Chapter Twenty-One #2
Idsilla led her to the orchard. When she was certain that they were alone, she leaned forward and spoke in a hushed voice. “I apologize for taking you aside so suddenly, but there is something I wish to discuss with you privately….”
Maxi tilted her head. “Wh-What is it?”
Idsilla was so uncharacteristically hesitant that Maxi grew concerned. After a moment of silence, the girl began to talk rapidly.
“I went to question all the clerics I knew yesterday because I simply could not sit still. I was told that the support unit will travel northeast to Serbin Castle. They intend to use the castle as their base and assist the coalition army from there.”
Maxi blinked. She did not understand why Idsilla was sharing such information with her so secretly. When she gave her a questioning look, Idsilla hesitated before continuing.
“As the name suggests, the support unit is the division of the army that assists the fighting forces from the rear. They’re required to do all sorts of tasks like treating the wounded, washing the laundry, preparing food for the men, identifying the dead, and so on.
I believe a large number of women will be joining the campaign this time.
Since most of the healthy men have already been conscripted, the clerics say that female clerics must resolve the shortage. ”
Sensing that the conversation was veering strangely off course, Maxi swallowed dryly.
Idsilla took a deep breath and declared, “I intend to go with the female clerics.”
Maxi gaped and immediately tried to dissuade her. “Y-You mustn’t! I-It would be too dangerous.”
Idsilla’s eyes gleamed with defiance. “I am the daughter of a knight. I have the means to protect myself. Besides, I would not be fighting on the front lines. I would simply be helping with menial tasks at the rear. I think I am fully capable of that. After all, it’s not much different from the work we’ve been doing at the shelter. ”
Maxi frantically shook her head. “Th-That is not the same! Following them to the battlefield—”
Idsilla grew alarmed at Maxi’s raised voice and hastily clapped a hand over her mouth. “Please, keep your voice down. If Alyssa were to hear of this, she would have me dragged home like a foal.”
Maxi decided then and there to inform Alyssa right away.
As if reading her mind, Idsilla narrowed her eyes and said solemnly, “I tell you this in confidence, Lady Calypse. You would not do anything to betray my trust, would you?”
Maxi hesitated. “Idsilla, p-please reconsider. You are only…e-eighteen.”
“Which means it has been two years since I have come of age,” Idsilla retorted. “I am a grown woman who can take responsibility for my actions.”
Seeing the determination in the girl’s eyes, Maxi was at a loss for words. This girl who was four years her junior seemed to be a hundred times more confident.
Maxi looked away with a troubled expression. “I-Idsilla…you have no reason to go there.”
“And is there a reason for me not to go?” Idsilla shot back. “Because I am of noble birth and a woman? Both were not my choice.”
Maxi winced at the girl’s tone. “I-If anything were to…happen to you, Idsilla…y-your family would be devastated.”
“That goes for everyone,” Idsilla said firmly. “All who march to war must leave their families behind. We all bear the same pain.”
Maxi clenched her mouth shut. Everyone did not bear the same pain. The Duke of Croyso and Rosetta would not care in the slightest if she were to die. Still, at least Riftan would mourn for her.
Maxi suddenly felt her throat constricting.
She could almost hear Riftan’s voice telling her that she was his one and only family.
What on earth was she doing here when the only family she had was out there risking his life in a perilous war?
Even if she were blessed to live to a hundred, what would be the point if she were never to see him again?
She was immersed in this depressing thought when Idsilla began recounting her story.
“My brother injured his right arm in a jousting competition two years ago. He was healed with divine magic, but damage from the injury remained, and his arm sometimes goes numb. When he said that he would participate in this campaign, all of us tried to stop him, but he still left to uphold his knightly honor. What reason is there for me not to do the same?” Anger simmered in Idsilla’s voice.
Maxi quelled her own agitated heart and tried to pacify the girl. “Th-There is no reason…f-for you to be reckless…out of spite for your brother’s actions.”
“I am not doing this out of spite, and nothing you say will change my mind,” Idsilla said, stubbornly raising her chin.
