Launi didn’t dream.Even if it was just while she slept, Launi didn’t have to worry. She didn’t have to think about her village or her father or meeting her mother whom she’d thought had died years before. She didn’t have to think about the dark mages trying to take over. She had fallen into a deep, restful sleep, the likes of which she hadn’t had since she’d started her journey. The darkness of sleep had fallen over her quickly and she’d fallen into it willingly and grateful.
When Launi finally opened her eyes many hours later, they accustomed quickly to the dark room. There was a breeze just strong enough for her to hear over the roaring of the fire in the main room beyond the bedroom door.
Launi sat up stiffly. She’d woken up in the exact same position in which she’d fallen asleep; the blankets beneath her looked like they’d barely been slept in. Clasping one wrist with the opposite hand, Launi reached up high above her and stretched. Letting her arms fall of their own free will, Launi felt them brush against her curly hair; it seemed particularly unruly today. The recent moisture, wind, and travel had not helped matters.
Standing, Launi stretched once more, aware of how sore and tired her body felt after so many days of traveling on horseback. Her mind, however, felt clear. She could think straight and didn’t feel anywhere near as overwhelmed as she had before she’d gone to sleep.
A good night’s, well I guess a day’s, rest can do wonders. Launi thought to herself as she made her way around the bed and out into the main room. The first thing she noticed was that it was dark outside; the only light in the room came from the roaring fire.
Through the open window, Launi could make out a few pinpricks of light through the canopy of leaves that hung above the little cottage. Peering outside, she could make little out in the darkness of the night. Dancing shadows played on the floor and world outside. Launi knew that they belonged to the swaying branches above them. She felt safe; at home here in the woods.
“How did you sleep?” Glandria asked from where she sat at the table.
Launi looked over at the sound of her mother’s voice and for a moment had a hard time believing that who was sitting in the room with her.
“Well, thanks. I feel much better.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Glandria smiled, but the way the firelight hit her face made it seem somewhat sinister.
Launi felt a shiver run down her spine. This is your mother, she reminded herself. This is your mother and if she did want to hurt you she would have done so while you were sleeping. You’re safe.
“What have you been doing?” Launi wondered, moving around the room to stand in a spot where the fire didn’t cast odd shadows on her mother’s face.
“Oh, a little bit of this and that. I went out for a while to collect some herbs and have been reviewing the spell in some of my books.”
“Did you find anything useful?”
“Yes, I’ve been making a list of everything we’ll need to gather to cast the spell. It’s an extensive list and may take some time to gather it all, but I’m sure we’ll manage.”
“I think I can help with that part,” Launi said, thinking of her father and hoping that he and the other villagers were alright. “I’ve had a lot of practice looking for herbs with Father.”
Glandria smiled. “Yes, I suppose you have. You’ll be able to speed us up then. With two of us and your knowledge, maybe we can go faster than I’ve anticipated.”
“Hopefully,” was all Launi would think of as a response. Luckily, her mother didn’t seem to mind.
“When would you like to start?” Glandria asked Launi after letting the silence stand for a little while.
Launi knew what her answer was right away, “as soon as possible.”
“Perfect. Why don’t we start at first light?” Launi nodded in agreement. “Would you like to look over the list I’ve made?”
“Alright,” Launi answered, heading over to the table and the empty seat across from her mother.
Once she had sat down Glandria passed her a sheet of parchment. The light from the fire was dim here, but if she tilted the paper toward the hearth and squinted slightly, Launi could just make out her mother’s handwriting.
“This could take a few days,” Launi said a sinking feeling dragging at her stomach. “Do we have that much time?”
“No, but it won’t take quite that long. I have a garden around the back of the cottage where I grow the most common herbs.”
“Father wouldn’t approve of that,” Launi said before she could stop herself. She looked up at her mother, worried she’d offended her.
Glandria didn’t appear to have taken offense. Instead, a sad look had found its way onto her face. “I’d nearly forgotten. He always did believe that wild herbs had the highest potency and were the purest. He wouldn’t let me start a garden even if it would have made things so much easier for him.”
“He likes going out and looking for them,” Launi said a sad smile on her lips. “I think he likes it just as much as healing people.”
“He always did.”
The two of them sat in a sad silence; both lost in worlds of their own. One thinking of a life lived and another of a life lost. But they’d found each other despite everything and now it was their turn to heal the people they loved and save the realm.
Thank you so much for this new entry.
Of course 🙂