he morning brought warm sunshine and birdsong, bidding Zayden to turn in his bed and try to cling to the sleep that was so comfortable. He took a slow breath, quietly listening to the morning chorus as his mind slowly shook sleep away. Was that a dream last night? Surely, it had to be. No way was there a human in his camp, let alone his wagon.
That is until he heard movement and he opened his eyes. There, on the opposite side of the wagon, on a spare cot, the human woman had sat up and was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"So that wasn't a dream," He whispered as he slowly sat up and stretched as well.
"Good morning," Zayden greeted, getting her to look at him. She still had that distant look in her eyes, showing sleep and food hadn't helped her condition much. "I trust you slept fairly well."
"I certainly could have slept better." Minori yawned as he appeared from under a pile of blankets in the corner of the bed.
"Well, then, it's a good thing we don't have far to go today," Zayden answered as he got up. "Hopefully we can get some help for our guest in Foot Path."
"You really think we'll find some help for her there?" Minori asked, looking over at the human with a flick of his multiple tails.
Zayden looked over at the human. She looked back at the two, silent as ever. He pressed his lips together and sighed. "I can only hope. It'll be a star anyway." He answered as he smiled at their guest.
With that sentiment, Zayden got breakfast made and ensured the human ate. Just as last night, he had to tell her to eat until the plate was clean. This did lean to the idea that she was a Nameless, someone whose name was stolen by the Fae, though he'd thought that was just an old wives tale about the Fae.
Once breakfast was made, camp was broken down, and Norman was hooked up to the cart again and ready to continue on their way.
Zayden climbed up onto the front of the wagon with Minori and took the horse's reigns, though paused when he felt the wagon shift. He looked over to see the human was climbing up to sit with him in the front. Though when he paused, she paused and looked at him.
"Huh, didn't think you'd want to be up here." Zayden told her.
Minori tilted his head. "Perhaps she's not a Nameless after all; they usually don't act on their own."
"Would explain why she was wandering the forest last night," Zayden said, scooting over to let the human sit beside him.
She did so, settling on the bench as Zayden clicked at the horse and flicked the reign. With a snort, Normal started walking, the wagon contently rattling behind them.
They traveled in silence for a time, before Zayden finally took a slow breath. "We need to call her something."
"Oh, please don't," Minori answered.
"Why? We can't just keep calling her… Her," Zayden answered.
"Zayden, once you name something, you get attached to that something," Minori answered.
"Someone,"
"Whatever, it's a bad idea." Minori grumbled.
"Well I certainly would feel better giving her some sort of name besides 'Her" or 'The Human.'" Zayden answered, looking over at the human.
She was looking ahead, seeming content with the ride and the view of the sunlight dappling its way through the Aspen leaves. Zayden regarded her for a moment before a smile played at his lips. "Perhaps Aspen?"
She looked over at him, and he thought he saw some flicker of life, real life, behind the spellbound gaze. He smiled a little brighter at her. "Do you like the name? Until we find out what happened to you, it's the one thing I can think of calling you."
He wasn't expecting a response, but then again, he didn't mind. He'd find a way to break past whatever magic held her tongue. He didn't expect the ghost of a smile to play at her lips.
"Heh, Aspen it is then." He said. "In that case… we'll have to find you a healer, I think. One that… well, won't freak out."
"Ha! And where can we find one of those?" Minori asked.
"We'll think of something," Zayden answered, leaning back as he looked at the long road ahead of him. "I'm certain we will…"
"You don't sound certain," Minori observed.
"For now, I have to be at least halfway certain," Zayden responded. "For the meantime, let's get to Foot Path and plan from there. If anything, we can ask around town for any healers that can identify spells at work."
***
The trading village of Foot Path was decent enough. It wasn't very large and mainly consisted of traveling vendors. Some residents had put down roots here and made small shops for the locals and travelers alike. There was even a large bathhouse fed by a hot spring, which was the main focus of the village.
To keep Aspen from getting too much attention, Zayden had given her one of his spare cloaks and hoods to hide her ears. At least here, they could rest, maybe find a lead on where to find someone to help Aspen, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to get her back to where she came from.
Minori had once more shifted into his man form, finding it easier to settle in around strangers… at least when there wasn't a tea ceremony happening.
Zayden found a quiet place to set the wagon and unhooked Norman, Aspen following him like a shadow toward the stables nearby. She was still more or less listless, staring off into the forest now and then, though a touch on her shoulder encouraged her to come back and follow.
Minori looked around as they led Norman towards the Stable before looking at Zayden. "I'll let you get Norman settled. I'll see about finding a healer for our guest."
Zayden nodded. "We'll be back at the wagon waiting."
Minori tossed Aspen a side glance before approaching the village proper, leaving Aspen and Zayden with the horse.