“The matter I wanted to discuss with you is not whether or not I go. The support party will be leaving in five days, and I wish to learn whatever I can of the art of healing before then. I know it’s not much time, but I intend to learn as much as possible before I depart. Will you help me?”
A storm raged in Maxi’s mind as she wordlessly opened and closed her mouth. Though her reason whispered to her that she must stop the girl even if she had to inform Alyssa or the clerics, her heart told her a completely different thing.
Maxi drew in a tentative breath. Before she could even organize her thoughts, she blurted out, “I-I shall…go with you.”
She stifled a gasp, alarmed by her own words. Had Riftan not exhorted her to wait for him in the safety of the basilica? She could almost see his livid reaction. Maxi nervously fiddled with the coin inside her pocket.
Idsilla’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “I would say that you are more impulsive than me, Lady Calypse. You do not have to enmesh yourself in this.”
“True…. I-It might be impulsive of me, but…” Maxi trailed off, unable to decide what it was she really wanted to do.
Idsilla pressed her lips together. The girl seemed to want Maxi to join her, but at the same time, she was obviously conflicted about dragging another person into this dangerous venture.
After hesitating for a long moment, Idsilla cautiously spoke.
“I am left with only two choices: to return home or join the support unit. The clerics intend to send most of the noblewomen back to their houses, and I’m sure my family will summon me home soon anyway.
You, however, can remain at the monastery.
It is wholly unnecessary for you to put yourself in danger. ”
“Th-That is not true. I also…”
Maxi bit her lip. The bitterness that had been accumulating in her heart came surging up.
How many times during her stay here had she come to regret not more persistently entreating Riftan to take her with him?
She was certain that nothing was worse than being separated from him.
She was exceptionally talented when it came to torturing herself by conceiving the worst possible future.
It would be better to follow the campaign party than to spend months mired in anxiety and nightmares.
“I am…g-going with you. I must go,” she asserted, though her voice sounded as though she were dislodging thorns from her throat.
Idsilla studied her closely. “Are you sure about this?”
Maxi slowly nodded, and relief flashed across Idsilla’s face. After making sure they were alone once more, Idsilla leaned closer to Maxi and revealed her plans.
“Then you must be sure to pack your things beforehand. I have an acquaintance among the female clerics. I will ask for her cooperation ahead of time. I intend to follow the party dressed as a cleric. Since female clerics usually wear a hooded robe to cover their faces, it would be the best way to join them unnoticed.”
Maxi swallowed hard. “Th-Then…wh-what should I do?”
“I will procure a cleric’s habit for you as well.”
Anxiety bubbled in Maxi’s chest. “W-Would it not be a serious problem…i-if we were caught impersonating a cleric?”
“Do not worry. Many of the female clerics joining the campaign are sisters who have not been officially designated as clerics yet,” Idsilla said. “If we were to get caught, we could say that we were training to become clerics but changed our minds.”
Maxi did not think such a preposterous excuse would get them out of trouble, but she chose not to argue. There was no other way, after all.
“Still, are you certain you wish to come?” Idsilla pressed.
Moistening her parched lips, Maxi nodded. Riftan would be furious when he found out, but Maxi desperately wanted to see him even if it meant being seized and rebuked.
Idsilla took her hand and squeezed it. “All right. Then…come to the back courtyard after the service. We have much to prepare.”
They walked out of the orchard and attended the morning prayer as though nothing had happened.
When the service was over, the disconsolate noblewomen gathered in groups to discuss their plans for the future.
Alyssa, whose disappointment seemed as colossal as her dashed hopes, returned to her room after expressing her desire to be alone.
Maxi furtively made preparations to follow the campaign party with Idsilla.
She filled the leather bag she had brought from Anatol with items needed for healing such as herbs, magic stones, thread, needles, and special salves.
Afterward, she scoured the monastery to gather as many linens as possible.
Whenever they had a spare moment, she would teach Idsilla about herbs and their usage, while Idsilla taught her what to do if they were to encounter a monster. Though she had never fought one herself, Idsilla was as knowledgeable as the knights when it came to monsters.