The carriage ride to Clifford Hill was five days long and Clary had insisted her parents that she will leave at once.
It had not been easy for Marry and Marvin. The two had only two daughters, and with the death of Miranda, Clary was the cherished last daughter. Expected to stay in the next until they found a suitable man to marry her. She had reminded them that this was not the 1950's. The woman of today had more privilege to choose who they want to marry. Plus, the place where she was going was protected by a strong spell.
Neither of them could deny that it was a safe place. Even safer than here. In the end Marry had to let go with tears in her eyes, since she was given notice in such a short period of time. While Marvin silently judged her for not listening to his advice.
Clary sat inside the carriage, waving at her parents as Eric started the carriage. The horses pulled the light weight easily. They didn't prepare much, only enough until the rest of their belongings were sent. It was easy, also for Eric. He got his work cut out for him.
Marry and Marvin stood next to each other, staring after their last daughter. It was the last thing she saw before the carriage took a turn and hid them from sight.
"Eric, Eric!" She called out, "Please stop the carriage!"
"Did you forget something?" She heard him slightly. The moment the carriage stopped, she jumped out, then walked over to Eric's side. He looked at her curiously.
"What is it?"
"I'd like to sit with you." She announced.
"But Clary, that's past properties. If someone saw you sitting next to me, they'd think you're a low class." Eric answered in a low voice. She could hear suppressed feelings behind his words. The sadness in his eyes.
She frowned, "I guess I just don't care. I've just seen you yesterday. I want to talk to you. I'm bored inside all by myself, reading makes me dizzy, and it's also hot!" She held in a smile when she finished. She could see he was amused, now that she dug up every reason why she should be sitting with him.
Eris shrugged, "If it's that uncomfortable, you should sit here with me. A lady shouldn't be made sit where she does not want to."
Clary made sure the door was closed well before climbing up to her seat. She saw him grinning, continuing their journey. The horses were once more in the move. Their hooves heavily dug into the ground.
Along the way Clary was taken into a sense of wonder that she hadn't had in a long time. Eric took a path in the forest, a cross fields of rice and corn. The hills stretching around them, the wind blowing lightly under the hot summer sun. She leaned back, enjoying the sound of birds and shaking trees.
"By the end of this night, we should find a resting spot," Eric said, breaking the silence. Clary looked over to him, "Are we going to rent a room or make a tent?"
"If I was on my own I would sleep in a tent. But I think it's better for you if we rent a room." He answered, looking over to the small plank where a map was drawn into it.
"I wouldn't mind sleeping in a tent. Which is safer? Mother always says that they look for expensively dressed customer and steal from them,"
Eric nodded, "That's true. They like to do that, but we won't be coming into a place like that with how we dress. Actually, I have something for us to wear,"
Clary lifted a brow, "Oh?"
"It should make us look like a commoner. If not farmers."
The idea made her jump in anticipation. She wondered what it would be like to live in a world where they didn't have to sit with walls of properiety standing between them. If they were both commoners, they could stay together. That is, of course, if he would like that too.
Her mind then wandered if Eric felt the same way as she does. If he ever saw her as a woman or does he see her just as a little sister? Or worse, just a master he must serve?
All those years he was away, have he ever had any relationship with another woman?
"Tell me how it was in your school?" Clary asked, wondering why she dared to ask a question that would make a deep hole in her heart.
"It was studying, tests, library trips, and changing uniforms," Eric said dryly. He didn't seem to have any special memory he wanted to share.
"Did you have any friends?" Clary tried. Maybe he was close to someone.
"I had two friends." Eric admitted, finally looking over to see her. "Damian and Vix. They usually sit next to me and if we had group studies, usually we studied together." He explained. The thought of him studying with two faces she had never seen poked at her curiosity.
"Do you think you'll ever see them again?"
"No." Eric answered without a doubt. "They live far away. I don't think they would even have time to spare for me if I visited."
"Why wouldn't they?" She asked.
"They're servers as well. They would probably be too busy." Eric smiled, "If I wanted to, would you let me visit?"
Clary nodded, almost immediately, "Of course! If you will take me with you."
Eric laughed, "I think they'd be more confused than amused by our visit."
"They'll get used to it," Clary answered with a smile. She looked ahead at the green fields stretching before them. She had lived in the village for so long, she grew up there, and sometimes she would travel with her mother. But ever since her grandmother passed she had not left home.
"What was it like?" Eric asked, unsure of himself.
"What was what like?"
"All the time I was away. How was it for you?"
Clary gave it a thought. All the time she was learning her magic, crafting spells and potions. She went away a few times to her cousins. Which was still in the village. All the time she looked out the window, missing a part of her.
"It was lonely." She admitted. "I missed you a lot you know," Their eyes met. The look of disbelief in his eyes pained her. Did he not think she would miss him dearly?
"I never thought you'd miss me." Eric said after a moment of silence.
"Why not?"
"You were much younger than me. I was… just a boy who used to take care of you. I didn't think you'll remember me at all."
She shook her head, "I remembered you like an older brother." It was the truth. She did see him as an older brother. Only the last moments before they parted did she realize she had held a soft burning love for him.
"I see," was all he said as they headed towards a closing. A small path surrounded by large trees and thick layers of leaves, the sunlight blocked. She knew where they were.
"Eric, we'll be visiting a friend of mine. Before the last, turn to the right, and follow to the end." She requested, eyes straight ahead as they were covered by shadows along passing.
The Kanhan forest surrounding Melburn was a mysterious one. A thick layer of mist flowing through the bed of the forest, shadows moving slightly at the edge of your eyes, and animal cries somewhere in the distance. She was never fond of this part of the journey.
"Are you sure before the end?" Eric asked lightly. "The path we're on is guarded with energy. If we stray we might get lost."
Clary scoffed. The words he said cut through her ego. It was as if he did not know who she was! "I am a witch of Green. I believe I can find our way through this forest." She said sweetly. She didn't want to make a fuss about something so small
Eric smiled, his face illuminated by a sudden burst of light, a lantern in one hand. He smiled as he looked at her, a grin on his face, "Well then lead the way Miss." He blinked an eye.
Clary blushed. She had never seen this side of him. The playful and relaxed version of him that made her feel like home. Starting a fire in the base of her stomach, colouring her usually pale cheeks. Her heart began to race and she had to look away from him.
The journey continued in silence. Clary watched the road as her eyes hung heavily, struggling to stay awake as the cool air brushes through her hair.
"If you want you can sleep inside." Eric mentioned. The rope in which holds the horses in his hands, his hair brushed back. "I'll hate it if you fall off."
"Would you have let me fall over?" She asked sleepily. Last night she did not sleep so well. She was adventurous but she would also miss home. Her thoughts wander to the fact that she was moving away from her parents and village. And once she would start planting, a witch may not leave her garden. She must guard it.
"I would not. I would hold you." He answered without looking. She blinked, leaning closer to him so that her cheek lay against his shoulder. "I hope you don't mind," She said.
"No. I don't." He replied. "But please, be careful where you do this."
"I will." She yawned. The warm summer weather drifted her to sleep.