“Don’t you even dare think about it, and do NOT let her out of your sight.”

  “Yes Captain!”

  The early morning sunlight is warm on the skin. I finally release my arm from the flat-hand salute on my chest. A symbol of the Miran Empire’s honor. As the Captain’s footsteps spiral down the further stairwell, I look over towards the sleeping witch with concern.

  Meer lies asleep on the double bed, or at least I think she is. When does being unconscious transition to sleep anyway? Her dark ruby hair lies neatly bundled on her sides, while her fresh white tunic sparkles in contrast to the reports of her condition upon being found. She had laid unconscious throughout the evening and night with the rising sun being an optimistic symbol of things to come. I reach out and nudge her arm gently, so afraid of disturbing her, yet still hoping to wake her up. It takes a few tried but to my relief, she stirs awake. Slow at first however her movements gradually pick up in intensity. Her brows scrunch up as her arms eventually fail wildly before finally reaching out into the air as she abruptly sits up. A bead of sweat from her forehead falls on the back of her hand.

  “SOLA?!” Her voice is hoarse and tired.

  “Meer! It’s me Elara.” I reply.

  “Elara you’re cured!” Her attention quickly draws to me as tears begin to swell in her eyes.

  “Yes, it all came back to me yesterday evening. It’s all thanks to the both of you.”

  I bend down to hug her in relief. In light of the recent events, I had almost forgotten about my own impairment. She pulls away, staring into my eyes as her fingers rise up to my ears, threatening to needlessly inspect them.

  “Can you see and hear me?” Her eyes release a small stream of tears as a group of birds peck, chirp and coo on roof above us.

  “Of course I can. How else do you think we’re conversing?” I let out a giggle. “I woke up fully cured in the late afternoon yesterday. I was playing with Melo and contemplating whether I should search for you and Gareth when the Captain entered, announcing your situation.”

  She takes a moment to gather her breath as the little sliver of joy in her eyes recede into an air of solemn reticence.

  “Is- Where was I?” Her dry voice is barely audible. I reach over to the fresh flagon of water on the table and pass it on to her. The contents tremble and plop as it makes its way to her lips.

  “According to their statements, Holst’s squad had spotted you running out a further area of the forest while searching for the two of you. They eventually caught up, only to find you-” I become unnervingly aware of a gulp before saying, ”...topless and covered in blood.”

  She remains silent for a moment. Resting an open palm atop the mouth of the flagon as if casting a spell into it.

  “By ‘the two of you’ you mean me, and-”

  “You and Sola.”

  I feel the weight of his name hit her face, but decide to elaborate.

  “Since he hasn’t returned, his brother Gram is planning to head out in search of his- of him later today.” I wait a few seconds for a response but there is none. I can’t bear to see her so despondent so I continue, “Don’t worry, it happens. Meer, I know you care a lot about people but... but that idiot went on his own and-” I catch myself before saying too much. It’s difficult to hold in my own sadness, but I don’t want to burden her any more than she has been.

  “It’s not his fault. I should have done something. Or maybe I shouldn’t have.” Her stare remains unmoving from the flagon, perhaps hoping for some kind of magic to shoot out of it.

  “Meer... You...”

  Feeling choked by the stagnant air, I approach and push open the closed window. As the wind gushes in, a wave of cool mountain air slips into the room. Melo descends from the roof followed by a flock of noisy doves. She flies straight in to Meer’s arms. Thankfully the rest of the flock stands fast at the window sill.

  “Melo! Haha that tickles. It’s good to see you too. Don’t do that, I’ve got water in my hand.” Meer pulls in and pets the little creature with her free hand. Leaning in to grab the flagon away from her, I strengthen my resolve and call her attention by clearing my throat.

  “Ahem, Meer. If I may make a request. Yesterday, a branch of the Captain’s squad went into the cave to push back the remaining monsters but they were overwhelmed and captured. Gareth was among them.” I try my best to not sound too grim, however I steel my heart in anticipation of her rejection. She’s been through so much. So much for us, a bunch of strangers.

  “Then we need to head out right now.” She firmly replies. Her eyes are fierce. I had unknowingly been staring helplessly at her like an injured fawn.

  “Alright. Do you think you can move? The Captain told me not to leave here till they formulate a plan, but I can’t wait that long. We can sneak out while they are in a meeting below.”

  Meer nods and pushes herself off the bed. Her form is unsteady though nothing alarming. Thank god she wasn’t injured. Walking over towards the equipment and satchels by the table, she stares vacantly at her staff for a few long seconds. I contemplate asking if everything were alright, but there is a tangible wall of anxious air between us. The single night of conversation appears to have been negated by another of silence. Nonetheless, time is of the essence.

