WG - Chapter3 - The Journey
1561 Words
Zinah’s head was already spinning with the information she was handed by Duskin. Things didnʻt make sense. The only thing that did was keeping Crimson safe.
“Listen carefully Zinah. The journey will be a long one because of the trails youʻll need to take. I donʻt suggest using the roads, someone might see you. If you need to cross a road, make sure there are no cars when you are crossing it” Duskin said
“Cars? What are cars?” Zinah asked
“Oh child, you have lived so sheltered here in the forest as the rest of the world swiftly flys by” Duskin added to Zinah’s already confused state.
“I will explain other things later. For now, let me tell you about the journey. Keep to the trail I will outline for you. These trails are not well traversed so youʻll probably not come across any humans or otherwise” Duskin said as Zinah started making mental notes of questions to ask as he explained more.
“Youʻll be able to see Mount Yamnuska in about 2 days’ travel. Stay on track and youʻll be there 5 days after as long as you keep moving” Duskin said
“When you reach the base, follow the trail I mark. It will be a steep climb but you should be able to do it. When you reach the summit, it may be covered in clouds. Look for an area where the clouds donʻt move. That is where youʻll find Rissa. Youʻll know youʻre close when one or more of her guards appears” Duskin finishes
“Guards?” was all Zinah could say because she wasnʻt sure she wanted to hear what kind of guards a Witch has
“Yes, Witches always have black cats. Rissaʻs just happens to be Black Panthers. Give them my name and they will escort you to Rissa” Duskin says
“Duskin? Are you using one of your favors to help me? You know, calling it in?” Zinah says
“Hush child. Now let’s get you and this child ready for the journey” Duskin said as he and Zinah started to pack a few bags with essentials. Zinah made sure she had enough goat’s milk to last the trip and if she didnʻt, at least Zinah knew how to get them from animals in the wild.
“What will Junie say when she finds me gone?” Zinah asked
“You let me worry about Junie. But Zinah, if she grants your wish, please come back to me. I know life is not easy for you here with Junie, but I do enjoy your company” Duskin said
“Only for YOU Duskin, I will return,” Zinah says as she smiled at the only father figure in her life
“Alright, well do you have any questions?” Duskin asked and once the words were out of his mouth, he realized the mistake he made when Zinah barraged him with what seemed like a million questions
“What are cars, what are humans, what is a road and..and…and..I donʻt know, what else Duskin?” Zinah hurriedly asked
“Let’s get you finished packing while I go grab a few books to show you what you are asking,” Duskin said as he left and returned with the books. Zinah quickly finished packing and was waiting for him to return
Duskin had some magazines. Zinah had never seen these kinds of books. She thumbed through a couple and her eyes widened
“Whatʻs this? And this? And this?” Zinah pointed
Duskin decided to start from the beginning…
“Zinah you see this person” Duskin pointed and Zinah nodded
“She is called a human. Humans come in many shapes and colors. Unlike some of us Bitterborns, we sorta kinda look all the same” Duskin explained as Zinah looked closer at the picture. She felt her cheeks and nose and mouth and her eyes widened
“Duskin?...Am…I…A…Human?” Zinah asked
“Yes, Zinah. You are human. You lived in a home with your family. One day a Goblin snatched you away from your home and sold you at the market where Junie paid for you” Duskin said as he recollected the barbaric way Zinah and other humans were stolen and sold.
“My…family? I have a family?” Zinah said as Duskin nodded his head
“Yes Zinah, you have a family somewhere out there. But because the Goblin never mentioned where you were stolen from, we have no idea where you came from or even if you were taken from near here or far” Duskin said sadly
“And whatʻs this Duskin?” Zinah asked
“Those are cars Zinah, itʻs what the humans use to move them around. There is soooo much more than you can ever comprehend about human life Zinah” Duskin stated
“Duskin, why did you not tell me all of this before? Why did you keep it a secret all of these years?” Zinah asked feeling the heat rise in her cheeks
“Zinah, it is the way of the Bitterborns. Humanʻs are a finicky bunch. They do not understand our kind and would rather see us destroyed than life in harmony. They would rather take us and try to figure out what makes me an Ogre or Crimson an Ifrit. If we are deemed a danger, their next course of action is to eliminate us” Duskin said as Zinahʻs eyes widened
“Thatʻs just terrible Duskin” Zinah says
“That is why I never told you Zinah, but I should have. I did intend to tell you when you reached 16 so that youʻd understand my reasons and I guess the time has come. A few months early but you know now. What you do with the information I just gave you, is up to you. I only ask that you keep our secret and should you ever find your family or humans in general, my only hope is that you find happiness” Duskin said
Zinah nodded her head as she took in all of the information she was just given. It was a lot to swallow and even more so now that she was un-technically a mother to an Ifrit
“Whatʻs this?” Zinah asked pointing to something in the book
“I believe that’s called a cell phone. Humans use it to communicate with each other from far distances. It uses electrical airwaves” Duskin said seeing the confusion in Zinahʻs eyes
“You mean like how the Queen uses the underwater wheels in the rivers where the water moves fast to make lights in her castle instead of using candles as we do?” Zinah asked
“Something like that Zinah. You are on the right track with that line of thought but there are many things you donʻt understand and I hope someday you get to experience them all” Duskin said
“Duskin? You seem to know a lot about human things, do you know humans?” Zinah asked
Duskinʻs face became sorrowful because he knew she deserved an answer “I do. Not all humans are bad Zinah, just as not all Ogres, or Trolls, or Goblins are bad. My human friends have sworn secrecy and thatʻs where these books come from. It keeps me updated on the human world. We have to be so we stay a step ahead of their game. Just in case. Itʻs just a precautionary measure” Duskin says
“Does everyone else know about humans?” Zinah asked and Duskin nodded yes
“Even the Queen?” Zinah questioned
“Especially the Queen. She keeps close tabs on humans that may stray into the forest. She makes sure that they stay on trails and uses magic to keep us hidden” Duskin explains
“Well I never took the Queen for someone who was caring enough to do that” Zinah stated unbelievably
“Donʻt take that for kindness Zinah, it is a strategic move. The Queen herself would also be in danger so itʻs in her best interest to keep them away”
The Q & Aʻs went back and forth for a couple of hours before Duskin announced it was time for her to leave
“Zinah, Junie will be up soon. She cannot see this baby” Duskin said knowing this could be the last time he might see her
Knowing how he was feeling because she was feeling it too, she came in for a hug
“Donʻt worry Duskin itʻll be our secret and I promise I will be back. There is so much more I need you to teach me about my own kind” Zinah said as she gave him a wink
Zinah gathered all the things she needed, scooped up Crimson and walked out into the early morn…
- Writer
