A Helpful Task

My eyes snapped open, as my body immediately jerked up from the bed.

Cold sweat ran down my forehead as I rubbed my eyes, still stinging and sore. I took a deep sigh and stood up, looking to my hands, part of me expecting to see thick red blood.

Of course, it was just the same dream.

I clenched my fist in frustration and closed my eyes.

When would this bloody dream go away?

The rain poured down mercilessly as loud as thunder. I pulled my curtains aside, staring outside into the gloomy abyss. This dream had haunted me repeatedly ever since I was eleven. No matter how many times the same scene was shown, I couldn’t stop the shock from reaching my heart. I had no idea who the girl from my dreams was, her age, or even her appearance, besides the fact that she had long black hair.

Quickly dressing, I rushed down the hall to the dining room, where I’d find a meal cooked by my uncle and a note. Tossing the note aside, I devoured my breakfast, consisting of eggs and bread today. The rest of my daily routine was quite normal; I’d spend the morning studying academics and the afternoon wandering town for books and fresh groceries.

This was my life, the daughter of the late Duke Clemont, Sophie Clemont.

***

Ever since father died from a severe illness when I was eleven years old, I’ve been sent to live with my uncle. However, my uncle quickly decided to dedicate his life to teaching me proper academia. This meant mastering the education most ladies of nobility never even have a chance to try. The kingdom of Terage, with its rigid social class, considered it to be more important for ladies of nobility to learn those that could support the houses of their husbands. Except, I already had an older sister, and my older brother, the current duke, let me off the hook for a single reason:

I had uncontrollable magic abilities.

I’m sure that’s the real reason why I was sent to live with my uncle, who has a firm grasp on magic, and also why my powers haven’t gone berserk since the day it was decided that I’d be leaving the main house. There was a part of me that wanted to go back to the life I had been left out of for the past five years but also scared of the responsibilities I’d have. Of course, eventually, I’d have to go back and fulfill my duties as the daughter of the late duke, but no one knew for sure what that role would entail yet.

Until today...

“Sophie! I’m back! And there’s a letter from your brother!”

I darted up from my chair, tossing my book aside and rushing to the front door to greet uncle. White hair that matched perfectly with his snowy white beard, the prodigy who chose the life of a commoner instead of a court official: Merlin Clemont.

“What does the letter say, Uncle Merlin?” I asked eagerly, excited to see if my brother had decided I’d go back to the main house soon.

Uncle Merlin sat down at the table, opening the envelope and clearing his throat.

“Dearest Sophie and Uncle Merlin,” he started. 

“I’ll be short and brief. In the past few weeks, there has been a string of murders targeting noble families in the Oreane region, the region that the Clemont house has been charged with protecting and organizing for the past one-hundred years. However, I’m afraid the murders have caused several riots and unrest among its citizens. We are currently occupied with maintaining order at the capital, as the king is in poor health and still unable to announce the next successor to the throne. I’m afraid I have no choice, but to ask Sophie to go investigate the murders in the eastern part of the region. Do not worry about her safety, for I have sent my best and one of my most trusted guards to protect her. I ask that she comes alone, as Uncle Merlin coming would attract too much attention and prevent Sophie from growing. I will be sending a carriage in two days. Sincerely, Lancelot.”

I sat still, unable to wrap my mind around the task Lancelot had tasked me with. Nowhere, out of the blue, with minimal explanation, Lancelot wanted me to go to Oreane, and investigate a serial killer?

Uncle sat across from me in silence, both of us unsure how we felt about Lancelot’s sudden and dangerous request.

"A killer?" I finally asked.

Uncle Merlin folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope, tapping his finger on the table in deep thought.

"Perhaps it's about the next successor to the throne?" I asked. "There's no way they're going to let someone ascend without some riots and backstabbing. Especially if the king is sick and on death's door?" 

Uncle nodded thoughtfully. 

"Yes, that would indeed be a likely cause. The question is, who is the one organizing these murders? Most noble families have guards, and even so, for the murderer to get away not with one, but a whole string of them...the odds seem quite low."

"You're saying someone who is a noble ordered these killings?" I questioned. 

"Yes. It depends on which noble families are being targeted, and which connections they have. But..." uncle's voice trailed off again, his eyes closed, probably pondering whether or not to agree to Lancelot's request to send me to Oreane by myself.

“Sophie…” Uncle Merlin finally said, releasing a heavy sigh as he handed the letter to me. “You’ve studied with me for the past five years. You’ve grasped your magic, and also became one of the most educated girls in the country. Yet, I still don’t know if I can just let myself send you off into such a dangerous situation.”

