Chapter 3 #2
I ensured Cora was in the wagon first, then hastily climbed into the back with bated breath.
We sat shrouded in darkness, the sounds and smells dampening behind the canvas and wooden walls of our temporary sanctuary.
There was barely enough space for us to sit with our knees to our chests amongst the crates and jars of herbs.
A soft knock hit the side of the cart in acknowledgement from Alec.
A few seconds later, the cart lurched, and the wooden wheels moved.
We swayed and bumped through the town’s main road, and I tightly clasped Cora to my side. Neither of us spoke or moved.
After the noise of the village had all but disappeared, the cart slowed and veered to the right. Alec’s deep, muffled voice drifted from beyond the canvas top we sat under. “We are almost on the barrier path. I’ll have you ride up with me in a moment.”
“Remember what I told you, my love. Do not even look at the barrier, and don’t touch it,” I admonished.
Irritability surfaced. “I know, Mom.”
I couldn’t see her face, but based on her tone, I could tell she rolled her eyes at me. “Alright, alright. Simply reminding you.”
The cart came to a stop, and the clomping of horse hooves quieted.
Alec opened the back canvas flap with a lantern in hand, forcing me to squint at the sudden change of light.
“You are both safe to come up front with me. It will be more comfortable. I even have a blanket to keep you warm, if you’d like. ”
“Thanks,” Cora said with a smile and climbed over my lap and out of the wagon before my eyes could adjust to the onslaught of lantern light.
“Cora!” I called out. “Don’t you dare go anywhere but into the front of this wagon.” If I didn’t firmly make myself clear, her curiosity would get the better of her. “Thank you for being so kind, Alec.”
He offered me his hand and helped me to the ground.
Dark and dense trees greeted me with scents of pine and decaying leaves.
The air chilled with the setting sun, our breath faintly puffed in misty swirls with each exhale.
The calm of the forest was at odds with the strange energy that permeated the air.
Even the trees and animals knew not to draw attention to themselves for fear the barrier would consume them.
The charge set me on edge as it pulsed like a heartbeat.
“This place feels…off,” I remarked softly.
Alec nodded. “No matter the time of day, being this close to the barrier is always eerie. But it’s safe. I have never had anything happen. I promise.”
Cora’s voice cut through the palpable stillness. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go!”
I sighed and shook my head, causing Alec to lightly chortle. Patience for a ten-year-old was fleeting.
Alec and I seated ourselves on either side of Cora and nestled under a fur blanket.
He raised the reins to cue the horse to go but stopped hesitantly and turned to me.
“Before we go, Greta gave me a tincture to help you with anxiety for the next leg of our journey.” Alec produced two small vials of a cloudy liquid from his cloak pocket.
“She said she made them special for you both. Something about relaxation.”
Cora loudly blurted out, “I’m not anxious. I can’t wait to go.” The wagon moved up and down as she bounced in her seat.
I wished I shared her gusto for the journey.
She may not have had the anxiety that I did, but she was wound up with excitement, forgetting her volume and becoming careless.
“Maybe we should both take it?” I offered cheerfully.
“I don’t like tinctures, so maybe if you take the other one, it will be easier for me to take. What do you think?”
Cora dramatically rolled her eyes with a shoulder shrug thrown in for good measure. “I guess.” She snatched one of the vials from Alec as I took the other.
The liquid rolled over my tongue and down my throat, bitter and earthy with hints of bergamot, myrrh, and something I could not place.
“Ugh, that was disgusting! Blech! I’m not drinking that ever again.” Cora grimaced.
A shudder moved through my body. “Wow.” I tried to smooth my twisted mouth and crinkled nose. “That wasn’t one of Greta’s normal concoctions.”
Alec went wide-eyed. “So sorry! Greta insisted it would help.”
Relaxation washed over me. For the first time since Terren appeared, my muscles loosened, and my mind cleared.
My heart rate lowered to a steady thrum, my hyperawareness now dulled.
I felt cognizant of everything but calmer.
Greta was a master herbalist, and whatever she put in that tincture was exactly what I needed.
Cora’s bouncing legs and fidgeting had ceased, and she leaned into my arm.
Alec eyed us wearily.
“Everything is fine,” I reassured. “I think we are ready to go.”
We traveled silently through the forest’s tall grass, muffling the hooves of the horse and the groans of the wagon wheels.
Lanterns swayed from poles on either side of us, casting moving shadows on the trees.
The charge was still palpable, but Greta’s tincture had me at ease, and Cora snuggled up against my side.
This might work. It has to.