The Rescue

The following story is part of a larger one I submitted to The Legends of Mernac.

When Anya Silverwillow finally saw a glint of the small village of Precan the sun had already set and the moons of Mernac shared its sky. Wishing she left sooner in the day, the Kalatian priestess picked up her pace so she would not be far from the city when night fell. Stories of the fate of those picked up by the Lord of Darkness’ Glorius Undead frightened even the most experienced travelers. She tried not to think of the horrific tales and quickened her pace even more.

Pulling the light cloak she wore closer to cover her gauzy white dress. I should have worn a heavier dress, the girl silently scolded herself as she trudged through the icy night. I should have known better. The north of Arden is frigid at night, this time of the season. Though Anya finally attained the title of Priestess, it was clear to her, if no one else that there was much for her to learn still. She untied the ribbon that held her hair up so that the long sandy-colored mane would help to shield her neck and ears from the chill. Her green eyes watered, but she was not sure if it was the wind or the difficult situation she was about to face.

Instead of fretting over what she had, or had not done or the mysteries hiding in the shadows of the great trees that lined her path, Anya decided to think more about the reason for her mission to the remote village. Miriam Hawke, the aging wife of Arden’s most affluent merchant, came to her temple requesting their assistance in rescuing a young girl named Lucia Drach. Lucia’s father Victor had once been the blacksmith of Precan. The rough, burly man was not well liked and had only a few friends among the residents. His hot temper and abuse of Lucia’s mother Cecile made most of the townsfolk wary of the large man.

According to Miriam, Cecile had died recently, leaving young Lucia to the whims of her father’s violent moods. Victor had given up smithing, spending most of his time drunk off his arse in the tavern. Having no place else to go, his daughter was forced to sit by herself silently by the fire while her father drank, gambled and boozed. It was a miserable existence. If Lucia moved or made noise while her father was still conscious he would yell obscenities or hit her.

From the look in Miriam’s eyes it had broken the old lady’s heart to see such violence towards a child. She considered taking the child in herself, but the roads, especially in Arden, are no place for children. Far better she have her husband set out for Port Kellen immediately and contact the Kalatian temple the minute they arrived.

The tales of abuse did not fall on deaf ears within the temple. Anya had been on her way within an hour of Miriam’s arrival.

Despite her oath to love all of the people and creatures of Mernac, Anya felt anger and hate towards this girl’s father. I wonder how anyone could be so evil, she thought to herself, clenching her fists at her sides.

She arrived on the edge of the village just as the last rays of the sun disappeared for their nightly slumber. The blue moon of Mernac, Araf, had a faint but large ring encircling it. Her teachers called this ring a Halo, an omen from the Gods. It was a sign of great good or a warning of great misfortune to those that saw it. Anya hoped that the side of good would prevail this evening and tried to push away her anxiety that something bad would happen.

Having visited this area before, she knew that the Singing Sparrow tavern was the largest and most well lit structure in town. She also recalled that the inhabitants during her last visit had been carrying on in such a manner that she suggested to another priestess that it should have been called the Squawking Sparrow instead. Chuckling to herself, she made her way towards the tavern and to a child that would need her help.

The smell of urine and ale overwhelmed her senses as she opened the door and stepped into the crowded main room of the tavern. With her stomach churning it took all that she had to keep from vomiting. She closed the door shut behind her and stood in the doorway trying to regain her composure. The tavern was packed that evening. A few tables were scattered along the perimeter of the large room, but most were shoved closely together in front of the bar. Most of the patrons of the bar were male, but there were a few women scattered here and there.

Over half of the eyes in the bar, including a large aging man behind the bar, were on her. Priestesses, especially those pledged to the Mothers, were a rarity in this area. The people of Arden were drawn to the Fathers even though there were not many that followed any particular religion. She ignored the stares and looked around the room to find Lucia. In her urgency to complete her mission and get out of the disgusting tavern she almost did not see the little figure huddled on her knees near the fire. Upon seeing the child she thought to herself, Oh my goddess!

