Under The Oak E-Book

Tina Jonstrup

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Serie: The Under Chronicles
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 498

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

The book follows Willow a young girl as she moves from her small town to the mysterious place called the Academy. A place where not only do they teach all manner of strange subjects, but also magic. However soon she becomes part of a much bigger plot as it seems she is being watched by someone or something.

Leseprobe

To my aunt June and cousin Katrine Whom without this book would not be the same.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Epilogue

Prologue

The rush of the wind filled his ears, the repeating sound of his feet hitting the wet muddy ground cut through everything else, well except for her… The cries of the small baby girl in his arms. He knew that he had to keep running or else they would take her, and even though he could no longer hear them behind him, he was certain that they were not far away.

Never had he thought that anything like this would happen to him, the last two days had changed so much, yet even as these thoughts filled his mind, he focused on the feeling of his racing heart, arching feet and weight that he carried in his arms…

She had cried for most of the whole ordeal, yet now she was strangely silent, he could still feel her move, a small kick or wiggle of her entire body yet no sound left her. Maybe she’s tired or…no hopefully she was not in that poor health.

Before he even knew it the hill in-front of him started to give sight to a not too distant village. He just hoped that they would not go looking for them both if other people were close. Without even thinking about it, he had taken just a moment to look over the sleeping village, and then he heard them again, the sound of clapping hoofs and strange barking words. His feet began running once again, where once it had been mud and dirt, it soon changed to stone and cobble. As their words of anger chasing right behind him grew louder and more violent, he began too see the distant light of an outlying home.

He sprinted with whatever little energy he had left to reach the house, his free hand knocking on the door like mad before he even knew it. As an older man dressed in simple cloth opened looking quite confused at him.

“Yes? What do you want at…!”

The man stopped as he saw the ragged looking Dogan, swaddling a baby in his arms.

Dogan with hagged breathes said “Please sir I know its late and I’m looking rather…well this, but if I can enter I promise to explain…”

His begging tone and the baby told the man everything for now, as the man moved to the side and motioned to enter. And as Dogan entered the small home, he looked over his shoulder to where his pursuers had been only moments ago, yet there was nothing there.

And as he looked into the calm and quaint home Dogan slowly found a seat, and barely had he sat down before he looked over the baby, she was still breathing but looked exhausted, better than it could have been. So he relaxed and for the first time in a long time, took a breath and let his muscles rest too.

Dogan must have sat for a while, because suddenly the light touch of a hand on his shoulder woke him. The old man standing there looking worried and holding a cup of some liquid, with steam rising up slowly from it.

“I thought perhaps you would want something to warm your body?”

The man’s voice was kind and giving, something about him relaxed Dogan, so he held the cup with one hand, still holding the young girl in his other arm, and took a small sip. The slightly bitter taste of…nettles? Yes he recognised the taste of it and had a few more gulps of the warming liquid, as it spread throughout his whole body.

As the man sat down on an opposite chair, his own cup of tea in hand, came the question that Dogan had feared.

“So…who were you running from?”

If Dogan’s body had not been so tired, it would have tensed on the spot, but it was too sore for even such a basic reaction. And to be honest with himself, his mind was to tired to come up with some elaborate lie or deception, so he decided on a half truth, those were the best lies anyway.

“Ah well that would be a much longer story good man…and I’m very tired, but to be short…I was running from some men that wanted to take this child from me…”

The description of “men” applied to what was chasing him, was both totally untrue, yet also adequate for this man. But Dogan could see that a grimace had formed on the face of the older man, now contorted in concern and slight…anger?

“If you have taken this child from its parents and they had sent someone after after you, then the goddess help you!”

“No no! That is not at all what has happened!…I promise on all that I care about that I have not stolen this child!”

“The you are the child’s father?”

There was a hint of accusation in the tone of his words, not that Dogan could blame him.

“No I’m not…but I am…was… a good friend to her father…”

It was hard, it had barely been a day since it had all happened, yet what could he do, all there was left to do was keep his promise…

The face of the man changed at those words, going form hard to soft in an instant.

“I’m…I’m sorry to hear that, and what about her mother?”

“Gone too I’m afraid, the poor one is all alone, expect for me I suppose…I promised to keep her safe and raise her like my own, and damn if I’m going to let anyone think me unworthy of such a task.”

There was more determination in his words than he had intended, but he found that the words actually rang true. He was going to protect this girl no matter what, he had promised it, and he was going to keep that promise. Even if it ended with his death, though he did hope that such lengths would prove unnecessary.

The old man that sat across him just nodded to the words, a small smile on his lips.

“I believe you, I just hope that you are not just a very good liar, but no matter what how will you provide for this child? It seems from your situation that you don’t have a lot of gold…what is your profession? If I may ask?”

“Hmm before that my name is Dogan Pendrak.”

As he reached out to shake the arm of the old man sitting across him, their hands meeting for a friendly shake.

“Ah yes sorry for my rudeness, I’m Kallen, farmer by trade, and I ask again what is yours Dogan?”

