The Willow, Scene v1

Lost in his thoughts, the trot back home felt short to Lucas. It was amazing how calming a long horse ride could be. The autumn air cooled his blood, but the dull ache of regret and sadness still lingered. The sun was already beginning to set as he neared Luin. He would be able to make it home in time to share dinner with his mother, but he knew he would have to put on a face. It seemed difficult just thinking about it, but it seemed to be for the best. Hopefully just enjoying the time with his mother would help ease the pain, or at least distract him from it.

Lucas tied his horse to the hitching post outside of the tailor shop. The swordsman smoothed his hair and brushed off his clothes. With a deep breath, he put on his face and walked up to the door. When he reached for the handle, the door began to open. Lucas quickly stepped to the side as a Kival man walked out. He tipped his hat at Lucas with a smile as he walked by. “Pardon me, and good evening.”

“No worries. Good evening to you too,” said Lucas, watching him walk down the road. After a moment, he stepped into the store.

“Welco—Lucas!” his mother quickly walked up to him and gave him a great big hug. She took his face in her hands and gazed at him, “I didn’t expect you back again so soon. You look so tired, come in and let me make you some hot cocoa.”

“Thanks, mother. That would be great. How are things?” he asked, following her into the back room where he finally received the hidden letters.

“Things are starting to get a little busy. I’ll still never know why people wait until after it gets cold to want to buy warmer clothes. It takes time to make them, you know?” she said with a small laugh. She poured a cup of steaming hot water and stirred in some cocoa.

“They probably forget about it until they feel the chill. Was that person who just left one of those people?”

His mother set the cup down in front of Lucas and began making one for herself. “He was just looking around. But he did ask me something a little strange. He asked if I ever heard the story about a mysterious woman sitting under the willow by the riverside. He said it only happens at night, when the moon shines over the water.”

The willow by the riverside. It was where Lucas would gaze at the river and stars with Isella. But he never heard of such a story before, nothing even remotely close. “Did he say where he was from?”

“He said he just came from the capital. Why?” she replied, taking a sip of cocoa.

“I’ve just never heard of that story before. Must’ve been something he heard at a tavern or something,” lied Lucas. It was too much of a coincidence. It was most likely a message, but what? Isella was dead. He saw it with his own eyes. But she was far, and it was hard to recognize her. Was it someone else who died in Isella’s place? He had to find out later that night.

Lucas helped with closing the shop and preparing dinner. His mother was never the greatest chef, but he always found her meals delicious. “Sorry, Lucas. I would’ve had more food, but I didn’t expect you back so soon,” said his mother as they cut into the small pot roast.

“Don’t worry about it. I haven’t been very hungry lately anyway.”

Maria cut her slice of pot roast into several bite size pieces. “So, what brings you back so soon?”

Lucas finished chewing the tough piece of meat in his mouth. He scooped a few vegetables from the platter onto his. “We’ve been given a bit of a break. After all that’s been happening, I just wanted to come home and relax.”

She gave him a small smile. She always seemed to know when he was lying. “We both know that’s not true, but I won’t hound you about it. You can tell me whenever you want to.”

“Thank you, mother. And I’m sorry for suddenly showing up like this.”




First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: Life or Death (Part 3), Scene v1
Next: The Willow (Part 2), Scene v1