Page 49 of Somewhere down the Ley Line
Isolde awoke properly the next morning, groggy but back to her normal self, and appeared to have no recollection of the previous day at all. While she wolfed down a gigantic breakfast, Felix figured it was time to discuss their departure.
“So, Isa… I know you said you’re not ready, but we need to leave.”
To his complete surprise, she nodded without hesitation, despite avoiding his eyes. “I know. We should leave today. I don’t want to put the Crovan people in any more danger.”
Felix blinked. He had prepared for a drawn-out argument, not this easy compliance. “Uh… right, good.”
Garren and Luella both looked as surprised as Felix felt, and neither commented on the issue further.
The next hour passed in a frenzy of packing and restocking their supplies. When Felix was about to check on the horses, Leif burst into the cabin.
“Felix! Why did you not tell me she was awake?”
“Leif! I’m so glad you are alright!” Isolde said before Felix had a chance to reply. Leif pushed past him and knelt down by Isolde’s side, his face set with anxious determination. Felix looked on in mild amusement.
“Lady Isolde,” Leif began, “you saved my life. Among my people, honour demands I serve you, unconditionally, until you deem my blood debt to be paid in full.”
For a moment, Isolde just stared at him, wide-eyed. Then, slowly, her surprise melted into a soft smile.
“Leif,” she said, her tone measured, “I would be honoured to accept your offer, but… you nearly died yesterday. And I would never want unconditional servitude from anyone.”
“I can help you!” Leif sputtered. “Nobody knows this forest like I do. I can lead you north on paths those thugs will never find!”
Isolde chose her next words carefully. “Well, if you truly are willing, that would be an incredible help.”
Felix raised an eyebrow at her response. He had fully expected her to argue against this nonsense, but she seemed… pleased. Then again, even though he often forgot, she was nobility. They probably took things like honour a bit more seriously than he did.
Leif beamed. “Of course!”
Isolde took his hand and squeezed it. “Thank you, Leif. It is important that we leave today, though; I hope that is not too sudden for you. How about your sister? And your aunt? Will they be alright without you?”
“They understand the importance of a blood debt,” Leif replied as he got up. “They’ll be fine. My aunt will probably be glad to see me go.” He practically sprinted to the door. “I will get ready to leave! I know just the route to take!”
As soon as Leif was gone, Felix turned to Isolde with a frown. “You said it yourself, the kid almost died yesterday, and now you’re going to let him come with us and get into possibly more danger? Do you plan to adopt any more villagers to tag along?”
“Would you like me to ask Asara?” Isolde bit back, refusing to look at him. She rose from the table with a scrape of her chair. “You may not know, nor care, but I understand what a Crovan blood debt means. It would dishonour him deeply if I refused.” She swept past him, her chin held high as she briskly strode out of the cabin, leaving Felix standing there, scowling at the empty doorway.
“I liked her better yesterday,” he mumbled as he gathered the last of their things.
Luella snorted audibly from the other side of the room. “Oh, I vastly prefer today,” she quipped. “Much more sensible.”
Felix shot her a glare, but Luella only raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered. She hummed in amusement as she picked up her own pack and headed for the door, leaving Felix to grumble under his breath as he followed her out into the cool morning air.
***
A small crowd of Crovan people had gathered to see them off. Felix would have preferred to slip away unnoticed, but that would never be Isolde’s way of doing things. He was grateful, at least, that neither Beorn nor Elric came to say their goodbyes.
He glanced over to where Isolde stood, speaking softly with Asara. With a wry smile, the Crovan woman handed her a small bundle. Isolde ducked her head and blushed, then quickly stowed the item in her pack.
The elder joined them. “My dear,” he heard the older woman say, “I regret that you have to leave us so soon.”
Isolde turned, releasing Asara’s hand to face the elder. She took the woman’s hands gently in her own. “I am sorry too,” Isolde replied, her voice earnest. “But I would never forgive myself if more of your people were harmed because of my presence.”
The elder nodded. “While I am sad to see you go, Aelithar, I do not worry for you. You are strong, and your understanding grows every day. There will be mistakes, yes – stumbles on your path – but you’ll learn just as much from failure as from triumph.” Her gaze shifted past Isolde to where Leif was helping Garren secure their packs onto the horses. Leif’s mount was a hardy-looking workhorse, smaller but sturdier than the palfreys they were riding.
“It was good of you to allow Leif to join you,” the elder continued, her voice touched with a note of pride. “That boy has been eager to leave these forests and see the world since he could barely hold a spear.” She smiled. “His father would be proud of him.” The old woman’s gaze swept over the group of travellers and lingered on Felix. He shifted uncomfortably.
“Cherish these brave protectors of yours, my dear,” the elder said to Isolde. “They may end up being more important to your ultimate success than you think.”