Dogan was a bit hesitant to answer, but knew it would be odd if he did not, and likely make Kallen more suspicious of him. Yet he also knew that his trade made most people uncomfortable, or at the very least hesitant.

“Yes well…I hope that you don’t mind it…I’m a teacher of the Academy.”

It was clear that Kallen was a bit taken aback, he sat straighter up in his chair and his hands strained a bit on the cup handle.

“I…I see…I will be honest I did not see that coming…hmm well if that is the case I suppose that you will bring the girl with you to the Academy, raising her there at your school?”

Dogan just started shaking his head.

“No I’m afraid that only children from the age of 15 is allowed at the Academy. I will have to raise her outside the school until she reaches that age, and then she can join me there. Until then I will have to do research outside the Academy and just work from here…”

“Here? How come not closer to the Academy itself?”

“No it will have to be here, there is too much risk that someone will try and attack us again…or at least I don’t wanna take that risk, I hope you understand.”

This time it was Kallen’s turn to shake his head slightly

“I honestly don’t Dogan, I honestly don’t, but then again I won’t pretend to know your situation better than yourself, I just don’t wanna see a child taken care of poorly, and if you can promise me that won’t happen to that little girl then I would not mind helping you set up a life here in our small village.”

Dogan smiled for a bit, he had truly been lucky to knock on Kallen’s door, or at least it seemed that way. Dogan was now a bit cautious, with how friendly and helpful Kallen had been, even though he knew there was very little he could do other than hope and trust the old man in-front of him.

“I would appreciate that Kallen, while I can get gold here to help me build a workshop for my endeavours, it will likely take some time, which likely would go faster if I knew someone in town to help.”

“I just hope the rest of the town will accept you Dogan, we are a small town and the Academy has a reputation, one that might not be totally accurate.”

Dogan had by now begun to slowly stroke his beard and in contemplation about how he would convince the Grandmaster to let him stay in this far away village for research…yes that was going to prove difficult on its own. The time to worry about how the townsfolk would react, was still far away. The more pressing concerns was getting the Academy onboard with this whole idea.

By then Dogan had realised that Kallen had been talking to him for all that time, and while he had heard some of it, most had passed him by as he had sat in his own thoughts.

“So Dogan do you wanna meet with our major tomorrow and explain your plans to him?”

“Hm?…Oh yes lets go and meet him, I’m sure it would be good to get his permission before I do anything…I suppose I have got to ask if I can rest here for tonight Kallen?”

Kallen smiled and rose from his chair and motioned for Dogan to follow him. As they went down a small hallway and he showed him to a small room with a simple bed.

“You are welcome to stay here with the girl until you find somewhere else Dogan.”

“Thank you Kallen, would you mind if we went to bed? I’m very tired and feel like lying down for a bit?”

“No of course not, please do so, and hopefully tomorrow we can get the major to agree with your idea.”

As Kallen said those last words, he had already begun to go back into the living room, where they had sat until a minute ago. And Dogan walked into the small room, getting comfortable on the bed as he slowly sat the baby down, making a small blanket nest for her to lie in, as he leaned over and kissed her good night.

“Goodnight Willow…hopefully tomorrow will be better…hopefully.”

Chapter 1

She ran as fast as she could, the sound of her ragged breathes becoming the only sound she could hear. Oh no oh no why did this happen today! Why did she have to oversleep today of all days!

She knew Uncle Dogan would get mad, he had told her so many times that today of all days it was extra important that she came on time…if not a bit before. She was running down the muddy streets of the town just hoping that her uncle was late… though she knew deep down that he was not. She was not certain how many people passed her, many of which waved a quick hello to her. And the only thing she could do was wave back in a frantic way, before she turned left of the small church. Where all the other kids was currently inside, likely studying normal things.

Instead she was stuck with her uncle teaching her all kinds of strange things. It was not that her uncle had not taught her things like math or writing. It was more all the other topics that she knew normal teenagers had no idea about. And she liked the thought that she was a normal person.

By this time Willow had nearly reached the edge of town, where her uncle had told to meet him. She could see far off in the distance, the unmistakable form of her uncle, pacing back and forth in a small circle. A she ran the fastest that she had ever done, she saw the look in his eyes…there was no doubt that he was angry.

“Truly today of all days Willow!”

“Yes…ugh yes I know uncle I’m… I’m so sorry, I really.”

“No excuses, we have very little time now if we are to make it, so hurry up and follow me.”

She was sure that he was going to tell her off more later on the day. As they began to walk from the outskirts of town, towards the nearby woods. Willow had no real idea of what she and her uncle was going to do out in the woods that day. All she knew was that time was of the essence, and that she had needed to bring her journal with her. Though honestly most of her days was like that. Her uncle would tell her to go somewhere with him, and then write some things down. In many ways she was little more than an assistant to him, or at least it felt like that sometimes.

