Mine (Book 1 )

Part 14

Hal

The smell of the woods was always different after the first rain. It felt like all my senses were heightened. It was damp yet freeing at the same time. I always wondered how a smell could make me feel free, but the smell of mud and the woods after it had rained did. I walked back through the woods after wiping the blood of the Ifrak trespasser off my dagger. Kaala howled behind me as I hear the crunch of a stick snapping under my feet. "Kaala" I warn and she hurries to me. 

I walk to the Domus Dei and am greeted by the priest "I was just about to leave, Your Highness" she says to me. "To serve at the hospital" 

"Please, I'd rather have a moment alone" I insist and step out of the way for her to leave. She greets me again and leaves. I did prefer an empty Domus Dei. It helped me have a conversation with whoever was listening. 

The bare part of my torso felt cold now that the dampness of the rain went away. I knelt in front of the water fall and called upon Vaira, the Goddess of Truth and Justice. "Hear me oh Vaira" I prayed. I needed a sign about Luka's army. If there was any truth to his daughter's existence, how was I supposed to keep her away from him while safeguarding the people. 

I hear the door creak and turn around to see a woman walk in. I irritatedly stand up to tell her to give me a minute while I prayed, but stop when I see her. She looks at me, her eyes as blue as the ocean. Something overtly familiar about her presence. "I apologise" she says smiling softly "I thought it would be empty this early in the morning" 

"Who are you?" it slips out of my mouth. 

"They call me Issa" she replies softly. She smiles reassuringly "You're worried if there's truth to Luka's daughter" she gestures to the bench, I look at her confused and she was gesturing for me to sit. For some reason, I obey. "Would you protect her? If you knew who she was?" she asks. 

"You know who it is?" I ask almost angry. "Is it you?" she laughs shaking her head slightly as she sits opposite me. 

"I asked if you'd protect her" her eyes bore into mine "You would" she smiles as if she could read my mind. 

"Are you some kind of sorceress?" I stand up holding my dagger. Her eyes dart to my hands. 

"Now, now, Henry" she laughs calling me by my name "You know better than to spill blood in the Domus Dei" she gestures to bench again "Sit" she commands and for some reason, I obey again. She was a sorceress. She laughs "I'm not a sorceress." her smile reminded me of someone. "How would you protect her?" 

"I would do everything I can" I hear myself promising. 

"Just like your father" she smirks. 

"I am nothing like my father" I say angrily. 

"But you are" she insists and pauses for a minute "Eckhard" she says in thought "No, nothing like Eckhard" she promises "I was thinking of someone else" she brushes away "What scares you dear Henry?" she asks . 

I swallow hard but for some reason find solace in speaking to the sorceress in front of me "That I bleed" I reply. A small smile takes over her face. Gentle and calming but you could tell she could be angry like a storm. 

She stands up and walks to me, she leans down by my ear "When you bleed, call down the rain and you will stop" she says and stands back up. "The time will come" her hand gently holds my cheek "When she will need your protection. You must promise me" she almost begs "That you will protect her" I nod involuntarily. She smiles again and looks at the water fall. "Sister" she greets the water and turns to leave. 

********

"What happens once you do find her?" she asks resting her chin on my chest and drawing mindless patterns on my shoulder. I inhale loudly and look at her. I tuck her hair behind her ear brushing them out of her face.