Meisla rushed into her father’s room and found him shaking his head wildly and mumbling to himself.

“I’m here, dad. I’m here.” The girl said, grabbing a nearby cloth, dampening it in a water jug, and wiping her father’s sweating forehead.

The cool water soothed Renlo a little, but he still mumbled deliriously to himself.

“He’s coming…The Mage…”

After her father calmed down, Meisla sat with him for a while. As she examined over her father’s weakening form, anger boiled her blood once again.

Earlier, when it seemed that her father was stable, she stepped out for a moment to visit Lenna. Meisla’s friend had become as pale as the moon as the sickness took hold of her. All Meisla could do was leave the pressed flowers she had picked by Lenna’s bed and watch her cry out for help in her delirious state as her grandfather eased her pain.

“Rozo won’t get help in time,” Meisla said to herself as she got up to leave her parent’s room, mind racing to find a quick solution for ending the plague. She then remembered Famma’s words, and an idea entered her mind.

“How is your father doing?” A voice called out to her.

Meisla looked up and spotted her mother entering the house. Farla looked at the girl with a straight face, but her eyes wavered as if begging for a scrap of hope.

“He’s still the same. Elder Canno’s treatment helped calm him down a bit.” Meisla said carefully.

If her mother saw through Meisla’s lie, she did not show it. Farla gave a small smile of relief and sat at the table, “Where’s Denlo?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to walk around for a bit. I need some air.” Meisla said as she went to leave.

“Don’t be gone for too long.”

“I won’t,” Meisla said, closing the door and feeling the cool evening air on her face.

The village was quiet save for the chirps and buzzing of insects. Flickers of candlelight from the houses she passed by and the light of the moon allowed Meisla enough illumination in the darkness. She stopped in front of a small house with a putrid smell emanating from the doorway. Meisla covers her nose as she knocked on the door softly, saying, “Elder Famma? Can I talk to you?”

There was a short pause before an older woman cracked the door open.

“Well, this a surprise,” Famma said, sounding a little kinder than usual.

“Are you by yourself?” She asked Meisla.

The girl nodded, and Famma opened the door and ushered her inside. The elder lived alone in a small house. As far as Meisla knew, Famma did have a husband, but everyone refused to talk about it. It was one of the few mysteries in the village besides Darlocke Forest. There were so many flowers, roots, and herbs that bombarded Meisla's nose with so many conflicting scents forcing her to keep her hand around it to block the smells.

“So, what brings you here tonight? Shouldn’t you be watching your father?”

“My mom is watching him right now. I figured I go out for some air and ask you something while I was out.”

The old woman eyed Meisla with suspicion, “I’m not giving you my perfume recipe. Trade secret, and I don’t think you’ll be able to handle all the young men that’ll be chasing after you after they catch a whiff!”

Meisla recoiled in disgust at the thought of using the elder’s disgusting perfume, “No. No, I wanted to ask you about the disease going around.” She responded.

Elder Famma cleared her throat and donned a more professional attitude, “What of it?”

“Do you really think the Mage cursed us with a plague?”

“The timing is too perfect. It must be him. He’s finally decided to take over the rest of the land…” Elder Famma said sadly.

“So, if the Mage’s is causing it, then if we do stop him, everyone will get better?”

The woman’s eyes brightened, and she asked, “Do you think we need to proactive and have the knights come and kill the mage!?”

“I…uh…”

“No one outside of the village has ever taken us seriously about how dangerous the Mage of Darlocke forest. They dismiss it as an old ghost tale. While this disease is unfortunate, it gives us proof that the knights should intervene and help us. We’ll finally have a chance to take back what was ours.” Famma eyes started to shimmer as tears come out.

“I may have lost respect for Minthea, but the temple and the relics in the forest are a part of our village’s history. Ever since I was young, I had hoped to one day look at what ancestors had built for the Gods when they congregated there.”

Seeing a more vulnerable side to Famma than typically strict nature made Meisla feel closer to the woman. And the elder words have given all the confidence Meisla needed to do what she had to.

“I think the Mage should be stopped too,” Meisla whispered.

“He will be my dear. All I need from you is your support when the time is right.” Elder Famma said with a sly glint in her eyes.

Meisla nodded; her mind focused on other things and didn’t bother inquiring further at the woman's words, and she said, “It’s getting late. I have to go. Thank you for the talk, elder.”

She went to leave, and Famma led her out of the home. Meisla walked briskly back to her house. Her mind listing off supplies she might need for later. Her heart beat with excitement and anxiety. She’d leave no note for her mother, that’ll make her worry. No, she will grab what she needs and leave before the sun rises to her destination.

****

Famma paced around her home, nervously biting her thumb. She didn’t feel guilty for what she told Meisla. She wasn’t lying. But the girl was sometimes too dense for her own good like her father. Famma hoped Meisla wouldn’t let her down when Rozo came back to the village with the knights.

“You want me to go to the knights instead of finding a healer?” Rozo had asked the older woman after she managed to catch him just before he left the village.

“Yes, think about it, my boy. They are battle-hardened warriors who traveled all over the country. They must have an experienced healer with them that dealt with things like this before.” She had told him.

“And what if the Mage realizes his curse failed, and he decides to retaliate the village directly will need all the help we can get!”

Rozo furrowed his brows and still looked unconvinced, “Miss Farla told me to only to find a healer and only a healer.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to speak to the knights; that’s all I’m saying. You’re a hero either way for doing this, Rozo. We’ll all be praising you for coming back so fast with help. But think of how even more heroic you’ll be for taking the initiative for bringing a healer and the knights so they can finally kill the Mage for us. Why I even think Meisla will be impressed!” She said a little louder.

Rozo face perked up when he heard the girl’s name, “Meisla would like that?”

Famma smiled mischievously. Got him.

“Of course, she would! She loves guys who take charge and bring the action. She wouldn’t just like the village being cured. Meisla loves a good fight, and that’s what you’ll bring if you request help from the knights.” Famma said.

Rozo looked more convinced and readied his horse to gallop away, “Alright, I’ll consider it,” He said before racing out of the village on horseback.

“Safe travels!” Famma shouted back, still smiling.

She knew Rozo would go to the knights, and now if Meisla backed her up when they arrive, there wouldn't be any negative repercussions. She never understood why the village's chiefs were always so hesitant to speak to the knights for assistance and allow the village and their story to fade away into a place that would be dismissed and look down on. But that wouldn’t be for much longer. There would be no conflict with Gods since Minthea has shown by her absence that she didn’t care about the land she “claimed.”

She’s probably living it up in the heavens with the other old gods. Famma thought.

“Time for the young to take over. May Armantheo bless this village and return us to our former glory.” She said aloud to herself.

The knights will bring order back to the forest. It’s just a matter of time now, and Famma will wait patiently until Rozo came back with them. All that’s needed was Meisla supporting her when they arrive and convincing her mother they are necessary for the village to heal properly.

****

Meisla looked ahead into the dark unknown beyond her. She stifled a yawn as she shifted the heavy weight of the satchel she carried around her left shoulder. Meisla spent the night before packing whatever she thought will be useful. On her right shoulder was her bow. The girl knew that time wasn’t on her side and that if she wanted to save everyone in the village, she would have to finish this as quickly as possible.

“Sorry, mom. I have to do this.” She said quietly.

Meisla took a deep breath and started moving forward. The darkness seemed to swallow the girl as she began her journey. Her heart skipped as it appeared the foliage above blocked the light of the rising sun, but as she continued moving, the soft glow of flowers all over the ground lit the way as if to welcome her. Seeing the light, Meisla moved a bit more quickly deeper into Darlocke Forest.