Chapter Sixty-Two: The Departure
[Sending greetings to dear Little Shay.
I’m writing this letter to let you know that everything is just fine on my end, so don’t you worry.
Thank you for the generous coins you’ve sent over the years. I’ve been wanting to tell you this for ages, but you know Grandma doesn’t like to trouble Father Merlin every month to write you back, even though I really want to.
There were just so many coins that Grandma bought two cows with them and made Barry a few new outfits—didn’t cost much! The rest, well, she’s saving for you. When the day comes you get married, Grandma wants to help out with your dowry.
Not long ago, the village held another festival and banquet, and thanks to the Mother God of Abundance, this year’s harvest is delightful! Grandma remembers last year when you got tipsy at the banquet and curled up at the front door, looking like a little kitten, sleeping so soundly. Time really flies; it feels like you’ve been gone for over a year now.
In this year and more, the villagers have each come out of their sadness, and life has gradually returned to normal. A bunch of new houses have popped up, and there are some unfamiliar but friendly faces around. We’re going to be just fine—better than before, really. Grandma is healthy too! Just recently, I hurt my wrist pushing a cart, but by the time I write this letter, it’s already healed. I reckon I’ve got plenty of years left in me, so you don’t need to worry about me, Little Shay.
And here’s some good news.
By the grace of the Deity, over six months ago, during the annual knight recruitment at the Fersail Parish, Barry got lucky and was chosen!
That guy talks about you all the time. Whenever he mentions you, his eyes light up like a lantern. He’s so proud of you but also very troubled. He says he must become a brave and upright Church Knight like his father and a hero like you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know how to face others and say you’re his Little Shay.
He made it happen.
Barry is now a glorious and valiant knight from the Third Knights Order of the Holy Church. While that might not be much compared to what you’ve accomplished, there’s no denying he’s really putting in the effort—running hard, swinging his sword, and forging ahead.
Guess what? Little Shay, when I asked Father Merlin to write you this letter, Barry was already off with the Third Knights, battling demons at the Mosley Coast.
God bless, I heard yesterday they won! I couldn’t help but want to tell you, but by the time this letter gets to you, you might have already heard the thrilling news, right? Did you know Barry is one of them? He’s out there, fighting to defend glory, just like his father and you.
Grandma is so proud of both of you.
I bet Aili is too.
Little Shay, I know you’re busy out there, but I still want to say—if you have the time, come back and visit! Stay a few days; I’ll cook you soup and cure some venison for you to eat. Uncle Doug mentioned he wants to give you a big hind leg as a proper apology for his son Ryan; he’s been thinking about it.
We all miss you a bit.
More than anyone, Grandma Claire is writing this.]
In the courtyard, under the firelight, the letter in front of me isn’t that long, but Grandma’s love and longing for me leap off the page. I can feel her emotions in every word. I think of her wrinkled face—it should be a warm feeling, but…
“Miss Silvya?”
Suddenly, I hear someone call me softly. I look up.
Sharman, clad in casual attire, walks toward me.
“Are you just back? What are you doing standing here? Do you need me to…?” Her face shows confusion as she addresses me, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes, but then she notices the letter in my hand. “Is this… a letter? Are you reading a letter here?”
“Uh-huh.”
I force a smile and don’t want to talk much, so I change the subject and ask, “Where’s Viki?”
“Her Majesty is dealing with court affairs at the palace tonight; she probably won’t come back.”
Ah…
She’s not back either.
I subconsciously glance toward her brightly lit bedroom.
Then I hear Sharman speak again, as if she knows what I’m thinking: “Oh, I had the maids cleaning the estate. The restoration work in Her Majesty’s bathroom is done, and there’s a lot of clutter to clean up… I heard some noise upstairs just now, which is why I came down to check. You don’t look too good; do you want me to get someone to heat some water for you?”
“No, it’s fine…”
I can’t tell if I feel disappointed or relieved. I understand I won’t be seeing Victoria tonight, so I shake my head. “I’m okay; just go back to your work.”
“Well… please take care and rest early,” Sharman says, not saying much more, giving a slight bow.
I head back into the inner quarters under her watchful eye.
My mind feels foggy as I take off my shoes and walk into the living room. I sit down on the couch, staring blankly for a moment before reopening the letter, reading it over again. The more I read, the heavier my heart feels.
