What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 33

23rd of May, 1489
Eye of the beholder, isn't she? I really miss you and little Erline. Things are all right so far, but the troops from Nilopoia are building up in large amounts. I just want to this war to end, put fighting for my country is a privilege that shouldn't be taken for granted.

I closed my eyes once I finished reading the letter, delicately folding it in half as I made my way back the table, where they were sipping on the stew and bread. Casa and Father turned their heads towards me as I sat back down, placing the letter on the table.

"Dear heart," Casa said as she sipped her stew. "Are you all right?"

I remained silent for a few seconds, slowly shaking my head, I was not upset with her- rather just desperately wanted to finally get her and Father's accounts of this ancient letter. 

"I actually found this note tucked in my notebook the day I left," I unfolded the paper and slid it across the table, Casa reaching to it. She skimmed the letter, nodded, and gave it to my father.  

"I remember writing this," he said quietly, smiling. "It felt like it was just yesterday... I did send this to Caoimhe,  but I have no recollection of it being sent here?" he handed the letter back to Casa, whose face grew a little red. 

"I do," she confirmed. "Caoimhe wrote me a letter, but also attached this letter inside of it.. where her actual letter is now, I have no idea. But I wanted to keep Gael's letter for your sake, dear. I tore off the bottom half in fear of potentially losing your trust... your love."

I picked at the now-cold bread. "Is... is that why it was in my journal? How come I never came across it up until that very day?"

Casa folded the letter and slid it back to me. "It was my own bidding... the days leading up to your eighteenth birthday, the day you would fully become a woman, you'd come to me... wondering more about your background. I put it in your notebook a few weeks prior to your day, but when that moment eventually came to light... I froze up and didn't know what to say or do... I just wanted my Erline... you, fauntkin." 

"Wow," I said; astonished. I did not write in my notebook as much as I did when I was younger, but I did look through it now and then to recollect the memories. The mere fact that Casa slipped this in it without my acknowledgement truly baffled me... yet made me feel more jovial.

Casa looked down at her wooden bowl. "I'm sorry, Erline... I should've just have had an open conversation with you... but you probably wouldn't have found your father or even have met Alyard..."

Alyard looked up in response to his name being mentioned. "My pa, Gery, once told me he didn't always want to tell me the truth in order to protect me from the world... perhaps that is where you're coming from, Casa?"

Casa tucked a loose curl behind her ear, nodding. "I suppose that's what I've been trying to fully admit to myself... that all I was doing was holding you back from the world. Mayhap delaying you from developing your world." 

"To be quite honest," I said. "This whole journey, to me, at least, was meant to happen. It was my 'wake-up call'- the world was my board and I was merely the chess piece, trying to find my place and discover things about myself that I was not yet aware of. Though it has been quite a peculiar ride, I am glad that I did experience things."

Casa gave a sad smile, her eyes turning glossy as she took my hand, gently stroking it. 

After a tranquil dinner, Alyard decided to head back to the main city- to go see his own father. The next morning, the others and I would head to the butcher before Gery tends to his stall in the market centre. 

I brushed my tangled web of hair, leaving it down for the night. Father and Casa were still chattering away at the table, so I decided to go to my room to allow the old friends to catch up and have some time alone together. 

The night air refreshed my senses, the nocturnal animals humming hymns soothed the remaining adrenaline still rushing through my veins. The stars piercing in between the tree branches highlighted the gentle lolls of the ocean. 

For the first time in months, I laid down on my bed- feeling its warm embrace and memories overwhelm me. I closed my eyes and inhaled, transitioning into a dreamless yet peaceable slumber. 

~

I flickered my eyes open, stretched my arms, and regarded the room I was in- confused as to where I was. I sat up and slipped on my shoes. After a while, I realised that I was home- back in my own room- not in some castle or inn. Eager to see Alyard and of course Gery, I quickly braided my hair and put on an old ivy green dress. I scurried out to see if either Casa or Father were awake, finding them fast asleep at the table- Father gently snoring.

Stifling back my laughter, I collected their dirty dishes and set them aside. Seeing Casa in her slumber seemed to make her youthful- her complexion more even and her under eyes lighter. I placed a hand on each of their shoulders, rocking them back and forth.

Casa immediately woke up. She rubbed her eyes and at last took notice of me. 

"Erline!" she exclaimed, her face turning red. "I- it's not what it looks like! We were talking for hours on end.... and happen to fall asleep here..."

Father stirred around but raised his head. "What's going on?"

Father glanced between Casa and I, raising his hands up in protest. "Its not what it looks like!"

"I honestly could care less," I admitted as I tried not to burst out into laughter. "I just came to wake up two up so we can get on the road to the city."

"Oh, yes! I better get ready..." Casa pushed in her chair and walked to her room. I permitted Father to change in my room as he really did not have any other choice- unless if he wanted to be seen nude by pedestrians.