40. Complications
40
COMPLICATIONS
*Raven*
Melany and I spend the entire day together, and I even have the opportunity to meet her mother, Anya. She invites me to dinner, which I happily accept, not eager to go back to my empty home. When I do eventually leave very late that evening, I realize that the ache of being away from Kieran has been survivable today.
I think of my mother and how she’s had to push through the pain of being separated from my father. She managed to survive these last 20 years without him, and I know it’s because of this community. It’s such a stark difference from the coldness and backbiting in Dun’s Crossing. There’s a genuine warmth and camaraderie among all of the people here. I’m sure it would exist even if the war hadn’t forced them underground. There’s a true kindness here that cannot be faked.
I manage to sleep, grateful to not have any dreams, or at least not to remember them. I have to spend so much of my conscious energy pushing away thoughts of Kieran running into trouble, I’m not sure if I could survive hours of nightmares. The morning brings a sense of refreshment, though, and I’m actually excited for the day.
Melany and I have already made plans to spend the day together, and I dress quickly, stopping by my mother's house to let her know. She’s happy for me, telling me she’s always liked Melany. She tells me we’ll be returning the animals above ground today, so Melany and I can venture outside if we’d like.
It’s hard not to feel a little sheepish that I’ve taken fresh air so much for granted in my life. These people have spent decades underground, some never allowed to venture outside. There are children in Escuro who’ve never felt the sun on their faces. I send a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess that Kieran and my father return quickly so we can begin to rebuild. My people deserve it.
Melany and I join a crew that helps lead the animals back to their above-ground stables. The poor things seem so depressed when we arrive, but by the time they’re back settled into their normal environments, they seem much happier.
I press my forehead against a cow I’ve just penned and whisper, “Thank you for your cooperation.”
When I open my eyes, I see Melany watching us, giggling.
“What?” I ask, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.
“I do that too,” she says, her smile widening. “Whenever I have to use an animal’s assistance, I thank it.”
“Could you hear me?” I ask. I whispered my thanks, so she shouldn’t have heard me, unless we were mind-linked. I surely would have realized it before now if that were the case.
She shakes her head. “I just know the look,” she explains. “Those of us who have the gift to communicate, we all interact with the animals the same way. I’m used to getting weird looks when I’m especially affectionate with a squirrel.”
I can’t help but laugh at this. Anyone back in Dun’s Crossing would call me a witch, but Melany understands me. Of course, she does. She has noble blood.
“My gift isn’t as strong as yours, though,” she tells me a little sadly. “I’ve practiced for years, but it takes me longer to make connections with the animals. I’ve only just mastered the art of getting a horse to follow me out of a stable without any external communication.”
“I didn’t even know I could do it,” I tell her honestly. “I don’t think I could before the Haze, but then it was like the animals were suddenly doing everything I wanted. The mice in my old castle were particularly helpful.”
I tell her about my escape from my room as we walk through the fields, enjoying the warm sunshine on my skin. For a while, she doesn’t say anything, and I look over to see that she’s staring at me. I blush, feeling silly. I’m still not used to talking about this with anyone, and even someone who also has the gift is shocked by what I’m saying.
“I’ve heard stories about your father,” she tells me. “His skills with animals are legendary. You probably got a lot from him.”
“What about your father?” I ask too quickly, then internally cringe. “I mean, if you don’t mind sharing. Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
She smiles, though, not at all embarrassed.
“From what my mother has told me, he was fondest of bears. When he was in his wolf form, he loved to wrestle with them to get stronger. I can’t even imagine being around a bear, let alone wrestling with one.”
We both laugh at this, and she tells me the bears mostly stick to the mountains now, since King Gavin burned down so much of the forest.
“So many of the animals left,” she says sadly as we walk through lush trees and overgrown grass. “And how could we blame them? Our water was poisoned, and the forests were burned down.”
Anger swells in my chest as I think of the many injustices King Gavin inflicted on my people, and my hatred of him rages like the fire he set to this kingdom. My thoughts turn to Kieran, and I feel something akin to jealousy. If he really does manage to kill his father, he’ll get the revenge my people desperately deserve. I can’t help but think it would be more satisfying if we could witness his demise ourselves.
“Do you want to meet Bridgit?” Melany asks brightly, completely oblivious to my abrupt change of mood. “We keep her just over here.”
I follow her down a path to an overgrown clump of trees. Melany steps between two large bushes, and on the other side I see a small enclosure that’s been well concealed by the thicket of leaves.
Bridgit, I assume, is a large cow who’s happily munching on grass, not remotely bothered by either of us. She looks up with boredom as Melany approaches, but I notice she tilts her head toward Melany as if she’s expecting a scratch behind the ears.
“Bridgit is my favorite milk cow,” Melany tells me fondly as she indeed scratches the animal behind her ears. “Well, technically, we’ve retired her. She prefers her solitude, so some of the men helped set up this enclosure so she can be alone as much as she wants.”
Bridgit turns back to her grass and chews slowly, clearly unbothered by our presence in her space, and we leave her to it. We’re near the hidden entrance to the tunnels when someone calls Melany’s name.
We turn to see a girl chasing after us, but she stops abruptly when she sees me and her face turns sour.
“Everything okay, Sybil?” Melany asks kindly, but Sybil doesn’t take her eyes off me.
“I was going to ask if you had plans today, but it’s clear that you’re too busy with the cows.”
The way she looks me up and down, I assume she is lumping me into that group. I almost want to laugh in her face. Of all the insults and verbal abuses I’ve received in my life, this is probably the least offensive.
“We’re all done,” Melany responds, her kind voice unchanged, though it’s clear she’s trying to stick up for me. “Have you met Raven yet? We’re just going down to wash up and get some lunch.”
“My appetite has suddenly vanished,” Sybil sneers, before brushing past us and running toward the tunnel entrance, disappearing inside in the blink of an eye.
“Don’t pay her any mind,” Melany tells me quietly, as we follow in her path, though much more slowly. “She’s usually a very cool and level-headed person, but your presence has upended her life plan.”
“How, exactly?” I ask, as we climb down the ladder back into the darkness of the tunnels.
“Her mother was your mother’s head lady in waiting before the war. Her whole life, Sybil’s just kind of lived with the assumption that she would be crowned queen one day because of how close she is to your mom. Your presence means she’ll never see that dream come to life.”
I can’t help but laugh as I’m again reminded of how threatened Kieran used to be at the thought of my trying to steal his crown. I’ve given so little thought to ever ruling, yet I continue to threaten those who care about it so much.
“I’m sure she’ll come around,” Melany continues, her kind nature unable to fathom Sybil’s jealousy.
“I’m sure,” I agree, though I don’t mean it.
Melany doesn’t know what I’ve been through and the kind of cruelty I’ve experienced from my supposed family, from Queen Rowena, even from Nessa and her crew of sycophants. While Sybil may not be nearly mean as they are, I’ve seen how these kinds of things escalate.
I put it out of my mind for the rest of the afternoon, though, deciding it’s a much better use of my time to enjoy Melany’s company. When I’m finally on my own again, though, I can’t help but remember Sybil’s sneer. I really hope she’s not going to cause me any problems.