As they quickly walked through the woods, the large oak and pine trees shadowing over them, Willow’s mind began to wander, as it so often did. It was why she had always been fond of the forest, it always helped clear her head. It’s sounds never too intruding nor missing making it too quite. Her mind began going over the last few days, mostly boring, like helping her uncle sort his ingredients and herbal medicines. Because for as long as she could remember her uncle had been acting as the town’s…well herbalist or alchemist was the terms she always heard the other townsfolk call him. And for nearly as long as he had served in that role, she had helped him. Even when she had been very young and only capable of getting him ingredients, or handing him some flasks. To now some 15 years later where he would sometimes allow her to make simple remedies by herself.

Willow had no real idea of how long they had been walking, but she didn't really care that much. She just kept pace with her uncle, and hoped that they were still in time for…whatever it was they were going to see. She thought maybe it was going to be some sort of rare plant or animal that just happened to be in the woods today. Which honestly had happened before, they had once walked for half a day just to see a flower bloom. She had been angry at him for that, and would be again if it turned out that it was for a similar reason this day.

“How much longer uncle?”

“Hm? Oh not much longer, but from now on be quite…we don’t want to spook them.”

Them? So they were going to see some animals?

As they neared a part of the forest that Willow did not believe they had ever been to before, it was almost like the forest subtlety had changed. It was hard for her to put her finger on what exactly had changed…but something had for certain. It was almost like, it was greener? Or more vibrant maybe was the better way to explain it?

As she was thinking those thoughts, she saw that her uncle had crouched and was motioning for her to do the same. Willow bent her knees till she was down low as her uncle, and slowly the both of them snuck forward towards some nearby bushes. Here her uncle very carefully moved some branches so they could see just past, into a small clearing.

In it a bunch of small stones stood, they were no bigger than a cat all laid in a perfect circle. Willow was a bit confused, she could see no animals or anything else of interest in the clearing. Why had it been so important that they hurried here? And no sooner had that thought entered her head before Willow got her answer. As they were crouched, a dozen or so small globes of light began coming out of the nearby woods. All of them hovering just a meter or so off the ground.

In the quietest voice that Willow would manage with the wonder before her she asked.

“Uncle, what is that?”

“Faeries…”

“Like in the old stories?”

“Yes now look and be sure to remember as much as you can.”

With those words Willow looked back to the globes of light, now knowing what they were and squinting her eyes she could see the tiny almost butterfly like wings. They sat on the back of what in some ways looked like a tiny person, but they were odd. Their limbs was longer and thin, their ears large even for their seize, and lastly their faces were much smoother then a regular persons.

Willow could not believe what she was seeing, right in-front of her something right out of the stories. Faeries was something most people had heard about from their parents growing up, but to see them…was a whole other thing. Yes they might look strange in a way, but they flew around with such grace, while light seemed to radiate off them.

For her time seemed to stand still as they looked on these creatures, but then as suddenly as they had flown out of the woods. So did they fly off once again, scattering and going off into the forest, their lights slowly dissipating.

When the last of them had gone, her uncle stood up and brushed off his pants, a small look of satisfaction on his face.

“Well it seems we got here just in time, even with your delay…can you now see why I wanted to get here as soon as possible?”

The words were not said with anger, they were however stern and clearly meant as taste of words that for sure would be had later.

“Yes Uncle…but if you had just told me…”

“Ah so the fact we were going to see something that interested you means you would have upheld our agreement? You should always strive to be on time for everything you do…even if you don’t particularly like what its about.”

Willow just nodded, as her uncle had said the last words with a finish she knew meant that the discussion was over.

“Anyways get out the journal and begin writing down everything you can remember about the creatures we just saw…and be thorough. I want to see your notes tomorrow at around noon.”

Once again Willow just nodded to her uncle, she had expected that he would turn this strange and almost mystical encounter into something ordinary like a journal entry. So she sat down on the damp forest floor, finding a suitable piece where it was not too wet and began scribbling down in the journal. She started with the fact that they seemed to create light, their strange body proportions and slowly but surely noted down every little thing she could remember. It honestly did not take her too long… mostly since she had been so enraptured by the whole ordeal that it was burned into her brain.

When she had finished writing in the journal, she looked to her uncle who had in the meantime gone over to the small stone circle. He was down on one knee and seemed to be looking over one particular rock. Willow for a second thought about trying to give him a scare, but then again with the fact that he was already a little angry with her, it seemed to not be worth it. So she instead just walked up to him, looking over his shoulder wanting to see what was so interesting about that particular rock.

“Yes child?”

“Hmm just wondering why you’re looking over the rocks, or rock?”

“Well…I’m looking it over to see if there any particular reason that the faeries would gather around them. We know very little about their kind, or why they choose to meet at these stone circles.”

“Then how did you know they would be here uncle?”

“Hm a good question Willow, I commend your curiosity, but my knowing is tied to something I can’t quite tell you about yet…but soon don’t you worry child.”

Second time today already…she hated when he called her child. She was by no means no longer a child. And more then that she hated being treated that way. She had of course told him that, and he had just chuckled at her, in the way he usually did if he thought she had done something that was apparently funny.

“Well I’m done making the notes in the journal Uncle, can we go back to town now?”

“Why the hurry? Are you sure that you have already gotten it all down, remember I’m going to be looking it over tomorrow.”

