Ocean's Secret |on hold|

16 | A Step Closer

Meredee walked down the hall and turned the corner, going down a winding staircase before heading into another long corridor. Her thoughts jumbled over themselves, and the familiar gloom pressed in on her despite the warm sunshine that radiated in through the many high windows of Cyrus' mansion.

After a nice hot bath to wash away all the dirt and grime, she had gratefully changed into a clean dress – long, flowing, and a navy blue that matched the colour of the night sky. Meredee felt better than she had in a long time, considering the last few days. She had then asked to see Cyrus, her heart pounding just figuring out how much to confide in him of the sordid tale that she never would have guessed was her life. But Skyfali, the only governor currently at the mansion while the others oversaw the clean-up and repair activities of the nearby villages, told her that Cyrus was unwell and couldn't take any visitors in his chambers where he was resting. She felt awful for the elderly man, and wondered how ill he was able to actually get. With him being the creator of the land, she knew he could never die unless killed, but could he become really sick? Apparently so.

So she made her way back out of the mansion's rooms and halls, stepping outside into the sun-drenched gardens where Kallum was waiting for her. He had said earlier that he wanted to talk to Cyrus about her, to try and find her; but seeing as she was ok, now he could get back to work with the villagers. His bright and cheerful attitude twisted a knot in her stomach, knowing she was far from ok and the very cause of the work that needed doing to rebuild the burnt villages.

"Hey Mer! How'd it go?" he waved and called out from under a trellis where he had been helping a maid plant some vines. That was Kallum; always helping anywhere where needed. She smiled at his selflessness.

"I wasn't able to see him. He's pretty unwell, I hear," she knelt to smell a flowering pot of bright pink pelargoniums.

"I know. I hope he gets better soon. With this enemy about, we really need his wise ideas and advice."

"Hm, yeah," was her non-committal reply, desperately wanting to avoid this subject.

"So what's up? Whatcha been doing the last few days?" Kallum asked as they wound their way through the neat stone-lined paths, the afternoon sunshine illuminating the greenery to such vibrant hues.

"Oh, I've just been...wandering around the countryside, getting to know the people.... Learning about the land," she said with an air of apathy, waving her hand as if it was no big deal.

"I hope you've been careful," his worried eyes tugged at her heart even as it withheld the whole truth. "With rumours of a dragon destroying the villages, we should stick together and not go anywhere at night alone. Roakin was saying--"

"Kallum, I'm fine," she interrupted, a little too harshly. "I know how to look after myself. I'll be ok."

Kallum stopped and looked at her, a frown between his eyes that were smiling just moments before. She squirmed under his scrutiny. Maybe it was just as well she didn't talk to Cyrus: he would probably peer right into the depths of her soul where she knew darkness and pain lurked despite her prayers to Jesus for light. 

Kallum was trying to do the same, obviously aware of the war in her mind even though she tried her hardest to mask it. But truth be told, he knew her better than anyone else. She usually appreciated his ability to notice when something was bothering her, and when he would take the time to listen to her worries and concerns. He always knew how to cheer her up and look on the bright side of things, or do something spontaneous and fun to take her mind off work and stress. But now, she knew he wouldn't be able to laugh this problem away. She knew he could never change the dark facts about her past or reconcile her troubling future. What future did she even have?