That guy Barry…
He actually went to the Mosley Coast… to fight those heretics…
How could this happen…
The letter from Grandma must have been written at least a month ago, right around the time when news declared initial victories at the Mosley Coast, so her words are full of relief and joy. Back then, she must’ve thought the fighting would wrap up soon, and Barry would come back with his fellow knights, medals in hand, a hero guarding Silgaya. The whole village would be proud of him…
But now…
Angel said the Third Knights ran into that clown, and there’s bound to be a fierce battle ahead… Facing those crazies, many knights might sacrifice themselves… and this urgent intelligence reached the Royal City and into Angel’s hands already a good half month later…
What a joke…
Barry, Grandma has only you left…
You’re not there with her. You’ve only been a knight for half a year and can’t even employ the Power of Order, yet you insist on running off to the Mosley Coast to fight those vicious heretics. Do you understand what that means… What are you thinking… trying to play the hero!
A sudden wave of inexplicable anger surged inside me.
Just as this anger began to surface, it was doused by an even stronger wave of worry and anxiety.
It’s been half a month already… things must be in full swing over there…
Grandma must be worrying about who knows what now…
What if something happens to Barry…
I…
In the darkened living room, a girl with black hair like satin and starry eyes burrowed into the couch, holding the letter in one hand while tightly clenching her other fist, bringing it to her mouth and biting down.
Aili…
Aili was all because of me…
It’s all my fault…
If something happens to Barry… what will Grandma do…
Why did he have to go to the Mosley Coast…
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
The sound of the clock distinctly crept into my ears.
…No.
I have to go, no matter what.
I have to find Barry, give him a good smack, and then safely bring him back home…
With this thought, I quickly sprang up from the couch, pitter-pattering up the stairs. I dashed into my bedroom, threw open the window, and shouted outside twice, “Goat cheese! Goat cheese—”
After a moment of waiting without seeing that silly bird return, I tilted my head in thought, then ran to my desk, lit a lamp, and pulled out some paper. I quickly wrote a leave request to Teacher Melville, simply explaining I needed to head to Silgaya. Once done, I placed it on the desk, deliberated for a bit, and took out another sheet to write Aili a note, telling her to inform the other girls in the dorm that I’d be away for a while, possibly a long time. I was vague about what I was off to do; I didn’t want them to worry.
I rolled up both notes, secured them in the letterbox, tucked the mailbox into the drawer, ruffled my hair, turned to glance at the black leather trunk leaning in the corner, contemplating whether to write another letter to Shanter Castle…
…Nah.
They’re all out of town. Even if they received it, all it would do is add to their worries.
With that in mind, I stood up, walked to the wardrobe, took out two spare black leather skirts, tossed one to the edge of the bed, and bundled the other with a few clean undergarments, wrapping them in silk cloth. I then strolled to the corner of the room, opened the trunk, and stuffed the bundle into the compartment holding my tomes. Before I closed it, I thought about grabbing the Sword Saint’s first edition notes too and stuffed that in as well.
I lifted the trunk and placed it at the foot of the bed, giving it a light pat.
“Time to bid farewell here… Captain Gray.”
After a while, Captain Gray said nothing.
…Of course it wouldn’t; what am I even thinking?
But after finishing all those tasks, I felt a little more at ease.
Outside, the moonlight shone brightly, and the lights in Victoria’s bedroom had long been put out.
She didn’t come back tonight.
That night, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
…
The next day, I woke up with a bit of a foggy head. After my shower, I felt slightly more awake. I ran to the mirror and discovered my still-sleepy face, which somehow looked even more charming, with a little dark circle under my slightly dazed eyes.
…So tired.
Rubbing my eyes while yawning, I put on the leather skirt I had taken out last night. Then I walked to the window, pulled back the curtains, and saw that Goat Cheese was indeed standing outside. I opened the window to let him in and tied last night’s letter pouch to his leg, fluffing up his feathers a bit.
“Go to the academy, to the principal’s office. Deliver it to that old man… you know, right?”
“Ga—”
“Don’t mess it up.”
“Pepé! Dummy—”
The silly bird squawked as it flew away.
I stood by the window for a moment, slowly closing it. Then I turned around, brushing my hair back as I walked to the foot of the bed, picked up the black leather trunk on my back, and jumped in place.
Last night, I felt…
It seemed like it had been a long time since I touched Captain Gray; it felt so much lighter now.
…Wait a minute.
It’s my refining strength that’s grown significantly lately…
I looked at my delicate hands, loosely balling my fingers a few times, slightly furrowing my brow.
This gradual improvement was hard to notice day to day. Because holding one pound feels about the same as holding ten pounds for me.
Ever since that battle with Nero at the Royal City, I haven’t gone all out again, and even when practicing alone in the dense woods, I’ve been too scared to unleash my full power. So I really had no idea just how strong I’d become.
Perfect.
Let’s go test that out in Silgaya…
What was that guy’s name again…
“…Jester?”
Although I’ll make sure to only use the powers of the Frost Order…
If you dare hurt Barry, you better pray for yourself first.
