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“Why?”
“The journey in itself is perilous enough, but I can’t help but feel like we look like one giant target. Three elite carriages, another full of supplies, and an armed guard are sure to raise some eyebrows.”
“I don’t think anyone would dare launch an assault on the convoy. They’d be insane.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” I tell her. “What if we run into some insane group?”
“Respectfully, my friend, you are worrying too much,” Calindra jokes. “Take a deep breath and have a drink. It’ll calm you down some.”
“Alright.” I nod, returning my eyes to the passing forest.
It grows thicker with each tree that passes by, the treeline slowly becoming denser and harder to see through. I can no longer see past the first row, and of course, my ever-turbulent mind imagines a band of soldiers lying in wait for us.
“Your hand is shaking,” Calindra says. “You poor thing, just try and relax, please.”
“I’m doing my best, but the deeper we go, the worse I feel.”
“We have the elite guards of the Fouuer with us. Need I remind you that they’re battle-hardened and trained for the worst?”
“Maybe you’re right.” I sigh.
In my mind, shaking things off proves difficult. I say nothing more of my hesitation, knowing it will go nowhere. The forests aren’t as heavily regulated as the city.
The innumerable trees are shrouded in a constant darkness that refuses to die, even in broad daylight, practically untouched by it. I believe it to be in such murky areas that evil of theworst kind grows and prospers, all unwatched and without an authority to keep things in check.
I repeat Calindra’s words of reassurance in my mind, at the very least grateful that we have protection to keep us out of harm’s way. I have a commitment to Karona to fulfill and people to help. A priestess should not put her fears over the needs of others.
On top of everything, I still hold on to the hope of finding forgiveness for myself. I’m aware that this mission could possibly be what I need to finally feel at peace for what I did.
Perhaps I manifested this as a way to redeem myself of my sins,I think to myself.I'll see to it that Glebe has all it needs before I return.
“Take this,” Calindra says, handing me a small glass of wine. “Let’s take the edge off, shall we?”
We clink glasses and chat as the convoy ventures further into the forest. Through the laughter and temple gossip, I do my best to ignore the feeling of a thousand eyes staring at me from the now obscure treeline, not even daring to look out the window.
From my peripherals, I notice now that a low mist hangs in the air, preventing me from seeing anything beyond the sides of the road.
My mind plagues me with the thought of being lost and alone this far out. I’d never find my way home, a notion that sends a shiver down my spine.
“Stop it,” I mutter.
“What was that?” Calindra asks. “Did you just say stop it?”
“I… Yeah, I was just talking to myself.”
Calindra sighs and crosses over to the seat beside me.
“You’ve got to get out of your head if we’re going to do this mission,” she whispers, rubbing my shoulders.
“I know we have the guard with us, but I can’t help but wonder ‘what if.’”
“Nothing is going to happen,” she reassures me. “Maybe some rest would do you good. I think there are blankets here somewhere, I’ll draw the –”
The carriage comes to an abrupt halt, sending both Calindra and I hurtling forward. We catch ourselves just in time before we fall completely, looking at each other in wide-eyed surprise.
I look out the window to see two guards from the rear run up front. Shouting rings through the misty air.
“What’s happening?” Calindra asks.
