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Chapter 05

The next morning, when I awoke, I thought that the previous night had just been a dream. I knew it wasn't, but it seemed to be a theme with me, now that I was Sul'ava's apprentice. Unbelievable situations.

I rolled onto my side and groaned. My tongue felt thick. Sun poured through the windows and I blinked. I was in the room upstairs that I rented last night but never occupied.

I could smell water on the table next to the bed and I reached for a cup, but someone pushed it into my paw. The barmaid standing next to the bed, smiling.

"Ah, so you're finally up!"

"What happened?" I asked, taking a deep drink of the water.

"Slow down... drink it slow or you'll get sick," the wolf said. "You got a fever - you've been sleeping for a day straight. Sul'ava brewed up some potion or whatever and then took off - said she'd be back by tonight."

"Where'd she go?" I asked.

"She didn't say, though I get the feeling she had to do some clean-up work," the barmaid said. "The whole town is in an uproar. A lot of people are suspicious of her - and you. They think you're returning to 'enslave us all,'" she said with mockery in her voice.

"What do you think?" I asked, leaning back.

"I think a lot of them are full of it," she grinned. "Sul'ava was perfectly nice and seemed embarrassed by the whole thing - sorry, even. I get the feeling she didn't get along with her father."

"Yeah, me too," I said. "Say, if I come downstairs, can I get something to eat? I'm starving."

"Sure thing, honey," she said. "You gonna be able to get dressed by yourself?"

I looked down at myself and realized the blankets were only covering about half of my naked body. I grimaced and pulled them around me more tightly. "I'm sure I'll manage," I said.

"Hey, can't blame a girl for trying!" The wolf laughed as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

I shook my head and dressed quickly, drinking another mug of water. I was hungry - more than I thought. I downed the potion Sul'ava left - it tasted like a minor healing potion, probably designed so I wouldn't catch a cold or pneumonia.

When I went down the stairs, everyone in the room stopped talking and turned to stare at me. It was awkward - incredibly awkward. I sat at the bar and turned my back, trying to ignore the whispers.

The barmaid - all business now, in front of customers - brought over a bowl of thick stew and I started to eat eagerly, almost forgetting the people in the bar behind me.

Almost, until one of them pushed my back, nearly pressing my muzzle into the stew. I turned around slowly. A large wolf, one with similar colors to the barmaid, stood there with two others by his side - a tall red fox and a short badger.

"What are you doing here?" the wolf asked, growling.

The barmaid appeared then and shoved another glass of water next to my plate. "He's eating," she said loudly. "Don't cause trouble, Junior."

"He's with that dragon!" the wolf said, just as loudly. He took another step closer to me, growling loudly.

The barmaid put her paws onto the counter and growled right back. "I told you before, they're not here to do anything but fix the well. Now siddown and shut up."

I turned around slowly again, scared. The barmaid leaned in close.

"Don't worry - that's my younger brother," she said quietly. "He won't try anything in here, but it's probably best you eat quick and go back upstairs."

I nodded and started to eat. I was really famished - the stew tasted delicious. I ate quickly and walked back up the stairs quickly, ignoring the murmurs and growls that followed my departure. I didn't dare look back at the room full of townsfolk.

As I walked up the stairs, though, I heard the barmaid start to ream out her brother - loudly, in front of the other patrons.

I grinned and slipped into the room, then bolted it shut. I was still tired, so I lay back on the bed and let out a sigh. I hoped Sul'ava would return soon so we could leave - I didn't want to stay in this town any longer than absolutely necessary.

I woke up several hours later - I didn't remember falling asleep. The sunlight coming through the windows was much weaker. I sat up and drank another glass of water, eyes closed. I didn't feel sick, thankfully, but I was pretty out of it.

After I put the mug down and blinked my eyes, I realized Sul'ava was sitting in the chair in the corner, watching me.

She held up her fingers, stopping me from speaking before I could even get out a word.

