The Legend of Mythia

Chapter 2: Crossing the River

After walking nearly an hour, Lucus and Silva reached the ground.IN an instant, Silva started running through the streets, it was nearly impossible for Lucus to keep up.

“Hurry up.” she yelled behind her

“Do we have to run?” He shouted back

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Save your breath for running. Come on!”

They ran from the central tower, all the way out to the edge wall. When they finally stopped outside a tiny hut, Lucus was out of breath.

“Here we are,” Silva motioned to the door “Old River’s place.”

“River? The witch?”

“She’s not a witch! Come on.” 

Silva easily pushed the door open. Lucus was instantly hit with the smell of burning incense and herbs. Everywhere there was cloth hanging from the ceiling and cushions litters the floor with the rugs.

“Hello?” Silva called out

“Ah! Silva my dear.” Came a shrill reply from behind a  curtain of cloth.” I didn’t expect you here so soon. I was just cooking up something special for you.”

River stepped out from her hiding spot.

“River, this is Lucus, he’s a friend of mine.”

Lucus hardly registered that Silva had called him a friend, he was taken back by River. She was stout, which was usual in Hedysarum. But her skin was a deep woody brown with patches of green in her wrinkles. What really amazed him was that she only had one eye, just off centre on her face.

“OH, sorry dearie. Silva mustn’t have mentioned who I am. I’m sure this is quite a shock.”

“Oh, ah, no.” He collected himself “Not at all. I’m sorry, I was just a little amazed.”

“You don’t have to lie to me my boy. I can see it in your eyes.” She paused for a moment “Oh, how silly of me, Silva, Lucus, please have a seat.”

All three of them sat down on the soft cushions.

“River,” Silva began

“I know dear, remember? The eyes.” 

River got up and returned to her hiding place behind the cloth. There was the sound of bubbling coming from the same direction. Cooking, Lucus guessed. Silva leaned in next to him.

“Sorry about that, I should have mentioned it.”

“You don’t need to whisper dear.” River called

“Why are we here?”

“An excellent question my dear.” River said, returning from her pot. “I know why you’re here, but do you?”

“I-I want to see outside, er, River. If that’s all right” Lucus stuttered.

“Bless him, he’s much more polite than you were Silva.” Lucus swore he saw Silva blush a little. “No, Lucus, that’s not the only reason you’re here is it?”

River gave an almost invisible glance towards Silva. Lucus didn’t want to say that, he had to come up with something else.

“I want to leave the town.” He spoke quickly.

“Now the truth comes out!” River sighed. “How will you survive outside these walls that have protected you all your years? What will your family say? Where will you do? What will you do? Come back to me when you have answered those questions. You too Silva, I will not let this boy go alone.”

Silva’s face was covered with shock. “But River, I I can’t leave.”

“You must, Lucus will never survive on his own. No one does.Who knows, you may find your mothers home.”

“Very well.” She sighed

“Good, now Silva, go outside. I wish to have one final word with Lucus.”

Silva lifted herself up and went out the door, closing it lightly behind her. River returned to her pot and motioned for Lucus to join her.

“My boy. I know how you feel, young love is... difficult, especially the first time.”

“What - what are you talking about?”

“Lucus, you don’t need my eye to see that you fancy Silva, although it does help.” She produced a small vile from her clothes and dipped it into the pot “Here, drink this when you are ready. It’s called The Courage, and I dare say my boy, you will be needing a lot of it.”

She corked the vile and handed it to Lucus.

“But, how can you...”

“The eye my dear. Now goodbye, thank you for visiting. I shall you again.” River pushed him out the door and in to Silva. 

The door closed behind them with the click of a lock.

“Well?” She asked

“Well what?”

“What did she want?”

“Nothing, just some advice.” Lucus secretly dropped the vile into his pack.

“Fine then, don’t tell me.” Silva sighed “Lets go work out what we’re going to do.”

“We? So you are coming?”

“I guess, River says I have to, so I guess I have to.”

Lucus could barely contain his excitement. But his mind was full of questions. After walking half way back to the tower he finally spoke.

“So,” he began “Who is she?”

“Who? River? You’ve heard the old tale about the Godly Cities right?”

“Yeah. What does she have to do with them?”

“In the story, some humans took on characteristics and powers of their god. River says she descends from a long line of these ‘Evolutionaries’.”

“But you’re not sure?”

“Not really. River’s nice, but I mean, she’s eccentric. Personally, I think the evolutions are just that, evolutions. Some people adapting to their surroundings.”

“So you don’t believe the story of the Godly Cities? What about Mythia?”

“Look, let’s not question everything about me yet. I hardly know you.”

“But you called me a friend back at River’s”

“I guess I did.” Silva blushed. She quickly changed the subject “I think we should go to the main library.” 

“Which one? Public or official?”

“Public, no way we’re getting into the official. Not in our school clothes anyway.”

“Race you there?”

“Sure you won’t...” Silva began

But Lucus was already racing towards the tower again.