Even from halfway across the room, Anya could see the child clutching something small against her and was covered in mud and dirt. As she strode in her direction she could see that the child’s long hair, which she assumed was brown, was matted against her head and full of mud. The girl’s shift was dirty as well and looked to be too small for the growing girl. The child looked like she had not getting enough food. Bruises lined her arms and legs like she was beaten daily. Her body was way too lean for her age and had no muscle tone. Dark circles outlined the most beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen. The eyes looking back were sad and fearful.

As Anya approached the girl, those dark brown eyes looked up at her full of curiosity and wonder. Lucia obviously had never seen a priestess before, but she was definitely intrigued. When the priestess sat down on a bench on the other side of the fire, the child did not move, but followed her with her eyes. The item she was holding so close was a doll made of cloth. One of the button eyes was missing and the doll’s painted smile had faded.

“What did I tell you about harassing people in the tavern girl,” boomed a loud male voice from a nearby table. From the wide-eyed and frightened look on the girl’s face, Anya could tell that it had come from Victor.

“She is not bothering me,” she spoke up quickly, standing as she turned towards the direction of the speaker. She noticed that a hush had fallen over the entire tavern as she was finally able to figure out who had spoken. A large man ambled slowly towards her. He looked like he had once been a very strong man, but abandoning his trade and spending his time drinking was making him fat. He bounced off chairs, tables and other patrons on his way in her direction. She moved between him and the child.

“Actually I was wondering if she would like to join me for a spot of supper,” she continued before he had the chance to say anything else.

Just as loud as before, but slower and more slurred he asked, “Now why would you want to do that? That li’l git is disgusting and rude.” He sneered at Lucia, who moved closer up against the wall and cowered.

“I have had a long journey and would like some company,” she replied quickly and much more forcefully than she intended. She would have to work to get his attention off the girl.

“Suit yourself, but she ruins my appetite.”

Anya released the breath that she had not realized she was holding in as the large man shrugged, turning and heading back towards his seat chuckling. She struggled to control her fury as she returned to the child, still remaining between her and Victor.

“Hello child. Are you hungry?” she asked Lucia gently.

The child peered cautiously over towards her father before nodding her head slowly to the priestess. Anya extended her hand to the frightened girl, helping her to her bare feet before escorting her to a small table near the back of the tavern. She felt most of the eyes in the tavern on her as she sat the child facing away from the main room tavern.

After scanning the tavern quickly and saw that the old barkeep was coming toward her. He nodded his balding head courteously as he approached, rubbing his hands on his stained apron.

“M’lady. My name is Nathaniel. I welcome you to the Singing Sparrow,” he said in a deep, but sincere voice.

“I appreciate your hospitality Master Nathaniel. There are some in Port Kellen who talk very highly of your stew,” she said warmly as she fished some money out of her pouch.

He looked around warily. He spoke in a low voice, “Did Mistress Miriam send you?” She could tell that he was nervous and was hoping to help the child without the child’s father discovering.

“Indeed she did. I came right away,” she replied softly.

A large smile crept across his old face. “Praise the Mothers! We have some lamb stew in the back. Just made it m’self,” speaking a little louder. He walked back toward the bar and disappeared into a doorway. When he reappeared he was carrying a tray that held two bowls of steaming hot stew and two mugs. He set a bowl and mug in front of the girl before setting the ones for Anya in front of her.

Nathaniel whispered again, “I brought ‘lil Luci here some milk and our best wine for you m’lady. And put those coins away. Any frien’ of this girl is a frien’ of mine.” He started walking away and turned suddenly as if he had forgotten something.

“Will m’lady need lodging for the evening?”

“Yes Master Nathaniel!”

“I will have the missus prepare the first room on the right up the stairs.” He replied before heading back to the bar.

Anya focused her attention back on Lucia. Her eyes stared at the bowl in front of her, but she had not touched it. I wonder what is holding her back, the priestess thought to herself.

“You may eat if you are hungry, but be careful because the stew is hot” the priestess told her soothingly.

The child’s hand flew at the spoon and she began shoveling the hot brown morsels of meat and potato into her mouth. She only paused briefly to take a drink out of the large mug, sloshing some of its contents onto the wooden table.

