Separate Ways

The people were bustling about Dunig and the sun was shining bright. At least the weather is good, if nothing else. I thought as I hobbled forward. After only a handful of steps the pain of my back giving way appeared. People were shooting concerned glances and others were offering me help. I simply shook my head in denial without making eye contact.

While making a turn I felt the pot shift to far over, pulling me down with a loud thud. I tried to use magic to get up to no avail. I don’t actually know any to take off weight. This sucked.

Someone ran over. “Oh no. Mam’ might I help you?” An ideally feminine voice said.

I would recognize that voice and long, curly red hair anywhere. It was Storcha. Feeling panic well up inside me I replied. “Yes, yes young miss I could.” In a cracking, terrible imitation of an old lady’s voice. I wasn’t in any position to say no and decided to go along with it.

Storcha hesitated a beat and then ran over to the pot and struggled to push it up.

“Thats it.” I replied back to Storcha while struggling to get up. Even if I knew magic to assist it was out of the question now lest the aura give me away. She would recognize it for sure. Even Storcha’s weak push helped take off a lot of weight. I was back on my feet in short order. “Thank you little lady.”

“I’ll stay back here to make sure you don’t fall again.” Storcha offered.

Your far to kind. I shouted in my head. “That would be wonderful.” I couldn’t refuse the offer of my best friend as this very well may be the last time we meet.

We strolled off in silence to the edge of the forest. This isn’t like her. She was never this quiet. I was feeling paranoid, my mind racing the whole way.

Just a bit inside the forest we set it down.

“Nice to see young people are so helpful still.” I said with nasal in my voice.

“I try.” Storcha replied looking at the ground with somber eyes.

“Something the matter deary?” I took a quick glance at her. Her eyes seemed to be drifting every direction but mine. Both of us stood under the trees looking downwards.

Storcha let out a heavy sigh that could match the pot in weight. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the girl who ran off and how the chiefs think she’s the one who blighted the root cellar.”

“Ah, the girl from the Articus house. I’ve seen her around town.”

Storcha put her hand to her neck and looked up as a gust blew by. “She’s been my best friend since we were kids. She was always at odds with the leaders, no everyone in town for using magic outside of combat. Like, using magic to levitate things or cooking. I’ve always worried about her, things have just gotten so different lately.

“She was even more distant then usual. There was something she just wouldn’t tell me. There was no way she’d blight the root cellar. She just isn’t like that.” Storcha looked up covering her mouth. “Oh I’m sorry mam’ I shouldn’t keep you with my worries.”

“Its nothing dear.” I began to reply with a somber look. ”Sounds like she’s a creative girl.”

“She was yes. She loves magic and was always trying to find new ways to use it. She helped me so much as kids using it, even saved me from drowning once.” Storcha’s voice began to crack. “Everyone rejected her for it, even her family. But she never stopped.”

I pulled my hood down even further. “I’m sure she is out there thinking of you. She is likely just trying to discover herself. Sometimes people just need their space. She will come back. Trust her.” I chocked a bit holding it all in.

Storcha wiped her eyes. “Your right, thank you mam’. Do you need more help?”

“I should be good deary.”

“Alright, I’ll be off then. Bye bye.” Storcha wandered off back into town. Not raising her head even a bit.

Watching her wonder off with bittersweet feelings lingering. I didn’t know for sure, but she seemed even more sad at my refusal for help.