“Yes I know, but I can’t come up with anything more to write…so can we please go home?”

“Hmm very well if you don’t have anymore, I was more or less done too, come on then.”

Willow and her uncle then began the walk home. By now the forest was lit up beautifully by the afternoon sun, as it pierced the leaves of the tree, forming patterns on the forest floor. Willow was reminded of the way the faeries had almost danced and formed patterns with the lights. Creating in ways, that at least to her, seemed to remind her of the way light looked as it traveled through the tress. By now the sounds of birds had calmed, and the forest was a whole lot quieter for it. Something that Willow did not necessarily appreciate, as they continued to walk back towards the town.

As they neared the edge of it, the more calming sounds of the forest soon gave way to the rustling of people. Their walk back home was filled with sounds of people greeting them, going about their work and also just being noisy in a way that only people can be. It was not that Willow hated the town or its sounds, more that she had always preferred the forest.

And so as they reached their destination, which was their small cottage home that laid just on the other end of town. It was a quiet and comfortable home. One that while Willow had always felt safe in, a property her uncle had always said was essential to a house. She was well aware that it was a strange home, well stranger then the other homes around town at least. For their home was not only the singular circular house, but it was the insides that made it especially strange. While all homes had some spices and meats hanging in the kitchen area, theirs was full of all kinds of plants and preserved animal parts. Dried, fresh or sitting in some strange liquid, they had it all.

So when they entered all the smells that came from having such items hanging out to dry, hit her right in the nose. When she was younger the smells made her wince or gag. But now after so many years, she barely even noticed it. With a small thud let her bag hit the table, as she herself sat down. After walking for as long as they had, what Willow needed or rather what her feet needed was rest. So she sat there letting her mind wander to the days events and slowly felt her eyes closing, to the sounds of her uncle working.

Chapter 2

Willow’s eyes were heavy and it took quite a bit to open. She felt her whole body stretch as by instinct and yawning too. As she realised that she was laying in her own bed, her pillows and covers all neatly tucked around her.

Oh by the gods did I fall asleep? If that was the case how long have I been asleep?

As she stood up Willow looked out of the rooms window, and saw the quite little town bustling along like before. The sun did not appear to have moved much at all. So she began to leave her room, at the pace a person that has just woken up does. And saw her uncle sitting over the living room table, looking over the journal.

“I thought you were going to read that tomorrow?”

“Well it is tomorrow… so that is true, you slept the whole day and night off…you must have been very tired.”

It was clear from his tone that there was a suggestion of worry, as if sleeping for slightly longer was anything to be concerned about. So with tired footsteps Willow got some porridge that her uncle must have prepared that morning, as warmth was still radiating off the bottom of the pot. She had never developed the same taste for the dish that her uncle had. For it was clear he adored it, as it was the only real breakfast he ever ate. So she sat down and began eating, looking over in anticipation for her uncles comments about the notes from yesterday. She actually managed to eat two thirds of the bowl before he cleared his throat and put the journal down.

“Well…its some of your best note taking as of yet. Many details are there, but they are not too drawn out, well done.”

She could feel her belly getting slightly warm, not from the porridge, but from her uncles praise. It was rare that he called her notes good, getting ‘best’ was a rare treat. So Willow sat there basking a bit in her praise, sure that it would likely not last for long.

“But I have something important to share with you Willow…We…We are going to be leaving Town very soon…”

The words hit her hard and it was clear from her uncles expression that he knew it would. This town had been her whole life, her friends and everyone she ever knew lived here.

“Wait wait why? And…and for how long?”

His face twitched a bit before he continued.

“For a very long time Willow…likely for a few years…if not more.”

There was obvious pain in his words, well it would have been obvious, had Willow herself not been as angry or confused as she was. She did not know or realise that her uncle had become just as fond of the town over the years as she was. It had been his home for these 15 years too, and it would be hard to let go.

“But…but where will we go!? Where will we live!?”

She was on the verge of tears, her whole head was throbbing and the warmth that had been in her stomach just moments ago had turned heavy and cold.

“Don't worry about those things…I…I already know…Look remember when I told you that I once worked at a very special place? You remember right?”

Between the small tears that had gathered and a few of which was now dripping down her cheek. Willow nodded and quickly dried her nose.

“Yes…is that where we are going…”

His face brightened a bit, and his voice now came out even softer then it had before.

“Thats right…see children are not allowed there…but since you’re turning 15 in a few days… well you will be allowed to come with me.”

She nodded once again, feeling some of the tears drying on her skin, as she tried to stop herself from crying like a child even more…And that is when it hit her…what place her uncle might be talking. So in-between a few errand sobs and deep intake of air she said.

“Wait, Uncle are…are you talking about the Academy?”

There was a long pause, she could see and even to an extent read the hesitation in her uncle’s face. He moved uncomfortably in his seat for a moment, before he answered, with the hesitation now coming through his voice.

“Yes you are correct…but its not a bad place Willow…you will see, I know what you have heard from other people. But it is truly just a place of learning…”

His voice trailed off, for what reason she did not know. But he sat there for a bit, before he readied himself once again to speak.

