Willow

Willow struggled to sleep that night and resigned herself to dozing through most of the night. Her thoughts raced; a combination of fear for their next steps and an echoing reminder of Nyanti’s prophecy kept her blood racing long into the night. When dawn broke, the light returned her to full consciousness, and she quietly sat up and stretched. Her eyes were itchy and trying to close as she forced herself to her feet, where she swayed for a moment before regaining her bearings and picking her way carefully between the sleeping bodies around her. It was unfortunate that the attack had happened at all, but if it had to happen at least they’d all been uprooted in summer. While the heat was terrible and the biting bugs even worse, they wouldn’t suffer too terribly. If it had been during the cooler months, there would have been a genuine danger of hypothermia

Willow left Felix to catch a few more precious minutes before the long journey as she made her way to one of the fireplaces to scavenge a light breakfast. Someone had taken the time to bake a rudimentary loaf of bread and Willow pilfered one, breaking it in half and wrapping Felix’s share in a bit of cloth while she slowly consumed her own half. She also lit the fire ready for whoever was on the rotation to begin the breakfast preparations. It kept her hands busy and by proxy, stopped her drifting off to sleep while she sat.

Her mind wandered as she ate, uncertain of the future that lay ahead. Were there guards on the roads? Would she be able to collect enough food for them? How far was a ‘few days’? What of wild beasts? What dangers should she expect out on the road? Felix was rudimentary with his sword at best, although he had potential. At this time, however, he would be all but useless in any kind of battle. Remaining hidden from any threats would have to be the plan. Willow snorted quietly. As if they could plan for such things. Who knew how long they were to be on the road and Willow’s main goal was to survive and she had every intention of succeeding. She pushed away thoughts of Nianti’s prophecy.

The rotation of cook-staff soon joined her. She said her goodbyes, explaining she and Felix were leaving but remaining deliberately vague on just which direction they were headed. With a final wave, Willow returned to the sleeping area to wake Felix.

They’d done wonders in such a short time; most had somewhere covered to sleep at the very least. They wouldn’t be putting anymore structures, hoping to move to a more permanent location as soon as the injured were well enough to move. The Resistance had scouted several locations before the attack, Edward had told her, but she’d not wanted to know which had been settled upon. If the Guards captured her, she didn’t want to lead the King straight back to them.

Felix was reluctant to rise, but under Willow’s insistent shaking he finally rose, swearing and complaining the entire time. Willow scolded the language before stepping away, stooping down to study the contents of her bag. All was as she had left it the day before, but the nervous energy that was coursing through her pushed her to be in constant motion. She lifted the bag and made her way out of the sleeping area. She didn’t want to wake anyone.

She passed Edward on her way out and, giving him a tired nod, she left Felix to him while she made her way to the Healer’s tent to check on Agnes one last time. In part it was to reassure herself that she had done all she could for the older women. Agnes was still in a terrible condition, but with Willow’s help and the medicines Rose would continue to administer, she had the best chance of survival possible. So many others that had somehow escaped alive had already perished. Willow had exhausted herself trying to keep as many of them alive as possible. While it wasn’t an ideal way to start what was likely to be an arduous journey, Willow hadn’t been able to turn anyone away who needed her help. She’d already used her entire supply of Rejuvenation potions and she’d not had the time to replenish those supplies before the departure. The creation of it wasn’t something she’d be able to do on the road either, so she was already nervous. They had a few minor healing poultices with them, but they could do nothing for the bone-weary traveller.

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Agnes had not awoken when Willow entered the tent, but given the medicines in her system, she would likely wake soon. What shape she would be in was beyond Willow’s limited abilities, but Jonathon had assured her that just knowing she would wake up was more than enough for him. When Willow had entered, she’d found the older man asleep, head resting beside Agnes’ with her hand gently clasped between both of his. It was a truly sweet moment Willow’d almost felt bad about interrupting.

Jonathon had returned to sleep quickly after Willow had given her update and, after setting out a set of potions, poultices, and herbs for Rose to use, she tiptoed back out.

Edward had joined Felix by the time Willow returned, and they were quietly conversing a short distance from the sleeping area. She caught Edward’s eye. It was nearly time for them to be on their way and, visibly reluctant, Edward picked up Felix’s pack and gently guided Felix out of the area. Willow reshuffled her pack, so it sat comfortably against her back before pulling it on and fiddling with the straps. They were the buckled kind, so she could change where the bag sat. Edward weighed Felix’s bag in his hand, growing visibly concerned by the weight. He turned to Felix, gently reminding him he’d be carrying the bag himself, but Felix dismissed the warning. Willow just hoped he’d be able to carry it plus the sword she had scavenged for him without too much complaint. When they joined her, Felix just shrugged sullenly and turned away.

Willow sighed; his attitude had evidently not passed overnight, and Willow wondered if something had happened. For the life of her, she had no idea if she had done anything. She put it from her mind for the moment and turned to Edward.

“You are sure this is safer?” He asked.

Willow nodded and repeated the argument. “He will not expect us to run now, while you are beaten down. Now he will expect us to stay and help rebuild.”

Edward nodded reluctantly. “You will keep him safe?”

Willow smiled, bittersweet, “As safe as I can. There is no such thing as guaranteed safety.”

He nodded again.

“Felix,” he called. The boy turned. “I want you to listen to Willow. You are very important, and her job is to keep you safe. She can't do that unless you listen, do you understand?”

Felix eyed Willow for a moment before nodding petulantly. Willow picked up her bag and began moving. They paused at the edge of camp.

Willow settled herself down and tested her bow, clipping her quiver to her belt and pulling one free. She intended to hold it ready for the duration of the trip. It would be downright foolish to think they’d be safe, and Willow would much rather attack from further away, rather than giving whatever may attack them the time to get close to Felix. If something did manage to get closer, she did have her short sword ready, but hoped not to have to draw it. For Felix’ sake, she hoped nothing too drastic would happen, as he’d only had maybe a season’s worth of training, barely enough time to graduate from his wooden training sword to the real thing. There was no point getting him into a fight right now if they could avoid it.

Once comfortable, she pulled on her straps idly as boy and father said their final goodbyes. Morbidly, she wondered if this was to be Felix’s last meeting with his father or if it was her last meeting with Edward.

“I’ll try to keep in touch. I’ll send letters to the Northern and Western Resistance letting them know to expect you. If you can keep in touch,” Edward pleaded.

Willow nodded. “I don’t know if that will be possible, but I’ll try,” Willow conceded. She made her way to the edge of camp, allowing them one last private moment.

They embraced tightly and Willow saw both Edward and Felix’s shoulders shaking before they forced themselves apart and, finally, reluctantly, Felix joined her with a forced casual air.

Willow waved back at the heartbroken father and led his son away into the dense foliage of the surrounding forest.