Book 3 Chapter 45

“You…” Maria started, looking down at the beautiful woman sitting before her. She sat with her legs tucked under her, wearing a simple white dress that almost glowed under the bright sun. Wavy hair fell gently on her shoulders while long lashes sat over bright brown eyes.

The woman’s face was calming, almost motherly as she reached and hand up towards Maria. Maria found herself taking it almost subconsciously, letting the woman pull her down carefully beside her.

They sat with their backs against the alter, silent for a moment as they appreciated the forest around them. Watching as the wind caressed the trees and carried the soothing sounds of leaves and birds with it.

As the woman beside her raised her arms to stretch, letting out a loud yawn, Maria blinked, feeling as if she had just awakened. She turned to find the woman smiling back at her.

“Yes?” The woman questioned her, seeing Maria’s unspoken questions.

“You’re… Tirr’s first Apostle, right? The Apostle of Life?” Maria asked her hesitantly…

“Yes,” She answered happily “You can call me Henna, I’ve been hoping we could get the chance to chat…”

“You’ve talked to me before, right?” Maria remembered suddenly, “When I was I was in that cell in Rasor… And when I summoned my aspect for the first time…”

“Hmmm,” The Woman seemed to think, “I guess you could call that me… At least as much as I am me right now…”

Maria tilted her head confused…” What do you mean, what are you?” Maria’s mind flashed back to the shard within Reynolds cracking as it pulsed with energy… “A ghost? Does that mean I’m…”

“Not yet… Dying yes, but don’t worry, here at least we have all the time in the world.”

“Oh…” Trying to sound calm, but the thought wouldn’t go away. A tear streaked down Maria’s cheek as she felt her emotions begin to overwhelm her. The sight drew out a soft sigh from Henna who reached out to gently wipe the wetness away.

“Don’t cry now…” She said encouragingly, a comforting warmth followed her hand as it traced Maria’s cheek. “Like I said you’re not dead yet, and you won’t be anytime soon if I have anything to say about it.”

“Then how are we…” Maria questioned, the warmth giving her body strength.

“You asked what I am right? As fun as it would be to say I’m a ghost, I don’t think that’s correct. You can think of me as more like… an echo… A memory from long past… Though I guess that’s kind of what ghosts are to begin huh,” She chuckled lightly, running a hand through Maria’s hair.

“An echo?” Maria pressed her, not understanding.

“Yes, an echo left with you… Though I’m not sure where. She tilted her head as she thought, “Maybe in the blood? I guess you could be some descendant of my sister, she had plenty of kids… Or maybe through the Blessing itself?”

Maria was quiet as she listened… Thinking back, Tirr had said she “smelled” like one of his followers when they first met. Was that part of the reason?

“Either way, that’s enough about me…” Henna smiled brightly, “I’m not the one we’re here for…”

Maria blinked, “Then.”

“I’m here to talk about you…” Henna continued, “You’ve been with Tirr for more than half a year now?”

“Yes?” Maria answered, wondering what that had to do with anything.

“Actually, your birthday is coming soon too, right? You’re turning what? 19? You must be excited…” Henna’s eyes glittered as she nudged the young woman next to her.

“Uh, I hadn’t really thought about it…” Maria admitted, only just then remembering that it would be fall soon.

“That’s no good!” Henna said, chiding her… “You should celebrate while you’re young!”

“Uh, okay…”

“You were just wondering why I was asking about something like that weren’t you!” Henna chuckled accusingly, giving Maria a playful poke.

“Well…” Maria started unsure of what to say. After being brought to such a strange place and not even knowing if she was really alive, she didn’t understand why they would talk about something so unimportant…

“It is important…” Henna said seriously, making Maria jump. Henna sighed, looking back towards the forest. “Why do you follow Tirr?” She asked suddenly, some of the playfulness gone from her voice.

The question caught Maria by surprise, yet she answered quickly, “He saved my life… And my village…”

Henna tilted her head as she glanced at her, “And you’ve saved him now as well. More than that, you’ve put your life in danger more than once for him or his ideals…”

“That’s…”

“So why do you still follow him?” Henna pressed her again.

This time Maria thought before answering, “He’s my god, and I’m his Apostle.”

“True,” Henna nodded, “But that was a religion forced upon you when you were young right? Here you are risking your life as you travel with him, but even being his Apostle doesn’t mean you have to go this far. The others are away most of the time, right? You could have chosen to just stay in Rasor where it's safe and help grow the branch right?”

“No one forced this on me, I wanted to help Grandma…” Maria said quickly.

“Because she was the only family you had? Were you scared you’d lose her too if you didn’t please her?”

“What?” Maria frowned, “That’s not why…” Yet Henna cut her off, her eyes growing sharp.

“Do you follow Tirr because you saw some of the same loneliness you felt, and still feel, in him?”

Maria stood, anger in her eyes as she rose and glared down at Henna, “What is this about?” She asked finally. “Why are you asking these things? What’s this got to do with anything?”

“Everything Maria…” Henna answered gently, standing as well. She looked at Maria deeply, her eyes searching her soul… “Who are you, Maria?” She asked quietly, “Because until you know, you won’t be able to truly help anyone…”