Quest (OLD: the new version MIGHT be posted shortly)

Chapter 12-Sage

The smell of the ocean was very apparent as we walked over a large hill. I could see a row of tall stones on the horizon with a small gap where a beach was visible, but between us and the sea was a large swamp. We had found our next challenge. The swamp was more of a giant mud pit with rocks poking up out of the surface. It was a deep brown sludge, but something seemed to be moving along the top, like small waves running through the thick mud.

“Sage, we don’t have to walk through that, do we?” Heather asked. I nodded.

“I think it’s late enough that we can start tomorrow,” I said. Everybody started to sit and talk. Serenity started a fire and Argus started telling everyone about a man who came in for help with a pair of antlers that had grown out of his abdomen.

A wave of nausea rolled over me, and I quietly ducked out of the crowed and walked a short ways down the path, down the hill. I sat down in the middle of the path, my back to the rest of the questers, and put my head between my knees. I could not get sick again. I could not get sick again. Sick once, I could blow it off as nothing, but twice? No, I’d have to find out what it was.

I shivered; I already had a suspicion.

“Hey, you’re missing out on a great story,” Jae’s voice said from behind me. He sat down next to me and passed over a mug of tea. I took it and sipped lightly, loving the taste, and the nausea went away.

“Thanks for this,” I said, holding up my mug.

“Serenity thought you’d want something,” he shrugged. He took a swig of his own tea. “So, is there a reason you’re down here and not with everyone else?”

“Yes,” I replied. He waited for me to elaborate, but I didn’t really have a way to tell my reason. We sat there, sipping at our tea. Suddenly Jae started talking again.

“I think I know why you’re not getting too attached to anyone,” he stated. “You’re afraid that they won’t make it to see the wish granted.” He was right, he had it all, but I needed to explain myself.

“Jae, I haven’t told the others this, but there’s a limit on how many people can make it. The legend states that very clearly. It can be all twelve, which is what I was hoping for, or it can be seven, three, or one. There’s a limit, Jae, and if the four that the banshee warned of die, then at least one more person will as well. Yes, I’m separating myself, but it doesn’t matter. I will be the cause of the deaths, Jae, you know that? I brought them here; it’s on me.” I took a deep breath to calm myself down and realized what I had said. “I didn’t mean to unload on you, Jae.”

“It’s alright. I asked.” He stared down the path, thinking about what I said. “Sage, if you are going to be hurt whether they … don’t make it or not, then what’s the point in pushing them away. Wouldn’t you at least want some good memory of them?”

I sat there, dumbfounded at the logic. He was right. With my thinking, there was no reason to stay away.

“Well, how about I start with you then?” I asked. “I know nothing about you, you know, except that you throw a wild party.”

“Hey, I’m Jae Freeman,” he introduced himself, holding a hand out. I took it.

“Sage Amelia Perdit,” I replied.

“Ah, so that’s where you got your pseudonym. I was wondering.”

“What should I know about you, Jae?”

“My favorite color is yellow,” he offered. I rolled my eyes at him. “I want to be in the legislature when I’m old enough, and get my education over with.”