“In any case it matters little, I have much work there I need to finish, so we have to go no matter what. I know you will fit in Willow…I have been working with you, like with the journaling, to make sure you would succeed there…its a good place…I promise…

To Willow it seemed like her uncle did not really understand, it had nothing to do with if it was a bad or good place. It had nothing to do with any of that. So she just sat there with her own thoughts racing as she tried to process what she had just been told. She had looked forward so much to her 15th birthday and now it was tainted by something like this. The worst part was she was going to have to say goodbye to her friends…everyone she knew. She needed to get some fresh air, as her uncle was getting some books of their own she left.

The fresh air of the outside embraced her, as she began walking down the small streets. She needed to talk to someone, or rather she wanted to talk with Dalla…Who was likely still in school during this time of day. But still she went towards the church where the kids of the town was schooled in many of life basic skills. Though to be honest most of them barely cared about it, at least that was what she was told from talking with Dalla. Though that might just be Dalla herself thinking that everybody had the same opinions about school as her. And as Willow came nearer the church building itself, she saw most of the children playing outside. Running, sitting or talking with each other as a break must have been called by the priests.

She looked over trying to find Dalla, and she did not have to look for long. For as quickly as she had begun looking, as soon did she feel a dump on her back. As she turned she saw Dalla, standing over her with a wide grin. She was a girl you knew was coming, not because she was tall, though she was that too. It was more in the way she moved, always with a lot of energy. Willow had heard other adults say that she had a certain ‘spring in her step’ something that felt right, but she could never figure out why. Currently Dalla was dressed in some simple comfortable clothing, similar in style and make to Willow’s own. Her hair was tied as nicely as it could in ponytail, even though her hair seemed to fight against any shape being forced upon it.

“So your uncle did not have any work for you today?”

She just shook her head, as the both of them started to move further away from the building and the other children.

“No, though I would have come see you yesterday, but apparently I feel asleep…”

“I know, I came by but your uncle said you were resting, quite early too.”

“Yeah guess I was more tired then I thought… Look Dalla my uncle told me something today and…and I don’t know.”

The words were barely coming out, as she tried her best to hold back tears, she felt Dalla’s arm around her back.

“Hey hey what is wrong?…Did he yell at you or?”

Willow took deep breathes, feeling her friend’s arm comforted her quite a bit. As she steadied herself on it, she relaxed her breathes and answered.

“No No it was nothing like that…Dalla he told me we are leaving town…after my 15th birthday…”

She could feel Dalla’s whole body shifting a bit, before a responds came out, clear anger in it.

“What! But he can’t… I mean no that is not happening…did… did he say for how long, was it a month?… a year?”

She was sure her face was portraying how bad it was, as Dalla’s own tone and questions changed in responds.

“Longer Dalla…the way he talked…it might be forever. Or until I get old enough to where I can live alone…”

“This is awful! I mean how can he do this!… What can we do to stop it?”

Willow smiled at bit after that, both of them knew there was nothing to do. But still Dalla wanted to try and cheer her up, with the idea of something being able to stop her uncle. She just shook her head, still smiling to her best friend. As she found a place to sit down and avoid the somewhat wet grass, as Dalla followed her in sitting down.

“There is nothing we can do…he said it was because his work needs to continue somewhere else…”

Dalla frowned as it was clear a question had formed in her mind, before she just shook her head.

“Where could he possibly wanna go, that would be important enough to take you both away from your home?”

Willow hesitated with her responds before she gave a small sigh in recognition.

“I don’t even know if he ever saw this place as home…not now anyway.”

Dalla let her one arm around Willow as they sat in silence for a bit. Letting the sounds of the other kids playing fill the air. The both of them did not want to be the one that broke this moment. That was until a bell rang from the church building, calling everybody inside. Dalla stood up slowly and gave Willow’s back a few claps as she got up.

“I need to go back now…look we are going to make the best of the time you have here…alright?”

Willow sniffled a bit before she answered

“Yeah we will…”

“Now none of that alright! I wanna hear you say it with a little enthusiasm.”

A light chuckle came out of Willow’s mouth once again and she responded with more energy this time.

“Yeah we will.”

“Still not good enough! Pinkie swear with me.”

Dalla said the words and reached out her hand, her pinkie stretched out, waiting in responds for Willow’s finger. And while Willow was shaking her head once again, this time it was of laughter. As she stretched her hand and pinkie, letting the two fingers meet.

“I pinkie promise Dalla.”

Dalla smiled and broke off their pinkies.

“Good that I trust…Now promise me you will talk to your uncle and figure more out about this situation alright?”

Willow just nodded.

“I will… Now you better hurry back into school.”

Dalla looked over her shoulder, giving a slight nod as she gave a returning look. Starting to run towards the big building, she waved back at Willow. Who still sat on the old stump for a bit longer, until she got up and decided to head home. She wanted or rather needed to talk more to her uncle. Even if she did not particular like the conversation they needed to have.

