Maji Born

38 - A Final Visit Home

Eirian appraised the molding shingles and broken steps of her house with apprehension. A flicker of firelight emanated from the interior illuminating her mother's figure, hunched over the kitchen table. She was facing the fire, draped in a thick woolen shawl.

Eirian took a step forward, resisting the urge to buck against her decision to return. She dragged herself up to the front door, adjusting the emerald cloak Zehara had gifted her. Taking a deep breath Eirian stole herself to knocked on the door. Three tentative taps.

There was a grunt as her mother rose and then the creak of the door being wrenched open. Her mother, looked well, healthy even. Her hair was tidied into a tight braid and her skin, though just as weathered and freckled, was plumper and softer than Eirian recalled.

Her features slid from resolve to surprised as she acknowledged her daughter.

"Eirian."

"Mother."

Eirian hovered on the threshold, feeling distinctly uncomfortable as her mother's eyes flitted over her fine garments.

"What are you doing here. I...I thought you'd...died..." Samani said. Her hand was still firmly planted on the doorknob, the door half-open.

"I'm not that easy to get rid of. I fled and returned stronger, with a new purpose."

Her mother eyed the cloak.

"Why don't you come in dear," she said with a smile. She smells wealth...

"Sit."

She offered a chair. Eirian hesitantly took it. "Are you hungry? You look well-fed."

"I've eaten, thank you," Eirian said, her tone remaining formal and serious.

Her mother shrugged. "Suit yourself. I'm going to have some." She ladled out a bowl of thick broth and came to sit at the table. Eirian watched as her mother dipped her bread in the broth and slurped her soup. After a few minutes, she spoke again.

"It's good to have you back. The house has been run into the ground since you left. I've had no time to get any of the cleaning done. I'm sure the bakery will be happy to take you back, they've been short-staffed since you disappeared. I've been worried sick my dear, more poor nerves have been shot."

"I won't be returning," Eirian said. "I have been offered a task with the Queen."

Her mother stopped eating, spoon held halfway to her mouth.

"Not coming home? Nonsense! You'll come back and work at the bakery."

"I won't be. I'm just here for answers. I need you to tell me about my father."

Her mother scoffed, "I've told you all I know of that man." She had more soup, "He was a fling, a one time, drunken tryst."

"Who was he? What was his name? He clearly had majik otherwise I wouldn't be who I am," 

Eirian said.

Her mother gave her a piercing look.

"He'll bring you nothing but pain. A man like that can't love his children."

"Trust me, I know all about that," Eirian growled. "Tell me who my father is and I'll be out of your hair for good."

"I don't want you out, I want you here helping to support our lifestyle. We need your second income."

Eirian felt sick to her stomach.

"What if I paid you?"

This caught her mother's attention.

"How much?"

"One hundred ginu."Her mother laughed and banged her fist against the tabletop.

"And where would you have gotten such a hefty sum pray tell?"

"That's none of your business. Will you take the deal?"

"I'll tell you about him. But I'll only say it the once and I want the money first."

She gave Eirian an expecting look. Eirian sighed and withdrew her change purse. She fumbled inside for the coins and dropped them on the table. Her mother pulled them toward her, counted them and nodded. She leaned back in her chair and began her tale.

"He was a traveler. Passing through on business. His name was Marco or Murco, something like that. He had dark hair and light blue eyes...like yours. I was quite drunk at the time and don't remember much about his business, though I doubt the topic came up. He was more interested in a quick screw than the conversation. I do remember he had a tattoo on his right shoulder. Right here," she gestured to her chest, near her right collarbone.

Eirian frowned.

"What was it?"

"How should I know! I was sauced and it was dark."

"Do you know where he was from? Where he was going?" Eirian asked. Her mother shook her head.

"I don't know where he was from, or where he went. If I was to make a guess I'd say he was in the business of smuggling or the information business."

Eirian stared at her mother, who was finishing the last of her soup now.

"Thank you for your information. I'll be going now." Eirian stood, pushing her chair back from the table as she did.

Her mother placed the spoon back down in her bowl.

"So soon? You just got here?"

"I have things to do and people to find."

Eirian turned and wrenched the door open. She strode into the street, new purpose in each step. She had learned what she'd needed to learn and observed her mother's wellbeing. She was fine without her, thriving even. Eirian felt as though a weight had lifted. All the guilt and fear she had held in her heart was expelled into the snow.