Post 6

Red eyes, gleaming out from the darkness.

“We will meet again, young traveler.” They whispered, shimmering with mystery. Then a face formed behind the eyes. A face with fangs, that lunged toward her-

Cassia bolted up, cold sweat clinging to her body.

“Cassia?” Archia opened the door, dressed in a night gown, whose loose fabirc hid her condition more. Cassia didn’t respond, she kept panting , looking at a peaceful Honey next to her. “It was just a dream.” Her older sister murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching her arms out as if to comfort her.

Cassia pushed her away, instead drawing the covers around her and curling herself into a ball.

“You’re mad at me.” Archia said softly. It wasn’t a question, so Cassia didn’t feel compelled to answer. “You do not like him, do you?” Again, Cassia just remained shaking on her bed, staring into the darkness of her room. “Cristo is a good man, Cassia, and I love him. Couldn’t you at least try to get along with him?”

“Don’t pin this on me.” Cassia hissed, her voice cutting through the calmness that Archia had created. “You’re the one who ran off, who abandoned everything you ever said you believed in. I’m the one who has to watch over the family now. I’m the one that cares for Padrig. Do you know who that is? He’s your little brother, the one you swore to protect. Where have you even been? It is not me that is not trying to get along with him. This is not my fault.” And then she was silent again.

Archia was still for moment, her hand fluttering to her swollen stomach. Then she quietly stood, and padded out of the room.

Honey, who had awoke during Cassia’s outburst, lifted her head to stare at the girl inquisitively. Her stare, her big brown eyes, broke Cassia down.

“Why doesn’t anyone understand me, Honey?” She cried, drawing the dog close, drying her eyes in the soft white fur. “I wish I had stayed home. I wish Mother had sent Thad instead. I don’t want to be here. I’d rather be with the Armet already, and be done with witless Archia.”

“I wouldn’t call your sister witless.” In the door, leaning against the frame, was Cristo. His melodious voice floated through the room, surprising Cassia enough to get her to stop crying. “Open-minded, maybe. And optimistic enough that the old women would say her head was in the clouds. But certainly not witless.” Cassia was too stunned to speak. “But, judging by your lack of retort, perhaps you are.”

That got to her. “I am not witless. You surprised me.”

“If I recall correctly, that was my first impression on your sister.” Even in the low lighting, Cassia could see his amused expression. “May I come in?”

“It’s your house.” She said, crossing her arms.

“Yes, but it’s your room.” Cassia sighed, and nodded shortly. Cristo entered, still in his fisherman garb. He pulled over a rickety wooden chair from the corner and sat on it, facing Cassia, near the edge of her bed. “You seem to have upset Archia. She’s crying as we speak.” Cassia didn’t respond, she just watched her brother-in-law, trying to make sense of him. “I’ve told her not to worry, that you are merely tired, and have just recovered from a nightmare. If all goes well, she might even believe this confrontation was just a dream come tomorrow morning. I have a slight suspicion that this will not work on you.”

“What won’t work on me?” Honey’s head shot up as Cristo’s hand rose to a few feet in front of Cassia’s face. While she watched, a green mist began to leak from his fingertips into the air surrounding him.

“You’re a dream weaver.” She breathed, amazed, as never having met one before. Dream weavers were lesser mages, with no training and limited powers. The strongest dream weaver could cause hallucinations, as well as controlling others dreams. But they were rare. And Archia had married one.

“Yes, though one with limited power.” He smiled again, calling back his magic. “I mostly use it to calm. It helps me when I fish; once they are caught, they do not struggle. I lose less nets that way.”

“Is that why Archia fell in love with you?” Cassia asked, not being able to stop herself.

“No. She did that of her own accord. If I knew why I would tell you.” He sighed, rubbing Honey gently on the head. The dog did not protest, so Cassia saw no need to. “But she does know, don’t worry yourself about that.”

“A…and the baby?”

“She will be born with a similar gift, yes.” Cristo’s forehead wrinkled at that. “I do not know if I should call it a gift. Perhaps I should say curse. No matter.” He met Cassia’s eyes, his hazel ones conveying a sadness she could never know. “I understand that you believe I stole your sister, and in a way you are right. I would appreciate it if you would not tell her, though. As I said, she is very optimistic. And for now, she is happy. I would not go about ruining that for her.

“I understand.” Cassia said, biting her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I’m just scared.”

“You have a right to be. Anything that the Armet are involved in is bound to be scary.” Cassia pondered this for a moment, and decided to ask.

“Cristo? What do you know about mermaids?”

“She-devils. If there are such a thing.” He smiled wryly. “They sink ships, tempt husbands, even attack outright if they are hungry enough.”

