Leeched

5.) Tied by a Thread

Gendra had to face the realization that they were leaving without telling her father. Ferren continued to insist there wasn't time to explain, and she feared that he may even attempt to stop them from going at all. Instead, Gendra wrote a short, concise note, informing him that they had left on a journey to the capital city, Jemorae, in order to heal Ferren of a magical affliction caused by the Leech. She wouldn't even have the chance to hug him before they left.

"Will you explain more to me about what's going on once we leave?" Gendra asked as she stood guard at the cellar door while Ferren pillaged for food and supplies.

"I'll try," she replied absently, scooping apples, dried meats, bread, and cheese into an empty grain sack.

Ferren remained silent and stoic as they finished bundling their things together and slipped out the front door. They had waited until her father stepped out to head into the village before making their departure. He had taken the horses and their cart to buy a coffin for Khilan.

Ferren shivered as they passed the barn. Inside, Gendra knew, lay a small, white bundle amid the piles of hay. She'd watched from the cottage window as the villagers and her father had carefully washed the body before wrapping it tightly in linen. They'd carried it into the barn and locked the doors shut to ensure that no scavenging animals could get to it. In her head, she said a small goodbye. If she wasn't going to be there for the burial, it was the least she could do.

Peya followed them as they crossed the invisible threshold at the edge of their little farm and walked down the path towards the village. It was worn from countless years of trampling feet and rolling wagon wheels, and muddy, stagnate puddles collected here and there, left behind by the rain only a few days before. Peya's fur, long and yellow, like the piles of hay in the barn, quickly collected the mud as she pranced through the puddles after them.

"I'm sorry, but you can't come with us," Gendra said, kneeling down carefully so that she was at eye level with the shaggy dog. "But I'm going to miss you, girl."

Peya sat obediently but let out an anxious whine. Gendra turned away, biting her lip. She had always dreamed about getting away from their sleepy little village and seeing the different towns and cities across Hailiah, but she never imagined she'd be doing so under such circumstances.

Ferren kneeled beside her, reaching out a pale hand and placing it atop Peya's fluffy head.

"Shh..." she leaned her face towards Peya's, pressing her forehead against the dog's so that they were staring directly into each other's eyes. Peya stilled completely under Ferren's touch. "Don't forget about us, Peya." She leaned even closer, her lips moving as if she were whispering something into the dog's ear, but no sound came out. The hand on Peya's head began to pulse with glowing magic. Gendra watched in silence.

A moment later, they both stood and turned back down the path, leaving Peya behind. She didn't try to follow them again.

"What was that about?" Gendra asked.

Ferren shrugged. The dark circles under her eyes seemed to have deepened. "Just making sure she stays and helps your father. He'll need her company, now more than ever."

Gendra frowned. "Will he be safe, my father? If we leave him here alone, will the Leech return and go after him?"

"The Leech has no use for him," she said, matter-of-factly. "It may return, but only to follow my scent. Your father is safe here, Gendra. I give you my word on that."

She said no more and Gendra gave up asking about it. They soon stepped off the worn path, turning into the wooded area that surrounded the village and following a less-traveled trail through the trees. They didn't want to risk running into Gendra's father by walking through the village.