Remedy

Chapter One The Treasure Hunter-4

“Yes just us. There's a traders' market in Estarc. Such things are good for the children. Some may earn apprenticeships, and the younger ones enjoy the festivities,” she explained.

“And the Méros-Génos?” He glanced towards the door, through which the young lady had made her escape. A small tugging sensation in the back of his mind caused his eyebrows to knit tightly together in a frown. He returned his attention to Sunniva, awaiting her answer.

“You truly have been gone too long if you fail to recognise your own niece. That was Taya, and shame on you.” She waved her index finger as she scolded him lightly. Rob felt his stomach knot and his shoulders slump as her mention of the young lady's name brought a flood of remembrance.

“Taya Ethelyn, as I live and breathe. But she was just a—” he gestured the height of a child. “My word, Sunni, have I really been gone so long a girl could become a woman?” Sunniva was unable to ignore the self-depreciating tone of his voice. She reached out gently stroking his arm as his gaze returned to the door.

His mind filled with memories of the sickly child his sister had raised as if she were her own. But the woman he had met seemed far older than such memories would allow. Then again, he knew her life had been anything but easy. He scratched his chin in contemplation. He had stopped seeing his niece as a Méros-Génos long ago, but the sight of her in adulthood had come as a surprise. So much so he had been unable to recognise her.

“Sadly yes. It has been a long time since last you graced us with your presence, Brother. Last I recall you departed for Oureas' Rest, hoping for news. We haven't seen you since…” Sunniva's tone, like her eyelids, lowered with regret before her words trailed off into silence. She knew better than to bring up a past her brother so clearly still fought with. These tragic events were the reason he had distanced himself from these walls.

Even after all this time it seemed he was still unable to forgive himself, or perhaps he blamed her. Why else would he willingly keep so much distance between them? He had been distant for some time, but she knew her actions were as much to blame for their estrangement as his were. There had been times when she had seen him approach her door, but never had she opened it to welcome him. She had simply let him leave. There was part of her, in earnest, that understood his grief and willingly accepted the burden of his blame. He had sacrificed so much for her as they grew. His commitment to her had seen she could meet the required donations needed to train at the Acropolis. If not for him, she would have been unable to accept the destiny fate had placed before her.

“Six years,” Rob's voice once again reduced to a whisper as he realised exactly how long had gone by. His fingers instinctively sunk deep within his jacket pocket, brushing the cool metal of the small object within. Its texture upon his flesh brought him both comfort and distress. “It seems like only yesterday,” he reflected, quickly removing his hand from his jerkin as the dull flame of anger began to burn within the pit of his stomach. Six years. It had been six years and still he was no closer to finding what he sought.

Each month he risked life and limb on the whim of nobles, and not once had he even found the slightest indication he was close. Six years, wasted. He felt his nails digging into the calloused flesh of his palms, his fist tightening slightly before he forced his hands to relax. “That would make Ethelyn what, twenty now?” He forced his mind away from his previous thoughts. They were dangerous, especially if fed. He needed to stay calm. Think and plan. The answer was waiting for him, he just hadn't come across the right person or rumour yet. There was still time. As long as he drew breath there was still time to make amends.

Rob avoided Sunniva's concerned glance, taking the opportunity to divert his attention towards his backpack. He rummaged through its contents, focusing anywhere but on her.

“There about. It's hard to say for certain, she was so young when she was left at the door.” Rob nodded slightly, he remembered the day well. His sister had been little more than a child herself when she became responsible for this temple, and Taya had been left at her door soon after.

“Is she staying with you then?” Sunniva knew exactly what her brother was asking. She ran an orphanage, and the children housed were expected to be self-sufficient by the age of seventeen. She would often help them find work their skills were suited for, and failing that, see them to Albeth Castle. Oureas' Rest was always grateful for labourers, and provided food and shelter for those who aided them. But Taya would not be welcomed in such a place. Whilst the Méros-Génos were accepted within their borders, they would not see her as such. She would be viewed as a monster, a threat.

“The situation with Taya is difficult. I think of her as my own and she is family to both of us. I raised her from an infant, how could she be anything else? I think of her as my own. Besides, even if I were to find somewhere willing to overlook her obvious disadvantage, how long do you think they would continue to tolerate her presence when her hallucinations returned? Most are not equipped to deal with one touched by the Maniae.” Sunniva gave a heavy sigh. “I truly thought we were about to begin a new era, that at least some good would come from the devastation.

“I thought we would build a new world on the ashes of the old. A world where Demies and humans could unite. They worked together so well to rebuild after the Severaine. They stood united, shoulder to shoulder. How quickly the banner of unity was burnt when difference once more became the focal point. It seems relationships cannot be reforged as easily as iron and timber can.”

