The village was bustling with activity. It was one that Mesu had visited before. Lawan was the name, she recalled. It was scarier this time. She wished for her mother’s or father’s hand for safety. That comfort was a thing of the past. Mesu didn’t dare go back to her aunt’s house as she was afraid that whatever attacked would be along shortly for that house. Her only option was to keep moving.
The sense of loneliness was something she never imagined she would experience. Her life had been the farmland. It was all she knew, except for the stories she had been told. She pulled the heavy sack up her shoulder with one hand. Her anxiety made her keep it as close to her body as she moved through the people. The other hand rested on the freshly cleaned dagger.
Mesu wasn’t sure exactly what she was doing. The money she had wouldn’t last long, and her big plan still felt like it was just a dream. The sunset was hidden behind the city. She chose the next door to walk into that had a sign with a bed on it. Mesu hoped to have a room to herself to cry and come up with a plan.
No one paid her attention as she stepped inside. The evening crowd was rowdy with cheers and yelling. Music from a lute was barely audible over the games and stories. Mesu kept her eyes down as she approached the bar. It was stone that was patched together and smoothed out to a surprisingly soft touch. It spanned across 30 seats as far as Mesu could tell.
“Kid, what can I help you with?” The young woman behind the bar was a bit gruff. Mesu felt smaller with every word and knowing that she was being stared at.
“A room, please?” Mesu wasn’t sure she even said the words. There was a sigh of relief as her request was answered.
“What kind you looking for? Single or a bed in the commons?”
“Single, please.”
“And your money?” Mesu reached into a pouch that was tucked into her pants. She produced two coins that were stamped with the sigil she knew nothing about. The barkeep palmed the coins and gave them a look.
“Hold on.” She walked away. Mesu stood in her spot, blocking a couple of chairs. The chatter around here was audible again. A group burst out laughing in the corner as an older lady walked towards her from behind the bar. She had a much softer look to her, which helped to melt away some of the intimidation Mesu felt. This older woman examined her. The intimidation was replaced with an uncomfortable feeling.
“You, where did you get this coin?” The question had no urgency or accusations. There was a bit of wonder in the old woman’s voice.
“I, they were coins my family had collected,” Mesu said.
“Now, now, girl. You can tell me the truth.” The woman spoke as she went back to one of the coins and continued to examine the markings.
“They’re coins my family had?” Mesu felt small as she tried to answer these simple questions.
“I see. There is only one person who I know who would have coins like these.” The old lady lowered her voice. Her eyes shifted to Mesu with a look of wonder. “Welcome back, Enya.”
Mesu stared at the woman. She smiled at the child as she tapped the coin.
“No, I am Mesu, I am not…”
“I understand. A legend like you can’t go around advertising you are still alive. And just when I thought it was all a myth.” The woman gripped the coin in her closed fist and beamed.
“You have the wrong idea. Enya was a great relative of mine. I’m not her,” Mesu said.
“Oh, so it was someone else who found the Elixir of Youth and drank it?”
“I don’t think I know that story.”
The old woman laughed. Mesu was still dazed by the accusation. It had also shocked her learning of this story she had never heard.
“Look, I’m sorry that I’m not who you think I am. Can I please get a room for the night with that?”
“No.” The woman handed back the coins. “But you can stay here for free. Food and drink is on the house, too. As long as you sit with me for a moment and we discuss this further. I will explain more when I get a chance. Enjoy yourself for now.” The lady took Mesu’s hands together in her own and squeezed. The lady smiled and let go. A key had manifested in Mesu’s palm with a symbol on it. She nodded at Mesu and exited through a door behind the bar.
Mesu ordered and ate some food. She didn’t trust having alcohol in her system for this talk. Her parents may have allowed it this time if she had asked, if they were there with her. The questions formed in her mind over dinner. The crowd was steady inside, and Mesu retired to a room where the symbol on the key matched a marking on the door.
The room would have been nothing exciting to a normal person. Mesu was delighted that it contained the essentials. A bed, a night table, and a sitting area with chairs and a table. Some noises could still be heard from beyond the wall. The room was more spacious than Mesu had imagined. It was definitely larger than back home. Well, what used to be her own room.
A knock came at the door, startling her. Mesu hesitated.
“It’s just me, Ilene. I’m here to chat. Remember, payment for the room?”
She got up and let the old woman in.
“Thank you, dear. I must say, you do look just as the legends say. Even down to your smoky green eyes. You say that you are related to Enya?”
“I am. She is a great-grandmother to me, a few generations down.”
“Ah, I see. I do have many questions for you and hope you will oblige an old lady who was a fan of Enya,” Ilene said. Mesu nodded and bit her lip. She wasn’t sure how much she would be able to answer.
“I will answer what I can. In return, I need to hear that story of that Elixir.”
“Of course, it will help explain why I was mistaken. In fact, the Elixir of Youth is something that only one living being has found. If you hang around the bar for long enough, you will hear the tale a couple of times. It’s hidden, of course. Some say in the mountains, some say deep in the jungle. I’ve heard it resides on the other side of the world. The location is as much a mystery as its existence.”
“I am more interested in the mortal who did find it,” Ilene continued. “Enya, your grandmother. The story varies on where she found it, and she never revealed the location. Supposedly, she drank from it and it granted her eternal life. It’s said to be eternal as long as no external force takes the life, of course.”
“That is impossible. We have a grave on our property with her name. It has been there all my life and for many generations.” Mesu said.
“A grave. I see. I do have a question starting there. Has the grave ever been checked?”
Mesu was taken aback. She thought back to the note and how it was empty when she got there. Doubt entered her mind, and she gave Ilene a look of suspicion.
“We haven’t.”
Ilene moved over to the chairs and sat down before talking. “I would suggest doing so. I’ll say a prayer for you as well. We don’t need any spirits chasing you down for simple curiosity. The chances of her being alive are high if you believe the stories. I have to ask, what is the story you were told?”
“Enya had enough of her travels and had bought some land. With that, she had met a man, and they lived out their days on the farm.” Mesu was confident in her answer.
“Child, do you really think she would have settled down? The adventures she went on, the things she did. I almost want to go and look for adventure now, just speaking about her and what she has accomplished.”
Mesu realized there were a good number of tales that she hadn’t heard. Her father had said that there would be a time when she was older. She felt like she had matured years in the span of a few days. She thanked the old woman and hurried her out so that she could rest. Mesu was exhausted as all of those feelings flooded over her.
Ilene didn’t seem to put on that she knew anything about the attack or that the grave was already dug up. Mesu decided she would tell her the next day when she had more energy. For now, she just wanted to sleep without any nightmares of fire or running for her life.