We got back to the ship and put the boy on one of the extra Hammocks below deck. Marie had been crying the whole way back, she feared for the boy's life. I don’t blame her he wasn’t in good shape but if anyone can heal him it is Arva.
“ I can't heal him.”
“ What?!?” I shout in disbelief. Marie’s sob’s became louder.
“ At least not on my own, I need an herb to heal him completely.” She says but I can tell there's more she wants to say.
“ Marie, go to my room and stay there till I come get you.” I say my voice low and commanding. I look the young lass in her eyes to show her not to talk back to me. She was hesitant but nodded and left none the less.
“ What is it?” I say my voice is still serious as I see the worry on Arvas face.
“ This boy we didn’t get there in time Evera, He’s dying.” My mouth is agape in shock.
“ What about the herb, if I get it can he make it?” I question hurriedly.
“ Kinda, he’ll be alive but he will have also gone through death. He won’t be the same.” She says. I contemplated what to do, for a moment before answering her.
“ I’ll ask Marie what to do. She has clearly known the kid the longest. It should be her who decides.”
“ Ok but you are going to have to hurry. He doesn’t have too much time.” I nod before going to the captain's quarters.
“ Marie-” Before I could finish she attacked me with questions.
“ Why did you send me out? Is he ok? Oh god is he dead? Sparrows can’t die! Is he o-”
“ MARIE!” I shut her up.
“ Just answer me one question, Do you think he would be happier dead or alive?” She looks at me shocked, she takes a moment to contemplate what I'm asking.
“ Alive.” she answers me with confidence running through her. She is sure of her answer.
“ Go down and tell Arva I've gone to get the Herb. I'll be back as soon as possible.” She nods and just like that we both take our leave. Her from the room and me from the boat walking into the silent night with another's life slowly slipping through my fingers.
I walked into the tavern and walked to the barkeep.
“ Well what can i do for you lassy, looks like you are on a hunt for something.” He says with a chuckle.
“ I heard you can point me in the right direction.” I say slowly.
“ Depends on what you're looking for.”
“ Valerian.” I state. He turns to me before speaking to me in a hushed voice
“ You're not the first person coming in here tonight looking for that rare plant. I’d be careful little lady.” He says worry is taken in his tone.
“ I can handle myself but thanks to the old timer.” I say with a huff.
“ Alright, head up the northern hill you’ll see the cartell. Got a nice shack up there too. I reckon you’ll find your herb there. But be careful they don’t take kindly to visitors.”
“ Do they ever?” I say with a chuckle whilst tossing him a coin and taking my leave up the mountain.
The moon was above my head and the only sounds that could be heard were the crunching of leaves underneath my feet. It was like this for a very long time till I heard a commotion up ahead of me. I climbed up a tall oak tree to my left to see what was going on. It appeared a cloaked man had gotten here just before me, he was fighting some of the handlers below. Guess the barkeep was right. He was very skilled with a sword, but something about his movements looked familiar somehow.
“ Grab him, he has the Valerian!” One of the men shouts. Shite if he already has the plant it's just gonna make my night so much harder. I reach into my bag and pull out the rope Arva shoved in there. Maybe here being such a worry wart isn’t such a bad thing.
“ hopefully this will be enough.” I say to no one in particular as I harness myself to the tree and lower myself down, till I'm just above the commotion. I looked at the hooded man to see if I could spot the herb anywhere on him. I see a bag just under his cloak and I think that's where it would be, if not hopefully something important enough he’s willing to trade for. He started to back up towards me and I reached to grab the bag. I grab it just for the man's attention to turn towards me. His hood falls off allowing me to see his face.
“ James.” I say with shock evident on my face and voice. I didn’t want nor expect to see him here.
“ Corn-”
“ Grab them!” And just like that I was pulled out of my trance, I grabbed my dagger from my holster and cut the rope landing in the ground below my and Next to James. I throw the bag over my shoulder and sprinted off into the woods with the men and James following behind me.
“ Get back here!” One of the men screamed after us. After a while I felt my stamina running short and I started to slow down.
“ Come along love, can’t slow down now.” I hear the basta- i mean james say behind me. Just then I gathered enough of my strength to pull through, up ahead was a drop off no one in their right mind would jump off. Good thing I never considered myself mentally stable. Just as I near the edge I jump and slide down. I heard James shout above me but I'm already too far down to make out what he is saying. Probably something along the lines of ‘Noo’ or ‘ Are you insane’ either way i could care less.
