Journey

The hours approaching dusk always seem to be the most sinister. Perhaps some primal part of our brain remembers the hunting habits of larger predators. Alik mused on this as he walked back to the inn. Tonight felt ominous. Despite that, he smiled at Nia, the barn owl who grew fat keeping the area around his inn free of mice and other pests. She was perched up in the window of the stable, watching Alik trudge along. Slowly she turned her head west, up the dirt road that leads through the forest into the small town, then back to Alik. Then she did it again.

Alik paused. Nia did it twice more, each time more frantic than the last. Anxiety and fear once at the edge of awareness settled deep into his bones. Cursing his age, his knee, and the weight he carried on his back, the old man adjusted his course and hurried around his home. Straight to the cellar, down the stairs, and through the stout, locked door that kept his children and customers away from the alcohol.

He sighed, relieved to see nothing unordinary. After a few moments, four people materialized from their hiding spots in the cluttered room. Three teenagers, and one younger child. Girls, all. They looked at him, quiet and expectant.

"Good work hiding so quickly, children. Unfortunately, there's been a change to the plan. You're leaving tonight. Gather your things, and I'll be back shortly to see you off." Alik turned to leave but considered his earlier musings and the presence of wolves in the nearby forests. He set his pack down and pulled out the vinegar he had just purchased at his wife's behest. Setting it down on the floor, he told the girls, "One of you should take this. An hour after you leave, soak your shirts in it and continue. Stay close together and wolves shouldn't bother you. If they do, stay calm, surround the little one, and make noise." Closing his eyes, Alik stood up and tried to leave again.

The youngest caught his sleeve, and Alik grimaced. This was already too difficult. "Do you hate us too, now?" she asked. He turned and squatted down to face her. She was too young to develop the intricate tattoo-like markings of her sisters and her tiny horns barely poked out of the snow-white skin on her forehead. Looking into eyes of the deepest blue he had ever seen, reflecting her mood, he opened his mouth but was cut off. "Of course he does Manai," started the oldest, Sesina. "After all, he sends us out to the wolves with vinegar to ward them off. He likely finds us as repulsive as everyone else. This must be some sick-" she bit her tongue the moment she noticed the expression on Alik's face.

"If you believe that, you are a fool. I could never hate children, nor do I find you repulsive. You're all beautiful as you are, and I truly wish I could have seen any of you smile or laugh, at least once." The sorrow in his eyes faded as he added, "As for the vinegar, canines hate the smell. Wolves are already unlikely to attack people without cause, less so if you smell awful." He smiled at Manai, and at the three older girls in turn. "I've spent far too long down here as it is. Prepare yourselves."

The older girls nodded, not meeting his eyes, and Alik left. He climbed out of the cellar to the last hour of daylight, when the shadows reach the longest. They reached from the west, and he followed their source as he went around the inn. Surely he was just a frightened, anxious old man taking the actions of a barn owl far too seriously. Alas, what he saw made Alik curse his luck and bless his wife's decision to build the inn on the southern edge of their small town. There was a small contingent of soldiers approaching from the woods, carrying the banner of the Inquisition. Somehow, that damned bird knew. Alik went through the front door of his home and prepared to buy as much time for the girls as he could.

Yae smiled as he came in, then frowned as she noticed the lack of supplies he should have. His beautiful wife was far too intelligent. Before she could question him, he quickly greeted her by saying "Looks like we'll be making a hefty amount of money tonight. Saw a squad of soldiers coming in from the west, and they'll likely head right here. Can you get some more food started? Have Ryn help you?" The promise of a busy night and a well-earned reward caught Yae's attention and she brightened. "Of course, dear. I'll tell Cal to get the stables ready." She went up the stairs to gather her children. Alik walked to the hearth and built up the fire. His children were nearly grown now. They knew everything they needed to know to keep this small inn in this sleepy town running. Yae would still be around if they needed more guidance.

"I did not expect such a small inn to be so prepared for guests, especially in a town so out of the way as this!"

Alik turned away from the comfortably blazing fire to greet the stranger he knew brought his end. "Normally, sir, we wouldn't be, but I happened to see your squad approaching and thought to see to it that you could settle in easily after what I'm sure was a hard day riding," he explained to the man wearing a black and white set of light armor, the crescent moon of the Inquisition large on the breastplate. The pair remained frozen for a moment. The Inquisitor stepped further into the inn as soldiers in far simpler armor walked through the door. They must have helped stable their own horses. What dutiful lads.