"My father," she started. She sighed and looked down at the floor, lowering her hand. "My father was evil. He used his magic powers to make this town serve him. I was young and foolish and thought it was the natural way of things - I thought the people living here deserved no better than to be our slaves."

She seemed to slump down into her chair then, as if recalling memories too painful to speak aloud.

"I am not proud of what I did to support my father and it's the reason I left, after realizing what was really happening." She took a long, shuddering breath and closed her eyes. "My father was using his magic on me. His daughter. To control me."

Her eyes opened and she looked at me. Her gaze was piercing. "That's why I left. But not before poisoning his meal."

Neither of us spoke for several minutes.

"I thought that more than twenty years later, I could return here and remain anonymous. But I spoke my full name when asked by the old couple whose well I was supposed to repair," she explained. "They immediately bound me and gathered the rest of the townfolk. I was in no real danger and wanted to talk them out of anything before things grew violent."

She stood up and walked to the window. "When you arrived, I knew things would escalate quickly. I did what I needed to do in order to protect you and the people living here."

She paused and stared out the window at the setting sun. Her shadow seemed to fill the room. I kept silent, knowing she had more to say.

"I'm sorry you were there. I'm also sorry you realize now what I am," she said softly. "But I am not my father, and I will not continue his wicked legacy. I hoped to do right by the people of this town one day and I hope they will realize that eventually."

She turned and looked at me. "Nobody ever tried to do for me what you tried. I want you to know how much this means to me." Again, she paused as conflicting emotions ran across her usually emotionless face. "If you would like... if you want to end your apprenticeship, I will let you," she said, finally. "I will understand."

I stared at her, digesting all she'd told me. Though she had nothing to be guilty of, she was conflicted by the evil her father perpetrated on the people of this village. I knew she had nothing to be ashamed of - that she acted honorably in doing the best she could.

"No," I said. "I want to be your apprentice." I left it at that, but I think she understood what I left unsaid.

She didn't smile often and that was the biggest grin I'd seen on her before and after meeting her.

"That makes me very glad," she said softly. She stepped towards the bed and leaned down and kissed the top of my head as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. "We should leave - I've fixed the well and, though I know it doesn't fix the wrongs, I hope they know I only want to make things right here."

I kept my arms around her, not letting her stand up. "I think they know," I said, leaning forward. I kissed her hard - she pulled back a little in surprise, but quickly hugged me back and closed her eyes.

I felt her tongue slide against mine as she took a deep breath through her nose. Finally, after nearly a minute, we broke the kiss.

"I'm glad to see you still like me," she said, smiling widely.

I hugged her tightly, squeezing myself to her warmly. "I know you now - I don't care what you used to be, or what your father used to be," I said, trying to pick my words carefully. "I want to be your apprentice and I hope I can be... your friend."

Her paw slid down my back slowly. She kissed me lightly and smiled again. "We should be going..."

I nodded, knowing she understood me. I dressed quickly and gathered our packs as she gazed out the window, thinking to herself.

Neither of us spoke as we hoisted our packs and made our way downstairs. When we reached the bottom, I realized I didn't have any coins left to pay the barmaid. I looked at Sul'ava, but she just nodded at me and smiled again. "Don't worry, I've compensated her for her troubles..."

I smiled back and walked out of the bar in front of Sul'ava, past the quiet patrons and the beaming barmaid. She waved at me as I left and I nodded back as I held the door open for Sul'ava.

"Good luck!" the barmaid called.

"What's your name?" I asked, still holding the door open as Sul'ava waited outside.

"Sindra," the wolf replied.

"Thank you, Sindra. And tell your brother hello for me."

I let the door swing close as I walked out to meet Sul'ava. She motioned west. "My home is not far from here - we can make it before the moon reaches its peak."

I nodded towards her and hitched my pack up higher on my back. "Let's go," I said, smiling at her. "On the way... can you tell me what happened after you left Angarth?"

"It's a long story..."

"That's okay - I'd like to know, and it will help pass the time," I said.

"Very well."