high overhead, reaching for the heavens. “Not that much. Lower. Still lower. Good.”

Lusya wrapped the bandage, making sure it was secure but not too tight. An improperly applied bandage could not only be uncomfortable, but interfere with proper blood flow and even the healing process it was meant to facilitate.

“Done,” she announced. She retrieved one of the child’s remaining three dresses from the pack, the lighter brown one, and hung it on a nearby branch. “Remove your undergarments as well.”

“In the woods?” Ariya asked, a note of incredulity seeping through her dull tone.

Lusya tilted her head and blinked twice. “Yes. It would be unsanitary to continue wearing them in that state. If the nudity taboo is your concern, there is no one nearby to see.”

“It still feels wrong,” Ariya said, squirming and shrinking in on herself. She took a deep breath and stood straight. “But okay.”

She turned her head about, as though she did not believe that no one was watching, then took off the garments. Lusya wrapped them in the damaged dress, making sure the stained parts of the dress were on the inside of the resulting bundle. That should have reduced the risk that they would dirty any other clothes or contaminate any food. With that done, she deposited the ruined clothes in her pack. She grabbed a clean set of underwear and the dress on the branch and handed them to the child.

“You may dress now,” Lusya said.

Ariya put on the new clothes faster than Lusya had ever seen her do anything else. She did not say a word while she dressed, and she still had not looked at Lusya.

“I will allow a rest here,” Lusya said. “We will depart in approximately one hour.”

Ariya nodded. “Okay.”

Lusya sat down and pulled a book from her pack. The novel she had purchased and started in Gavamir, in fact. She had continued reading it while traveling with Izurb. While she had not trusted him to guard the camp, she had been confident he would have been able to alert her of danger. If nothing else, most attackers would have pegged him as the biggest threat and struck him first. So, she had deemed it safe to amuse herself before going to sleep.

Lusya was not immune to boredom, merely resistant to it. Given the choice between entertainment and none when it was safe, it was an easy decision. The demon would likely have scared away much of the wildlife—Lusya had not seen any animals in the forest aside from small birds that flew away at the slightest sign of motion—and she could not sense any mortals or other demons in the area.

As such, she was confident there was no issue. If something entered her sensation radius, she would have ample time to respond whether she was reading or not. On the off chance that something was fast or powerful enough that she did not have such time, then she was dead whether she was reading or not. She opened the book and started reading from where she had left off. She did not make it far before she was interrupted.

“I’m sorry,” Ariya said. Though still quiet, she no longer spoke in that even tone, but in a strained, wavering whine.

Lusya looked up from her book to see the child trembling, with tears building in her eyes.

“What are you apologizing for?” Lusya asked. “Why are you so upset?”

“I-I got hurt,” Ariya replied. She wiped away her tears before they could fall, but more soon replaced them. “And I slowed us down.”

“Both those events are regrettable, but they are nothing you need to apologize for,” Lusya said. “You were not harmed through any fault of your own. If anything, I am to blame for not being sufficiently careful in protecting you.”

“But we were there because I made you go.” She drew in and released a shuddering breath. “I just wanted to help everyone. I’m sorry.”

Lusya shook her head. “I do not share your impulse to help others, but I do not begrudge it. Nor do I begrudge you persuading me to help.” Though she had been annoyed at Ariya’s insistence in this case, that had not been a very powerful feeling. And while losing over half-a-day’s travel was inconvenient, it was a small loss so long as it did not become a regular occurrence. The precedent set was still a concern, but there was no sense fixating on it unless it became relevant again. “In any case, I was there because you convinced me. You were there because I brought you out of paranoia.”

“Para—what?” Ariya asked, with a confused scowl and scrunch of her nose peeking through her dejected countenance.

“My needless worry,” Lusya said. “I did not trust the villagers with you.”

Ariya cocked her head and blinked twice. “Why? They were super nice.”

“Perhaps,” Lusya said. “But I worried you would say something you should not have about our duty, and they would react poorly.”

“Why would they do that?”

“Many reasons. You do not need to concern yourself with them.”

