Sember (Forestfolk, Book 2)

Chapter 24a

I itched to return to Foresthome. I wanted to see for myself that my parents were okay. I wanted to tell Siena about everything that happened. Jastin was the perfect host, keeping us fed, showing us around Odavik, and talking to us for hours. Goben continued to spend a lot of time with Vina, so much so that it was often just me and Jastin together. Since our adventure in the cave, he seemed to open up more. Trust more. The more time I spent with him, the more I liked him.

Which was why I needed to leave. Except for Goben, no one was safe around me. I couldn't bear it if I harmed Jastin with my gift. The hand-shaped burn I'd inflicted onto his side reminded me that he wasn't immune to my heat.

"It's been two days," I told Goben, while walking him to Vina's dwelling. "I need to find out if things are better at home now that Vill is gone."

"I know, but . . . " He kicked a pebble as he hedged. "We can monitor the plague here, can't we? They've got victims here too. We can see if they get better, right?"

I looked at him. "You want to stay because of Vina."

He avoided my eyes. "She's amazing. I want to learn more about her."

I was a little annoyed, but I couldn't expect to be the only girl in his life. Plus, I'd never seen him this giddy before. "You really like her."

He nodded. "How about another week?"

I sighed with resignation. "Sure."

An additional week was entirely too long, but I wasn't about to make him leave if he didn't want to. I didn't really need him anyway. I'd be fine heading back on my own.

* * *

It was completely dark. I fetched the pack that I'd been secretly stocking with travel necessities from its hiding place. I wished I could tell Goben or Jastin that I was heading out, but I knew they wouldn't let me go alone if they found out. This was the best way.

I wasn't about to disappear without notice, though.

It felt strange, sneaking about the village in the dead of night. I crept to Vina's bedside and gently shook her shoulder. She awoke with a start, but thankfully, did not scream.

"It's me, Sember," I whispered and crouched next to her. I ignited my hand and held it under my face so she could see.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the flame, then smiled at me. "Wondrous. What are you doing here?"

"I need to go back home, but Goben wants to stay another week, so I'm going without him. Please let them know I'm all right, and do not let Goben leave by himself. He may never burn to death, but he can definitely freeze to death."

She propped herself up on one elbow. "You're going by yourself?"

"I'm resilient, and I've got supplies." I showed her my pack. "Goben wants to spend more time with you, so I'm getting out of his hair."

A blush colored her pretty cheeks.

"Take care of him, okay?"

She nodded and grasped my arm. "What about Jastin? He likes you."

A pang of regret—or was it longing?—nudged at me at the sound of his name. I shook my head. "He's better off without me."

* * *

Without Goben slowing me down, I made it back to Foresthome in half the time. There were no blizzards to stop me, and no crazy Plainsmen to tie me up, because I ran a wide circle around their compound.

The first thing I did when I arrived was check on my parents. It was nearly dark, and most people were in their homes already. I stood in the doorway for a little while, peeking through the heavy cloth. Ma sat in a chair, just staring at the shirt clutched in her hands. She looked so sad with her hunched shoulders and drooping mouth.

Oh no. Did Pa die?

Fear gripped me, and I burst through the doorway. "Ma?"

She stared at me with wide eyes, as if not believing what she saw. "Sember?"

"Ma, what's wrong?"

She ignored my question and threw herself into me for a hug. "Sember! You're home! Oh, Sember, I was so worried. Are you all right? I can't stand not knowing if you're all right."

"I'm fine. I didn't get hurt."

She touched the healing gash on my head. "You don't look unhurt. What happened?" She peered over my shoulder. "Where's Goben? Why isn't he with you?" She sucked in a breath. "Did something happen to him?"

"No, Ma. Calm down. He's fine too. Is Pa okay?"

"Of course. He's just out fetching water."

"Then why were you looking so sad?"

She pulled away from the hug and held the shirt up. My shirt. "I was worried about you, Squirrel."

The back of my eyes prickled, and I blinked the tears away. "I missed you too, Ma." I took the shirt from her and kissed her forehead.

"What is your brother up to, then?" Her eyes roamed around behind me. "I don't see him."

"Um... " I looked down at the shirt in my hands. "I... sort of left him behind."

"Behind?" Her head reeled back, mouth ajar. "Where?"

It suddenly occurred to me that maybe it hadn't been such a great idea.

I told her about Odavik and its Icelings, and how Goben had wanted to stay longer to spend more time with Vina. I didn't bother telling her about Jastin and his fluttery effect on me.

"A girl, huh?" Ma smiled. "Well, it's about time."

Pa pushed through the cloth in the doorway just then, lugging a bucket of water. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he nearly dropped the bucket. "Squirrel! I knew you'd make it back in one piece." He scooped me up into a bear hug, lifting me up off the ground. "My little girl."

"I'm not that little anymore." His shirt muffled my voice.

He set me down and held me at arm's length. "That's right! You're an adventurer now. You went on a quest and came back victorious! Siena hasn't had to heal anyone for days."

"You mean . . . " I was almost afraid to believe it had worked. "You and Ma aren't sick anymore?"

He shook his head, smiling broadly.

I turned to Ma for confirmation.

"It's true," she said. "I was sick one day, and the next, I felt something lift right out of me. Like a weight just up and disappeared. It was wonderful. Whatever you did, it worked. After those unsightly rashes healed, they never returned."

After hearing that, I felt lighter too.

At least for the moment.

No more sickness! Woo! Now that deserves a vote!