Page 64 of Quest

He continued staring me for another long, disbelieving moment more before casting his bewildered glance towards Darcel. “You were aware of this, Your Highness?”

In response, Darcel laced our hands and nestled me against his side, as if claiming me as his. “I’ve known since the test at the altar.”

Sir Jiang studied our entwined hands with a look as if the last of the perplexing pieces he’d been gathering from all our confusing interactions had finally come together in his mind.

“I understand this may change things,” I continued. “But I can’t bear the burden of deceit any longer, especially not with those I’ve come to consider my comrades.”

Sir Jiang’s posture softened and he slowly nodded. “Mei.” He seemed to be testing the name, as if using it to understand the person before him anew. “I won’t pretend to fully understand your reasoning, nor the weight of your decision in choosing to reveal the truth now. But not only do you have the trust of my prince, throughout our journey I’ve witnessed for myself your courage, your skill, and your integrity. Those are not defined by the name you use or the guise you wear.”

His acceptance washed over me, a soothing balm to the fears I’d harbored about my exposure. “Thank you, Sir Jiang. Your understanding means more than I can express.”

He offered me a small smile, then clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s focus on what lies ahead. We have a quest to complete, and I need every capable hand, regardless of the name they choose to go by.”

With a resolving breath, I finally faced Kael’s lingering confusion, appearing as though he couldn’t fathom why I had willingly exposed myself when I finally had the disguise back in hand.

“There’s something important you need to understand about the potion you now hold.” My tone softened as I contemplated the layers of his motives and his confident smirk wavered, eyes narrowing in suspicion as he anticipated my next words. “I added a spell to ensure loyalty, designed to determine the truth of one’s intentions and reveal the true nature of whoever uses it. Such a safeguard was placed to confirm a genuine change of heart in anyone seeking to undo a curse as grave as the one you’re entangled with.”

Kael shifted uncomfortably, as if suddenly weighed by the vial he held. “Why would you take such a risk after the method I used to obtain this?”

“Because not only does Darcel trust you, but so do I. You’ve proven your loyalty to our quest by passing the test in the sacred grove, you’ve demonstrated your commitment to our group with your unerring tracking skills, and you’ve shown friendship to me through the countless times you’ve gone out of your way to help.”

The fight finally left Kael and he bowed his head; though he didn’t apologize in words, I sensed the extent of his remorse. I acknowledged his regret with a nod, but Darcel seemed less convinced, his dissatisfaction evident. He appeared more troubled by Kael’s betrayal, clearly struggling that such a simple exchange could mend all that had transpired after such a significant breach of trust.

“Why didn’t you confide in me?” he asked, pain clear in his voice as he stared at his friend. “Didn’t you think I would come to your aid? Why did you find it necessary to blackmail our companion when I would have done anything to help you?”

I stood on tiptoe so I could reach his ear. “Remember: you forgave my deceit.”

He released a frustrated breath. “That’s different. Your reasons were much more compelling, not to mention I adore you.”

“Kael has his reasons too.” I glanced towards him, encouraging him to open up about his own struggles, much like I had shared mine.

After a measure of reluctance, with a deep, troubled sigh Kael met Darcel’s eyes. “I’m sorry for betraying your trust. I wasn’t sure how you would respond when you knew the truth.”

Darcel frowned. “You’d better share the truth now.”

Kael nodded and glanced away, his gaze distant as if lost in the moment in time, still trapped beneath his initial weight of decision. “It started a few months ago. A story of an ancient relic reached my kingdom, revered and protected by a curse known only to a few. It’s said to have the power to heal any ailment, but it’s sacred, untouchable. I understood the risks, but searched it out anyway—not for personal gain, but to save someone very dear to me who was suffering terribly.”

I immediately empathized, considering my own motives for my deceit had been to protect my beloved father.

He shifted uncomfortably, his hand going to where the pain seemed to emanate from beneath his sleeve. “The curse is as real as the legends say. It struck the moment I laid hands on the object; no gloves or tools would have been powerful enough to shield me. The curse seeped through everything, branding me with this un-healing wound.”

He pulled back his sleeve and unwound a bandage, revealing a festering red mark. My breath caught; it looked far worse than I’d imagined when I studied about curses placed upon stolen objects.

“This pain has been escalating every day, becoming almost unbearable, a punishment befitting my theft that encourages the culprit to return the stolen item or perish under the agony. I intended to return the object after it had done its work and healed my loved one, and in the meantime I would bear the pain, no matter how excruciating…but in the end I underestimated the curse’s toll on me, forcing me to resort to more unscrupulous methods that betrayed both my conscience and my friends.”

“Why didn’t you share the burden with us?” Though if his fears had been anything like the ones that had kept my own secret, I understood all too well; it took immense courage to admit one’s deceit and finally face the truth.

He looked at me earnestly, his eyes pleading for understanding. “I couldn’t tell anyone, not when doing so would strip me of my honor and likely end in severe punishment, rendering me incapable of helping the one I loved. Everything was at risk…which was why I turned to you. I needed that elixir, not just to save myself but to complete what I started. I want nothing more than to return the relic, restore my honor, and protect the one I love. I know what I did was wrong, but from a moral standard I don’t regret it. I just need your help to overcome the curse’s effects long enough to make amends…though after what I’ve done, grace is something I no longer deserve.”

Kael tried to hand me the potion, but I gently pressed it back into his hand, granting him the same mercy that had been bestowed on me. “Keep it and use it. All I ask is that you remember what it truly measures.”

A rueful smile touched his lips. With a grateful nod he twisted the cork and downed the potion in one swift gulp. Light immediately enveloped his arm, and when he rolled up his sleeve, the dark, splotchy curse marks that had marred his skin had disappeared. He gazed in astonished wonder before looking up, unshed tears shining in his eyes. He opened his mouth and then closed it, as if unsure what to say.

Sir Jiang shifted and grunted, breaking the silence. “I’m glad everything has been resolved, but if the reminiscing is finished, we should be on our way.”

The sun rose above the horizon, flooding our campsite with light as we dispersed to prepare for the day ahead. The air felt lighter, free from the tension that had previously clouded our interactions. As the morning warmed us and hinted at the promise of a new day, I sensed a deepening connection among us. Our challenges on our quest weren’t limited to the external threats or treacherous paths, but also about navigating the intricate dynamics of trust and redemption…ones that had finally been healed.

As we moved forward free from the shadows that had lingered among us, I was confident that we were ready to tackle the final challenges, heal the tainted land, and fully restore the light to the kingdom…especially now that my disguise was gone, and with it the heavy burden of secrecy. Whatever came next, I would face it not hidden behind herbs and secrets but openly, as my true self Mei.

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