The Legacy of Isla Valle

Chapter 2: Suspicion

Chapter 2: Suspicion

"Lora," beckoned one of the esteemed council members, his voice carrying the weight of both sympathy and obligation.

I refrained from turning toward him, preferring to keep my gaze fixed upon the swaying boughs of the trees. Memories of carefree days flooded my mind, evoking images of a time when father's handcrafted swing brought endless delight, and mother's culinary creations filled our youthful bellies with warmth and joy. Beside me, my older brother's playful laughter echoed in the recesses of my mind, a bittersweet melody of times past.

"We extend our deepest condolences for your loss. As you are well aware, your late parents were pillars of respect and honor in this town. This must indeed be an immensely trying period for you," another council member spoke with a tone laced with sympathy and formality. "There is a promising opportunity for employment in the city, and it has been deliberated that if such a pursuit piques your interest, suitable accommodations shall be arranged for your convenience."

I forced myself to not roll my eyes at him for his offer, "Your empathy is greatly appreciated, sir. However, I have resolved to remain within the confines of our village. Here, amidst familiar surroundings, I shall continue honing my skills in the healing arts, a legacy passed down through generations. As for my residence, it shall find a new purpose," I replied with a measured calmness.

"Shall you then consider parting with the family estate?" inquired the councilman. No, I do not intend to give away something that my family kept holding to for years.

"I hold dear the memories that reside within those walls. The mansion shall stand, albeit unoccupied, as I plan to establish residence in our humble abode nestled among the mountains," I clarified, determination ringing subtly in my voice.

"And who shall oversee the estate's upkeep?" the councilman probed further. Must he be this curious as to what I would do in my life? Especially in the estate?

"I shall personally tend to its needs, making weekly pilgrimages to ensure its preservation. Furthermore, my endeavors at the apothecary, crafting medicinal remedies, shall provide both sustenance and purpose," I articulated wearily, a sense of responsibility coloring my words.

"Your resolve is duly noted and respected. We stand ready to lend support until you find your footing," they assured, a nod to a promise made to my late father.

"Your generosity humbles me, though I must insist it is not required," I maintained, though met with persistent insistence from their side, a testament to their commitment to familial pledges.

"Very well," came the eventual acquiescence.

Another councilman stepped forward. "And what of your schooling?" The concern is evident in their tone.

"My enrollment at the academy as a scholar shall continue unabated, alongside the honing of my skills," I affirmed with a quiet determination.

A week after bidding farewell at the burial, I embarked on the familiar path that led to our secluded mountain residence. Nature, in its timeless elegance, seemed to welcome me back with a flourish of blossoms and a whisper of rustling leaves. Disembarking from my trusty steeds, Shelly and Dash, I felt a pang of separation, a realization of newfound responsibilities intertwined with cherished memories.

"This is home," I murmured, a smile gracing my lips as I crossed the threshold into familiar yet transformed surroundings. "How I wonder what Mother and Father were like when they lived here..." I murmured.

As I gazed wistfully at the shifting clouds carried by the gentle breeze, a soft sigh escaped my lips. "I cherish these memories," I murmured to the silent expanse around me, thoughts trailing back to days filled with shared laughter and carefree moments. Each memory felt like a delicate chain, carefully intertwined into my past, now a cherished relic in the vaults of my memory.