Fearful of letting the silence settle too deep, Alik excused himself to fetch the best of his brandy just as Cal stepped in through the front door and Ryn brought a platter of rolls and butter from the kitchen. He smiled at his daughter and acknowledged his children's skill as they eased the soldiers into tables near the hearth. He could still hear the easy conversation as he lit a lamp. Before leaving, he grabbed two knives and tucked them in his sleeve, exiting the kitchen and hurrying to the cellar.

Down the steps and to the locked door once more, he fiddled with the lock. The anxiety wasn't crippling yet. Again, a swell of pride as he walked into an unordinary room. He set his lamp on a nearby barrel and the light seemed to uncover the four girls. He pulled out the knives hidden earlier, and the fear in their eyes stung Alik deeper than anyone would ever know. Turning the handles towards the two oldest girls he spoke softly, "Sesina. Llewine. As the oldest, the responsibility to protect the others falls on you. I pray to any god willing to listen that you'll never have to use these on another person." After they shakily took the knives from him, he turned to Ydriny and continued. "You know how to forage far better than your sisters, and they'll be depending on you, girl. Try to keep a decent supply of fresh rations. I believe in you." She smiled briefly and whispered a promise to do her best. Alik squatted down to Manai's height once more. Ah, but this was so hard. "You, my dear, have the hardest job of all. You need to be very brave for your sisters. You need to keep up with them, too. I know you can do it." It broke his heart to see her eyes lighten several shades, settling on a slightly more hopeful shade of blue than before. He rose, hefting a nearby barrel. "Come.”

Alik had given the girls as much dried food and water as he could. It seemed far too little. "You'll need to run south as fast as you can the moment you leave. Keep going until you come across a small trail. You can rest there, but always have one person on watch. When dawn comes, head towards the sun. Keep going until you reach a river. This time of year, it should be shallow and gentle enough to cross. Do so, and follow it south. Eventually, you'll come across a town. It will be open to your people. You'll find more help there. The person meant to be your guide may even catch up with you. Count to ninety after I leave, then go." He climbed halfway out of the cellar before turning to regard the worried faces of girls that reminded him of his daughter. "Live well." Those were the last words he could bring himself to say.

Entering the main room, Alik put on another false smile. "Not quite as young as I used to be, and hiding the darned thing from my kids nearly hid it from myself!", Alik complained. The Inquisitor responded with commiseration, "Oh, my poor man! I apologize for not sending one of my soldiers with you, I simply didn't want to invade your good family's privacy!" The man took it further, "Add to that the charms of your daughter and wife, and the ability your boy has to keep us talking, oh, I don't think any of us would have left voluntarily!" Alik knew what was happening. He simply poured drinks in response.

Alik and the Inquisitor each sipped their brandy, yet never broke eye contact. "Pray tell," the armored man began, "have you heard of any Devils near here, innkeeper Alik?" Alik's family frowned as one and turned to him.

"Devils? You mean the horned folk?" Alik feigned thought, “...No, can’t say I have.”

The Inquisitor swirled his brandy around in his cup. "Strange," he said. "I was told by a little birdie that I would find a group of Devils here. Females, almost old enough to tempt men into giving up their souls." He stared through Alik. "I'll have to search the place. I do think I'll have to take you in for questioning as well. The birdie I talked to a few towns over seemed to know you personally." Standing up, his nod prompted the soldiers to start searching the building. Cal began to protest, faltering at his mother’s glare. Alik’s family left him in the room. Silently, he blessed his wife's intuition.

The soldiers found nothing. More pride to keep hidden. The Inquisitor, however, was very unhappy. The next day, the armored man approached him. "I know you helped those monstrosities. You will lead me to those Devils, or to others that provide them succor. You will do this last righteous task, and then you will die, shamed. I do not come to offer you an alternative, but to inform you of what the future holds."

After the man finished his tirade, Alik looked upon his home. Nia was perched on the roof, staring into him. He silently sent her a wish to watch over the girls. The damned bird met his eyes, blinked, and set off flying south. Grinning, Alik raised his voice and responded to what was a statement of some finality.

"Life is a journey, my friend, and while many may be concerned with the end of that journey, I take pride in what I have done along the way. My ending may not be as cheery as I would have hoped, but I assure you that my life was better lived than a man who spends his time demonizing children. We exist to add to the lives of those around us. Not to take away."

The man regarded Alik for a moment, then turned away.

Alik knew he was on the road to his end. He smiled for the beginning that end bought the young girls.