  “Let’s head out.” I exclaim.

  “Alrighty!” She manages to pull off a smile.

  “Melo, jump out to the roof and meet us outside. Make sure no one sees you.” I command the excited creature. She leaps off the mattress and pushes off the window sill, shoving an unwitting bird away as she does. The flock follows her into the air like a gaggle of fanatics around their returning hero.

  Meer and I sneak our way down the hall and exit the Guard-house through the back door. While I couldn’t really see on the way in, I am fairly certain that this is the way we’d entered yesterday. The chatter between the Captain and the remaining guards in her office is barely intelligible behind the closed door. As we make our way through the back streets of town I assume that most guards wouldn’t be aware of our situation, yet there are a handful of people I’d rather not engage with right now.

  Eventually we reach a small cottage, the make of which is simple apart from a large wooden wheel that peeks out from behind the thatched roof. A ticklish smell of fine flour roams the air around it and the sound of creaking wood, and grinding muffled is by the thick cottage wall. A young weeping willow peeks out timidly from around the corner.

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  “Meer. I need to talk with my father before leaving the village. I haven’t met him since the morning we left for the cave.” I explain.

  “I’m sure he’s worried about you then.” She smiles in agreement.

  “Well, lets head in. I can’t leave you here by yourself now can I.”

  I open the door unannounced. The once muffled sound of wood and stone rings clearer as the heavy wooden door knocks against a perpendicular wall.

  “Father. I’m home.” I call out. Silence. I usher Meer inside and close the door behind us. Clearing my throat I call out again, slightly louder this time. “Father! I’m home!”

  “Oho! Ela- ha- ha- Hachoo!” His sneeze echoes to central room.

  Heavy footsteps cause light tremors on the wooden floor as he enters from an open walkway further down the kitchen area. I look over to Meer and see her shifting nervously in anticipation. Her gaze constantly darting back and forth between the source of the sound, and her twiddling fingers. I guess she really is a timid one.

  “Elara! You’re finally back.” The voice is loud and happy.

  “Yes father. I’ll be honest, we’ve had a long few days but I’m just passing by to say hello before departing again.”

  “Why that’s mighty kind of you. I’m surprised that- Oh hello stranger.”

  My father, Knell Miller, is a kind hearted and joyful man. So much so to a fault. His large towering stature is the reason that the door frames on our house are almost two feet taller than the usual. The brown apron tied around his well worn beige tunic and pants really does illustrate perfectly how simple and modest of a man he is. With the gruff moustache he refuses to shave being the only indication of tardiness on his body, as his well trimmed hair and clean cuffs shine in stark contrast.

  “Hello young lady, I am Knell, Elara’s father. Pleased to meet you.”

  “Hello Mr.Knell. I am Meer. It’s a pleasure to meet your- uh, acquaintance. I have been in great debt to your daughter for the past few days.” Meer’s dialogue is in excess as always.

  “Ah, If you’ve been with her for many days now, I apologize if her impatience has made her inevitably lash out at you.”

  “Dad please! I’ll have you know that we’ve actually become quite good friends.”

  “I’m happy to her that dear. You look starved, the both you. Would you like me to prepare some food to carry with?”

  “That won’t be necessary. But, I wouldn’t mind taking some biscuits along for the journey.”

  “Sure let me grab a few from the storage. If you’re hitting the road again, will you be away for a few more days?” His form and voice goes back into the hall way. My heart feels a sting of anxious confusion. I take a second to contemplate a response however my face must have betrayed me as Meer leans in and whispers, “I’m sure we’ll be back by tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be back for dinner tomorrow!” I shout out. A smile draws across Meer’s face as if to say “Wasn’t that easy?”

  The heavy footsteps disappear for a while before building up again. Meer has taken a seat on one of the two chairs by the dining table. Her eyes dart around the kitchen, seeming to fixate on certain tools that; admittedly, would’ve be odd to have if we weren’t millers and bakers by trade.

  “Here we go, the freshest batch of biscuits.”

  He holds up a small bundle wrapped in cloth. Judging by the size, I’d say there were about five to ten biscuits inside.

  “I've put in more of the ones with the roasted nuts since those are your favourite.”

  “You didn’t need to do that dad. And you didn’t need to say it out loud either.” I snatch the bag from his hands and scoff him off. It’s so easy to be lulled in by his happy demeanor that I forget how cheeky he can be.

  “And for you Meer, here are two pieces of my speciality.”

  He says, handing her a pair of dark and light chequered cookies.

