The Book of Glass

Drawing Lines (15)

Shay and Emory didn't talk much the rest of the night, even when Shay tried to ask her how she was doing. Emory merely shut her eyes and lay down or attempted to pray through the dwindling pain. Shay eventually gave up, and checked on the horses, who seemed to be thankful for the break.

Camtono's horse seemed fitful, and shied away from Shay's hands, but gratefully took the food she offered. Shay looked through the packs loaded onto the horse, and didn't find much of interest but a little more bread and a book or two. She thought about leaving beside Emory while she slept, as a parting gift, perhaps.

Footsteps sounded, and Shay hurried back to Emory, grabbing the daggers that lay around. They were still in the dark, and Shay hoped that they would stay hidden that way. A small orb of white light appeared, and grew larger as it came closer. The light was soft, but illuminated the face of Ingrid. When Shay saw it was her, she sighed. "Where have you been?"

Ingrid did something, and suddenly the orb brightened, shedding light on the two girls. Emory began to stir from her sleep. "I needed some time alone to recharge my powers. Is that a poultice?" Ingrid moved towards Emory and observed the mass of barley and honey, but there was an underlying, chemical smell emanating from it. Her nose scrunched up and she looked to Shay. "Did you do this?"

"Yes," Shay lied. "Emory walked me through it. I had found some supplies in Camtono's packs. She was starting to fever but she's better now."

Emory didn't say anything, but inhaled deeply and looked to Ingrid. "I should be fine. We need to leave soon. Here we're hidden, but we won't be able to stay for very long."

"I know. I found a cabin. We can go there."

"You just stumbled upon a cabin while you were out there?" Shay's disbelief was evident in her voice, and Ingrid tried to maintain her patience.

"I think Rosalind very much intended I find it for the three of us, Shay. Are you ready to leave now, Emory? If you need some more time we can wait." Ingrid looked over Emory, who didn't look like she was in much shape for anything.

"Can we wait until tomorrow? I don't want to be out in the dark trying to find my way around. When it's dark, sound stands out more, and getting me and two horses over there wouldn't be the most silent trek."

"Fair enough. I'll check in on you again in the morning. Go back to sleep, okay?"

Emory nodded and let herself drift off once more, and Ingrid didn't say another word to Shay. She went back down towards the horses and grabbed the blanket draped over one of their backs, laying it down on the damp ground as a bed of sorts.

Shay sighed and sat in front of Emory again. Speaking softly she said, "Rosalind's eyes are upon you, Emory. Her arms are around you, and her smile is because of you. No harm shall come upon you, or your mind. Be calm, for Rosalind is with you..." Shay continued speaking, just saying whatever calming thing came to her head. She hadn't done this in so long, and it felt foreign. Normally there was a crowd around her, waiting for some miracle to happen, and that's when Emory would announce that the blessing was over. And when Emory said that, it was like everyone in the crowd could see it as clear as day. But then Shay would open her eyes, and be just as in the dark as before. She saw nothing new, but the person sitting across from her with a smile on their face. While Emory didn't know she was being blessed, a look of peace fell across her face, and Shay leaned down to kiss her forehead. You've been my protector for so long, she wanted to tell her, but the truth was she didn't even know what she was protecting Shay from. Politics, and the risk of being married to the man who murdered her father. The man whose time was up.

When Emory woke up, she saw Shay sitting a book down at her side. "What's this?"

Shay looked up, her eyes wide. "Oh," she chuckled. "I didn't expect you to wake so easily. It's just something I found in Camtono's bag. A book. For your scholarly pursuits or otherwise." She smiled and flipped through the pages. "I tried to read it but if I'm being honest I didn't care."