The Weaver's Source

Chapter 53

"Thank you for saving Elsi and myself." She said warmly. "And I am sorry for doubting you. You guided it away and let ourselves live." She sniffed hard. "I thought you were dead."

I smiled, a bit confused. No one had ever thanked me before. "I had someone watching me. He came to help me when he finally found me."

"I'm happy to hear that." She said and her smile faltered. "Do you know what killed my family and hunted us?"

"A monster." I said. "One that will be dealt with soon."

The woman nodded. "I hope so. I've travelled much in my time and never seen anything like that."

I smiled, agreeing quietly. "Are you staying here for a while?"

"I am. I will gather my brothers and husbands bodies together. The people here have agreed to let me bury them, which I'm thankful for, and have also allowed me to stay. Elsi and I will leave when another caravan passes through."

I wanted to offer her to come with Grigore and myself when we left but I kept the idea to myself. Grigore would be against it and I feared what other trouble I would attract. Elsi and her mother deserved a far calmer passage to their destination.

"I hope you can leave soon but for now remain inside. Don't go out during the night. The inn is the safest place to be." I said.

She smiled. "I know. The innkeeper told me so. He was worried about you too. He told me it was especially dangerous for you to be outside in the dark."

"Well he'll know I'm safe now." I said, feeling warmth that a complete stranger actually cared what could happen to me.

"Well go, you look tired." She said kindly and half-turned with a sorrowful expression. "I've men to bury."

I looked behind her at the horrible remains. "I'm sorry I didn't get there in time to save them too."

"You saved Elsi and myself. That's more than enough."

I smiled warmly at her and bid her farewell and hobbled off to Lillith's hut, leaving the poor mother to gather the torn bodies of her family by herself. I felt conviction filling me and warmth that, for once in my life, I was thanked by someone I had tried to help. She didn't shout at me, didn't hate me or blame me for the rest of her family's deaths. She just thanked me. Any regret at leaving the inn last night was swept away. I was right in seeking out Elsi and her mother and Grigore couldn't tell me otherwise.

Lillith was standing outside her hut when I arrived. Her face was pale with worry and she strode over to me hurriedly when she spotted me coming up the lanes.

"Lyra! Thank goodness you're safe!" She breathed as she looked down at me then grabbed my arm firmly. "Come. Let's get you inside by the fire." She looked me up at down. "I'll organise a bath for you as well."

I let her drag me inside, being careful as I climbed the steps. Inside she took my cloak and gave me a thin blanket and sat me down by the hearth. She quickly handed me food and a warm drink as she chatted to me, asking about the reasons why I left the inn and what had happened. She had sensed my danger apparently but dared not leave, knowing she'd just make the situation worse and put faith in Grigore reaching me in time.

"No doubt he gave you an earful." Lillith said with a smile.

"He did." I grumbled, remembering our argument.

"Well don't hold it against him. He's a Weaver and his job is to guard Sources. It's not helpful when she's willing to put herself in harm's way for others." She looked approvingly at me. "You likely gave him a terrible scare."