The Witch of Storn

Chapter 22

“Last night you said you knew the man in grey—“

“I never said I knew him. I have heard of him, however. Like I told you, he is called The Spider, but his name is Ansian. He is one of the Arachni – have you heard of them?”

Rey searched what remained of Rhaenar’s memories.

“Uh, the spider people?”

“Correct. They are not shifters like some people say, because they have spider-like abilities and features but they cannot morph into spiders. They make great assassins and thieves, or so I’ve heard.”

“Ah,” Rey said. Just wonderful.

“I do not know much of him but I do know that his services are not cheap. His clientele is usually made up of highborn like you, nobles, important government officials, even kings. If he was going after you specifically the chances are that someone in your circles is holding quite a large grudge against you. Do you have any enemies?”

Rey jerked back, catching the tray just in time to prevent the tea from pouring. Zaria’s eyes narrowed for a second before her features smoothed out again.

“Sorry,” rey mumbled. she picked up the spoon and brought some porridge to her mouth. Her eyes widened.

“Ooh, this is delicious!”

Zaria shook her head at the girl who was now shoveling porridge into her mouth like her life depended on it but there was a tiny smile on her face. When rey turned her attention away from the food it went away in an instant.

“I don’t think I have any enemies…” to think that there was someone who hated her so much they wanted her dead, “…except the prince maybe. He seemed to really dislike me – Rhaenar.” The last part was said under her breath.

“Hmm. It is a miracle that you are alive then, since they say the spider almost always gets his target. How exactly did he attack you?” Zaria held a hand up to stop rey from answering, “don’t answer that; I can see it distresses you. When you are ready you may tell me but for now let us move to a different topic.”

Rey nodded. She truly didn’t want to talk about her experience. It didn’t linger in the nooks of her mind like Helene, but thinking about it made her feel helpless. Useless. Weak. She had told herself a ling time ago that she would never be any of those things ever again, but what had happened? She sighed and shooed the bad thoughts away; she didn’t need any negativity right now. There were questions she needed answers to.

“When can I leave? Rather, when will I be able to walk again?”

Zaria shrugged. “I’m not a doctor, girl, I don’t know.”

“But you tended to my wounds and all that…”

“All that was basic care, almost anyone can do it. Luckily for you the injuries you acquired weren’t anything the healing salves and potions couldn’t deal with. Mind you, they were expensive so I will be asking for reimbursement when you get better.”

What happened to being a good Samaritan? Maybe the concept of it didn’t exist in this world? Rey shrugged. Money was apparently not a big deal to Rhaenar so she should be able to pay Zaria back for everything.

“Of course, you have done a lot for me after all,” I hope you’ll do a lot more, “so how long do you think it will take? I need to get to my aunt’s house and then send a message to my father.”

“I have no idea when exactly it will be, but it won’t be anytime soon—“

“How long do I have to wait then?”

Zaria shot a stern look at Rey.

“Don’t interrupt. I was going to say that two months would be the most optimistic outcome.”

“Why would it take so long?”

“I am not a doctor. Also, the healing salves and potions are not instant healers. They only accelerate the speed at which your body heals itself. There are no temples of healing around either, so you will just have to go the natural way and wait until you are fully healed. Judging from your injuries it will be a while before you can move like you used to.”

Oh. So she was going to be here for quite some time. How wonderful.

“Where are we anyway? My party was attacked just on our way to Fort Fiore; that’s all I remember.”

“Fort fiore? You were headed for Stormness?”

“Yes.”

“This is fine then. We are not in Stormness, but we are close to it. Have you heard of Narial?”

Rey racked her brain but found nothing. “No?”

“I’m not surprised, this is a small island. It's not unknown, but only seafarers who go to Savin are familiar with this area."

Savin? That sounds very familiar...

"Do you mean Port Savin? That's the only Savin I've heard of."

"Nobody calls it that, girl. Savin is the name."

An image of the map of New Revonen popped up in Rey's mind and faded just as fast. It was present long enough for Rey to recall from Rhaenar's geography classes that Storn was in the south, and Port Savin, which bordered Storn in the northwest was to the west. It was one of the few areas in New Revonen that had access to the sea, making it a haven for trade and import of luxury goods.

"So this island is on the route to Savin?"

"Not exactly. It's a little out of the way. Narial is far south of Savin and a little west of Stormness. You wanted to go to Stormness, didn't you?"

"I did."

"You'll have to take a boat to Sylla and then you can make your way to wherever you want to go from there. Of course, that won't be anytime soon."

Rey shrugged, at least she knew where to go now. There were more important things to devote her attention to, like finishing the scrumptious meal Zaria had served her. She had already dipped the bread into the accompanying stew when Zaria stood and looked out the window.

"My goodness! Is it time already? I must be off, but if you need anything to read there are some books in that drawer. I will be back before nightfall."

Rey had no chance to say a word as Zaria had already left swiftly, banging the door shut behind her. Rey looked out of the window too but all she saw were trees and the sun. It's none of my business anyway. She shrugged and went back to her meal.