A Sister’s Embrace

“…”

Held tightly in Elise’s embrace, South Creek felt the ceaseless warmth and dampness of tears against her cheek. Her heart clenched painfully, making it difficult to breathe. Sudden, overwhelming regret washed over her for sneaking off to the city. If she hadn’t run away, she wondered, would Elise be this heartbroken?

“Everyone, it’s getting late. We should head back now.”

The sky was dimming, the light fading fast. A sinister atmosphere settled over their surroundings. The wilderness after dark was a treacherous place, ready to swallow anyone careless enough to wander into its depths.

The others, who had been standing guard, gathered around. Mr. Reed, still mounted, supported the listless Fanny. Mrs. Beard sat on another horse with Jack in her arms, the reins held by a seasoned hunter.

“It’s time to go. Come, I’ll carry you.”

“I…”

“You overused your magic. You’re still very weak.”

Wiping the tears from her face, Elise lifted South Creek into her arms and joined the group. In her frantic rush to find them, she hadn’t even taken a horse, instead using magic to race all the way there. Sensing the unyielding tone in Elise’s voice, South Creek obediently allowed herself to be carried. Several of the men offered to help as they passed, but Elise refused each one.

The party of more than a dozen people began the journey back to their village.

“Tell me what happened.”

Elise walked at the rear of the group, holding South Creek. Her voice had returned to its usual calm, but a deep-seated exhaustion lingered beneath the surface.

“We wanted to go to the city…”

“The city… No wonder you were on this path… Didn’t I promise I would take you for a visit? Why did you have to sneak out while I was away?”

In truth, Elise had only found South Creek because she had long ago placed a magical tracking sigil on her. It was a precaution, one Elise had prayed she would never have to use. Following the sigil, Elise had felt a nagging sense of familiarity about the path. Now, hearing South Creek’s words, it all clicked into place. This was a road that had been abandoned over a decade ago. It had once led to the city, but a landslide had rendered it unusable. The map South Creek found must have been an old, outdated one that still depicted the forsaken route.

“…”

“Why couldn’t you tell me?” As South Creek fell silent, Elise’s gaze darkened. “I’m your sister, aren’t I? We’re family… Why did you have to hide this from me?”

“I remember only teaching you healing spells… but the traces of magic left back there weren’t for healing. That was you, wasn’t it? I never taught you that, yet you learned it on your own so quickly… Should I be happy, or should I be sad?”

Drifting into a memory, Elise continued speaking, no longer seeming to care if South Creek answered.

“You’re such a clever child. You always were, even long ago… I’ve known it since you were just a tiny baby. Back then, I was just a girl myself, always clumsy and overwhelmed. But you were so smart, so very smart… Did you know? You could dress yourself before you were even four. You always made a mess of it, but you’d look at me and flash a silly grin, so proud to tell me you were dressed.”

“And you’re a strong child, just like her… You never cried out loud, even when you fell. You’d just pick yourself up and tell me, ‘It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt.’”

“I remember it all. Every single second we’ve spent together. Those moments are my life’s most precious treasures. No matter what hardship we face, I will always protect you… Do you understand?”

“Elise… Sister…”

A dam of emotion broke within her. Scattered fragments of memories—beautiful moments she and her sister had shared—flashed through South Creek’s mind. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she clung to that gentle warmth and began to wail.

“Waaaah—I—I was so scared! I was so scared I’d never see you again! It was so, hic, terrifying! I’m sorry—sob—”

Elise looked up at the darkening sky, listening to the hoarse cries. She smiled softly and stroked South Creek’s head. “Don’t cry, don’t cry… I’m right here. It’s alright now. Everything is alright. I’ll protect you.”

Somewhere in the group, someone lit a few torches. The small points of fire illuminated the path ahead as the party continued down the dark trail, heading toward the village.

****

“We’re finally back…”

After all that had happened, they returned to the village, safe and sound. The sky had long since lost its color, swallowed by an endless darkness. At the village entrance, a crowd of people was waiting to welcome them home.

“Fanny, are you okay?!”

Aunt Meg burst from the crowd, her eyes immediately finding her daughter on the horse. She rushed forward and pulled Fanny into a fierce hug, her heart sinking at the girl’s vacant expression.

“What happened? My poor child, what’s wrong with you?”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

Though her voice was faint, it was enough to soothe her mother’s anxiety. Seeing that her daughter was physically unharmed, Aunt Meg finally allowed the knot in her chest to loosen. “Thank goodness. You scared me to death.”

“The rest of you should head home,” the Village Chief announced. “It’s late, get some rest. Ms. Meg, Mrs. Beard, and Priestess Elise, would you please accompany me to my home for a chat?”

The others said no more, dispersing to their own homes. Once the crowd had thinned, the three women, each with their child, followed the Village Chief.

Seeing Mr. Reed’s solemn expression, Aunt Meg suspected her daughter had caused some terrible trouble. She held Fanny’s hand tightly, her heart filled with worry.

Mrs. Beard remained silent, but her face was a mask of fury, a dormant volcano on the verge of eruption.

Elise was equally quiet. One hand rested gently on the back of South Creek’s head while the other supported her, her face revealing nothing of the emotions within.

A short while later, the three parents and the Village Chief sat around a table, their children beside them.