The Banishment of the Thief

Untitled Part 7

"What made you change your mind about her?" Gylon balanced the tray as he walked, trying not to look at or think about the food that he could never eat. To him, Delith's food didn't look unpleasant in the slightest. "You were so wary of her before." He had wanted to ask Ilshi the question the day before, after the exorcism, but she didn't seem willing to talk. That morning, she had asked to come along when he delivers Atyet her food, so he thought it was appropriate to ask.

The white haired girl took some time to answer. It looked almost as though she didn't want to answer. "I saw something inside her. Something I've never seen before."

"You mean, as a Seer?"

She nodded. "She is still dangerous, but I know she won't hurt us."

"Why not?"

"I don't think she can."

Gylon didn't understand what she meant, Ilshi had not intended for him to, but he thought that maybe she had come to the same conclusion that he had. Atyet was a good person, despite what people said about necromancers. How could he think anything else, after everything she has done?

Ilshi opened the door and they entered Atyet's room. The huntress was asleep, lying on her side on top of the covers. Gylon set breakfast down on the dresser and went to wake her up. Normally he would just leave, but this time he felt he needed to make sure.

"Atyet?" he called, gently pushing on her shoulder. "Atyet, wake up." She stirred almost immediately, rolling over and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "We brought food. You haven't eaten in more than a day."

She looked up at him hazily for a moment, then seemed to understand. Atyet got out of bed and walked to the dresser.

Gylon didn't notice when Atyet covertly kicked a small opened box under the bed, but Ilshi certainly did.

The two visitors watched awkwardly as Atyet devoured the dry meat and bread without a shred of self consciousness. She was finished in no more than a minute. Afterwards, she thanked Gylon brusquely and sat back down on the bed.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked.

"Some. . . I am still in pain."

"Can I ask you what happened? Why were you hurt?"

"Patro's. . . parasite. I killed it, but it fought back. If Ilshi had not helped me, I would have died."

"I didn't realize. . . That's amazing, Ilshi! Thank you!" Gylon still didn't quite get it, but he was proud nonetheless.

"Thank you." Atyet echoed. Ilshi didn't react to either gratitude or praise. "Gylon. . ." Atyet began. "You had a different quest, yes? Something you wanted to do?"

He hadn't been able to get it off his mind. Before Feddin had thrown everything off course, he had one clear goal in mind for his journey. "Yes. I wanted to rid my old home of a curse. That was why we originally left."

"When I recover, we will go and finish your quest."

"Really? Are you sure? We could all stay here. . ."

"Do you not want to? I think this needs to be done."

Gylon wanted to. He wanted it very much, but he also did not want others to suffer for his quest ever again. "I want to, but-"

"I want to come too." Ilshi interjected.

"You don't have to do this for me, Atyet."

"I am not."