“Look, I don’t think having Anna along is a good idea. Honestly, I am going to struggle to keep myself alive. Am I really going to have to babysit her?”
The old woman laughed as the girls finished up their morning meal in the inn. The conversation had gone on for a few days as preparations were made for their journey. Mesu decided to travel to where it all began for Enya. The town of Eberdeen was far enough away to make Mesu nervous. The trip would take a couple of weeks with horses. Nightly discussions brought her to this conclusion, as no one had seen or heard from Enya in a few generations. If the story of the Elixir was true, she had completely stopped aging in her 30s.
Mesu could see that Anna was starting to get frustrated with the doubt again, but she didn’t say it. She was just as timid now as she was during the first meeting. Anna had protested being on the journey at first. Ilene insisted her granddaughter had to do this and record anything she could. The prospect of getting to meet Enya and write down her words intrigued Anna. Now, she was annoyed anytime Mesu brought the subject up.
“Mesu, she’ll be a great resource. You don’t know the world out there. Anna is very knowledgeable from both listening to stories and traveling with her father when picking up supplies. The things that happen a world away are very similar to what happens here, and she knows all about here. Trust me and her on this.”
“I get the feeling this might be a fool’s errand. How do we even track down someone who may not want to be found?” Mesu questioned.
“If you don’t go, Mesu, then you won’t hear the end of it until my last day. If it’s as you say and there is nothing there, then you return here and you might even have a story or two of your own.” Mesu couldn’t argue with that thinking. She was annoyed that the old lady had assumed this would be a place for her to stay forever. There really wasn’t anywhere else to go. Mesu dropped the subject as she took another bite. It was the day for them to set out on this adventure, and she didn’t want to ruin it with little squabbles.
The inn was empty except for a few tables. Anna and Mesu grew silent as they finished their meal. Mesu ran through a checklist of what she needed. It was a short list as there were settlements between the two towns, and she imagined the land would provide anything they may need along the way.
“Do you really think we will have stories of our own?” Anna stared at her grandmother. Mesu had a wave of jealousy come over her and disappear. She knew she had a family that she could be with, but it wouldn’t be the same. Her mother, father, and brother were the ones she was closest to. She stopped that thought before horrible images flooded her mind. The quest she was embarking on felt like she was betraying their memory. She wondered if she should be out there looking for them instead. The allies she had gained were an old woman and another girl her own age. This was hardly a group that could take down her attackers from that night. Mesu realized she was squeezing her forearm. She let go of the grip as she went for the last bite.
“Of course, child. I’ve been telling you stories for years. I can’t wait for the day that you can tell me one of your own. This adventure is just the thing to make it happen. Who knows, you may even be the beginning of the next Age of Heroes.”
“I keep hearing you refer to that. Exactly what is it?” Mesu asked. It was something she had wondered about since first hearing it. Anna and the old lady looked at each other. It was Ilene who spoke up to answer.
“There was a time in our history when heroes and monsters existed. Enya was a big part of this. It wasn’t known if people went looking for trouble or if it found them. Would we be telling stories of Enya had these monsters and artifacts not existed? This is something that Anna and I have discussed before, but we don’t have the answers. What you both are doing may be the way to get those answers.
“Anna will be there to help where she can. She will also be keeping a journal of all that you both do. This is to be returned to me for my own curiosity. I have only lived in this area. The farthest distance I’ve traveled has been a couple of days away. I want to read about what is out there. The other reason is that she can accurately collect the stories. One thing that a lot of these adventurers lacked was someone who could write. Anna will be able to record your travels.”
Mesu sighed. She had heard this reasoning before, but still wasn’t too happy with it. Anna’s first time holding a real weapon was yesterday. Mesu didn’t have that much more experience, but years of wrestling with her brother helped. It had certainly helped her during that night. The feeling of the life of another thing spilling on her spread through her body. It was a thought she was still trying to confront.
The old lady stood up.
“Well then, you two have quite the day ahead of you. The horses are ready for you to depart. Don’t you fret about anything else. I will give you the blessing as you leave as well. I must prepare that. Finish up.”
Anna and Mesu looked at each other. Mesu didn’t feel anything negative towards Anna, but she wasn’t happy about this pairing. It felt like Anna was being passed off on her. Mesu mentally prepared herself for a boring trip with babysitting and no answers at the end. A sense of disappointment washed over her, and she wondered if this was how returning here would feel.
Mesu realized she was staring for longer than she should have. She flashed Anna a lazy smile and got one in return. This is only a month on the road, she reminded herself. Scenarios ran through her head of different survival techniques, which were a mix of common sense and a crash course she had just received. A month there and back, then she would decide what to do next.