“You're wrong. So many have willingly embraced the Méros-Génos. There are still extremes, and they fall to both sides. Unfortunately this island is one of them,” Rob lamented, shaking his head slightly as he spoke.

“I honestly don't feel she would fare well. The people in this area alone show so little tolerance. Given the chance, they would see her drawn and quartered before suffering her presence. Mothers scream at the sight of her, the young seek shelter behind the closest adult, and those are the more tolerant of attitudes.” Sunniva glanced towards the door as she bit her lower lip. She could imagine Taya stood just on its other side, listening to their every word, probing their conversation for evidence of lies.

The precursors to a relapse had been evident for some time now, and her paranoia was unquestionable. The traders' market had come at an opportune moment. It allowed Sunniva the time she needed to try to quell the rising storm, but Rob's arrival here, as wonderful as it was, had only served to worsen things.

There would soon be little choice but to have her returned to that place. They could work the miracles she could not. She was but one person. Her ability to repress the unwanted thoughts was limited, but her stay with them was not yet due. She had to endure. She had to pray for the strength to hold the Maniae at bay a little longer. The safety of everyone under this roof depended on it.

“It must be difficult, for both of you,” Rob acknowledged softly, his fingers seizing the item he had been searching for within the backpack. He presented the pouch to Sunniva with a smile less joyful than that he had managed before being reminded of the burden his sister bore.

Sunniva opened the draw string slowly and marvelled at the small figurine within. The pearl figurine was delicate and beautiful. The crafter had paid so much attention to detail that she could almost see the moon's reflection in the wolf's eyes. It sat in a baying position. Its pose indicative of once being part of a larger display, one no doubt involving Selene, as this was clearly intended to represent her wolf. “I retrieved this from one of my adventures. I thought it would be more at home in a temple than gathering dust on a collector's shelf.”

“It's remarkable. We'll keep it safe. Thank you, Brother.” He gave a dismissive shrug as if to imply she should think nothing of his gesture. If she was aware of what he had endured to obtain it, he would be more likely the recipient of another scolding rather than the gratitude she currently offered.

“You can always sell it on if you find yourself in hardship. Such things fetch a good price on the market. On that note, I've added my donation to the box out front. It's overdue, like my visit. I'll stop by again once I've completed my current errand at the Plexus. I'm really proud of you, what you do for these children is remarkable.” He encouraged the conversation to a point where his departure would be accepted, knowing if he didn't he could easily lose the day in her company and both of them had things they needed to attend to. He felt so at ease in her presence he questioned why he had postponed his visit for so long.

“Thank you, Brother, you have no idea what it means to me.” She placed her hand on his, squeezing it gently before he turned to leave.

“Well, it grows late and I still have to report to the Plexus. Since there's the market in Estarc I'm best heading to Riverside Quay.” He began to walk away, raising his hand in a parting gesture at the door. “I'll stop by again before I leave,” he reaffirmed before pulling the door closed behind him.

After Rob had left, Sunniva lowered herself to her knees before Artemis, closing her eyes in silent prayer as she tried to gather her strength. Her conversation with her brother had exhausted her more than she had expected. So much had changed since last they spoke and it was essential he remained unaware of all of it. She was not in a position to answer his questions, and so, she had guided their conversation. In return she had been reminded of exactly how precarious the situation with Taya had become. Her next appointment at Mirage Lake was not scheduled for over a month, and despite her needs the escorts were unable to retrieve her any earlier. Perhaps, with her brother's arrival, there was another option. Assuming he stayed long enough.

Sunniva tried to force her mind into a state of calm, and allow feelings of peace and tranquillity to wash over her. A task made almost impossible by her awareness of Taya's presence near the threshold of this sacred space. Sunniva's training at the Acropolis had gone beyond that of those normally chosen by the Gods. She had been designated to a special purpose, and as such had been given her own private blessing. She had been privilege to insights others remained oblivious to and central to all was Taya.

The oppression of Taya's presence made recovering from her exhaustion more difficult. It left her weaker, and thus diluted her own attempts at treating her. In turn this resulted in Taya's unwanted behaviour gaining dominance. It was a vicious cycle, and one which often resulted in injury.

On more than one occasion Taya had nearly been successful in taking Sunniva's life, and would have been, if not for the intervention of those living within Elpída. They knew the dangers. Those within this temple had been carefully chosen to help with not only its normal operations, but the extra burden of Taya's condition.

Closing her eyes again she tried to find the recharging energy of peace, but instead found only silence. A silence which only served to remind her she was alone with Taya. For that brief moment, instead of the confidence and strength she felt just moments before Rob's visit, she felt only fear.