Back to the Roots

Cheapter 2: Far from Home

These people, who I barely knew, packed up their stall and welcomed me into their home.My father had been right. They truly were good people. They didn’t leave me alone.We sat together. They didn’t ask a single question — not even “Why are you here?” — and offered me food. We ate together. And afterward, the conversation grew deeper.

My uncle, who had exchanged a few letters with my father over the years, already knew that I was a commander holding a high position in the palace.Of course, he didn’t know the details — even my father didn’t.I answered everything they asked with honesty.My cousin Mary asked me what exactly I did in the palace.

“I create war plans in Solvenia. I build strategies for battle,” I said.

The moment they heard that, something changed in their eyes.As if I had become a stranger — even a threat. That look unsettled me.But I understood.I looked at them sincerely and said:

“Don’t worry. I swear, I’ve never made any war plans against Trenia.In fact, they wouldn’t even let me.They know I’m half-Trenian.They know I couldn’t plan a war against my own country. That’s why they didn’t assign me anything during the Trenia Treaty two years ago.”

My uncle looked at me with pride. Mary seemed relieved, too.

“So,” my uncle asked, “what changed now? Why do they want you to plan a war?”

I answered thoughtfully:

“A new commander has arrived. He doesn’t like me — actually, he despises me.He constantly implies that I don’t deserve my position, especially not as a young woman.I know this is his doing.”

Mary asked with curiosity:

“But what does he gain from this? What could he possibly want by forcing you like this?”

“He wants to get rid of me. I know he’s been investigating me.He probably found out my father was once a soldier for Trenia… and that he can’t walk anymore due to a war injury.He wants to force me to betray my country — because he knows it would torment my conscience.”

I took a deep breath. My words grew heavier.

“If the war plan I make fails… or if the agreement results in a loss for Solvenia,he will accuse me of intentionally creating a weak strategy —and brand me a traitor.He’ll have me executed.”

My voice trembled as I shared the weight in my chest. I continued:

"Bu onun gerçek niyeti. Ama köklerime ihanet edemezdim... ya da babam. Bu yüzden buraya geldim. En kısa zamanda babamı getireceğim. Onu yanıma alamazdım, hemen kaçmak zorunda kaldım. Yani... O hala aynı."

My uncle asked:

“No improvement at all? He still can’t walk?”

“He can move around the house, but it’s very difficult for him,” I said.

“King Karl would have destroyed me if he sensed even the slightest regret during the planning.The smartest thing I could do was escape.But I’ll find a way to bring my father here. I promise.As for what happens next… I don’t know.All the knowledge, all the strategies I’ve built up over the years…sometimes it feels like I’m betraying them all.But right now, my priority is to survive.To protect my father.To protect my homeland.”

After my words, both my uncle and cousin seemed truly at ease.They told me I could stay as long as I wanted.They even offered to help bring my father here in any way they could.I was deeply grateful.I promised I’d find a way.I would stay with them for a while — and help them however I could.

Later, Mary told me about their daily lives and the place they lived in.She had lost her mother a few years ago.As she spoke about her, her eyes welled up with tears.And while she remembered her mother,I found myself thinking of mine — a mother I had never even known.

That night, I fell asleep thinking of my father… myself… my home… and the seas.