“Okay…”

In hindsight, it had been paranoia. Even if Ariya had said something to make the townspeople suspicious, it would not have been a problem. If it had been a city with a dedicated guard force or a Sacred Knight stronghold, it would have been a different story, but the people of Clearwood were harmless. There would not have been anything they could have done about their hypothetical suspicions. Returning to Clearwood afterward may have taken extra time, but it would have been negligible so long as they departed right away. And it would have been well worth it if Ariya was safe.

Lusya held the child’s gaze for a moment, before Ariya flinched at nothing and looked away.

“I am sorry,” Lusya said.

Ariya jumped as though struck and met Lusya’s eyes again. “Why are you sorry? I—”

“As I said, it is my error in judgment that led to your injury,” Lusya said. “I am sworn to protect you from all harm, and I have failed. For that, I apologize.”

“B-but you didn’t know!” Ariya exclaimed. “There’s no way you could’ve known. And you could never fail, you’re so awesome! Just ‘cause you messed up, doesn’t mean you failed. Papa always says that.”

Lusya blinked, then blinked again. She had not expected to provoke such an outburst. The child’s Malice was not increasing, but she was obviously upset in some capacity.

“I see,” Lusya said. “I suppose there is merit in that viewpoint. My father often said something similar.” Granted, in the strictest sense she had failed, but she supposed that was all the more reason not to do so again. “He also often told me that it was possible for things to go poorly even when no one was at fault. I suppose this may be one of those times.”

Ariya was silent for a moment. “…So, does that mean you forgive me?”

“I do,” Lusya said.

“And you’re not mad at me?” Ariya asked with wide, desperate eyes.

“I am rarely angry with anyone.”

Ariya’s pleading look did not abate in the slightest.

Lusya nodded. “I am not angry with you, child.”

Ariya smiled. “Okay.” She paused, then her eyes lit up in apparent realization. “Oh, and thank you, Lusya. For helping me, and making my shoulder better, and all the other times you saved me.”

“No thanks are necessary, child,” Lusya said.

“I know, but I still wanted to say it,” Ariya replied with another smile.

“Then it is fine.”

With that matter seemingly resolved, Lusya returned to reading her book. It had started as a war story, but had somehow morphed into a romance halfway through. Having pulled it off a shelf at random, she had not known anything about it when she had purchased it. The unexpected genre shift aside, it was well-written and enjoyable enough.

Once again, however, Lusya read just over a paragraph before Ariya approached, snow crackling underfoot, and cast a shadow over the page.

Lusya looked up at the child, cocked her head, and blinked. “Did you need something else, child?”

Ariya took a step back and gulped. What had intimidated her was a mystery. “Can I sit next to you?” she asked. “I’m still scared.”

Lusya blinked twice. What was the child frightened of? They were no longer in any danger.

“The threat has passed, child, there is no reason for you to be scared,” Lusya said.

Ariya squirmed as if those words were insects crawling about her skin. “I know, but I can’t help it.”

“If your fear is not caused by any threat, I fail to see how sitting beside me will alleviate it,” Lusya said. Ariya’s gaze fell more toward the ground with every word, though Lusya had not intended it as a scolding. “However, I also see no reason to refuse. Sit, if you wish.”

Ariya looked up faster than an arrow flew through the air and smiled. “Really?”

Lusya nodded.

The child scrambled to Lusya’s right side and took a seat on the ground. Lusya returned to her reading. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ariya peering at the book. She was squinting, though Lusya could not tell if that was in concentration or if Ariya could not see the words well from her position. It seemed she was trying to read it. Though she was silent, she did sometimes seem to mouth some of the words to herself.

This time, Lusya managed to get through several pages before Ariya spoke up again.

“Can you read that to me?” the child asked.

“Why?” Lusya asked.

Ariya frowned. “Well, I always feel better when Mama or Papa read to me. Or even Jak.”

“I suppose there is little reason not to,” Lusya said. “Why did you wait so long to make your request?”

“I didn’t want to interrupt in the middle of a chapter,” Ariya said. “I started reading books with chapters last year and that’s so annoying.”

“I see.” It was true, interruptions while reading were unpleasant. “I appreciate your consideration.” Lusya returned her attention to the book. “I will read aloud, though I am unsure you will be able to understand.”

“That’s okay,” Ariya said. “That’s how you learn, right?”

Lusya nodded. “I suppose it is one way.”

It was fortunate Lusya had bought the book in the area. Ariya likely only spoke her native tongue and perhaps one other spoken nearby. Lusya could read and speak many languages, but she was not sure she was up to the task of translating as she read.