While Lucia was eating Anya scanned the room. Victor returned to his chair, playing a dice game with four other equally intoxicated fellows. He dropped the dice and made one of the tavern wenches bend down to pick them up. While she was bent over he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his lap. The whole scene was so disgusting that she had to turn her head away thinking back to some of the lessons she had learned in the temple. It was Lucia’s voice that brought her back to reality.

“Thank you,” whispered Lucia when she had emptied her bowl.

“Would you like some more stew or maybe some bread?”

The girl shook her head vigorously at first and then stopped to look around, afraid that she may be in some sort of trouble.

Anya smiled warmly at her before picking up her bowl. She walked over and set the empty bowl onto the bar. Nathaniel fished another bowl of stew and some bread out of the kitchen and brought it to the priestess. She returned back to the table in the corner, setting both the bowl of stew and the bread down in front of the child. Lucia did not wait to get permission this time before breaking off a piece of the bread and quickly consuming her second bowl of stew. The priestess smiled and sat back to enjoy her wine and stew as well.

Once they both had finished, Anya introduced herself to the child. “My name is Anya Silverwillow. I am a priestess of Kala,” she said, pointing to herself.

“Lucia,” the girl replied weakly. She was unsure of herself and from the way she looked around her when she spoke, it did not seem like she had an opportunity to speak much at all. Anya remembered when she was young she would follow her mother all around the garden talking. The memory caught her by surprise because she did not remember hardly anything about her life before she was found outside the Kalatian temple at age fifteen. Once she had Lucia safe she would have to think back on this memory and see if she could remember anything else from her past.

Just as Anya was going to begin asking little Lucia some questions, she noticed that the young one’s father was approaching unsteadily.

“Don’t be fillin’ her head with none of yer love ‘n harmony nonsense,” he said loudly. He was unsteady on his feet and his words were more slurred than before. As he came closer he reached out for the wall to steady himself, almost falling over in the process.

Anya looked over at Lucia, who had shrunk back into her chair with a look of complete terror on her face. She rose immediately from her chair, placing her body between father and daughter once again. Nathaniel must have sensed there would be trouble and went over to the girls father to help him. The intoxicated man waved his arm towards the barkeep to shoo him off. The older man stepped back out of the way, but did not leave.

“Ye had better leave Victor,” the barkeep said to the staggering man, who in turn ignored him.

With his attention returning to Anya, Victor exclaimed, “By Barak’s balls! What do you think you are doin’ wif my daughter woman?”

As she straightened her back, Anya replied in an icy tone, “I am checking on the welfare of this child. Lucia is filty, starved and has bruises like she has been beaten.”

“The little whelp has ruined my life. If you want her, take her. She has been nothing but rotten and worthless since she was born.”

Victor turned on his heel and staggered back towards his seat.

Anya turned to Lucia, who was shrinking back in her chair in terror.

“Would you like to come live with me and the other priestesses at the temple? You will have a nice bed to sleep in, can eat whenever you want and there are several other children to play with.”

Lucia’s eyes lit up and swirled with the possibilities. She vigorously nodded her head and sat up straight in her chair. Her entire demeanor had changed in the blink of an eye. She no longer looked around for her father, but looked directly at the priestess as she spoke.

The child was still covered in dirt, but with her stomach full and her eagerness to leave the tavern, Anya decided that they should probably leave. Once they arrived at the temple she could help Lucia get washed up and take care of any other injuries she might have. From the look of the bruises on her thin body, Anya decided that there were probably many emotional wounds that they would need to address as well.

With some relief in her voice, Anya turned to Nathaniel. “I would like to return to Port Kellen with the child immediately. Is there someone who can take us?”

The old barkeep nodded before heading to one of the tables near the door. He briefly spoke to a man there and gestured toward the priestess and the child a few times. The man got up from the table and left the tavern. Nathaniel walked back to the table where Anya and Lucia sat.

“Henry will take you where you need to go. You can meet him outside.”

Anya usually did not like to travel by horse, but she wanted to get Lucia back to the temple before Victor changed his mind or tried to harm either of them physically. As she and the child rose from their chairs and walked towards the door, Anya noticed that Victor did not look up or acknowledge that his own daughter was leaving his life, probably forever. It saddened her to think what Lucia had gone through here, but made her even more determined to get her to the temple safely.