I stood up and looked firmly into uncle’s eyes.

“I’ll do it! Plus, you still have your duties as the magic teacher for several noble families! They won't take a sudden leave request like this too well!" I insisted, determined to go by myself.

Uncle Merlin stared at me uncertainly, finally shaking his head with a small chuckle.

“Angering noble families doesn't bother me. Are you sure you can handle this by yourself?"

I nodded, trying to shove my own doubts away as well.

 "I knew this day would come eventually,” he sighed, looking back into my eyes. 

Calm, understanding, and wise. This was the uncle I had come to know and trust ever since I started living as a commoner with him. Someone who only wanted the best for me, and would do everything in his power to support me.

“So you’ll let me go?” I asked with a grin.

“You’d sneak out if I didn’t.”

I silently cheered in my head, trying to keep my excitement contained. This was my first mission! The first mission Lancelot was entrusting me to complete! Something no one could do except me!

“I won’t let you down, Uncle Merlin! I’ll complete this task successfully!” I reached across the table and gave my uncle a big hug. Surprised, he didn’t react for a moment, but wrapped his big arms around me after a moment, giving me a small pat on the back.

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll do great.”

***

Uncle had to leave to teach another student that morning.

I got up bright and early, getting myself ready to go into town.

Sometimes, I'd go visit Lana, the girl who lived a few streets down from our little house. Lana's mother owned a flower shop that I frequented because I couldn't grow flowers to save my life. Sadly, uncle just happens to like having flowers for our table.

"Lannaa!" I called out cheerfully. "Are you here~?" I asked, walking into the flower shop and taking off my hat. A head popped up from behind some pots of unknown grass as Lana quickly rushed over to me.

"Sophie!! It's been so long!"

I rolled my eyes. "It's been two days actually. How's managing the shop without your mother?"

"It's alright! I wish mom could come home sooner though, this sucks!" she said, sticking out a tongue at me.

Lana's mother had left town a few days ago to see her sister, insisting that the trip was too long for Lana to come and that she needed to stay behind to watch the shop. Lana reluctantly agreed but still couldn't handle greeting the customers while also managing sales properly.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you for your opinion on something..."I admitted sheepishly.

Lana’s smile faded off. She came over to the front of the door and suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Today’s the day isn’t it?”

“Wh-What??”

“You’ve...found...”

Lana took a deep breath and hurled me towards a chair.

“A cute guy that you have a crush on and you want my help!” she squealed in excitement.

I stumbled away from the chair and rolled my eyes.

“No, silly. Someone from my family is asking me to do them a favor but that would also mean leaving here,” I explained. 

“Ehhh? That’s it?” Lana sighed and shoved me down onto the chair anyways, disappointed and having lost all interest.

“This is a serious matter!” I insisted.

Of course, she didn’t know just how serious it was. Most of the people in town didn’t know who uncle and I were, as a way to protect ourselves from possible threats and dangers.

“Why are you hesitant about going then?” Lana asked in confusion. “I mean, you could always come back can’t you?”

I shook my head. 

“No. I might not come back after this. I’ll have to return to live with my brother and sister eventually, it’s just a matter of now or later.”

“Really? That sucks then,” she admitted with a frown.

“Sorry...” I mumbled softly.

“What! No, no, I know it’s not your fault,” she said with a nervous chuckle, her eyes darting away from mine.

I looked away too, guilty that I was technically lying to such a close friend of mine. 

“Then you should go!”

I looked up in surprise at Lana’s sudden determination for me to take off.

“Do you want me gone or something?” I wiped my eyes and gave a little sob, but indeed a little hurt by her comment.

“No! I meant, well, if you’re going to have to leave sooner or later, it’s better to leave now and also accomplish the favor right?” she asked thoughtfully.

I nodded. “Yes, that’s very true. What about you and uncle though? Won’t you be lonely?” 

Lana turned away and laughed.

“I’m getting married when mother comes back remember?”

Ah. Right. That was indeed the case.

“So, you don’t need to worry about me, Sophie.” 

Actual tears began to form at my eyes as I got up my chair and hugged my closest friend in five years as tightly as I could, trying to stop my tears from overflowing.

“Promise you’ll write!” I pleaded.

“You too!” she snapped back.

And like that, we spent the rest of the day together, me reluctantly agreeing to help her with the shop, even though I was glad she asked me to stay during the last day I’d ever be in this small town.