Immortality's Bane

Old Friends, New Purpose

Chapter 2

It was drizzling lightly as Illia led the twins into the village. Instead of heading to the inn, as she would have in a normal village, she led them to a large house just by the entrance. The house had two stories and a wraparound balcony.

Illia rapped her knuckles on the door, and it was opened by a woman who looked to be in her late forties or early fifties. She was thin, but not rail thin like some. She had dark brown hair that was fading to gray, and her face was lined with wrinkles. Upon seeing Illia her glowing blue eyes crinkled into a smile.

"Illia," the woman said, "It's good to see you again. You haven't changed a bit. How long has it been?"

"Too long, Raine," Illia said, smiling a little herself, "It's good to see you again." She studied the only person of this time that knew her secret. Illia knew that she couldn't have much time left. Fifty was old for this time after all. In the time of machines, she would have lived to eighty or so, but that time was long past.

"Come in, come in. And who are these two?" Raine asked her, "Did you finally settle down?"

"No," Illia told Raine, "I picked up a couple strays is all. I was hoping you would have some clothes for them. I don't have enough money to buy them, and they can't go around in that." Illia had met Raine when she was fifteen. Even now Raine's eyes had that warm twinkle that had brought smiles, albeit small ones, out of even Illia.

"I'll see what I can find," the woman promised, "Now get out of those wet clothes before you catch cold. I'll have Rosie run baths for all of you. Now shoo! Go and bathe and I'll take care of the little ones."

"Yes, Mother," Illia said, fully knowing that she couldn't get sick, "And thanks."

After her bath, Illia pulled on her spare clothing and headed downstairs. Raine sat there, sewing, and Illia went to sit with her.

"Where are the kids?" she asked the older woman.

"Out cold," Raine replied, "I gave them fresh clothes and they crashed."

"Thanks Raine," Illia said, "I don't mean to impose."

"It's no problem. I love little kids. How is the search going?"

"Not good, all of my leads have turned up empty. I was following one, but I ran into those two and....."

Raine laughed. "You're such a softy. But that's why I love you." She suddenly grew sober, "You know, I don't have long left."

"I know," Illia said quietly.

"Now you listen," Raine told the girl, "When I go, you gotta keep going. Even if it hurts you gotta keep going."

"I don't have much choice do I?" Illia mumbled her eyes on the ground.

"Now you look at me," Illia met Raine's kind eyes, "Everything happens for a reason, even this. You were made immortal for a reason, and when your purpose on this world is done, you will leave it. That's all there is. Just be patient. The Great Creator gives the hardest tests to those he loves most, and all you've been through tells me he loves you a lot. Now buck up. You have two others to take care of now, so you can't be depressed. They need you, and they believe you will protect them, so you can't mope or show doubt in front of them."

"You've told me to be strong my whole life," Illia said, "I swear you've been an old woman since you were fifteen." Illia looked away from her friend, "I won't pretend it won't hurt when you die. I'll miss you. But I will live forever. I'm destined to be alone. I know that."

The immortal paused. "But to me, that's how it's always been. When something happens to whatever has driven me for years, I find a new path and follow it. That's my life. I think I've found my new guiding light."