Zayden sighed and looked at Aspen. "I know he seems brash, but that's the kitsune nature. They don't trust anyone easily. Once he warms up to you, that'll be a different story. Come on, let's get this done. Knowing Nori, he'll track down someone who can help you relatively quick."
The two of them walked to the stable, Apsen lightly petting Norman as they did. Zayden kept a watchful eye out for her, glad to see she wasn't a complete shell. There were little bits of life behind those blank, blue eyes.
Once Norman was settled into a stall and Zayden paid for the horse's stay, the two made their way back towards the wagon. Zayden saw Aspen looking this way and that as they walked, taking in the sights in a slow, almost absent way. The more Zayden made note of how she behaved, the more he agreed with Minori that she was under some sort of spell. But the question was how to break that spell and what to do with Aspen once she was free from said spell.
The stories Zayden had heard slowly came to mind… how humans had turned their backs on elves, how they used to hunt them, among many other things. Humans were often portrayed as dangerous and unpredictable. So, what would Apen do once the spell was broken? Would she attack?
A tap on his forehead brought him back to the present with a snap. He'd made it back to the wagon with Aspen in tow, and the two were sitting in wait for Minori. In fact, it was Minori who tapped Zayden.
"There you are!" The kitsune scolded, his ears back as he looked at his companion. "You were off in your head again. Seriously, that might get you into trouble one of these days!"
"Sorry, sorry," Zayden answered, rubbing his forehead and smiling at Minori. "Did you happen to find a healer?"
"I did, and she'd expecting us." Minori answered.
Zayden nodded, took a breath and smiled at Aspen. Hear that? We can get you some help hopefully."
Minori rolled his eyes and lead the way to the healer. Her home was much like the other healers Zayden had seen; the scent of herbs being so strong it tickled his nose as he stepped into the well lit building. It was a comforting space decorated in blues to help settle the atmosphere. He could hear a cauldrom bubbling somewhere in the back, perhaps a tincture of some sort. He also spotted several bottles of potions that were well labeled and dated.
"Ah! That didn't take long."
Zayden looked to the counter as a wiry haired gnome woman came out of the back. She looked up at her guests and raised an eyebrow, her glasses making her eyes look far larger than what they actually were. "I understand you boys found someone in need?"
"Yes Ma'am." Zayden answered, stepping aside to show her Apsen. "She was wandering the path between here and Chernik. She was a mess, and she has yet to say anything."
"I see…" The healer said, rubbing her chinm at the woman. "Follow me to the back."
The guests followed, and Zayden watched as the healer had Aspen sit on a low stool so she could get a better look at her. Aspen made no move aside from when the healer asked her to. She would do so quickly and and silently with each command or request. The Healer checked her pulse, lit a candle to see her eyes clearly, and soon brought a tincture to the girl. "Drink."
Aspen did as she was told, never hesitating or asking questions.
Soon, the Healer sighed. "Quite the predicament she'd found herself in." She said.
"So you know whats wrong?" Zayden asked.
The healer nodded. "Her names been stollen,"
"Called it," Minori muttered.
Zayden shot him a look before addressing the healer. "So, what can be done?"
"From the look of it, she managed to escape," the healer said, removing her glasses and using her apron to wipe them clean. "However, thats not an easy feat for a human." She looked at the boys with a smoldering glare, making both freeze up. Particularly Minori. "I was told she'd a Faoladh. I dislike being lied to ya mutt!"
"Would you have seen to her otherwise?" Minori asked, his nose wrinkling a little at the insult.
"Yes, it's my oath to aid those in need no matter who walks in my door!" The healer answered. "I greatly dislike being lied to!"
Zayden bit his lip and bowed deeply. "I humbly apolo-"
"Shush you! It wasn't you that lied," The healer answered. "The fox owes me. But we can get to that in a moment. Your little find can be treated, but it will take time. She's lucky she got away from the Fae that stole her name, and while she can recover, she won't ever be the same unless her name is returned."
Zayden nodded in understanding, looking at Aspen. "So, what can be done?"
"The tincture I gave her will help ground her, it's strong tasting." The healer answered. "Anything that stimulates the senses should help. Sight, scent, taste, touch, and sound. Giving her a new name is also helpful, but as I said, she won't be the same person as she once was."
Zayden nodded again. "How long until she's recovered?"
The healer looked at him for a long moment. "That, boy, is completely up to her. Everyone heals at thier own pace. Some are even reluctant to heal if the hurt is too deep. That said, perhaps she was in your path for a reason. Then again I like to think most things happen for a reason, as all things are by Aba's design."
"So we're stuck with her," Minori said.
"And that attitude won't help her in any sort of way." The healer answered. Then a grin appeared on her face as the gnome woman looked up at them. "As for my payment…"