The Eternal City, Part 4

Nessa came upon the site of the battle in the early afternoon. The Troll’s carcass had been left to rot, to feed the soil, and the forest creatures. It looked like some of the forest’s bolder inhabitants had already had their share.

She continued on. She figured the Firbolg would have climbed the hill to get a look around. As she emerged from the trees, she found, standing at the top of the hill, a girl of about fifteen. She was thin-faced, slightly built, but wiry. Nessa couldn’t tell what color her eyes were, but her hair was brown, and her skin was pale. She stared down at Nessa, unsmiling. The girl’s smudged face showed clearly the signs of tears. Something tragic had happened here. Nessa could guess what it was.

Leaving her horse near the trees, Nessa removed her sword, as well. Then she began to slowly climb the hill, arms at her sides. About halfway there, about forty feet from the top of the hill, the girl spoke.

“You’ve been following us,” she said.

Nessa stopped walking and nodded. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“I’ve been looking for you for months,” Nessa replied. “I was sent to you.”

“For what?” The girl’s accent was thick, and her voice thin from lack of use.

“I’ve been sent to escort you to the city of Pass-By,” Nessa said. “The Sword Goddess sent me to bring you to her chapel there.”

“Hero said I should go with you.”

There was a note of heartbreak in that, Nessa thought. What if the girl refused to be taken? Would it be right to force her?

“Will you?” Nessa asked.

“I’ve never been to a city,” the girl said. “I don’t think I even know what the word means.”

“It is a big place,” Nessa said. “With lots of people. But, I will protect you.”

“Are there Trolls in this city?”

“No,” Nessa replied. “You will be safe from Trolls in Pass-By.”

“I don’t want to be safe from them,” the girl said, darkly. “I want to kill them.”

As she said these words, Nessa saw light begin to emanate from a point just behind her. The girl’s face was soon obscured, and then the landscape all around. The light became so bright, Nessa wanted to look away, but couldn’t. All she could see was the bright golden light and the dark silhouette of the girl.

A voice, distant but distinct, spoke inside her head: “Train this one, and bring her to me.”