Noble felt the knot in her stomach tighten. The words were not a request. They were a command.
The pressure on Noble's soul felt like a boulder, and she pushed against it. In her struggle, Noble forgot to control her float, and her feet pressed against the floor.
Pain! Noble reached out to brace herself against one of the stalls as she adjusted her height.
Noticing the movement, Syrce turned to check on her friend.
Maelys's face transformed instantly as she ran forward and embraced her sibling. "Sister!"
The hug was so forceful that the two women went crashing into the opposing stall, widening the distance between themselves and Noble. The wood of the half-wall groaned under the sudden pressure.
"What's all this, Mae? Did you come all this way just for that? It hasn't been that long since I last saw you!" Syrce patted her sister's back.
"I could not find you! I thought something terrible might have happened!" Maelys forced tears into her eyes.
The younger sister pulled away. "Nothing bad will happen now that we are here. You can rest in that fact. But, come now. What was this about Bel needing to go away? Why would you want to banish my dearest friend?"
Mae's emotions spiked as she became sheepish. "Oh, that. I suppose I sounded dramatic. I wasn't wanting to banish her, sister. I just meant that someone was looking for Lady Bel, and she should go and find them."
'Liar,' Noble barely controlled her eyes from rolling upward. The elder Saint had fully intended to oust Noble from this world and had been too overcome with emotion to keep the thought to herself.
What had brought on the sudden outburst? Was Noble being alone with Syrce enough to trigger that response? Or had the lady been somehow listening and decided to interrupt when she could not stand it any longer?
'I don't like either of those options.'
"But since you brought it up, sister. I was curious when Lady Bel will be leaving our company? Is it soon?" Mae batted her lashes innocently.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, Noble forced a pleasant smile. "Why would I be leaving?"
"Well…You are a Realm Walker. Isn't that what you are supposed to do? Leave?" Mae pushed out her lower lip as she furrowed her brow.
"If by leave, you mean travel, then I suppose your assessment is correct. However, I have no plans of vacating this Realm at present."
It was half true. Noble very much wanted to leave this Nightmare, but until that point, she wouldn't abandon the place where she felt the conflict would be.
"And speaking of travel, may I help you pack for yours?" Noble felt a small bit of satisfaction at the surprise on the other woman's face.
"My what?" Maelys tilted her head curiously.
"Your travel. Lady Syrce mentioned that you would be leaving to see Lady Lyra as soon as you arrived." Noble folded her hands with a subtle nod.
"I did say that," Syrce averted her gaze.
"It has already been a day, so I assumed…" Noble let her voice trail off.
Maelys's eyes became like two pools. "You want to send me away?"
Syrce held up her hands. "No! That is why I did not follow through with my promise immediately." The Saint paused. "But Bel is right, Lyra desperately needs you. I would be selfish to keep you from her. You should go and help her move our people from the seaside to here. The children will love to see your Transcendant form!"
"But my soldiers…" Maelys searched for an excuse to stay.
"I am sure Lady Syrce would be happy to let them go with you," Noble offered magnanimously on the Saint's behalf.
If Maelys wanted her gone so badly, she wouldn't be sad to see all of the people under her care leave for the time being.
Syrce lay her hand gently on her sister's shoulder. "Bel is right. You can take them with you, or you may leave them here under my charge. Or split them, leaving those who need rest here and those who are willing to protect the elderly and children can head out to meet our people."
"I…see…so that's it then?" Maelys allowed a tear to streak down her cheek.
Syrce wiped away the stray droplet of water. "I would have thought you would be delighted to see our youngest sister. She will rejoice at your homecoming like I have."
Mae seemed little mollified by the assertion. "I would still like to be here. There is much to be done and—"
"And Bel and I will do it. Don't you trust us?" The younger Saint asked with a sad smile.
"I trust you," Maelys answered pointedly.
"Good. Then you know things will be well in hand." Syrce squeezes her sister's palms together. "You can head out in the morning."
Noble hid her triumphant grin. She shouldn't be so pleased about the sisters splitting up after having worked so hard to be together, but her mind and heart would not agree.
"I love you," Syrce pulled her sister into a tight hug.
"I love you too." Mae melted into the embrace.
The younger sister clicked her tongue.
"You know, I don't like the idea of Bel packing your things. It was very nice of you to offer, dearest friend, but I shall take the duty upon myself. I need to make sure you have everything you need for the journey."
"Oh! Will you help me now? I am sure Lady Bel can manage this on her own." Mae looked at the nearly empty crate.
"Will you be alright?" Syrce again felt guilty.
"The Pink Ones seemed to have helped themselves to most of the goodies while we were occupied. I think I can handle what is left. You go ahead. We can catch up at dinner. I do want to finish our conversation." Noble felt the knot in her stomach come back in full force.
The look from Maelys made Noble shiver. The emptiness in the lady's eyes filled Noble with a deep sense of fear.
But the shadow passed in an instant.
"Enjoy the Pink Ones, Bel." Maelys smiled at her sister and pulled her toward the door. "We need to go. I could really use your help with what clothes to bring."
Syrce stopped in the doorway. "Oh, didn't you say someone was looking for Bel?"
"What?" Mae's mouth opened and shut quickly. A wry smile formed on her face. "Ah, yes. That. Lady Bel, there is someone you need to see. I am sure you will find them sooner or later."
"Are you not going to tell her who it is?" Syrce squeezed the elder sister's hand.
"I think it is better if it is a surprise. Best of luck, Bel!" Mae darted off, giving Syrce no choice but to chase after her.
'What a load of nonsense. Maelys just wants to play mind games. Well, the joke is on her!'
Noble picked up the fruit and resumed her task. But the doubt crept in. Mae had been lying the first time to cover her desire to make Noble leave, but the second time, she had been sure in her conviction.
Who could be looking for her? Reluctantly, Noble extended her emotional sense to include the lower part of the hill. She placed her head in her hand.
"Oh no…"