The Marble Tower

-25-

It was quiet in the forest.

Most might have considered it peaceful. The wind in the trees, the fresh air the chirping of the birds.

Ezme herself may have enjoyed herself if the circumstances had been different.

But right now she was distracted and worried. She had been gone for a little over two weeks and she needed to get back as soon as she was able to. She didn't want anyone in the palace to be suspicious of her, especially anyone in power. And Aaly needed her.

She wasn't sure how they had managed her while she was gone. She had never been gone for more than a few hours. They had always met in the servants passages in the castle. But the risk eventually wasn't worth it and they changed locations. Lady Abril offered to host. Ezme hadn't gone to the first two. But there were some developments that couldn't be ignored. This particular meeting was too important not to attend.

Though while she was restless, Lady Abril was cool as a spring in, well, spring. Right now Ezme was pacing the length of the cabin while she sat reading a book at the table. The Lady was well aware of their situation. Of her situation. And though the Lady could say that she just went on holiday for a few weeks, Ezme couldn't say much except that her nan died and she had to wait and attend the funeral. Which would work. But would also be giving up her excuse for long leaves and she wouldn't be able to go to another meeting in a long while. If another meeting will ever be held. If life will ever go back to normal.

"You're worried about her aren't you?"

They were the first words that they had shared for a long while. Miss Abril wasn't very talkative, and Ezme didn't mind that much. But it did seem to make the days go by just a little bit longer.

"About all of them."

"Hm." Abril took a feather from across the table and gently put it in the book as a marker and quietly put it aside. "I suppose that's a reasonable thing to worry about."

"Reasonable>" Ezme asked back, trying to keep her cool. Though to admit that she was annoyed would be an understatement. Though she knew that it wasn't all at the Lady's fault. So she bit her tongue as she waited for her response. Knowing that she would probably say something she didn't mean to if she kept talking.

"Do you disagree? It's a reasonable worry."

"No I don't disagree! We were attacked! Were holed up in the middle of the woods and we don't know where anybody is! People will be suspicious of me if I ever get back, and I have no idea if Aaly is even alive right now! You must be crazy for not worrying!"

Lady Abril just looked at her and blinked.

"Miss Ezme. I have been with the organization for twenty-three years now. My sister died defending the cause. I have been wit it through worse than this. Believe me when I say that yes, it is a reasonable worry. But I do believe that this group of people has been through worse, and we will make it through far worse in the future. Now I don't know what to say about Aaly except that they have put far too much money and effort into keeping her alive. They won't let her die just because you left for a few weeks."

Ezme took in a deep breath. She was right and they both knew it. So in truth she was worrying for far more than she should, but one thing was still bugging her.

Most people would have let her die. It would have been easier and she wouldn't be feeling nearly as much pain if she were dead. It was almost a waste of resources to try and keep her alive. Why? Why is she so important?