“Do they ever say things that come true?” He looked away at that. “Cristo?”

“I surely hope not.” She thought she heard him mutter. Then he faced her again. “Myth has it they do. At least when it comes to blood. And death. Their favorite topics.”

“I met one, on my way here.” Cassia whispered. “She said that there would be…blood. Spilled blood. Soon. I don’t know what that means...or if she was even telling the truth. I’m supposed to get the Armet, does that mean war?”

“I don’t know, to be honest. To be frank, I usually keep out of the affairs of war.” He chuckled, his voice low in the night. “If it comes to that, I believe Archia and I would set sail, to some colony where we would be safe until the baby was born, or at least until it was safe.”

There was an empty silence then, as Cassia thought of what she would do in the even of war. The chair squeaked as Cristo stood and moved it back to the corner.

“It’s time you went back to sleep. I believe you should stay another day, before you travel to the crossroads. So we could continue this conversation tomorrow.” Cassia tensed at the thought of going back to sleep, to face those eyes. Cristo’s voice softened. “I could help you get better rest, you know. My curse is good at that.” After a reflection, Cassia nodded, and lied back down on her pillow. A cool green hand lightly touched her forehead, and then she was drifting to sleep.


The next morning, Archia was cheerfully preparing breakfast when Cassia came into the kitchen, following the scent that had called Honey from sleep and therefore Cassia.

“Good morning.” She smiled, seemingly forgotten the events of last night. It seemed that Cristo really was that talented.

“Good morning.” Archia smiled and took a seat at the small table, barely able to accommodate two.

“Cristo left at sunrise, so we have the day to ourselves.” Archia smiled, placing a bowl of oat much in front of her, cinnamon scent floating up front it. She then took a seat opposite of her sister and began eating. Cassia took up a spoon and smiled, then began to eat as well. “What would you like to do? Shop? I have no real need for it but if you enjoy it-“

“You know I never liked to shop.” Cassia said, smiling. Archia smiled back, leaning back in her chair.

“That’s right. Well, we could go look at some books? Or walk by the beach? Or even paint a little, you would enjoy that-“

“Could we, perhaps, refill my food pack? After that I would love to just…talk?”

“Of course.” Archia said. After a silence, she looked up again. “How have you been? And mother and father? And Thad, and Padrig?”

“They’re all well.” Cassia said, a bit guiltily. She knew the only reason she felt compelled to ask was because of her “dream” from last night. “Thad’s taken a scholarship position in the Council’s libraries, so he’s very happy.”

“Is Merle as infatuated with him as ever?”

“Even more that you remember. Padrig gets to follow his big brother around everywhere, because then Merle gets to follow. Last month, he ended up running off in the market place because Merle was so busy gazing into Thad’s lovely green eyes.” The sisters giggled over this, but then Archia became serious.

“And what about you, Cassia? Have you found anyone’s eyes to get lost in.” Cassia stiffened at the question.

“What a ridiculous question, Archia. No boy in town has ever paid me any attention.”

“Of course not, you’re much too smart for them.” Archia smiled gently. “You’d be better off traveling the world with Honey for a few years, expanding the business and meet some sweet merchant who loves Honey as much as you do.”

Honey’s ears perked up at her name, and put her paws on Archia’s lap, begging for some food. Archia looked toward Cassia, her eyes sparkling. “Would it be alright if I gave her some of this for breakfast?”

“Of course.” Archia, with her protruding belly, was about to rise, but Cassia beat her to it. “No, no. Let me get it.” She spooned some of the oats from a large pot and put the bowl on the floor for Honey.

“Now, I’m sorry to say, but I’m going to have to play the overbearing older sister for a moment.” Cassia sat, looking over at her sister expectantly. “The Armet, while our only hope for protecting Father and the rest of us, are a rowdy bunch. You’re going to have to be careful.”

“I’ll be fine.” Cassia said, squirming in her seat.

“You don’t understand. These are soldiers who travel constantly. Town to town; city to city; woman to woman. They don’t understand boundaries, in that respect. And you’ll have to travel with them for days.” Archia stood, not without effort, and walked over to a wooden chest shoved to the corner. She opened it slowly, its rusted hinges creaking with the effort, and lifted out a small concealed blade. The sheath was plain black leather, the handle a simple gold. She walked back toward the table and handed it, handle first, to Cassia. The young girl took it and withdrew the blade from the sheath.

“Thank you.” Cassia said simply. The gratitude could not be expressed with words. Archia nodded. What do you know? Cassia thought. Maybe some of that sisterly understanding hadn’t been lost after all.