Chapter 3

Going home after her conversation with Dalla, was not as hard as Willow had thought it would be. The talk had really helped her get over the initial sadness and worry she had carried. Though she could of course still feel it inside herself, but it was easier to process.

When Willow came home, she soon noticed that her uncle had gone, while she had been away. She saw his jacket and own journal had been taken along with an assortment of other things. Likely that meant that he was out to gather ingredients for his potions and medicines. Which she knew could take all day depending on what mood he was in, and he likely wanted to be alone for a bit, just like she had.

So she sat down in their small cottage, and began just looking over a lot of their various items that her uncle sold or gave away to the town. Willow had always felt that while her uncle was a respected man in town, he was also a bit… feared was maybe the right word. It was not as if people were actively afraid of him, it was more that people talked behind his back about him. Something that she only knew cause once or twice when she was younger she had overheard others talking, and because Dalla had talked about it too. For most of her life she had never understood why it was that people had been weary about her uncle, especially since he did a lot for the town community with his medicines. But now knowing that he had always been a part of the Academy, things slowly began to fall into place.

The Academy had a reputation that was hard not to know about. Firstly there was the fact that they only took in students while they were fairly young. Willow herself had never understood this complaint too much, from what she gathered a lot of people took issue with the fact that kids were sometimes taken to be taught without much of the parents consent. And that was the true issue, which she did understand. Secondly there was the fact that besides the church, the Academy was the only place that did not pay taxes to the kingdom. Maybe this was because she was still too young to really understand, but it never seemed that bad to her, yet it was clear the adults did not like it. Third and properly the most important reason, was the rumours of magic. Everybody knew the Academy sometimes dealt in magical experiments, which no longer illegal was still seen as taboo and forbidden by many of the common folk.

Willow had always found it odd that until 100 years ago magic was forbidden, since the church taught about how the gods used magic themselves. When she had once asked her uncle about it, he had laughed harder then she had ever seen at the time. Saying that it was an observation that he wished more people would come to. And now she understood why her uncle would think like that. If he came from the Academy where they sometimes studied magic, of course he would see it as hypocrisy. That the gods using it was alright, while if people did it, it was bad.

Though on this topic Willow had no strong opinion on it one way or the other. While she could see the strangeness in teaching that magic was good or bad depending on if the gods used it. The whole debate seemed slightly pointless to her, because what if the gods did not exist at all? That was questions she too had once asked her uncle, seeing as he had never brought her to church for ceremony it seemed clear he was no believer. Or so Willow had thought at least, because his responds had been somewhat surprising to her.

He had said that he had no idea if they were real or not. Declaring that magic and magical creatures did exist in their world, so there was a chance the gods did too. This statement had always seemed the most sensible to Willow, or maybe she only thought that way because of her upbringing. Since there lived people that could do amazing feats, or creatures that sometimes defied expectations, why could the gods not exist too?

But since her uncle felt that way, his reluctance to go to service had confused Willow even more. For that he had only said, that even if they were real, they likely cared very little about a man like himself. Something that she once again had found herself agreeing with. If they actually existed, why should they care about some random people here or there. If someone did a good or bad thing, it was not like it affected them in any way.

It was questions like these and other thoughts that would often enter her head, when her mind was allowed to wander. Having been raised by her uncle as she had, likely contributed to that fact. He had always said that a busy mind, was a healthty mind. And if that was the case Willow’s was certainly healthy.

It was at that time as she was sitting in the house, just letting her mind go, while she sat and fiddled with a small bauble. That Willow heard a knock on the door. So she got up in a calm manner to open the door, it was nothing unusual for someone to come and ask for medicine or something other during the day. However when she opened the door, this time it was far from a random townsfolk, but rather Kallen with a wide smile.

Kallen might not have been family, but he was the closest she had besides her uncle. Kallen was an older man, how old he had never told her. But she could tell he was getting up the years, as grey was starting to show in both his hair and beard. He was dressed as he usually was, in a simple farmer’s garb with dirt on the ends.

His smile stayed as he reached out his arms for a hug, that Willow gladly returned. Staying in his embrace for bit, before letting go and giving space for him to enter the home. He quickly found a seat and let out a heavy breath before saying.

“By the gods today’s work has been tough. I discovered that rats have gotten into the grain again! Its the third time this month and I’m getting sick of it…do you think your uncle might have something for dealing with rats?”

Willow was readying a cup of tea for Kallen as he talked, and she just shook her head.

“Not that I know of, but who knows, he might have something…you can ask him when he returns…whenever that may be.”

Kallen made a face as she said the words, while he made himself more comfortable in the chair.

“Hmm you two have a fight or something?”

“No not really…he just told some…bad news and I guess we both needed time alone.”

She went over the cup of nettle tea, which she knew was Kallen’s favourite. As she also took a seat in the chair next to him. A cup of her own also in hand that she began sipping slightly.

“Ahh I think I know what it was about…”

Willow smiled a bit before responding.

“I don’t think so Kallen, it came as big surprise.”

Kallen took a big sip of his tea, as he sat down the cup and said.

“Its about the fact that you are moving when you turn 15…is it not?”