Nathaniel followed them out and handed her a bundle that contained another loaf of bread and some cheese for them to eat on the trip. She thanked him for the food and his kindness briefly as Lucia gave him a big hug. The child had tears in her eyes and they smeared the smudges of dirt on her face. Once she was done hugging her first and only friend, Anya took Lucia’s hand into her own and knelt down next to her. She used the lining of her cloak to wipe the tears and some of the dirt from the girl’s face. She smiled warmly and was surprised, but relieved when it was returned.

Outside the tavern Anya could breather much easier. As she watched as the barkeep disappeared back into the tavern she spotted the silhouette of a horse-drawn wagon pulling around the corner. When it was in front of them she could see the man Nathaniel had spoken to in the tavern, Henry, in front with his wife and young boy in the back. The woman, Sarah, helped them into the back of the wagon and gave them each a blanket to keep them warm during the trip. She sat down opposite Sarah in the wagon and positioned Lucia by her side.

The night air was chilly and the path was well lit by the pair of moons. Once they were in the forest Anya felt Lucia relax and looked to see that the girl had fallen asleep against her. Looking over at Sarah she found that both Henry’s wife and son were both already asleep. She pulled her own blanket around so it also helped cover the small body next to her. She watched the trees pass overhead for some time before drifting off to sleep herself.

Travelling by wagon to Port Kellen was significantly quicker than on foot. Henry drove through the night to get the women safely to the temple. Just as dawn began to peek over the trees he relinquished the reins to his son and Sarah so he could rest in the rear of the wagon. Anya and Lucia shared some of the bread and cheese with their travel companions as they looked at the forest. Anya pointed out the different birds and wildlife to Lucia as they passed. Lucia had relaxed quite a bit, but would tense up any time the wagon would stop.

Just before noon they reached the outskirts of of Port Kellen. They passed many houses and wells before reaching the temple, which was just northeast of the town. With their home right along the ocean, swimming and fishing were some of the important skills that were taught. Anya told Lucia tales of her encounters with mermaids and even told her of a treasure that was said to be buried off one of the northern coves. The child watched and listened to the priestess with much interest.

Several of the priestesses and acolytes ran from the temple to greet the wagon when it arrived. Lucia was stiff with fear being surrounded by so many people, but Anya took her hand and squeezed it gently.

The high priestess of the temple was the first one to speak. To Lucia with a wink she said, “By the love of the great Mothers, we are so glad to have you here.”

The frightened Lucia clung to Anya’s arm and hid her eyes against her dress.

Anya smiled warmly at the high priestess. “May the love of the Mother Kala precede me. My Lady, we should get this little one cleaned up and attend to our guests. I have much to speak with you about in private, but my dear friend here needs my attention first.”

The high priestess bowed deeply to show her appreciation and affection to Anya before stepping out of the way for them to pass. One of the other priestesses helped Anya down from the wagon, who in turn helped the young traveler. She held Lucia’s hand and walked her over into the temple. Lucia looked around in amazement at the marble statues and gold columns within having never seen such beauty. They went through a doorway and entered a small passage. After passing several doors she turned to the right and opened a door, urging Lucia to step inside. They were in Anya’s room.

“You can stay in here with me for a couple days Lucia, but soon you will go stay with the other girls your age,” she told the young girl.

Lucia looked terrified and would not let go of her hand. She could see tears were forming in the little brown eyes.

“It will be fine Luci dear and you will like the other little girls that live here. Let’s go get you washed up, find you a pretty dress and get you something to eat,” she said, smiling.

Anya chuckled as the child perked up at the mention of food. She felt the warmth of joy spread through her being as Lucia clung to her arm and wished that it could always be this way. Unfortunately Lucia would have to leave her care soon and join the other children of the temple. The child would be so busy with lessons and playing that she feared she would not get to see her as often as she liked. Brushing those sad thoughts aside, she decided to enjoy the young one while she was around.

As she opened the door back into the passage a little blur ran by. Serephina Andel, one of the other children living in the temple stopped at the corner to look back at them and waved. Serephina’s bright red hair was a huge contrast to her light blue tinted skin. Lucia waved back before the girl took off at a run around the corner before hiding her face back in the priestess’ dress.