  “Ah! These are chocolate and vanilla biscuits aren’t they?” Her face lights up in intrigue.

  “Yes they are. You have come to visit the only baker that can make these in this part of the mountain range.” Father proudly proclaims.

  “That would be a grand total of two town and four villages.” I remark.

  “I’ve never seen these down south in all my travels. I’d only come across them twice since reaching the capital so it’s definitely a treat for me.” Meer gratefully replies.

  Hmm... I did not expect the two of them to hit it off so well. While I don’t quite know how I feel about that completely, it’s good to see my father make friends with someone his age.

  “Oh! That reminds me. Daddy, can you do me a favour?” I say.

  I pull out a hard-tack from my pouch.

  “Can you make some of these ships-biscuits. I... They are quite useful to have in long journeys.”

  The smile fades from his face for the first time. He does not seem angry but there is some sign of reluctance as he replies.

  “Are you sure? I thought you didn’t like this kind. The air around here is dry too so you don’t have to make them this hard.”

  His eyes look concerned yet they bore a hole through my confidence. Nevertheless, it’s something I’ve decided on.

  “Yes, I want them this way.” I look towards Meer who looks surprised to see that I had kept one aside during our recent escapade. I say, “I’m sorry for keeping this a secret Meer. I wasn’t too hungry back then and thought it would be quite convenient to have one in hand.”

  She lets out a soft giggle and shrugs it off with a smile. Father’s face softens a little as well and the smile crawls back to the edges of his moustache.

  “Alright. If that’s what you want dear.” He says as he grabs it and puts it into his pocket.

  We stand in silence for a few seconds. Clearly there is an air of awkwardness around out departure. I lift my hands to over my hips, contemplating a hug which I abandon midway. Instead, I reach over to a filled water skin on the table and turn tails to the door.

  “Be careful out there Elara.” He waves at me.

  “I will. And I’ll be back for dinner tomorrow.” I reply.

  Meer bows and thanks him as well before we exit through the door and hurriedly shuffle to a back alley.

  The walk back to the cave is silent. I can’t really blame Meer as that stiff farewell really put a damper on an otherwise great first interaction with my father. I guess we’ll have to smooth that over tomorrow.

  Gazing over the open forest road, the signs of combat and bloodshed is apparent. Broken branches and trampled grass eventually builds-up to a scene of discarded weapons, scraps of armour and streaks of blood. The odd bundle of goblin corpses lie half-heartedly hidden behind the foliage at irregular intervals. Meer must’ve known what was coming as she’s had her a kerchief over her nose for a good while now. As we finally catch sight of the mouth of the cave, I remember exactly where Gareth and Meer had stood to mull over the prospector’s map.

  Melo jumps out of the foliage and perches atop Meer’s head. She seems to be aware that we’ve reached our destination.

  “Melo, you have to stand here and keep watch for us alright?”

  She reaches up to grab the fledgling and props her down on the ground.

  “We’ll be in big trouble if something returns and catches us from behind.” She continues.

  The creature nods as if agreeing to Meer’s command however she continues to shake and purr, building up to a satisfying flutter and stretch of her wings and limbs as she mouth a large yawn. Meer stares at me with slight disbelief. I shrug back.

  “I guess there’s a limit to how far we can converse with a bird.” I tell her.

  Melo jumps up and perches atop a branch in the leaves. I turn to Meer and begin our debriefing.

  “The main troops from the village won’t be dispatched on a suicide mission this soon so we will have to pull it off on our own. With just two of us now, I’m afraid we won’t be able to do a full scout like we did initially.” I begin as I pull out the map and open it up in front of us. “We won’t have time or the energy to check through the branches again so-” I point to the final fork in the road we had encountered and say, “We will make our way here as fast as possible and hopefully, will have signs of their whereabouts by then. Judging by the amount of corpses we saw back there-"

  She gives me a look of confusion so I ask, "Did you not see the one's hidden behind the trees?" She shakes her head so I continue, "Nonetheless, if what I saw was correct, then the cave should be at least a little safer than the first time we'd entered. Can you prep your light spell while I warm-up.”

  Meer nods and moves towards the mouth of the cave while chanting her spell. I walk off to the side and face away from the stone face. I start with a simple shoulder stretch and twist before squatting down to stretch out my arms and legs. My muscles feel more relaxed than usual. In the moment of concentration, memories of training and faux-missions begin to flood into my mind. Gareth, the man who helped my father and I after we had lost our village and our family, is now held somewhere in the depths of this cave. I have to him back home. The weight of solitude rests heavily on my mind, but I’m grateful to have Meer by my side to see it through.