Tales of Aranth: The Girl and The General

Chapter 6

The journey is dreary, somebody checks us me every few hours and gives us our medicine, but I’m profoundly bored. At first, I looked through the window, then at Evor. I had plenty of time to look at him. I pity him. If there was magic involved, he really had to fight in the first line, couldn’t hide or pretend to be fighting. The magic in this world is fascinating but whimsical. Only very few can perform it.

He is very pale and sweaty, he probably has a fever and is in pain, because he sometimes stirs and moans quietly. Especially when the carriage bumps along.

We’ve been traveling the whole night and day only with small stops, but tonight we have to stop in an inn or set the camp. The horses got some potion to enhance their endurance, but you can’t give too much of it to them. We will be in King’s City tomorrow in the evening, but I’m not convinced that will be soon enough for him.

The carriage bumps and Evor almost falls from the bench. I support him, preventing the fall. He opens his eyes and sees me. I help him to lay back.

“Water?” he asks.

I give him the cup just like Alarana gave it a few days ago. 

“Thank you,” he says fainting voice, and falls asleep. At least I hope he sleeps, not faint.

The monotony hits me again. I try to doze but obviously, I’ve slept enough these days because sleep doesn’t come.

“So Mia no one, get ready, we will be camping here.” That is Ole. I think he decided to be my friend. At least he has the decency not to ask about Alarana. “There is a farm, so you will sleep in a bed tonight.”

“How nice,” I say. “And you?”

“I’m not wounded, a pile of hay in the barn and a blanket will do. But only if the general won’t decide that we both need to rush to the capital.”

I stare at him.

“General tends to push his people to their limits. But does exactly the same to himself, only a bit harder. Anyway, we will be there in an hour or so.”

I try to get some sleep, but Evor’s condition seems to worsen. I try to help him by fixing his pillow and giving him little sips of water from time to time. It seems to be working because when we arrive at the farm, he is peacefully asleep. 

We are greeted by an elderly woman, who leads me to a small, but tidy room. It even has a small mirror.

“Here you can refresh, the dinner will be in half an hour. Do you need any assistance?” She asks politely.

I’m still a bit hurt, but I feel embarrassed with people offering me their assistance, so I thank her.

“I will be fine. Will someone take care of Evor?”

“No worries, we will take care of him. I will come to you when the dinner is ready.”

This time I’m not that helpless. I only wish I could wash my hair. Instead, I put it into a tight braid so their condition isn’t that visible.

The dinner is served in the kitchen. To my surprise, there are only three pieces of tableware. The general and Ole are already there nad Ole stands and pulls up a chair for me. Obviously, they have been waiting for me to start eating.

“Good evening,” I say quietly. I’m embarrassed. I should probably salute.

We are eating in silence for a while. We got the stew with fresh bread. It’s plain but tasty, so different from the rations we were eating for the past two days.

“So how was your journey?” Ole asks me. He doesn’t seem awkward or stressed. The general doesn’t seem to notice any of us.

“Mine was fine, thank you,” I say. “But I’m not sure what’s with Evor. His condition is unstable.”

“Hannah is tending to him.” I hear the general speaking for the first time during this journey. 

“Hannah is the owner of this farm,” Ole explains to me.

“Oh. I understand.” That wasn’t very eloquent

Conversation dies before it has started and we finish the meal in silence and say goodnight. I try to sleep, but the bed seems to be too comfortable. I recently slept in a carriage and on a pallet and now a soft and nice-scented bed with clean sheets and fluffy pillow is just too much to handle. I get up, dress, and go out. It’s past midnight, pitch-black dark, as there are no street lights and it is something I’m not used to, so I’m a bit unsure, but fresh air makes me feel better.

I hear some chatter and go in that direction.

“Take care, Hannah. I will see you in some time.” I recognize the voice. “Or maybe you should visit me.”

“I’m old, not fit for such long trips.” 

“You will never be old. You are just grown up.” She bursts into a quick laugh.

“Dear boy.” Have I misheard something? “You are still trying to wave the reality with a magical wand. I remind you that the mages are extremely rare and don’t need a wand to cast their spells. Now go and I will think about visiting you.”

I’m just around the corner of the house, so I look at them from behind it and see Hannah hugging the tall man and brushing her hand through his fair hair. He hugs her too and mounts the horse. His companion is already on his horse, waiting.

I’m standing still, looking at the woman, who looks at the men riding into the darkness of the night with a motherly expression on her face. Suddenly she turns around and looks me straight in the eyes with a smile on her face.