Tiger's Beginning

Chapter 25: Onward

All I could see was darkness. Then there was a voice.

Your quest is futile.

In the end you will only hurt those you love.

You are responsible for everyone who has been hurt.

Why try when in the end you will lose?

Death will follow you.

Death.

Death.

My body jolted awake, and the sunlight peeking through the shutters assured me that the void was not real, just a dream.

Was that the sorceress communicating to me through my dreams? If she is able to do that, then her power must be growing. So far only the spirit have been able to do so. Maybe she can travel between the physical and spiritual worlds now? I'll have to talk to Raj about this.

The humble room I was in was empty except for me. The sun was high in the sky so I assumed that it was later in the day.

Heading downstairs wasn't as appealing as the warm covers, but the memories of Mohana were still fresh in my mind and I knew I had to tell someone. I saw a pile of clothes on a chair in the corner and assumed they were for me. They were a pair of stiff pants and a loose linen shirt, which was surprisingly thick. I shrugged on a pair of boots and headed towards the door.

After reaching the bottom of the stairs, I saw the woman and her baby near the front of the inn.

"Excuse me, do you know where my party went?"

She struggled to keep her squirming child from the quill and ink that rested on the desk.

"I saw them head out early this morning; the two women and man. The other man left with Galene to go by the seashore shortly after."

I thanked her, and made my way around the back of the building towards the rocky shore.

I passed the stables, and then gingerly stepped onto the rocks. They looked slippery, and it wouldn't help at all if someone else got hurt.

The beach looked empty except for a small boat on shore a ways down. Assuming that was my best chance of finding Galene and Anik, I started towards it.

I was thankful for the pants and longer sleeve shirt, because the ocean wind had a bit to it that made me shiver involuntarily.

My pace quickened when I saw how close I was to the boat, and when I heard groans.

I could see two silhouettes sitting, and once I got closer I made one out to be Galene.

The other was an elderly man who was clutching his stomach furtively.

Galene lifted the man's head and helped him drink some sort of liquid.

"How are you this morning Grace?"

I was surprised he heard me approach, and after the man was done he turned to me with a solemn look on his face.

"I'm good, I'm here to see how-"

"Anik is fine, the antidote worked. He should be back shortly, I sent him into town to get some mint leaves. It really is remarkable how he healed."

"So he is completely healed?"

"Yes, and while we wait I can teach you some useful medical skills."

The boat was mostly steady, but I still took Galene's offered hand to help me into the boat. I took a spot next to him on one of the wooden planks laid across the moving sides of the vessel.