The Weaver's Source

Chapter 11

"Lyra, you're worrying." Gabi mumbled beside me.

I hadn't realised I had been fidgeting, tossing and turning as I thought and tried to sleep.

"I'm fine." I replied and tried to settle down properly.

"If you're worrying about Grigore, don't. He'll accept you." Gabi said firmly. "He'd be stupid not to."

I smiled thinly, not quite believing her words. She patted my head gently.

"And once he does, you'll be free. You'll roam the world with him and learn about magic. In all honesty, I'd be a little jealous. Having that kind of bond with someone, able to go where you want. It'll be much better than staying here."

"While be hunted all the time." I grumbled.

She laughed lightly. "Grigore would look after you so you wouldn't have to worry about that, and I'm sure you'll grow into a strong enough warrior that you could protect yourself one day." She ignored my doubtful snort. "But just think of all the places you could see! Weavers travel a fair distance I hear." She sighed. "I'll be sad to see you go though."

"You could come with us."

Again, she laughed, this time a little harder. "I doubt he would let me. It'll be hard enough ensuring you remain safe, let alone me, and unlike you, I have no chance against monsters, even if I did learn how to use a sword. Besides, my father needs me here. I can also take care of your aunt for you."

A twinge of guilt stung me. Gabi noticed and once again patted my head. 

"Your aunt isn't expecting you to stay here forever, everyone knew you'd leave the moment your eyes changed. If you're out there, helping a Weaver, hunting monsters and keeping people safe, then she'll be content. I'll just step into your place for you."

"Thank you."

"Now go to sleep. We'll deal with Grigore once he gets back and still is being stubborn about it all."

I agreed quietly, pleased that I wasn't going to have to face him alone. He still scared me. He was the one person I desperately wanted to accept me and it terrified me that, no matter what I did or said, he wouldn't. He would leave me here to face the increase of attacks.

I did as Gabi ordered though and pushed those thoughts away. Quickly sleep followed and morning came, wet and misty. After breakfast, Gabi and I went outside and currently we were stood underneath the overhanging roof of my house. We had intended to go for a walk but that changed when we stepped outside. Rain fell thickly and the cold air had become worse overnight as a heavy fog swept in.

"Not long before the winter settles and the rain worsens." Gabi grumbled irritably as she stared up at the sky.

"It's early this year." I commented.

"I know. The old farm won't enjoy it. Early frost means a long winter." I smiled softly which made Gabi glare when she glanced at me. "Winters aren't good, Lyra."

"I know. I just enjoy them."

She gave me an odd stare before pulling the hood up over her head. "I should really head off now."

"You're needed again? I thought it was one of your brothers turn to help your father." I said with a slight frown.

"I know." She said with a shrug. "But father needs me to go to the mill. Apparently there's been some problems with the wheat there. I need to go check it out for him."

My frown deepened. The mill was on the grounds of one of the many expansive farms. To get there you had to cross the bridge in town which meant Gabi would be going close to the river. I didn't like that idea.

"I'll be fine, Lyra." Gabi said, waving her hand in the air to swat away the worried expression on my face. "I won't be at the water's edge and I am crossing a wide sturdy bridge. I'll even stick to the middle of it." She grinned. "The asrai can't get me if I don't touch the water and I cross during the day."

I wasn't overly comforted by this. Flashes of the nightmare flared up in my mind.

"Don't cross it, please." I asked softly.

Gabi's confident expression faltered and something more serious took over. "I'll be okay. You'll see. I won't be there long and then I'll come straight back. There isn't any reason to worry."

"Can't you wait until the rain has stopped?"

She shook her head. "I've already waited as long as I can. Father is waiting for an answer and you know what he's like when he's kept waiting."

I crumbled and nodded obediently. "Just be safe, Gabi."

She grinned once again and hugged me tightly. "You're becoming too paranoid. Lighten up a little." She patted my face then turned to face the thick curtain of rain. "I'll come back this evening, safe and unharmed, then you'll laugh about your worry."

I remained silent. She gave me a soft look.

"I won't let the asrai get me."

"Please don't. I won't forgive you if they ever did."

She frowned, unhappy I still wasn't comforted, then reached for the tattered old leather strap that hung around her neck. She looped it over then forced the small trinket into my hand. 

"You know how important that is to me. I'll come back for it, you know I will."

I let my fingers unfurl and stared down at the tiny old metal necklace. It only vaguely held the feather shape it once had now that time and age had worn it down. It was once her grandmother's, someone she was deeply fond of. Strangely, I did feel comforted having this in my possession.

I smiled at her nervously. She returned it with a bright grin.

"Now, I'll be back later. Cook up something good for us to eat this evening. And warm. The cold is getting a bit much now." She shivered then briefly hugged me before running off into the rain, shouting her farewell.

I raised my hand lightly when she waved enthusiastically further away. My eyes never left her until she was out of sight and even then I stared at the fog where she had vanished. Eventually, with one last glance at the necklace, I looped it over my head then headed indoors, putting my trust in Gabi's promise in coming home unhurt. She had never made a promise she could never keep.

But this promise she made to me was the first, and last, she was going to break.