She was stunned for a moment before she finally spoke.

“So he told you…or have you known about it for a while?”

“For a while…He and I have talked many times about if its a good idea or not. And sometimes I thought I could even persuade him to not do it…but no he is stubborn as a horse with this…I’m sorry Willow.”

She could feel the tears coming back up, and she just sniffled a bit.

“So there is no chance that he might reconsider… if I talk to him?”

“I doubt it sweetie, he has not listened to me over the years, so I doubt that he will now, even if it came from you”

Willow hunched up a bit, as she sat on the chair, letting her knees touch her stomach. For some reason that helped a bit with the knot she had started to feel in the pit of her belly. Kallen had gotten up from his chair now, and was standing besides her, his hands running over her shoulders in comfort. And they stood like that for a moment of silence, until Willow let her legs down, which Kallen took as a sign to stop what he was doing. As he got down on a knee in-front of her, and his thumb wiped some of the tears off her cheek.

“Dont worry, I’m sure you like it at the Academy. There will be plenty of other kids your age and you will still have your uncle with you.”

She sniffled as she said.

“Yeah I know…”

“You really needed to get that out of your system, guess it was a good thing I came along today huh.”

Willow could sense something about the way Kallen had said that last part.

“Kallen…did my uncle ask you to come and cheer me up?”

He smiled a bit before he stood up, clapping his hands together and rubbing them as if he was trying really badly to hide something.

“He may or may not have come past my farm an hour or so ago, asking me to come see if you were back and needed to talk. He really does want the best for you Willow…he just has his own work that needs doing at that place.”

She sat in silence and took it in, she knew he cared about her…she just did not want to leave her home.

“What…what do you think of the Academy Kallen?”

His face turned contemplative and he sat down again, as he took a bit before he answered.

“I don’t know honestly, I have talked with your uncle for years about it. And I have gotten no closer to knowing what to believe about them. Sometimes he has let things slip about what happens there, some are alright…other are strange and odd. So I don’t know Willow, I think its like any other place, both bad and good.”

Willow had learned from her uncle that most things were not black or white, but rather grey. But now it was hard to know if he thought that way because he was a smart man, or because that is what the Academy taught its students. She felt like a lot of things her uncle had taught, might now be tainted, so to speak from the Academy’s way of thinking… which she had no idea if that was good or bad… maybe that too was grey.

As she were having those thoughts Kallen had gotten up once again. But this time he was heading towards the door, turning as he reached it.

“No matter what happens Willow, this town will always be your home remember that…oh and I was not joking about the rats either, so please ask your uncle if he has anything for it alright?”

She just nodded and began to get the cups of the table to clean, as she heard the door open and close. So she was once again alone…and would likely be that too until dinner. Now she just needed something to pass the time, until her uncle came home for dinner. And then Willow remembered the old Tonshi game that her uncle had, which she brought out and began playing. Not that it was too exciting only being one person, but she did not mind, she just needed to pass some time until her uncle came home.

Chapter 4

It was much later in the day when her Uncle finally came back from his excursion. By this point the sun had started setting and she heard the sound of the door opening. As Willow had already begun making dinner. She was not unused to this scenario, often her uncle would forget the time and end up having to rely on her for dinner. Not that she hated it, she liked it well enough, but it was still annoying that she had to do it as often as she did.

With the creaking of the door, her uncle wandered in, dirt on his boots and carrying a basket filled with different plants. Which he quickly began working over, getting them ready for whatever purpose he needed. He had not said anything as he entered or began working. Willow did not know if he was upset or just afraid to speak with her, after what had happened.

“So did you find what you were looking for today?”

The questions and tone of her voice was awkward, as it was clear the situation was maybe strained between them.

“Hm oh yes I did…how…how was your day?”

As she was turned to him, she could not help but smile a bit. He was as awkward in the situation as she was, or at least it seemed that way. Maybe that was something she had gotten from growing up with him.

“It was…fine…Kallen came by and wanted to ask if you had anything for keeping rats away.”

She could hear him scratching his beard in contemplation, as he stood up and went through a lot of bottles on a shelf.

“I think I might have something…though its not guaranteed to work, maybe you could bring it to him tomorrow?”

“Sure I can do that…”

She could hear him sitting down again and continuing to prepare the ingredients he had collected. Was he really not going to talk about the whole moving away situation…Maybe he was just as scared to have that talk as she was. All these thoughts filled Willow’s head as she started to serve up the simple stew that she had made, up into bowls for the both of them. She silently brought them over and sat down at the table. And as the two of them started to slowly eat in silence. It was a boring dinner to be sure, not that their dinners was usually very exciting to begin with, but still.

Willow hated this, she cared a lot for her uncle, but it seemed to her that ignoring the revelation from early that day would do nothing to help. She was just about to speak up, when her uncle suddenly spoke first.

“Willow…We need to talk, I’m sorry I ambushed you with the whole moving away talk. But I felt that I needed to say something soon, since we should start to prepare the move before your birthday.”