“‘The deafening sounds of battle cries and clashing weapons seemed almost a celebration of the display of love and lust that had just occurred,’” Lusya began reading.

“Lust is when you really want something, right?” Ariya asked.

“Correct. In this context the ‘something’ is sexual intercourse.”

“Oh, I think I know that one!” Ariya said, with all the joy of a beggar receiving a gold coin. “That’s the thing Papa and Mama do but won’t explain when I ask!”

“Please refrain from excessive questions or commentary,” Lusya said.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Lusya gave a nod in acceptance of the apology and continued reading. She intended to stop if she came across anything that seemed too distressing for the child. But, while Lusya was aware many would not have considered the novel to be age-appropriate, there was nothing that made her stop. Ariya never seemed to be upset or frightened. Indeed, she continued to offer questions and comments throughout the reading. They were sparing and lacked the cheer she often displayed, but they were not unhappy.

It was doubtful Lusya was doing a very good job of reading aloud. Contrary to what some had assumed in the past, she was aware that she almost always spoke in a monotone, which was not conducive to the task. She had not often read to others or told stories, but she had been present for such things. Storytellers often imbued their performance with a fervor Lusya could not muster for the undertaking, modulating and manipulating their voices in ways that were beyond her. It was not a skill she had ever had much desire to learn, even if she could have. And seeing as Ariya did not complain, it seemed there was no need.

Perhaps thirty minutes had passed when Lusya heard Ariya let out a sigh and felt something lightly strike her arm. Lusya paused in her reading to look down. The child had collapsed against Lusya. Ariya’s eyes were closed and her breathing soft and steady. She had fallen asleep. Perhaps she had been less interested in the reading than she had let on. Or maybe she was just tired. The events of the day must have been stressful for her.

Lusya could allow the child a bit of rest. With no more audience, Lusya returned to reading in silence.

#

Ariya’s eyes slowly cracked open to a world bathed in soft orange light. They started to drift shut again, but she forced them open. She pushed off whatever she was leaning against to sit up and looked at it. It turned out to be Lusya. Ariya’s head hadn’t quite been in Lusya’s lap, but it had been resting on her thigh.

“You have awoken,” Lusya said.

She was still reading, but it looked like a different book. The cover was a different color, and the bits Ariya could read from her position didn’t sound like the last one. All the characters had different names too.

Ariya yawned and rubbed her eyes, trying to banish the sleep from them. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” She took another look around. The sky was a striking mix of colors and the sun looked almost red as blood as it neared the horizon. She had obviously been asleep for more than the hour Lusya had said they would stop. “I slowed us down again, didn’t I?”

“If I did not consider it acceptable, I would not have allowed it,” Lusya said. She turned a page in her book. “You do not need to apologize.”

Ariya nodded, even though she still felt pretty guilty. She knew whatever they were supposed to be doing was important, and now she had cost them almost a whole day of travel.

Lusya shut her book and put it away. She closed up her pack and slung it onto her back as she stood.

“We are going now, stand,” she said.

“Now?” Ariya asked.

It wasn’t unusual for them to travel this late, but getting started at this point seemed a little pointless. How far could they even go before it was time to stop for the night? She still stood right away. She didn’t want to drag Lusya down any more than she already had.

Lusya nodded. “I would like to make it west of Clearwood, at least, before we stop. I do not think that is an unreasonable goal.”

“Right,” Ariya said with a nod. Her stomach chose that exact moment to let out a long, loud gurgle. “Um, can we eat first?”

“We will eat when we stop, as usual,” Lusya said.

Ariya sighed and hung her head. “Yes, Lusya.”

Lusya was quiet for a second. “I suppose I can give you a small snack for now, if you wish.”

Ariya smiled and nodded. “Yes, please.”

Lusya nodded, took her pack off, and pulled out a small bag, which she handed to Ariya. Looking inside revealed that it was a mix of dried fruit and nuts. Ariya was pretty sure it was just some of their normal supplies, but then, she had said those were like snacks when plain. She popped a handful in her mouth and crunched down on it. When it wasn’t being presented as a meal, the salty-sweet mix was pretty good.

“Do not eat all of that,” Lusya said. “Now, let us depart.”