I sat frozen on the ground. The reality of my situation made my stomach flip. I thought I might be sick. I couldn't get the image of a pyre out of my mind. It was surely my fate. The people of Vrysdale would never hand me to the king to be used against them. The crowd encircling me continued to grow and the murmurs were rising as neighbor filled in neighbor. To my surprise, no one had rushed forth to restrain me yet. The woman and child had retreated into the crowd, but no one else moved.
/I wonder if they're scared I'll use magic against them?/
I would never--the people of my village had been good to me. It was I who betrayed the safety and trust. They were not to blame for the situation I had put them in.
My eyes were the only part of me that moved, scanning the crowd. Waiting. They came to rest on a familiar face at the back of the gathered onlookers. The face of the one man I'd been trying to protect. Quill's eyes met mine and stayed there. A stunned expression was plastered on his face and he looked suddenly pale.
/Now you know. Now you know and I'm so, so sorry,/ I tried to convey to him through my eyes. /If I could have just one more wish granted to me in this life, it would be for you to not see my death./
I don't know if something in my gaze spoke to him, or if it was coincidence, but at any rate Quill abruptly turned on his heel and strode away from the scene that had transfixed everyone else.
/Thank the gods for small miracles./
At the same time, I was surprised to note that I felt a small pang of betrayal and hurt at his departure. Some piece of me must have been hoping he would burst through the crowd to defend me. But of course, he couldn't.
"Ahem."
A man cleared his throat and ripped my attention away from the retreating figure of Quill. I turned to see Mr. Frewett, the village leader, warily heading toward me.
"Miss Lynarra," he said with a slight nod of his head, "you have put us in quite the predicament."
Two village guards followed close behind him, hands reaching for their swords.
"I know what must be done, Mr. Frewett," I replied, hating how much my voice was shaking but unable to control it. I looked down and saw my hands were trembling as well.
"I have kept a terrible secret from you all and for that I apologise sincerely. I never meant for harm to come to anyone and I--I won't beg for forgiveness, or for mercy."
I raised my head and gazed out at the crowd again, determined to show less fear than I felt.
"All I ask is that you end it with me. None knew the truth about me," I lied through my teeth.
The guards reached me. Their swords were drawn now and they stood mere inches from me. /Are they going to execute me here and now? Or do they honestly think I plan to fight them?/
Frewett's brow creased as he stood, contemplating something. He eyed the villagers looking to him for guidance and sighed heavily.
"Take her to the jail," he ordered the guards. "She can be held there while we decide what to do."
Voices rose from the crowd--anger, dismay, and even a few words of gratitude. I couldn't help but feel flattered that not everyone wished to see me dead.
One guard yanked me to my feet and began pulling me in the direction of the small jail. As I looked behind me I saw Mr. Frewett hold up his hands to quiet the masses.
"Enough! This is a heavy decision, and one I shall not make on my own! This evening we will hold a meeting to…"
His voice faded before I could hear the rest. /No matter... in the end the outcome shall be the same./
I was sitting on a rough pine bench in a dingy cell some time later when Mr. Frewett appeared. The hour was late; no light came in with him through the open door. I hastily wiped the tears from my face before he was too close to my cell. My tired eyes rose to his face. I said nothing.
"You know we cannot give you to the king," he said tersely.
I saw resentment and frustration clearly in his features. I nodded slightly, already having prepared myself for death.
"However--"
/What?/
"--the majority of the villagers also say...we cannot kill you."
My eyes widened in shock. My confusion must have been apparent, because he continued, "Yes, I know. I'm as shocked by all this as you are, frankly. Were it up to me we would be setting up the pyre by now. I do not take kindly to liars, Lynarra, and your lie could cost our village dearly." His tone was stern, and I shrank back into my seat involuntarily.
"The people say--well--many feel they owe you a great debt for saving their lives or the lives of their loved ones. They seem to feel that by banishing you from the village, their debts will be repaid."
/Banishment?/
It was unheard of. I wondered how many Praecants had been spared this way over the years, if any. It put the village at some risk.
"Gods, woman, don't just sit there," the irritated man snapped.
I shook my head and came back to my senses. Mr. Frewett was holding the door of my cell open, a deep frown etched on his craggy face. Still not quite able to believe it, I stumbled out of the jail in a daze.
/Where will I go? What can I do from here? I have nothing, I know no one.../
As if understanding my silence, Frewett began to speak again.
"You will be given until dawn to collect your things. Jarrod and Amina Cromley have, for some godsforesaken reason, offered to supply you with a horse, since you do not have one of your own. If you are still in Vrysdale at sunrise, you will be killed. If you ever return to Vrysdale, you will be killed. Do you understand?" He finished, asking sharply.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
"Right. Here is your horse"
A beautiful white mare stood calmly in the square, tethered to a post. In the light of the moon, she looked like starlight. When I approached her, she allowed me to rub her nose before climbing into the saddle. A wave of gratitude hit me, soothing my frayed nerves.
"Thank you," I said, "for sparing me."
Mr. Frewett huffed.
"Don't thank me. Go."
With a gentle nudge into the horse's side, I rode out of the village. As I passed homes, I noticed curious faces peering through some windows, but many homes were dark. There was a full moon, and with its light I was able to reach my cottage easily. It did not take long to gather my meager belongings. I loaded the saddlebags with food and two changes of clothing. I tied down a blanket roll. Into my satchel I stuffed as much of my herb collection as possible. After filling a water skin, I was on my way. I almost tripped on something as I walked out the front door for the last time. When I bent down to investigate, I was puzzled by what I saw.
/A book? How did this get here?/
Inspecting the cover, I eventually was able to make out part of a faded title: canta ons for Ever eed. With a furrowed brow I flipped through the pages.
/Incantations. Who would have left this? Who would HAVE this?/
I looked around, but saw no one. I pushed the questions aside. There was no time to ponder it now. Tucking the book into a saddlebag, I hopped back onto the horse I'd named Starlight and began my journey.