Forgotten Magic

Chapter 5

I lay in my bed, eyes closed, but I wasn't asleep. In my head, I counted the minutes by. 5 minutes. 10 minutes. 15. 20. 25.

When I thought everyone had gone to sleep, I quietly got out of bed. I had already been wearing my cloak, and so simply eased the door open and drifted down the stairs. I stopped in front of the kitchen, considering taking a loaf of bread, but decided against it.

I left the house and headed for a tall tree by the wall. This wall surrounded the border of Corona and kept it's citizens in. Or, that's what I assumed. But, of course, people found ways around that.

I scaled the tall tree, slowly and carefully making my way to the top. I was usually scared of heights, and actually found it quite hard to climb things like trees, but I had enough practice.

I pulled myself onto the wall, with much difficulty, if I may. I was about to jump off onto the other side, when something stopped me. I glanced over my shoulder at the quaint village of Old Corona, and Corona's capital island, which I had gotten my first look at earlier that day. The glistening water and dancing fields were so beautiful in their own way. I had a thought about the lanterns I had watched earlier, and where they might have gone. I felt myself tear up, almost, as memories flooded back to me.

I want to show you something.

You have to see this!

And then you...

You're always welcome here.

I swallowed and turned away. It wasn't worth it. None of it was worth it.

~ ~ ~

I'm going to let Varian write this part. He told me he has a 'different' view of the story, but I suppose we'll see.

~ ~ ~

I had been fast asleep-one of the only times I was, I'll admit. Key words: had been. I heard some footsteps against the floorboards and the creaking of the stairs around 3:00 am, and got curious. Normally, I'd assume this was my dad going out for some reason or other, but the footsteps were so quiet I couldn't even imagine them being my father.

I got up and tip-toed to the door, edging it open just in time to see a cloaked figure leave the house. It was too small to be my dad, so there was only one person it could've been. Not to mention the third door down the hall was wide open-Savannah always kept her door closed and locked. So I went after the figure.

I stayed far behind her, watching in confusion as she climbed a tree and got onto the wall. I saw her look out at the village and then turn to the outside world.

Something hit me. I don't know why or how but I did. She was leaving! She was leaving tonight. Without telling anyone. She hadn't even thought to tell me.

I ran for the tree, not bothering to keep my steps quiet. My eyes stayed on her figure, which hadn't moved yet, but I thought I knew what she was going to do.

"Ann!" I yelled, trying to catch my breath as I skidded to a stop right beneath her. "Ann, wait!"

I saw her look over her shoulder. When she caught sight of me, her eyes widened, and she turned to face me completely. "Varian!" she hissed. "W-What are you doing, I-..."

"You can't leave," I answered in a similar hushed tone. "Please, you're my only friend."

"I-I have to," she whispered in an even quieter voice. "I can't stay."

"Wha-of course you can, I-" I was confused. Why would she want to leave? "My dad said, don't you remember? You can stay as long as you want."

"No, you don't understand." Her voice was harder now, still soft, but harder. "I can't stay. I just can't. You're a great friend, but...I can't." I thought I saw some tears glisten in the moonlight. "I don't know if I'll remember you. Goodbye." Her voice was so quiet.

Without a second thought, I ran to the tree I thought she had used to scale the wall and climbed it, sitting on the wall next to her. "Make me understand then."

~ ~ ~

I hope it's fine if I butt in here.

~ ~ ~

My mind was blank. Make him understand? Why would I make him understand. Why... The only thing I said was "Why do you want to understand?"

He answered without hesitation. "Because I want you to stay." His expression was soft and quiet, like his voice in that moment.

I paused. "Okay then." I took a deep breath, preparing for the memories this would surely bring up. "For about six years, I've traveled from town to town, never staying long and never going back. I don't remember anything from those towns except maybe a few names or places. I always leave so I don't make any attachments. So I don't get into any trouble. I-"

"Trouble?"

I nodded. "It's easier."

"I think I understand," Varian told me. "But you don't have to worry about that. If you stay here, I-You don't have to worry about that. I can't promise you nothing will go wrong, but I can promise you I won't leave your side."

For a while, we sat in silence together, on the wall, looking out at the kingdom of Corona. I think it was about fifteen minutes before I finally spoke.

"Thanks," I whispered, feeling a smile creep onto my lips as I gazed out at the kingdom of Corona.

"So...Are you going to stay?" Varian asked. I didn't look at him, but I knew he was looking at me, no doubt with a smile on his face.

"Yeah..." I answered in the same quiet tone. "I think I will."