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Chapter 8: Teresa
I knew something was wrong once I stepped foot back into the village. The atmosphere seemed to be slightly subdued. I knew it was just a little past the seasonal round up of new horses… A ritual I should have been in charge of if things had been different, I thought bitterly. Still, the only thing I could think of was that someone was hurt. Still, that wouldn't matter! I thought. Only a few people would be saddened by such news… Everyone else would be celebrating for a successful round up. What went wrong!?
As soon as I saw that the family was safely home, I went to my own house to freshen up before heading back out to find out what had happened during our excursion. Once there though, I was in for a shock.
Upon entering, I noticed how cold and empty the place felt. "Kim?" I called out and was greeted by eerie silence. "Kim!" I called out more desperately, dropping my pack at the doorway and rushed around the house. I stopped at her room and noticed how neat and tidy the room was, as if it had been untouched for days. That made me double my efforts. "Kim, where are you?"
Seeing that she was nowhere to be found inside, I made my way back out and went towards the village. Who in the world would know where she could be? The grim realization hit me. The only other person Kim was close to was Marc.
As I made my way to his house on the other side of the village, I thought back to the few months we hadn't spoken to each other. I knew he was sorry and I knew he wanted to talk, but I couldn't. It hurt to think about what he'd done behind my back. Why'd he have to betray me like that? I thought he cared for me… But he still does. The white flower he'd left on my ride's mane a few weeks ago had long since dried out but I still kept it hidden away in my satchel. And looking into his eyes that afternoon as I left… He was truly sorry… But could I ever find it in my heart to take him back?
The answer came to me as I stepped onto the main path leading to the village. Marc was riding a horse and drawing along behind him, a small cart. Marc stopped the horse when he saw me and we looked, frozen at each other. Something on the cart behind him caught my eye though, and I saw that it was Kim. "Kim!"
Marc watched as I rushed in to embrace my sister. "Tess! Welcome home!"
Quickly, I noted the soft, makeshift mat that lay in the cart. "Kim! Don't you dare scare me like that again! Where have you been? What happened to you?"
Marc had by then dismounted and laid a hand on my shoulder, stilling me. "Let's get her inside and we'll tell you all about it."
I bit my lip and kept silent, aware of my outburst and knowing that he was right. As gently as we could, the two of us helped Kim walk into the house, placing her in front of the fireplace. As I quickly brought the fire back to life and Marc went to hitch the horse, my mind raced. What in the world happened while I was gone? It sure looks as if those two got real close… Oh, Tess, why is your life so complicated?
As soon as everyone was settled, the story slowly spilled from the other two as I sat quietly, taking it all in. I listened to them and once again, felt sorry that I hadn't been here personally to help out. Once again, I was left bitter, thinking about how my role as bodyguard had prevented me from being home among the people I cared about. I was eternally grateful to the Healers and the rest of the villagers who'd been here to help Kim recuperate. I slowly began to settle down when I heard how everyone pitched in, but Kim started to tell me something more.
"Sister, I want to train."
At first, I thought she was joking. "Oh Kim, that's not possible. You know that. You're too old and with your current condition, I don't think it would be a wise decision."
I got up from my seat, indicating that I was finished with the subject and went to prepare dinner. However, I could feel Marc watch silently as the discussion continued.
"Tess, listen to me!" I looked at her on the floor. "You know and I know that I don't have much of a life outside the house. I don't have friends and all I do is stay home and clean. I want some meaning in my life and I want to become a warrior."
I was set against the idea though and wouldn't budge. "Kim, this is not open for discussion. I don't want you to go into training. It's too dangerous for you and I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Nothing's going to happen to me anyway at the rate I'm going!" She protested. I shot her a look, but she pressed on. "Sister, I know what you're saying and I know you want to protect me, but I don't want to lead this sheltered life any longer. I want to be somebody and do something good for other people, not just us."
She watched as I went on my business, but continued to talk. "You know I'd work hard. I've watched you train and be a warrior all my life. You've been such a role model for me and I want to follow in your footsteps."
I whirled around to face her then. "Are you sure?"
We locked eyes and in a steady voice, she answered. "Yes."
"This is what you want?"
"More than anything else, yes."
"But what about the condition you're in now?" I asked, indicating her healing body.
Marc spoke up then. "She'll be fine. All she needs is plenty of rest and I'll make sure she gets just that. I've already started teaching her the basics and she's learning quickly. You needn't worry about her."
I looked at him and felt the last of my resolve break down. I turned my head and looked down at where Kim sat up, looking up at me, pleading me to let her go. I turned back to the fireplace and spoke. "I guess I have no choice. This is what you want. I can't stop you. If this is the way it's going to be, I can only hope for the best for you."
I gave a quick glance at my sister and saw the happiness in her face as she turned to smile at Marc. "Come on," I quietly said, getting up. "We better get your things so you can move out." I went to her room and put together a small pack for her to take with her to the training house where she'd stay until she graduated.
I handed it to Marc and watched from the doorway as the two slowly made their way back to the horse and cart. As the two started their way back to the village, I called out to Kim. "Don't you dare come back Kim! I don't want to see you again until your training's complete!"
"I won't!" Kim called back cheerfully. "I'll make you proud, sister!"
I felt my heart crumble some more as I sank to the ground and sobbed in the open. I could feel Marc's gaze upon me as I cried but I didn't care any longer about who saw me. My life as I'd known it, was over. There was nothing else I could look forward to in life. I was alone.