2: Hope

That was it. They were gone. It was as simple as that. The gem in my hand glistened under the moonlight as I stared at it for the longest time, expecting it to speak, float, transform back into my parents and siblings. But no matter how many tears I cried and hours I waited, nothing happened.

I could barely stand but I had to. I had to get up and fix this. I had to do something. Anything at all. Because doing nothing felt worse.

I could hardly remember how I made it to the road. And I could hardly remember my name when a ratty old wagon stopped beside me and the coachman asked me what I was doing out so late.

"I need to go, my family, its...the edge of town." I stumbled over my words, as my thoughts jumbled together.

He nudged his head towards his wagon. "You're Darrell's daughter aren't ya?"

I nodded silently.

"Well, I'd be happy to take you to the edge of town. I'm leaving town anyway. My wagon is mostly empty except for carts of perfume."

I blinked away the tears and nodded. I climbed on the back and soon I was nodding off to sleep. I didn't think much of it, couldn't think at all, just let exhaustion take over.

~~~

I woke when the horses whined and the wagon came to a rough stop. "This your stop I'm assuming?"

I stepped out, thanked the man and he left.

Before me stood a tall brick building covered with crawling ivy and other wild plants. This must have been the guild for there was no other building for miles. To its left was an open field of graves, juxtaposing the bustle of life just adjacent. Light and sound seeped through the ajar door of the guild.

I took careful steps towards it. Inside sat men and women around tables chatting lively. A band played at a small stage in the corner and at what I assumed was the bar was a burly old man. I decided if I needed to find someone, I ask the man who looked in charge. He was telling dirty jokes to a man sitting at a nearby table, mixing drinks and passing it to those who sat before him.

I strolled up to him and knocked on the table lightly. He may not have heard me, because he didn't respond.

"Um, hello there, sir," I said.

He peered at me from the corner of his eye. Scowled and said, "I don't serve drinks to little girls. Especially those who wear scarves in doors."

I didn't see how my scarf mattered but I had other things on my mind. "I'm looking for someone."

He turned and finally faced me. "He wasn't here. And even if he was we wouldn't have fallen for his lies. We may live in the outskirts but our loyalty lies solely with his majesty. If not then what of our young able-bodied men and women who leave this guild everyday to fight for his army."

When I didn't respond and instead looked quite clearly confused. He cleared his throat and said, "If you're an assassin then, just know that I took no body's bride. And even if I did, what would it matter? She chose to leave with me. That's assuming that someone's bride did leave with me but I—"

"I'm looking for Anselm," I let out before he could go on.

He bristled and fell quiet. He bit his lip and sat on his stool. "You've come to the wrong place little missy. Anselm's next door."

My heart boomed and banged and anticipated what was to come. "You don't mean?"

"The man was a good mage. A great one to be exact. But we all know where all the good end up. He fought in the war, came back wrapped in cloth from head to toe. Why, do you ask little lady? Are you his wife?"

My fists were shaking at my sides. Disappointment always tasted sour on the tongue. "No, I'm Lucille and Darrell's kid. You know them?"

The man's eyes lit up. He stood and stretched out a hand towards me. I took it reluctantly for a shake. "Those two lovebirds. How are they doing?"

"They're..." I sighed. "They were taken, and they told me to come here to find Anselm."

The man's grip tightened. His face grew sorrowful. "What happened?"

"I don't know, this scarecrow came out of nowhere with purple flames and it, it—"

The man's hand fell away. He stepped back. The room fell dead silent. I could hear my heart echo.

"Scarecrow on fire. Purple flames," the man repeated, an edge to his voice.

Whispers started among the pub patrons. They chatted in hushed tones, rather than openly only moments ago.

"Yeah, I was hoping you'd help me." I pulled out the green gem and held it to his face. He took another step back.

His gaze became shifty. He didn't dare look me in the eye. "I'm sorry little girl but there isn't anything I can do for you. Your parents are gone."

My chest warmed and tightened. That was not a good sign. I needed to leave before worse things happened. "Well thank you for your time."

I left the guild empty handed and without help.

~~~

I don't quite remember how I made it back to the market. But I do remember my knees aching and my stomach rumbling like a thunderstorm. Had I walked all the way back here? I could hardly care because I was slowly drifting into dreamland. That was till I saw green feet and heard a familiar crackly voice.

"Mr. Jara?" I lifted my head to the sight of the old man. His face creased in confusion and what I assume was concern. He was always a dear.

"Mo! What in the world are you doing here!?"

"They're gone," I managed to say without breaking into tears.

He gasped. "I-I...come first, let's go. You must be hungry and confused."

I hesitated but I knew he meant well. So I followed after the old florial. Only a few minutes later I was downing bowls of soup one after the other. Mrs. Jara handing me bowl after bowl. It may have seemed unusual but these two are the most loving people one could meet. When I finished my last serving I was stuffed.

"Thank you," I said and met the melancholy gazes directed at me. So I gave them what I owed. The story. It wasn't as difficult as it was before but it was still heart-wrenching. The old couple listened to me intently till I finished.

"My word, that is a lot to go through, are you sure you're not hurt?" Mrs. Jara asked.

"I'm fine. But I don't know if my family is."

"Of course, of course, that's some magic," Mr. Jara said, furrowing his brows in thought. "Have you always known your parents were mages?"

I had never thought of that. But that didn't matter, what mattered was that they took me in and took care of me. Most mages lived in guilds. Rogue mages on the other hand, were bad news. But Mom and Dad were anything but.

Mr. Jara collapsed to the floor. He groaned and grabbed at his legs.

"Savo, are you alright?!" Mrs. Jara fell to his side.

Mr. Jara winced but when Mrs. Jara wasn't looking he threw me a wink and a smile. "Oh dear, my roots are acting up again and I haven't even got a refill of my medicine."

Mrs. Jara rushed to another room and returned with a bag in hand. "Mo darling I hate to trouble you, but could you watch over him while I go get his medicine."

I was caught in the middle of whatever Mr. Jara was planning. And so I blurted the first word that came to mind, "yes" though it sounded more like, "yes?"

She rushed out the door, bag in hand. And Mr. Jara climbed back to his feet.

"If there's one thing I know about mages, wizards and people of the magic kind, is that they don't dabble with what they know they can't handle. My dear, that wasn't your mother's magic. That was the scarecrows. I've been around many mages to know that, when one's magic is insufficient, their opponent's magic is their last resort. And from the looks of it, that was one powerful scarecrow. But I got just what you need." Mr. Jara's eyes lit with excitement.

"What's that?"

"A meeting with the King's high mage."

My heart welled with hope. But that hope vaporized just as quickly when I asked how and Mr. Jara said, "you are going to enter a tournament."

A/n: so how's your day going??