Chapter 36: Chapter 36

KAMORA

They finally arrived at the town. The night had fully covered the sky, and the stars shone unnaturally bright.

Gwen got down from the horse, and then, making use of her vines, assisted Kamora as well.

“Let’s go,” Gwen stated. “We have no time to waste.”

Quickly, they both made their way to the blacksmith’s shed. They hurried their pace, though their feet were light, hoping that they would not attract unnecessary attention.

Finally, they arrived at the place and were surprised to find the blacksmith waiting outside.

“I never expected you guys to make it over here this fast,” he said upon noticing them. “Just when did you start making your way here?”

“Immediately when you gave the signal,” Gwen answered, and Kamora nodded next to her.

“Where is he?”

“Give me a few minutes,” the man said. “I’ll go call him out.”

The man entered the shed, and a few minutes later, he came out with a much older-looking man. His back was hunched, and his head was bald and covered with strange scars.

One of his eyes was shut tight, and the other looked unnaturally white under the moonlight. Wrinkles lined every corner of his face, giving the impression that he was frowning at them.

Kamora couldn’t help but wonder how he traveled about in his condition.

“You,” he said, pointing a withered hand at Kamora. “You look very familiar. Have we met before?”

Hope sparked in Kamora’s chest, and she nodded.

“Eight years ago, you rescued a woman from a forest around here,” she said, tapping at her chest. “I am she.”

“Really?” the man said, his white brows raised. “Ever since you left, I thought I’d never see you again. What brings you here?”

“I realized that I have not properly thanked you for saving me. I have come here to do that.”

“You thanked us enough when you finally gained consciousness. Why do you return almost a decade later to thank me again?”

“Because I need your help.”

“I figured,” he said. He folded his hands behind his back and straightened up—or as best as he could.

His eyes moved from Kamora to Gwen, and he frowned slightly.

“Who is she?” he asked no one in particular.

“Ahh! She is my sister,” Kamora replied. “She escorted me here.”

“What’s so serious that the two of you had to rush over at this dangerous time of night just to meet me?”

Kamora looked at Gwen, and at her sister’s encouraging nod, she faced the man again. “I am trying to regain my memories.”

The man cocked his head, seemingly perplexed. “You still haven’t regained your memories?”

Kamora nodded.

“It’s been eight years. Is that normal?” He looked back at the other man, who was watching them with interest. The latter simply shrugged.

“Well then,” he said, turning back to face Kamora, “I wish I could help you, but the doctor among us then has moved. All my partners have gone in search of greener pastures. I now live my life solely for myself, roaming the lands, and I don’t think any wisdom I have will be of use to you right now.”

“How about you take me to the forest? The same place you found me?” Kamora urged.

The frown that appeared on his face deepened past the wrinkles. “Why would you want to go there? Don’t you care for your life?”

“I am desperate, you see,” Kamora said, a forced smile etched on her face. “I need answers to some questions, and I need them now. I am afraid that if I wait any longer, it will be too late.”

“No, never.” The man shook his head furiously. “You might not value your life, but I value mine. I can’t help you with your quest.”

“Please!” Kamora begged. “You don’t have to lead me to it. Just show me the path. That is all I ask.”

The man stared at her intensely and sighed.

“Do you really mean this? This is not a good idea. If I were you, I’d be running far away from whatever it is that caused you to land there. Think about it. I have been in this village for over half a century, and I have seen you nowhere around here. Yet your body suddenly appears in the place where we hunt? Someone must have gone through all the trouble to make sure that you never return. Are you willing to risk the same thing happening again?”

Kamora remained silent, mulling over her thoughts. Truly, what the man said was true.

Even if she wasn’t related to Jarosh, someone had been trying to kill her. Was she ready to risk finding out who, just because she wanted to quench a gnawing suspicion?

“Kamora,” Gwen called out softly, touching her arm. “You don’t have to do it. The old man is right. This is dangerous. A stupid idea. We should return.”

“So, what about our journey here?” Kamora asked. “We can’t just leave it that way. Are you saying we should go back just like that? Our journey here will be in vain.”

“It is better than you ending up in a horrible situation.” Gwen leaned closer to her. “Someone in the Maroke manor wants you dead. Isn’t it best you leave and forget all about it?”

Kamora stared at her sister and slowly pulled her hand away from her grip. She smiled comfortingly at her, then said, “Don’t worry, sister. Once things start to take a strange turn, we will quickly take our leave. Is that okay?”

Gwen sighed, defeated. Kamora faced the old man. “Please,” she begged, “you don’t have to follow us. Just show us the path.”

“You have made up your mind, and there is nothing I can do to stop you. I will help you,” the man said, much to Kamora’s joy.

“Word of warning, though. There aren’t any able-bodied men in this small town who will be willing to brave it and enter the forest should you go missing. So, make sure you are extremely careful on your journey, as today might well be your last.”