shadows

an unexpected discovery (3)

“What do you know about Tremor?” Eustace asked.

The three of them ‘old-timers’ stared at the two ‘newcomers’ for the answer. This was an important question. And even though the three of them were staring at the other two, they were mostly concentrating on Anton, the true newcomer.

Anton shrugged in reply, and turned to look at Milan who grinned at him. She then returned the stares of the other three complacently, and answered.

“Tremor, the god of earth waves, as he was also called. Along with Aryes and Friya, Tremor loved battle. The three were labeled the Tricones of war. Tremor happened to be among the earliest to leave. What about it?”

Krom maintained the expressionless face, but in the depths of his eyes was hiding a smile born from pride. Of course, absolutely no one could see it. That was also a matter of pride to him.

Eustace nodded, accepting the answer. But she expected more. She made no effort at hiding the disappointment.

Milan couldn’t care less about the older witch’s disappointment or any other feeling for that matter. She had asked a question. And she wanted it answered. It was her turn to stare, at the three of them. And wait upon them for an answer. And there was no way she would shy away from expressing her impatience in loud and crystal clear words. “Well?” She asked. “We’re waiting. We’d like an answer too.”

Eustace smiled, as if amused. Nodded. And answered. “The book belonged to Tremor.” She dropped the bomb just like that. So easily. Without fanfare. Of course, that didn’t mean it exploded on everyone.

“Huh?” Milan said, tilting her head, and wondering aloud what that meant. She needed a minute, but the flames reached her, long before they could Anton. In fact, it didn’t look they could reach Anton. Milan shook her head in disbelief. “What are you talking about? How could that be possible? How could you know who the book belonged to? How could it be Tremor’s?”

Eustace didn’t answer.

Emerald took upon the role of playing host. She showed Milan and Anton to their rooms on the second floor. “Ours are downstairs,” she explained. “There weren’t any more. It’s not as big inside as it looks from the outside. We could only make room for you up here. I guarantee you this though. The view is spectacular. Especially in the morning. Makes the sunrise something to wake for. And the nights. When the sky is clear. And the stars shine down bright. It’s like there are two skies. One above. One on the lake. You’ll see.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Milan said. Her smile falling short of her eyes. And her hands pushing Emerald out be it gently. After the door was closed, and it was just the two of them in the room, she stared at Anton. The impassiveness was gone from her face, that she had for Emerald. And so was the roguishness that she had on for Eustace. Instead, she was absolutely serious. And all of her attention concentrated upon Anton.

And Anton was the same too. Gone was the blankness from his face. There wasn’t a hint of the ignorance he had displayed thus far. In their place was doubt. And unwavering trust for Milan.

“I know,” Milan said. Nodding. She went over to the bed. Sat down. Patted the bed next to her, where Anton came over and sat. They were leaning, shoulder to shoulder. And she continued, in a hushed voice lower than the softest whisper. “This is crazy. They are serious. Like it truly is Tremor’s book. How could that be possible?”

“Nothing’s impossible,” Anton said unwaveringly.

“No, honey,” Milan said, shaking her head. She only called him honey when they were alone, and when they were sensitive. “You are a miracle. This is impossible. Not the same.”

“A distinction only you understand,” he said. “You can try. Go around the world. Tell everyone single person. In the day. In the shadows. Find one other person who would understand.”

“I don’t need to go anywhere,” she said, a victorious smile on her face. “I have you. You understand.”

“In your words, I am different. I don’t count,” he countered. “But yeah. I understand. And I agree. This is crazy. Just imagine. If this is true. If it is truly Tremor’s book. What the ramifications would be. Your dear brother’s worry finally makes sense.”

“That it does,” she agreed. “But I don’t know if that makes it any better. I don’t know if this place is even safe. I mean, he put us in the heart of the battle. Whoever comes, if they do come, will come not only for the book. There’s Emerald too. A princess of the witches. And from what I’ve heard, she is a favourite as the successor.”

“The next queen,” he said.

And they shared a laugh.

His room was next door. But she wouldn’t let him leave. And if he was being honest, he didn’t want to either. They had both felt it. The anxiousness. The premonition of something terrible to come. And both felt the need to stay together. That was the best way. They had the best odds that way.

And it wasn’t as if they weren’t used to being in the same room. Even sharing a bed. When she brought him back from the hospital, he had nightmares. Every time he closed his eyes, he found himself back in the car, moments before it all went dark. And then he felt it all over again, falling into the darkness. He couldn’t sleep. She had to hold him in her arms, whispering into his ear, that he was okay now. He was home now. He wasn’t alone. He was safe. Only in her arms could he sleep. It was months before he was okay to fall asleep alone. But by then, they had both gotten used to being together. And neither had any intention of changing that. Not that any one questioned them about any of it.

And Milan repeated it so many times that they had both accepted it as an inevitable reality. That they would be together forever. And that when he came of age, they would marry. And then, they would anyway share a bed. Then they would do a lot more things too. For now, they slept restfully.

Emerald found them in bed the next morning. She had gone to Anton’s room first. Found that it hadn’t been slept in. Confused, she went over to Milan’s. Knocked. Got no response. Thinking it was safe, since she was a girl too, and Milan was a girl too, there shouldn’t be a problem, she opened the door. The door wasn’t locked, which proved her right. She walked in. And immediately realised she was wrong after all. She covered her eyes, and rushed back out. But not before letting out a yelp, that woke the innocently sleeping couple.

Over breakfast, Milan explained herself, and Anton, to the other three. Emerald was surprised. Eustace was frozen stiff. Krom was coughing so hard, he had tears in his eyes, and he had to gulp the entire mug of coffee. Still didn’t help.

“You’re insane,” Krom said, shaking his head sadly.

Eustace and Emerald nodded in agreement.

Anton smiled, with a hint of embarrassment. Only Milan knew how real that hint of embarrassment was. As for herself, Milan wasn’t the slightest affected.

Breakfast was eventful, to put it mildly. It was also the last peaceful meal. For the first visitors showed up an hour later. And they hadn’t come with any intention of being nice or respectful. They brought a fight.