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TRINITY WAS TIRED of preparing spears, but she had nothing else to do. She’d already made a new quiver. She was tempted to help in the fields. The earth was rich and fertile, but she didn’t belong there. She never had and that left her alone, again.
Every morning, Travis joined the others in the gardens. He stayed there all day, only returning in the evening to sleep. Mirra was getting stronger physically but was still emotionally broken. On the days she could coax the Tracker out of the cage, they’d travel around the island, staying in the forest as much as possible. At some point, Mirra always climbed the rocks and sat staring out to sea, humming a mournful tune.
Today, Mirra was sleeping on her pallet. They’d been out most of the day yesterday and the Tracker claimed to be too tired to do anything. She was pretty sure Mirra was more heartsick than physically ill, but those wounds were also real. Gaar had better arrive soon. Mirra needed him and she needed him too. She smiled a little. Let Verly try to keep them here once Gaar showed up.
She was strengthening the spear in the fire when Verly approached, her long robe flowing across the land, seeming to float above it.
“Stop making your weapons of death and come with me.” Verly’s lip curved in distaste as she stared at the pile of spears. “Why do you bother with these tools? Your mother’s a healer and so are you.”
“I don’t do that anymore.” She put the spear with the others and grabbed another one. Verly had adamantly refused to tell her anything about the visions and quite frankly, she was tired of the Forest Witch’s company.
“Ah child, you cannot forget. Memories don’t go away because you tell them to.” Verly sat next to her, snatching the spear from her fingers and tossing it aside before she took Trinity’s hand in hers. “It’s here.” She touched Trinity’s fingers. “Your hands cared for Chirps when others would’ve killed him.”
“How do you know about Chirps?” She pulled free from the Forest Witch’s grasp.
“And here”—Verly tapped Trinity on the chest—“in the heart that couldn’t snare and kill the rabbits but instead figured out a way to keep them from the crops without hurting them.”
“Did Travis tell you this?” She was going to kill him. He needed to learn to keep his big mouth shut.
“Don’t be angry with your friend. He’s told me nothing. I don’t need his words to tell me about you. I’ve had visions of you since you were born.” Verly patted Trinity’s knee and stood. “Now, come along.”
“I’m not like that anymore.” She didn’t want to heal or care anymore. It hurt too much.
“Oh dear, that’s not true. It’s in your essence, your very being. It sparkles around you like dancing motes.”
She forced herself not to look around for the sparkles. She wouldn’t see anything and she didn’t believe the Forest Witch did either. She picked up another spear. “My time is better spent making my weapons of death.”
“You will come with me.” Verly’s voice was no longer friendly.
She raised her head, meeting the Almighty’s angry eyes. “I don’t want to and you can’t make me.” The witch didn’t have any special powers besides possibly the second sight. It wasn’t like she could cast a spell on her or anything. The worst Verly could do was toss her off the island and she was more than ready to leave.
“Just as you cannot force yourself not to care, your fate has already been decided.” Verly turned and wandered into the forest.
She stared after the witch for a long time. Verly seemed willing to talk today. She knew she was being manipulated but she followed the path the Forest Witch had taken. She found the Almighty at a small brook.
Not looking up, Verly pointed to some moss. “This is good for coughs and can stop vomiting.” She gathered some and placed it in a pouch.
“I thought you said I got to choose my future. How can that be if my fate is already decided?”
“A choice in your destiny?” Verly stood. “None of us get that, but we do get to choose the paths we take and the relationships we form on our journey.”
“What use is that? If I end up in the same place, who cares how I got there or who’s with me?”
Verly moved through the forest. “If you pay attention, every stop along the journey teaches you something and every creature you meet gives you a gift, be it bad or good.”
“What if I refuse to take part? Maybe, I’ll hide out here with you.” As much as she wanted to leave, staying here did have its appeal. Home was war and pain. Home was Hugh and hurting him when she told him about her and Jethro.
“I’m sorry to tell you my dear, but your part in this tale is far from over.” Verly patted Trinity’s hand. “It’s unfair, perhaps, that you were chosen for this, but life is seldom fair.”
“What have you seen?”
“I know the tale but not how it ends or even how it plays out.” Verly’s eyes grew cloudy and gray. “So much is lost over the years. Twisted and turned. Simplified.” Her eyes cleared and she turned toward Trinity. “History is created by those who survive, but the truth in the tale is always more than what remains.”
“What are you talking about?” She was more confused than before.
“That isn’t for me to disclose.” Verly waved her hand in the air. “Perhaps, I’m wrong.”
“Please, tell me. It’s my life.” She hated begging and she hated talking to this woman. She always ended up with more questions than answers.
“I’m sorry, dear. Nature often insists her old tales be played again and she doesn’t like any interference. I won’t mess with her. She’s been good to me, but she can be cruel and spiteful.”
“Then, what am I doing here?” She’d had enough of these secrets. “If you can’t even tell me your visions then what good are they?”
“Enough of that talk for now.” Verly patted her cheek. “Come. I’ll show you some secrets for healing.”
Trinity tried the rest of the day, but Verly wouldn’t say more about her visions. By the time dusk arrived, she’d had enough. She’d speak with Mirra tonight and convince the Tracker that it was time to leave.