Chapter 128Of Rhyme and Reason

Faith looked up at me in a mixture of fear and wonder. Her mouth opened a few times, unsure if she wanted to scowl or speak. She slowly regained her composure, the change on her face the most noticeable. Her expression became less like the playful Faith I had seen so far, but more of the grown up, responsible Faith that appeared only sometimes.

She spoke. "You hit me..."

"No, I didn't... I..." I looked at her. "What did I do?"

She touched her lips, licking up the blood that had flowed from her nose. It was only two drops worth, but it looked like more. "You hit me mentally somehow. Like moving the stone, aimed at me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." She rubbed the back of her head a little. "I'm not really hurt. And if I am, it'll heal." She stood up and sat down again, next to me.

"But... What just happened? There were so many memories?" I sat perfectly still, afraid that any movement would cause something to happen again. My body was incredibly tense.

"You don't forget. Or rather, you don't push memories away." She sounded serious.

I was confused. "I suppose. Why does it matter?"

"Most people, when learning, are held back only by preconceptions and disbelief. Also, most people push away a lot of memories because they don't want to be reminded of something. But you... While you do have bad memories, you accept them for what they are."

"But that's normal. You can't change the past, so why dwell on it? I mean, learning is all you can do."

Faith laughed, her voice loudly echoing around the room. "She doesn't know!"

I had no idea what to think of this. Her laughter was open and honest, not at me, but a release for the tension that had build up just now. Was she talking about me? What didn't I know?

Faith calmed down a little, still being giggly. "Did you ever realize you think differently?"

I shrugged. "Sometimes, it's not really a big deal."

Faith continued to giggle. "It's not, but it just means you're less bound by the dark shadows of your past. I guess it makes you truly free."

Free...

"I need a moment." I walked out of the room before she could respond. She was still rubbing her nose slightly as I left.

The corridors felt really cold, but it didn't bother me. They just were. The stairs up to the tower welcomed me back. I smiled as I slowly felt the wind attacking my hair as I ascended. The tower itself was like an entrance to an open space, the night embracing me like a mother would a lost daughter. My mind cooled.

Footsteps behind me warned me of Faith's coming. She let them be heard on purpose. She appeared in her light dress with no more than a sigh of the wind. She walked toward me without saying a word and gave me a hug.

"Thank you." Came my whispered words.

Faith just held me silently. She did confuse me, one moment a child, the next a mother. But she did mean the best with her actions. There was an honesty to her words and her actions that appealed a lot. She was my friend.

There were other footsteps coming from downstairs. Afentis had returned.

Faith let me go. "He's here."

I frowned. "Why didn't he simply fly up here."

Faith giggled. "It wouldn't be proper." She winked and took a step backwards.

I giggled with her. "You've got a point."

Afentis finally stepped into view and bowed politely. "I hope the ladies are alright?"

We both nodded, I spoke my curiosity. "Did you manage to hide the entrance?"

He nodded. "A larger piece of masonry is now rolled in front of the entrance. It should hold for some time against visitors." He looked at Faith with a frown. "Something happened?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yes, come, we'll go back inside."

As we walked together toward he living room, I felt my fear rising. As far as I could tell, Afentis didn't expect me to do anything like this. Though she didn't let it show, I felt I did hurt her quite badly. I mean, she was supposed to be stronger than I.

I hoped he'd understand.