She could very little other than nod to that, it was not like she did not understand why he had told her. She was just angry about them having to move away at all. She could barely get the next words out, and even when she did there was heavy pause between each sentence.

“I know that uncle, I…I just don’t want to move away…I hope you understand…all my friends are here and its just going to be so different…”

Now it was her uncle’s turn to nod, before he spoke.

“I know Willow…and I’m sorry but we can’t stay here any longer…its time for us to leave. And I promise in a few years you will look back on all this and be happy for the change…”

She was not so sure about that, but she could see and hear that her uncle truly believed in what he said. And maybe that was enough. Maybe she would over time grow to like the Academy and everything there, but for now she still wanted to be sad. Sad about leaving her friends and everything she had grown up with, and she felt it was okay to be sad about those things. Willow could also see in her uncle’s face that he was sad, and Kallen had said the same thing. That he had come to appreciate the town more then he had originally thought. But still she wanted to ask him, and be sure.

“Uncle, will you be sad about leaving?”

His face looked surprised and almost stunned for a moment, as he put down his spoon, and looked at her, comfort growing in his eyes.

“Of course I will…I have come to care greatly about this town, and even some of the people that live here…but that does not mean we can stay here forever, we need change Willow…the both of us.”

And that was for the first time that Willow saw it in his eyes, yes he had grown to like living here. But he was and likely never had been happy about it. It was clear now from the look of him, tired, not of life but of life here. She realised that he had only stayed here because he had to take care of her…he had been stuck here for 15 years and now he could get back to what was his true home. She almost began to cry once again, for understanding why her uncle so wanted to get back. Cause she would feel the same about this place, once they left. She would want to return one day, to what had been her real home.

So she just nodded once again and spoke.

“I think I understand uncle…what do we need to get done for the move?…”

There was a bit of silence as her uncle seemed to go into deep thought, before speaking as he looked over their many shelves of items.

“Hmm well we will need to pack and classify all the herbs and plants, some things needs to be thrown out as they won’t keep, but others will.”

And then her uncle began the long process of going over what needed to be put where, what needed to be thrown out and what needed to be resealed before they traveled away in four days time. It became very clear to Willow that her uncle had been planning what needed to go where for a long time. Or about the move in general, as he had a very thorough plan for how everything would proceed. The rest of the dinner more or less became about the move, how it would go on and such. Willow was very surprised to find out that her uncle had gone so far as to hire a small wagon to help them move their things.

When dinner and their talk was finally over, her uncle began cleaning up after the food. Washing bowls, spoons and the pot that the stew had been made in. It was normal for them to switch who did what, when one cooked the other cleaned. So Willow had some time to sit and think of what she would do for her last days in town. Yes she had promised Dalla that they would make the most of the time she had left, but what did that really mean?

Did it mean that they would see each other every day and do something? Or maybe that they would just be together for as much time as possible for them? Both options were fine with Willow, as it seemed like any time spent with her best friend was good time. Her mind began to wander to what it would mean for her in general with so few days left in town. It was not as if four days was a lot of time, to do with as she pleased. And as if her uncle could read her mind, something she had at one time truly believed that he could, he spoke up.

“I know 4 days is not a lot of time…but I’m sure that you will find a way to enjoy your time here Willow.”

She smiled back at him, maybe he could not read her thoughts, but he did know her like no one else. And by this time her uncle had finished cleaning and was back to readying his herbs and ingredients. It was very dark by then too and Willow really had nothing much left to do. So she sat aimlessly for a time, just getting lost in her own thoughts of what her and Dalla were going to do, trying to come up with fun ways to spent their last bit of time. And she was having a hard time coming up with anything that was special enough. There was really nothing that would live up to expectations, of what was going to be their last time together…at least for a long while.

It was then she saw her uncle grab their Tonshi game, that she early on the day had played with and put aside.

“You practiced some Tonshi today while I was gone?”

The question was filled with a happiness that can likely only be heard when a parent sees their child doing an activity that they enjoyed also. It was that clear to Willow why he sounded so happy about it, he had taught her the game and she rarely showed too much interest in it normally.

“Oh well, it was after Kallen came by and before I started dinner…I just had nothing to do other then playing for a time, I guess.”

Willow did not mean to sound as dismissive about playing Tonshi as she had. But it seemed that her uncle did not hear what she said, or at least was not paying too much attention. The reason likely was that he was already part way through setting up the pieces for a game, as he looked to her and spoke.

“Well then how about a game between the two of us right now? Its been ages since we have played against each other.”

Willow could hear in the tone of his voice that it was not an order as such to play with him, but more a challenge, since it had been clear she was not doing anything special that evening. Her uncle had seen the opportunity to play a game with her, even if it was only because she had nothing better to do. So she sat down in-front of her uncle and the game board as she quickly shrugged and said.

“Err sure why not…”

She knew he would not go easy on her, it was something that had always been true. There had been times where she had asked him to go easy on her. But she had gotten the feeling over the years that her uncle was not capable of playing on a level where she could compete with him, though it was not for his lack of trying. She had just never been too good at the game, and just letting her win was something the both of them could never accept.