daughter of esmund

Twenty-Eight: Family Matters

Authors Note:

Hey y'all! Long time no see (again!). I took some time away from writing to focus on school and to also decide what I wanted to do with Annie's story. The plans I originally made for her journey when I was fourteen don't align with what I would like to see happen with her now five years later. So, after making some alterations to the course of the story from here on out, I started writing again! While updates will most likely not be frequent, I would like to finish the story. Please enjoy the long-awaited addition :). 

Word Count: 3327 (i know right) 

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"Focus on your breathing and intentions."

Lucinda positioned Annie's arms to be outstretched in front of her, guiding her open palms to face the miscellaneous objects scattered on the ground in front of them. As Annie took in a deep breath and her brow furrowed, a light blue haze flickered around the objects, a small glow beginning to form around them. Lucinda smiled, "Great job, now time for the spell."

Annie hummed, continuing to breathe deeply as she whispered the words under her breath,

"His verbis te ab iniuria defendo."

The haze started to thicken, darker hues of blue beginning to swirl—a soft glow emitted from Annie's hands.

"His verbis te ab iniuria defendo."

"I don't know where our mother is!"

"Don't put this on me!"

"Someday, maybe you'll understand."

Without warning the light fizzled out as Annie groaned in frustration, dropping her hands to her side as she opened her eyes, falling back against the tree behind her and slouching her shoulders, "I thought I had it that time."

Lucinda sighed, shaking her head as she crouched down by the objects, turning one of the glass bottles in her hand as she looked over at Annie, "You're distracted, your intentions and mind must be clear for spells to be successful."

Annie grumbled at Lucinda's words. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about her argument with Vylad since they docked earlier that day. Aphmau insisted on exploring this island as a potential option for the alliance to be located, and the others weren't about to pass up a chance to get off the boat. But now that she had time to rest and be alone, Vylad's words continued to ring in her ears.

"Someday, maybe you'll understand."

The words angered her as much as they confused her. What right did he have to claim he knew more about the decision they made? To claim that there was some bigger picture she couldn't grasp onto? Annie hated being talked down to as if she wasn't capable enough to have a voice in the course of action they were taking. It was a feeling she was far too familiar with.

Annie rubbed her face, sliding down the trunk of the tree and onto the ground as she gazed up at the forest canopy above them, "I have a lot on my mind."

Lucinda hummed, drumming her fingers against her staff as she gazed upon the objects on the ground for a moment, a smile grazing her lips as her eyes flicked back to Annie and she lowered herself to the ground to sit beside her, "I'm a good listener, you know."

A hint of a smile grazed Annie's lips for a few moments as she glanced from the view above her to Lucinda, her hand nervously tapping her thigh as she drew her knees to her chest, "My brother and I, we're having a disagreement."

"About your mother?"

"How did you know that?"

"I know everything, darling."