92, Leaving

Ayya woke in the night by the sounds of cries coming from Tenac’s room, followed by soft sobbing. She ran out of bed and knocked on the door. As Tenac told her to enter, she found him sitting on Jason’s bed, holding the boy close to him as Jason cried. 

“A bad dream?” Ayya asked, and Tenac nodded. Ayya sat down next to Tenac and rubbed Jason’s back. When Jason realised she was there, he reached out for her and Tenac helped him slide over to Ayya’s lap. “It’s okay, Jason. I know the dreams can be scary. I had them when I lost my parents as well,” she told him. 

“As did I when I lost my father,” Tenac said. He had placed an arm around Ayya and was stroking Jason’s hair with his other hand. 

“Y-you had bad dreams?” Jason asked Tenac. Ayya smiled. She knew Jason idolised Tenac. 

“I did. I used to wake my mother in the middle of the night by my cries and she would come and hold me and tell me that everything was alright and that the dreams couldn’t hurt me,” Tenac said. 

“Why do I have bad dreams? I don’t want to have them,” Jason sobbed. 

“I know, honey, but it’s our mind’s way of dealing with things we don’t want to deal with when we are awake. It’s your body’s way of telling you that you are still struggling with losing someone you love,” Ayya told him.

“Who came to you when you were sad?” Jason asked. 

“What do you mean?” Ayya wondered.

“If Tenac’s mother came to him when he was sad, and you and Tenac come to me when I’m sad, who came to you when you lived in the kitchen?” he asked her. Ayya sighed. He was too smart for his own good sometimes. 

“No one,” she told him honestly. “Not at first. I had to comfort myself. But then my dad came and got me and then he and my mother were always there, as were Tenac’s mother.”

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard. But if you want, I can comfort you when you are sad now,” Jason offered. 

“Thank you, Jason. That is very sweet of you and I would like that,” Ayya told him. “Do you want to get back in bed and I will tell you a story?” she asked. He nodded and Ayya and Tenac tucked him in and Ayya lay down next to him and started to tell him old stories about the gods. Tenac sat at the foot of the bed and watched them. It took Jason a while to go back to sleep. When he finally did, Ayya stayed a while to make sure he was sleeping peacefully. Tenac helped her up and hugged her. He followed her back to her room and kissed her before making sure she got into bed. Then he returned to his and Jason’s room. 

The day before they were to leave was full of activity. They had got a note from Sinhera that they were preparing to break base camp as well. The closer they got to leaving, the more homesick Ayya felt. They had been gone almost a month, but it felt like much longer. She had a feeling she wasn’t the only one. Everyone was eager to pack and get things in order. Ayya unpacked her father’s chest and carried it into Tenac’s room where Jason was sitting on his bed, watching Tenac pack. Ayya put the chest down by Jason’s bed. 

“What is that?” he asked.

“This chest belonged to my first father. He used to keep valuables in it. When I moved to the castle after my parents died, I took it with me. It has been with me my whole life. Everywhere I have gone, it has gone with me. Now, it’s yours. You need something to pack your things in, and I think this would be perfect,” she told him. He looked at her and then at the chest. He got up from the bed and gave her a hug.

“Thank you,” he said. 

“I’m happy it can come to use. This is the key. When you are done packing, you can lock the chest and you will know nothing is going to fall out,” Ayya told him and hung the key around Jason’s neck, like Tariana had done with her. Jason started to pack his things immediately. Tenac walked up to her and put his arm around her and kissed her hair. 

The king and Zerden came for lunch. Ayya introduced Jason to the king and then Mildy and Firlea took Jason to eat with the others. 

“I had no idea you had adopted a boy. Sometimes I think I’m the last to get to know things in my own city,” the king said.

“I hope you don’t mind?” Ayya asked.

“Not at all. I’m happy. He looks to be happy. You of all people should know what he is going through and for now there aren’t many opportunities for people with magical abilities here,” the king reassured her. They talked a little about the plans for the trial of the Bishop, and the plans to elect a new Bishop. Zerden was quiet through the meal. Before the king left, he asked if it would be alright with Ayya that the formal goodbye did not take place in the courtyard, as it had before, but at the open area in front of the city gate. Neither Ayya nor Tenac could see and issue with the request and it was decided they would meet there after breakfast the following morning.

In the afternoon, as Tenac went through the following days security with the riders, Ayya, Firlea and Hinat talked to Jason about what he could expect when they started travelling. They talked about sitting in the carriage, how they could pass the time, about the camp, and sleeping in the tents. Then they answered all the questions he had, and he had quite a few of them. 

When Ayya woke up the next morning, she felt the butterflies in her stomach. They would be going home today, she thought. As they ate breakfast, everyone was in high spirits. Ayya and Tenac took a moment to take Jason to the side and remind him it was okay to feel sad he was leaving. No one would be hurt or take offence at it. The last items were packed into the storage waggons and then it was time to get into procession. Ayya took one last look at the common room. Once again, the tower had offered a mix of emotions. It would always hold a special place in her heart, and maybe it wasn’t the last time she visited it. With Jason’s hand in hers, she gave the order to leave. The riders formed their protection around them and they walked through the corridors and out into the courtyard, where the white carriage stood waiting. Mrs Karrots stood and waved by the kitchen door and Ayya, Jason and Tenac all waved back. No one else waited to say goodbye, it would all be done down by the gate. Tenac made sure the aari and Jason were safely in the carriage and then they were off. The streets weren’t lined with as many people as they had been before. It wasn’t until they got closer to the gate that it got noticeable. To Ayya’s relief, the people were happy and cheered rather than begging for help. The carriage arrived at the gate, and Ayya saw a mass of people waiting. A small stage had been set up by the gate and on it stood the King, the head of the council and some other high-ranking members. Father Link and Lubi were also there. 

“Do you want to stay in the carriage, or do you want to come with us?” Ayya asked Jason.

“I want to go with you,” he quickly said, taking a hold of her hand. 

“That’s fine. Come on, let’s go out there and see what all this fuss is about,” Ayya told him and squeezed his hand. “Don’t be scared of all the people. It can be a little scary, but we will all make sure you are safe,” Ayya reminded Jason as Tenac helped them out of the carriage. As Ayya stepped out, the people started cheering even louder, and she had to remind herself of her own advice to Jason. She smiled and took her time to walk towards the platform, making sure she could stop and talk to some of the people that had taken time to come and see them off. Tenac was holding Jason’s hand, and they were just behind her. Hinat and Firlea were moving like Ayya, taking time to talk to the surrounding people. Both had a rider next to them. They all made their way to the platform and walked up on it. The king smiled at them.

“Your grace, I should have known you would take time to talk to the people,” he told her. 

“It would be rude not to when they all took time to come and see us,” she answered and the king laughed. 

“Well, I know you want to get going, so I will get started at once,” he said.

“Started with what?” Ayya asked.