In two months, everyone was already prepared for the journey to Geovia. I was mostly pissed throughout the day before because I couldn't stop hearing the others talk about how great Geovia is and being called by the king himself. Unfortunately, no one here knows I am the king's illegitimate daughter and Uncle Garett didn't reveal to them that we were packing because of me, because the king has sent for me.
The horses that would be used to travel; one for each person, were already gathered in a place with our luggage tied to them. As we stood outside, waiting for Uncle Garett to arrive, I could not help but notice we were not complete.
Killian… I wonder where he went. I rarely saw him like before and I noticed it started from when we got back from the cave. I know I was mad at him, but I couldn't have pushed him away like that. Or perhaps, he understood how I felt and is trying to stay away.
"Are you okay?"
I snapped out of my thought and see Ravenna standing in front of me with a concerned expression.
"Yes, I'm fine," I say and went low to tie the lace of my shoes. Ravenna also did same and I looked at her to see her already looking at me.
"What?" I ask her.
"I want you to say something."
"Say what?" I ask and roll my eyes as I continue with the second lace.
"You have been quiet—no, moody. I get you are not so excited about leaving here and going to the famous Geovia. It's the same for us too, but—"
"It's not the same for me." I said to her with a straight face and I stand to my feet. Just then, I see Uncle Garett walking towards us, and behind him was Killian who wasn't dressed up yet. I look at Uncle Garett, wondering what he was thinking.
"Hey Kill, don't tell me you are travelling like that," Ryan asked and Zeke laughed beside him.
Uncle Garett moved his eyes slightly towards the side and then back to us. "He's not coming with us. He will journey alone."
"Good! Then I'll stay also and meet up with you," I say before I could even think about it.
"I can't allow that," Uncle Garett disagreed immediately and I grit my teeth inside. I feel Ravenna hold my hand, as if stopping me from getting my emotions worked up, maybe because she knows I and Uncle Garett had a little fight a few days ago.
I had told him I wasn't ready to go to Geovia yet because it was personal to me. If it was convenient for the king to fix our coming in two months, why can't I add a little time to mine? Afterall, I was the one he wanted to see…the one he never looked at when I was still lingering by.
I had wondered so many times…what does he want from me? Why call for me now after so long?
And I was mostly angry at Uncle Garett for being so humble to the king who let his sister die without honor.
I stood back and just stare down, letting the heat I was feeling inside of me melt away every second the cold hit my body.
"You know the rules," Uncle Garett spoke while we all listened attentively. "Don't be found where you are not called to. Don't overstep your boundaries. Only speak when you are asked to. And lastly, always find each other before the night ends."
After he was done speaking, Kira raised a hand and asked, "When will we be back?"
I guess someone is not as enthusiastic about going to Geovia as I am, unlike the rest.
"Don't hope to come back."
Everyone looked at the other person and then back at Uncle Garett, but before anyone would raise a hand, he said, "There is no home anywhere. I trained you better than that. So don't feel too comfortable, neither should you be too anxious. Have it in mind that you may never come back here. Your home are your sisters and brothers that are with you. So never lose each other."
Everyone was thrown into deep thinking and the earlier cheerful faces I saw were no longer there. I bet Ryan and Zeke are already rethinking the whole situation. If they had known, they would have cherished Coldbourne a little more than anticipating the journey to Geovia.
It was finally time to depart.
Music Recommendation: Light in the Dark- Violin Sky
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I lifted myself and sat on my horse and I held the ropes together, but I didn't move yet. Something in me tells me Uncle Garett was wrong, for saying there is no home anywhere. This place is my home, the only place I've learned to really live. But after this journey, I may never know what is wrong or right anymore.
I see Killian standing at the back next to the shed. He is looking at me but I can't seem to read his expression. I'm starting to feel I may never see him again and I wonder if he's feeling that way too.
Uncle Garett and the others started to move and I see their horses move past mine. I know I should leave too, but I only gripped the rope more tightly and waited…I was waiting for Killian to say something to me—anything.
There was only silence.
I see Ash come out from the woods and stand beside him. Ash is now much bigger than before. I hear her whine and I could not help but smile as liquid build up in my eyes. She must have come to say her goodbye.
I look at Killian for the last time before I turn my head to the front and I see Uncle Garett waiting with his eyes on me. A tear ran down my face just immediately and I quickly wipe it away with the back of my glove before pulling the reins of the horse to start walking.
My heart feels heavy each second the horse moves. I blink back the tears in my eyes and just stare straight ahead of me, not looking back. I know deep down that I'm not leaving just yet. I will definitely come back and I hope by then, things wouldn't have changed much.
I hope Ash will still recognize me. I hope that Killian will have a lot of things to say to me. I hope Ravenna still keeps being that person that calms me down and makes sure I am okay. I hope Ryan and Zeke will never stop being annoying to me. I hope Kira loosens up a bit and join more in our conversations.
Lastly, I hope Uncle Garett keeps accepting me when nobody else does. He is the only family I have.
I notice someone's eyes on me and I turn my head to see Uncle Garett staring back at me. I wonder if he heard my thoughts, but there is something about the way he is looking at me. His eyes look different…more different than how he looks at me. It's like there is something he has to say to me, but trying to keep from me at the same time.
I turn my head back to the front, to the road ahead of me. I just hope this journey doesn't change us from who we are.