Amidral: No Promises Exist

The Canyon

The instruments the doctor used sometimes seemed very strange. Although in his poor, collapsed country he hadn't seen much else, they would appear even stranger to him, especially when the green liquid inside the thermometer changed according to the temperature. Finally, the yamha pulled the strange glass stick from his mouth, adjusting his glasses to better observe the result.

"Well," he said, without stopping writing in a notebook with his medical history, "it's not bad. This is the third consecutive month without a significant decline in your health, young man. Tell me, have you been exercising?"

He couldn't respond because the constant interruptions from his older brother soon silenced him.

"How is he going to do anything if he never leaves that dark tower, with his head buried in books?" Charlie gave him a small kick, enough to stop the rest of the conversation.

The doctor turned back to George and also to the queen.

"Still, I would like him not to overexert himself. Although his health has been stable, let's not push it."

When the doctor left, they continued with their lessons for the rest of the day. Charlie, in particular, had acquired the habit of taking her lessons outside. Although she rarely managed to finish them, she would take all day; she'd already been scolded a couple of times. Still, it was only George who intercepted her in the library when she was gathering her notebooks. Fortunately, this wouldn't be the first time she sneaked out and her brother covered for her. Besides, ever since she learned to ride, she would take a buGatsu from the stable and ride across the castle's meadow to the forest, where she would hide her notebooks in a corner before continuing the path towards the village, where Tash awaited her.

For some time now, she had been hiding her mount before entering Moch. In reality, it had been Tash's idea, as even though Charlie chose the simplest gear, the stitching and symbols on her saddle, reins, and saddlebags made it obvious she came from the castle. It was easy to recognize for the son of a craftsman. As for how they managed to disguise her, at first it was with clothes that Tash himself modified from his wardrobe. Later, with the help of Devika, she was able to wear something she genuinely liked. However, neither she nor Gideon knew her true identity. Even Tash had only a vague idea that she lived in the castle, but he decided to wait for her to tell him, although a couple of years had already passed.

They met in the plaza like they did every day, but this time they were holding a news pamphlet when Charlie and Tash arrived.

"What's going on?" Devika just turned the paper around.

"The vansh disappearances continue north of the territory..."

"I heard about that too! They say they'll forbid passage over the Khoid Bridge, at least after curfew," Tash said.

Charlie took the paper.

"Is the king not going to do anything?" she asked.

"In fact, no one has gone to him for help. The townspeople say the officials can handle it."

"Yes, but... this concerns the king, does he even know?"

The three shook their heads, unsure. Gideon tried to change the subject.

"Anyway... I heard the Khaluun Islands are preparing for their carnival. Maybe if we go to the port, we can buy some traditional treats before they set sail."

They all agreed and ran to the coast, but Charlie stayed behind, and Tash stayed with her when he saw she wasn't moving.

"Everything alright?"

Charlie seemed unable to snap out of her thoughts, and he had to touch her shoulder to get her to speak.

"Yeah, it's fine. I... Tasher, what's beyond the Khoid Bridge?"