The Call

Messenger of Sorrow

Serene looked back to see a lone rider racing toward them, and she immediately slowed her horse to a halt, causing the men behind her to follow her example. Serene guided her horse to the left to turn around to meet the rider.

When he reached Serene, the rider slowed and halted right before her. He and his horse dripped with sweat, both obviously exhausted. The man slipped down from his steed and stumbled to Serene.

"Lady Serene?" he asked between breaths.

What is it?" Fear again rose up within her, and she fought to keep it at bay.

The man reached into his doublet to withdraw a rolled parchment and handed it to Serene. "I was sent to deliver this to you. From Levace."

She took it and opened it as quickly as she could, dreading to read its contents. She skimmed the message and clutched her horse's mane to keep from falling off as her body went limp. She dared to look across the parchment again, hoping that the dreadful words had disappeared and been replaced with joyful ones. But it was not so.

Suddenly, a figure appeared beside her and reached an arm out to support her. Serene looked over to see that Nora had maneuvered her horse to stand right beside her.

"Do you need to get off and sit down for a minute?" Nora asked, concern written across her face.

Serene shook her head and handed the parchment to Nora without a word. Nora took it but kept her other hand on Serene's shoulder for support. Nora read the message, her brows knit with deep concern, and then tucked it into her doublet.

"Serene, everything's going to be all right. You need to calm down so you don't fall." She leaned toward Serene to put both hands on her shoulders. "Take a deep breath."

Serene complied and seemed to relax for a moment.

"We'll turn around for home right now," Nora assured her. "Are you alright?"

Serene's face was twisted with worry. "What if Mother isn't there before we make it back?"

Nora smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure your mother will recover quickly. Lillian could have been overly concerned when she wrote the message. Even if what she said is true, we can't go faster than our horses can handle; we're a whole day's travel away."

Nora waited until Serene finally nodded. When she did, Nora released her grip on Serene's shoulders. "Alright. I need you to stay calm so you don't get hurt. We'll leave right now; but you have to be careful."

Serene nodded, and she and Nora turned back to meet their escort. Quickly, they turned back toward Iconia, and the twenty-two riders set off at a canter. They covered much more distance that afternoon than they had earlier and continued riding even as the sun was setting on the horizon. They rode all through the night and found themselves four hours from Iconia at dawn when they finally stopped to rest. They had slowed their horses at times, but since they began, they had not stopped completely.

Serene steered Dawn to the creek to drink and watched her steed lap the water.

Mother. The name echoed in Serene's mind. Lady Wynn had always been Serene's closest friend. Serene remembered how her mother had comforted her when Inimicus changed. Her mother had found so much joy in her children's friendship, and when it collapsed, it hurt her more than anything. She had always told Serene that one day Inimicus would heal, and all would be well. She had always been Serene's beacon of hope and joy.

Serene shook her head. Now you need to heal, Mother. You must.

"Are you alright?" Nora had come to stand beside Serene's horse and looked up at her.

Serene glanced at her friend sadly.

Flashing her friend a smile, Nora reached up and grasped Serene's saddle. She hoisted herself up onto the saddle to sit in front of Serene, facing her.

"Worrying won't help anything."

"I know, but it's hard not to," Serene answered quietly. She looked up. "Is everyone ready to leave yet?"

Nora put her hand on Serene's and took the reins out of them. "Of course not. We've been riding all day, and we and our horses need to rest. We'll reach Levace by afternoon."

Serene's head fell, and she was silent. After another moment and a final encouraging smile, Nora slipped down from Serene's saddle and quietly walked away, knowing Serene's need for solitude. Serene watched her go to her horse and disappear behind it. Overwhelmed again with despair, Serene pulled the rolled parchment from her doublet and read the message again, still hoping against all hope that its woeful message had changed. But, as before, it hadn't, and it still read:

Lady Serene,

I send this message with utmost urgency. You are needed at Levace immediately, for your mother is very ill. It is of my own accord that I send this, because your father needs you greatly too. I fear greatly for both of your parents. Your father has taken the news hard and refuses to speak to anyone. You must come as soon as possible, for I believe that your presence will heal both your mother and your father.

For Iconia,

Lillian