Anachronistic: Endless Masquerade

37 | Her Final Hunt Part 2

- 37 -

Our first glimpse of the coastal village of Sarpedon was framed by two statues, both of young women, waving in greeting. They stood on both sides of the road facing down it's length, toward any visitors. I had thought it a lovely gesture, at least until Meredith started weeping.

        She had been traveling with us since we met her in Eden and accepted the job. Seven days north west by boat and another day and a half up the coast by carriage. My impression during the journey had been that she was solemn and collected. Now her nose ran and her chest heaved out of rhythm with the bounce of the carriage. Seeing her so upset had taken me off guard.

        Renna on the other hand seemed to expect it. She placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and softly asked, "Who were they?"

        Her answer came ragged between gasping breaths. "My sister Sophia and her best friend Penelope."

        My stomach lurched. I had known that the youkai we hunted had a petrifying gaze. We had discussed the details many times during our travels, even identified the species. A human like youkai that could turn people to stone with their gaze. A gorgon. I had know all of it, yet I still let myself be surprised.

        It wasn't like I had forgotten, it was more that my mind refused to accept the truth of the situation. Not until Meredith started crying would my brain accept that those weren't statues, but human beings.

        "I'm sorry. I thought I would be ready, but when I saw them again it I just..."

        Maybe it was guilt, but I felt I needed to say something. I took her hand, lacing our fingers together and whispered, "Don't apologize. You shouldn't be ashamed to miss the people you loved."

        I think that helped her, because she tightened the grip on my hand and didn't let go until the carriage reached it's destination. I just didn't know that, not long after, I would need those words too.

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        Lilith's grip tightened around Pandora's waist and she whispered, "Renna," as if she didn't want Pandora to overhear.

        "That's right. It wasn't long after this that she died."

        Lilith gasped. She must not have expected a response. She pressed her head deeper into Pandora's chest and said, "I'm sorry for interrupting."

        "Don't be. I think I said this last time but I like your questions; your reactions. I want to hear what you think."

        There was a pause, then Lilith said, "I think that a lot of who she was lives on through you."

        Pandora was taken aback. Of all the things Lilith could have said, she hadn't expected that. It was ridiculous. "I'm nothing like Renna. She was brilliant, strong, compassionate—"

        Lilith silenced her with a kiss, one she returned in kind. By the time their lips had parted, Pandora had dropped the matter. Against Lily, that wasn't a fight she would win, so she returned to the story.

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        We were taken to what I assume was their town hall to meet with the local leadership. A large building of bleached white stone. I would have loved to see it in full light, but we arrived late into the evening. Instead of the warm glow of the sun, we saw it under the red and yellow flicker of torch light. Word of our arrival had gotten out and a mob had formed in front of the building. Fire and pitchforks brandished as weapons.