I awaken, but Kaelith is not here with me. I shoot up. Where is he? Oh gosh… What happened to him? Is he okay?
Suddenly, the door opens.
"Ohhhh, you're awake?"
My panic subsides as he walks to the bedside with a tray of food in hand.
"I figured I would get you breakfast. You must be hungry—not eating last night."
He's right. I'm starving. I couldn't eat last night because I was too worried and shaken up. This morning already feels like a breath of fresh air.
"Thank you," I say, taking the tray and beginning to eat.
"We leave today, right?" he asks.
I nod. "I want to take one last dip in the hot springs before we leave, though." I smile.
I quickly scarf down my breakfast. Kaelith follows me downstairs.
Before I can open the door to the changing room, I'm hugged from behind.
"Thank goodness you're okay."
Mary hugs me. I thought it was him.
"I'm okay. I just want one last dip," I tell her, smiling.
"Oh, I get it. Also, don't worry about lunch on the road—I packed last night's supper in your wagon already."
I look down, ashamed. "I'm sorry I didn't eat last night."
"Think nothing of it, girl. I'm just glad you're okay. If anything, I'm sorry about what happened."
She looks puzzled. "I've never had that happen before. There aren't any predators here for miles, and even in winter, they'd be hibernating. What on earth caused it to leave?"
It's a great question… but what happened, happened.
"Let's just focus on today and make the most of it, shall we?" I say. My usual saying comes out automatically: Focus on the day and make the most of it.
She smiles, and I head for my final dip. Of course, Kaelith is already there.
"You took your time."
"Mary," I reply.
"AHHHHHH, I see. She is definitely a talker," he mutters.
I dip my toes in the spring, then the rest of my body. I let out a groan of satisfaction.
"You definitely needed a final dip."
"After yesterday, I need a lot more than that," I admit.
He lets out a hearty laugh. It's good to see my Kaelith back.
"So… about yesterday," I begin. His arms that were on the wall come down, and his eyes beam at me.
"Yes?"
"I have a few questions."
"Ask away."
"When you said the goddess chose me… who is she?"
"Nobody knows outside of one person. All I know is the legend, which I can't share yet."
"Why not?"
"Its not meant to be spoken in such a place as this and its taboo."
I raise an eyebrow. "Taboo?"
He nods. "There is a list of rules every member of The 25 must adhere to. Break them, and a punishment will be enforced."
His eyes grow distant. That sounds… scary. The look he has is scary.
I move on to the next question. "Then… for how long am I to join? Can I leave?"
He shakes his head. "Once you join, you join for life."
My eyes widen. "That's insane."
Kaelith quickly follows up. "Think of it this way: when you join us, you fight for equality for all. Isn't that a fight worth committing to for life?"
"That's what you fight for?" I ask.
He nods. "This world is full of imbalance and inequality. The 25 seek to change that."
This is a lot to take in, but for today, this is enough.
"What was that metal?". I begin to ask
He chuckles. "A gift given to me by the goddess is an interesting gift.".
He grabs a nearby stone. "I can change objects to whatever form I wish." The stone suddenly shifts to a dagger. "But just because I can shift it to what I want…". I flinch as a movement slashes on his arm covered by his long sleeves but no blood is drawn and the fabric isn't cut. "Doesn't mean it changes its properties or makes them sharp or any different than what that material is.". I stare at him for a moment. "That's almost like magic." if it actually exists. He chuckles. "Like I said, it's a gift. You will receive one too when the time comes.".
"That's enough for now. I might have more questions in the future, but today…" I fall backward into the spring, nearly covering my head. "I want to relax the last bit I can."
He chuckles. We sit there, enjoying each other's company for as long as we can.
When we hop in the wagon and lead our way back, I lean into his warmth, his arm wrapped around me. Though I originally came here to treat Kaelith, and he is part of whatever The 25 are, we ended up far closer now. I have never felt safer in his arms.