Chapter Two-and-a-Half: Part One (Osilon)
Among the mass of refugees, widows, and orphans flooding Therinsford, Alice and Finn were the lucky ones. Finn's parents had died before he was one when sickness swept through Narda. He was taken in by his only living relative, an aunt. She was always a sickly woman, and the journey from Narda hadn't helped her health any. Thankfully, her late husband's sister and brother-in-law were willing to care for her, in addition to caring for the sister's own mother, grandfather, and several nieces and nephews. Among the large, only slightly related group, Alice and Finn found a place to live, although they were mostly anonymous.
The week passed without any sign of the minstrel, and the two began to settle in to the city. They quickly learned how the city worked, especially for the poor- you kept your mouth shut about what you saw, didn't go near the bazaar, and avoided both the Duke's soldiers and the gangs, and with luck, you'd go unnoticed. As time passed, though, Alice began to wonder if the minstrel would ever return, or if he (she still was not convinced the minstrel was a woman) would take them to Osilon as he'd said. However, exactly one week later, Alice and Finn were returning from fetching water late one afternoon when the minstrel stepped out of the shadows.
They'd been walking quietly through the crooked back alleys, not saying anything and trying not to attract any attention, when suddenly the minstrel was standing before them.
"Gather enough supplies for two weeks," he (or she) said without preamble. "No food. Just personal goods. Tell no one what you're doing."
Alice and Finn blinked in shock, still surprised at the minstrel's sudden appearance. "But- my aunt-" Finn began to protest once he began to recover. "I can't just leave-"
"Your family will get along without you," the minstrel said curtly, cutting him off. "Meet me at the entrance of the bazaar in half an hour." He--or she--stepped back into the shadows and was gone.
Despite not wanting to go, Alice and Finn reluctantly packed their things. If Alice was honest with herself, she had to admit that she wasn't entirely upset about going. She was alone in the world, after all, and the flight from Narda to Therinsford had taught her not to fear the unknown. Besides, it seemed the only thing to do. The minstrel was obviously far more powerful than either her or Finn- his control over the Duke had proven that. And he'd saved her life twice now, so he clearly didn't want to kill her. Between him and Finn, she'd be perfectly safe, and this seemed like an adventure she'd never get another chance to join.
So it was that she and Finn made their way secretly to the bazaar, where they huddled in the shadows, fearing the lengthening shadows inside as evening grew closer. Ordinarily, they wouldn't dare get close to the ramshackle maze of shops and tents, even in broad daylight- it was rumored to be even more dangerous than the rest of Therinsford, and even adults never ventured far into the bazaar. When hoofbeats were heard clattering along the broken stone road inside, the two turned sharply, ready to dash for cover if necessary.
To their relief, it wasn't a murderer coming to kill them- just the minstrel riding horseback and leading two horses. Swinging down, he motioned to the larger brown horse. "For Finn." And the small gray mare: "For Alice."
Alice looked nervously at the gray mare, imagining an evil glint in her dark eyes. She'd ridden before, but not much, and she was never fond of large animals. As she hesitantly reached for the reins, she saw Finn looking equally unnerved by his horse, which was far larger than her own.
"Mount up," the minstrel said, moving to give Alice a boost into the saddle. Meanwhile, Finn led his horse to a conveniently-located low wall, which he used as a mounting block. When all three were in the saddle, the minstrel turned his--or her--mount and took off at a fast trot, leaving Finn and Alice scrambling to keep up.
The three traveled through the night, alternating cantering and trotting with a few scattered breaks. Alice felt so exhausted she was dozing in the saddle. She hoped the minstrel would realize they needed to stop soon- elves might be able to travel all night and day without sleep, but she certainly couldn't. Finally, as light from the approaching dawn began to bleed over the horizon, the minstrel finally reined his mount to a halt.
"We'll stop here for the day," he said, dismounting. "Get some rest."
The next few days were much of the same- they slept most of each day and began riding again in the afternoon, stopping for only occasional breaks and eating sparingly of the food the minstrel had packed in the saddlebags. Finally, on the third night, they began to see trees around them, and as they began again that afternoon, Alice saw a forest drawing nearer. By the time they stopped that night, they were under the eaves of the forest- Du Weldenvarden, as the minstrel called it in one of his infrequent moments of speaking aloud. Finally, after nearly another week of travel, the trio reached Osilon.
Surprised to see a new chapter? Well, get ready- because there's a lot more on your way!
I know not a lot happened in this chapter, but Alice and Finn are on their way with the Minstrel. But what mysterious errand dows the Minstrel have in the elven city? Why did she (or is it he?) take Alice and Finn along? Find out in the next section... coming soon!
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