How The Soothsaying Started

From Hell to punishment and back to tears

Charles gasped from the ground, his skin a sickly shade of green.

“Discord’s spirit was too much for him,” Snow said, bending over him, “We need to act quickly, or he will die!” She reached for her pouch, but Nicklaus stopped her.

“It’s already too late.” Nicklaus said grimly, “I can sense his aura fading as we speak.”

“The blonde one is right, you know.” The boy grinned. “It’s too late to save your friend. He already is on his way to the Underworld, where he will be judged.” Everyone looked at him, shocked.

“You better go talk to your little friend,” He continued, gesturing towards the the forest. “She may just run off and leave you, and you don’t want that. She has important information.” They all looked down, thinking. They weren’t sure whether they could trust her anymore. What if Kaza was a spy?

I looked up as the cell door opened. Fendrel stepped inside, carrying a cup of water and a chunk of bread.

“I brought you lunch.” She said sweetly, sitting on the floor next to me.

“When I was a child,” I say, “I was afraid of ghosts. And now, when I’m older, I realize that people are more terrifying. Look at what you are doing, Fendrel. I was kind to you. I trusted you. The world we live in has no place for traitors.”

“A lovely speech, though I am no traitor.” The little girl said, a small smile curling her mouth. “I am only doing what is best. The only ways to escape the ridiculous biological paradox we call life are insanity or death, Rose. I’ve found a way out. Now it’s your turn”  

Kaza sat under a willow tree, crying silently. She wanted the others to forgive her. Before she started the quest, she had had no one. Zariah was dead. Her mother was dead. He father had betrayed her. Her  stepfather had abandoned her. Even Samual, her first love, had left her when a prettier, richer, girl came his way. I just have to accept that they aren’t coming for me. she thought, breaking into a new round of sobs. I am going to sit under this willow tree until I die, and then I’m going to Hell.  The tree branches shook, and she remembered again what Dimitre had said. Remember the willow.

She saw, in her mind, the last time she had seen her mother.

“Look at the pretty flowers, Kaherdin. Aren’t they wonderful?” Her mother said, laughing.

“Yes, mommy. What is that tree over there?”

“It’s a weeping willow. A crying tree.”

“Why is it sad, mommy?” She had asked.

“Would you like to hear the story, my flower?” Her mom had asked, lifting her up.

“Yes!”

“Well, there was once a very pretty little girl, just like you, and her name was Willow. Everyday, she would run through the forest, playing with the animals and eating berries. Every young man loved her, but they were all scared to ask her to marry them because her father was the chief. But, one day, a boy her age saw her, and he fell deeply in love. He asked her father if she could marry him, and the chief said yes. So, the boy went hunting for the wedding feast. But, he didn’t know that Willow was in the forest, playing with her friend Mr. Deer. So, when the boy saw the deer, he tried to shoot it with his bow, but he missed. He accidentally shot Willow in the heart, and she died. Her father was very sad, and buried her in the forest. It is said that a tree grew from the ground at that spot, and it had loooooong drooping branches and looooong droopy leaves.  It was called a Willow Tree because of the little girl Willow. Do you know why the branches are so bendy?”

“No mama, why?”

“So they will not break or fall when a big storm comes. It’s because Willow did not get angry or mean because she was killed. She bent with the wind, and allowed what happened, to happen. She did not fight it, as the branches do not fight the wind. Remember that, Kaherdin. Don’t let anything break you.”

“I won’t, mommy. I promise.”

The tears stopped. I won't mama. I won’t break. I’ll remember. Kaza thought, remembering her mother’s warm embrace. She stood up, and headed back to the camp.