Pulchra Arcanum

Part II (Dark Night)

At the end of the preparations Leopold watched as all of the people of Domum came together in the village center. There was more crying, so many embraces. Leopold saw Adina walk among the children, kneeling down and giving each of them a pep talk. Theyd all cry and hug her. She kept a strong face. He wondered how she could possibly hold so much strength within her. He saw her approach the young creation girl from the harvest festival. She knelt and blew a single butterfly onto her finger, then set it on the little girls shoulder and whisper something to her. The girl stood a little straighter and put her fists on her hips. He saw Adina chuckle and say one more thing before hugging the little girl and moving along in her quest. Adina never needed a quest to send her from Domum to prove herself. The people already trust her with all their hearts.

As Leopold was looking around, he saw a flash of yellow out of the corner of his eyes. He turned his head quickly and saw Margaret staring sadly toward her home. Leopold walked to her, clearing his throat a ways away so as to not frighten her with a sudden appearance.

She turned to see him and smiled sadly. Hello, Leo, she said.

Are you alright, Margaret?

Her eyes filled with tears. Meggy hasnt left home all day. Shes been sitting in the house since this morning. Shes afraid. She blames herself.

Leopold squeezed her hand. Are you alright with me going to speak with her? he asked quietly. Margaret watched his face for a moment before nodding.

Be gentle, she plead. I just got her back. I dont want her to run away, too.

Leopold nodded then hurried away to Margarets home. He knocked on the door and didnt receive an answer. Meggy? he called. The silence was cold and still. Megara, open up or Im coming in without your permission.

He was about to open the door when he heard feet padding toward the door. Go away, Leo. Her voice was soft, broken. I dont want to fight.

Im not here to make you fight, he told her. Im here to see how you are.

She opened the door and leaned against it. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she hiccuped slightly. Im fine, she said.

You cant lie to me, Meggy, he said softly, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. He jumped when something brown and furry climbed onto her shoulder and hissed at him. He took a step back until he realized it was just the stoat from Camelot. Has he been here the whole time? he laughed. She nodded with a slight smile.

He said he couldnt let me go alone. Im his only family, you see. Stoats dont stay with their family. But I named him, and he liked how I took the time to know him. He grew attached.

She took him from her shoulder and held him in her arms, petting him slowly. Leopold watched her face. May I come in? he asked gently. She hesitated then nodded and stepped aside.

He walked into the small home. He noticed the darkness first. He couldnt spot a single candle anywhere, and the fire pit was not lit. Have you been like this all day? he asked.

It was warmer when the sun was up, she said simply.

Leopold sat in one of the chairs and after a moment Megara joined him. They sat in silence for a moment before Leopold spoke again. Meggy, I dont want to hurt you, I dont want you to think Im demanding you help. But I really do not believe we will be able to win without your help.

I will not help. She insisted, her eyes flashing even in the dark. I will not be the reason people die.

And what if you not helping gets people killed? Leopold insisted.

She looked away from him angrily. Then they are meant to die.

Youre a stubborn woman, Megara. Leopold growled and stood. But if thats the way you see it, then fine. I will be in that battle. I will defend our home while you hide here in the dark and pretend this isnt happening. I pray we all make it out alive without your help.