When I reached the bottom there was a small cave, i’m about to climb into it when i hear a thumps ahead, i looked to see the one and only James.
“ You’ve got to be shittin me.” I mumbled to myself as I continued to the cave. Moments later James crawls into the cave sitting across from me.
“ What are you doing here?” James says, breaking the silence.
“ I could ask you the same thing, the only difference is I don't care so I wont.” I say, turning my head to peer out the cave entrance. I felt him with sarong holes in the side of my head. After a few minutes it started getting on my nerves.
“What!” I snapped finally having enough.
“ You changed Cornelia.
“ Don’t call me that.” I say my face contorting into one of irritation.
“ You are wanted for arson.” He started ignoring my request.
“ Yeah that and a few other things.
“Like?” He questioned
“ I’d tell you but then I'd have to kill ya.” I said with a straight face leaving him to wonder if I'm kidding or not. I think part of me means it. But the other part of me isn't sure if i could go through with it.
“ Funny but we both couldn't go through with ending someone's love life.” He says with a smile on his face but it soon drops as he sees me shift my sights to the floor.
“ Right Cornelia?” He says his tone now is full of worry. I meet his eyes.
“ Are you willing to bet on that statement?” My voice is low now.
“ What did you do?” He says his voice seriously. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. Was he serious? After what he did to me he’s trying to reprimand me?
“ Why are you laughing? I’m serious Corneila!” He said, his voice now raising. I could tell he was starting to get angry.
“ Why am I laughing? Well why are you asking me such silly questions? After what happened do you believe that you have any authority or part in my life?” I say my voice holds but nothing of confidence. James frowned at my snarky response.
“ Cor-”
“ STOP CALLING ME THAT!” I shout instantly putting my hand over my mouth realizing what I've done.
“ Did you hear that?”
“ Yeah but where did it come from?” We stayed silent for a few extra minutes to make sure it was still safe. James was the one who broke the silence once more.
“ If your name isn’t what you go buy then what is?” He asked if all kindness had disappeared from his voice; he now sounded cold and distant. It hurt me… I know it shouldn’t but it did.
“ Evera.” I started in a quiet voice. Upon hearing this his dead snapped up to look at me, a look of shock had taken over his features.
“ No.” Was all that came from his lips.
“ Oh you’ve heard of me? AWell looks like my name travels.” I say.
“ The Lady of the Dark Water. The witch Named Evera, calls upon storms to dye the waters black as devils blood for she herself is the Dark Lord's right hand sent to bring chaos to all.” He says eyes never leave me.
“ That's really beautiful, never knew you were into skrips.” I say an innocent smile lyes on my face.
“ What happened to your love?” He said in a quiet voice. I was about to answer when-
“ Hey look there's a cave let's search it!” Dammit, I got distracted. Just as they were about to come through the entry way I unsheathed my dagger and stabbed the man in the gut and pulled upward, his insides spilled onto the cave floor.
“ Holy shite!” I hear James say behind me.
“ Lets go hurry up.” I say run out the cave, stethly hiding behind the bush and trees to avoid any unnecessary conflict. I may be a bitch but I'm not heartless. We ran side by side till we reached a clearing with twenty or more men waiting for us. We ducked down next to a log.
“ What's the plan?” James says in a hushed town
“ How am I supposed to know!” I whispered back.
“ Can’t you do that witchy shite!” i rolled my eyes
“ Not exactly as easy as it seems.” I say peeking over the log to analyze the situation.
“ Oh come on we can get out here alive right?” He says
“ You highly overestimate me and this situation.” I say looking over towards him. And just like that i flip over the log unsheathing my sword and start the battle. The sounds of swords hitting one and another and shouts of pain where all you could hear. Me and James fought side by side basking in the bloodshed and screams that we were causing our enemies.
As the last man falls to the ground, me and James stand on opposite sides of the clearing. I still have the bag, I slightly open it to see if the herb is inside. I catch a glimpse of the green leaves.
“ You never did tell me who you were trying to get the herb for.” I shout across the valley to see him look in my direction.
“ You never asked, but it's for Bustain, my gun man.” I remember what happened in the tavern.
“ Oh I didn’t get him too bad now did i? To think it was only a warning too.” I stated. He just looked at me and shook his head.
“ I’ll be going now.”
“ And don’t worry about the bag. I'm just borrowing!” I then disappear.
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