The Call of Destiny

Chapter 3: All I See

Della watched as Merlin finished cleaning up and then sat on his chair at the table. At one point, he leaned on his arm and now sounded like he'd fallen asleep. After his morning, and all that magic he'd used, she wondered why it had taken him this long.

Ealhwyn's arrival broke the silence and Della was thankful. Though she was accustomed to being alone, usually she could at least sing to herself to avoid the quiet. The last thing she'd wanted to do was disturb Merlin with her less than harmonious singing voice.

Her aunt smiled wide as she came to her bedside. "I'm relieved to see you're awake so soon. I was unsure how quickly you'd heal. It's been so long since I've had to use one that powerful." She busied herself with grabbing a pestle and mortar and gathering ingredients for the comfrey paste.

"Other than soreness, I feel fine. Merlin gave me some stew and tea so I'm not hungry, before you even ask."

"Good, good." She sighed. "So. About our guest...?" She put the comfrey leaves in the mortar and started grinding it as she sat down next to Della.

"What about him?" Della asked. She wasn't sure why Ealhwyn trailed off.

"He had some questions about you. Initially he thought I was the seer. I wasn't going to tell him but I didn't think it right to lie to him either."

"I understand. I wouldn't want you to do that." She sighed. "I'm not sure how he took it. We were talking well enough and then—well, I'm not sure." She looked over at him, remembering the brief moment of understanding that had passed between them. "He's so burdened, so lost. I thought I could identify with him for a moment, then he shut down."

"You two are similar in that way. More than you may think." Ealhwyn paused as she pulled out strips of cloth from her medicine bag and began to apply the paste. "I believe today marked the start of your destinies merging."

Della shook her head. "I'm just a village healer who's cursed with visions. I don't see how that will affect the greatest sorcerer of our time."

Ealhwyn stopped, her gaze serious. Della knew what that look meant: a lecture.

"You know very well that you're more than just a "seer." If you had been raised a Druid—"

"I would've been trained as a Vates, I know, I know."

"Your gift of prophecy is greater than many who have been trained. You just do not know how to interpret them, how to use them."

"You keep saying it's a gift but I've yet to experience that aspect of it. All I see is never-ending death of so many. Why should they die and I live?"

Ealhwyn grabbed her hand. "Stop thinking that. You were saved for a reason. I know you refuse to believe it but—"

Movement from the other end of the room stopped her from continuing on. Merlin raised his arms and stretched and the conversation ended as Ealhwyn addressed him.

"You've taken care of our patient well," Ealhwyn said. "Thank you."

"Oh," he said. "Um...you're welcome." He stood up and looked out the small window. "I've slept too long. I'm sorry."

"The last thing you need to do is apologize for taking a nap," Ealhwyn said, finishing with applying paste to the new bandages. "But nightfall is nearly upon us. I do hope you will consider at least staying overnight?"

Della unwillingly tensed. She hoped that if he did, he'd at least talk to her again, or else it would be a very long night.

He hesitated but looked at Della. "I suppose I could stay one night. It'll be a welcome comfort over having rocks and twigs as my bed."