CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Thirty-Five

Over the next couple of days Remi, Anna and Hux spent hours in Remi's rooms. Discussing what Remi had known about the assassination attempt which was due to occur at some point after the royal family began to travel to Drilis. They reviewed the events of Remi's coma, Theo's ring and Avani... but that seemed to lead nowhere. All they knew was that there was another witch out there and she was not a friend of Eloricia.

Remi would have to be at her full strength, at all times along the journey. Especially now, if she was facing the potential of another witch's involvement. Though, Anna wasn't worried in that regard. Remi was much more powerful than any ordinary witch, regardless of what spells they found in whoever's grimoires. When the time came... she would use her powers. Secrets be damned, she would conjure fire, water, air, earth, whatever she had to. In the end, when the royal family is alive and well... she won't be returning to the castle with them anyway.

They knew that Anna would be called soon to attend a delivery, though in the original timeline she was already back in her village of Adinna by now. She would leave them tonight to ensure she would be prepared. Knowing that Remi's mother died giving birth to her, Anna would stock her arsenal of poultice and potions to ensure that this time, no harm would come to the woman. The only thing they knew about her was her name, Remilinia. With red hair and soft features, similar to Remi's, Anna would know her as soon as she saw her.

Remi was happy that Anna would be there to save her mother, but knowing how close her mother was... knowing that she herself could not go to her now and meet her, was torturous.

"Soon." Anna promised. "Soon you will see her. Keep your wits about you and for Goddess sakes, protect that family. Guard them with your life. You will live when this is over, but their lives are not guaranteed without you."

At any mention of Remi's departure, Huxley would cringe. A frown would fracture his otherwise happy and charming demeanor. Remi would squeeze his hand or kiss his cheek. A reminder that she would be with him. Until the end.''

That evening, Remi and Anna stayed up the entire night. Talking and reminiscing. Anna packed Remi's bags with copies the spell books that may help her... though, there would be no way for Remi to read them if she was trying to defend the royal family... they would make excellent reading material for the journey, however.

"The smallest detail can change the mundane into a masterpiece." Anna had said.

Remi cried into her tea while Anna tried to cheer her up. This would be the second time in less than a year (to Remi) that she would be saying goodbye to her beloved Anna. To her mother. The only woman who was on her side from day one. The realization of this had Remi's mind flashing back to those final moments in the cave. Of Anna burning, her eyes melting from her skull. Remi promised herself and Anna that night, that that moment would NEVER come to pass. That that memory would be erased as soon as her mission was complete and she would never again have to say goodbye to Anna.

Huxley helped Elio carry Anna's trunk and bags to the wagon. Without Huxley's presence to break up the tension and with Anna's current mood, Elio was more timid than usual. His eyes darted to Anna so frequently he would end up fumbling and dropping whatever he was carrying, resulting in a rather scathing tongue lashing from Anna. Which would in turn result in Elio shaking like a fearful dog. Remi would feel sorry for the man if the emotions she was currently battling weren't so overwhelming.

Anna was leaving, her mother would soon give birth to her. She would leave with Huxley and the royal family. Something would happen and she would have to stop it... this was the moment she knew her entire life had been building to. That being the case, why did she feel so unbalanced? So terrified? So... unprepared.