Heart of Dorkness Monster Sixteen - Goodbye

Monster Sixteen - Goodbye

Monster Sixteen - Goodbye

Are you nervous? Mom asked.

No, I lied.

I didnt have that much stuff packed away. One bag with a few essentials. A purse with so gold, in case I needed to buy anything. I didnt even have a knife or anything of the sort. I wasnt trained to use any weapon, so it wouldnt make sense to bring one. Besides, I had a bunch of little friends on .

Thats good, Mom said. You dont have anything to worry about.

I know, I said. I was happy she was trying to comfort . It helped a lot.

We were walking down from the part of the castle we mostly lived in. Id been living with Mom for... was it two years already? There were still entire sections I hadnt explored yet. Strange rooms, armories with ancient weapons, towers filled with laboratories where dried out specins rotted in jars.

One day Id explore all of my ho, but that wasnt for today.

Today was sothing else.

Once, a long, long ti ago, Id promised Mom that I would help her out with things. I think we both forgot about that along the way.

I could rember Mom asking what I wanted in life, what my goal was... I glanced up to Mom. She was a step above and behind on one of the spiralling staircases that lead to the ground floor.

She blinked and t my gaze for a mont, an eyebrow rising while I grinning up at her.

I didnt honestly know what I wanted yet, but I was happy anyway. I had Mom, and a ho, and magic and books. There wasnt much else I could ask for. Maybe a friend or two? But that would co in ti, I figured.

Today I was going to run a simple errand for Mom.

I cant see any way for you to turn this into a disaster, Mom said, which is why I expect to be surprised.

Mom, I whined, Im not going to ss this up. Its a cake-walk.

It is, and yet for all the confidence I have in you, I still expect to see this all turn into so horrific ss. Perhaps even one with international repercussions.

Mom! I said. I placed my hands on my hips and turned to pout up at her.

She made that little laughing noise, and there was a twist to the corner of her eyes. She was teasing !

I shouldnt have given you lessons on momtiquette, I muttered.

Ah yes, those. I dont know how often I need to repeat myself, Valeria, but I hardly need to learn how to behave around people, you most of all.

That makes it sound like youve forgotten the very first and most important rule of momtiquette. The daughter is always right, I lectured.

Mom huffed, and I couldnt help but laugh as I hopped down a few steps.

We should go over the task one more ti, she said.

I rolled my eyes, but there was no escaping it. Fine, I said.

What is your task? Mom proded.

To go to Santafaria and get so books.

Indeed, Mom said. And why am I sending you on this task?

Because the shipnt is late, I replied. Im supposed to pay attention on the way there, in case the books are already on their way.

You are, Mom agreed. The wyverns have more acute vision than you. Trust their senses with that. They already know to be on the lookout for a small caravan.

I nodded. That made sense.

And if you do arrive in Santafaria, what are you to do?

Visit your temple there. There should be soone that works there that can help . Im looking for soone called... uh, Javier Jurez. Hes a big chubby fellow who works as a rchant. Hes a mber of the rchants guild and a trader. Most of all, hes one of your worshippers.

Indeed. I have blessed him with protection from my monsters on his many travels, and with many opportunities. The least of which is this trade agreent.

I nodded. We need to secure our books.

Its hardly that important, Mom said. Securing nurishnt is more important, as well as obtaining the occasional luxury good. These things are also often tended to by traders like Mister Jurez. The books are late though.

They are! I cant stand it when stuffs late.

Your lack of patience has been noted before.

I laugh as I make it down the last few steps.

Theres more to the task. I dont expect you to have much difficulty, but if you do, you can rely on the wyverns I sent with you. Your first priority is... she led.

To keep myself safe, I replied, finishing the sentence. Ill be fine, Mom.

I know, Im just...

You can say that youre worried, I said. Reaching up, I grabbed her hand. It was so much bigger than mine, and cold too. I had to hold it close to warm it up. I wont judge you for it. Besides, whenever you leave the castle I get worried too.

In that case, Ill admit that I will be worried, Mom said.

I squeezed her hand, and used the other to push the door to the courtyard before the house open. There was a small balcony leading down with a pair of sweeping staircases to a ground that was covered in precisely set bricks. A whole flight of wyverns was roosting there, waiting for .

The statues along the sides of the castle, all of them of great dragons and stone monsters, were looming above us and casting long shadows against the barren space before the castle.

Livonas wasnt around. She sotis slept by the front door, like a puppy waiting for her master to co out and play. Not that she was the only Scourge to putter about the castle and make a ss of... well, I guess we didnt really have a lawn.

I was waffling. Whelp, I guess this is it? I asked.

Mom nodded, then she glanced up, a hand reaching to the sky just as a bird-like monster swooped by. It left a box in her outstretched hand before fluttering off. This is for you, she said as she lowered then opened the box.

What is it? I asked.

I took it, and tore off the ribbons and ties to get to the aty present inside.

I found cloth. A thick material, of a purple so dark its almost black. Oh, I said as I pulled it out and held it before , the empty box thumping onto the ground. The cloak unfurled. It had pretty flowers embroidered on the sides, and it felt warm and soft in my hands. Pretty, I said. The clasp, for around the neck, was a silver brooch with so sort of little gem in its middle, shaped like flowers woven together.

Iris, edelweiss and lavender, Mom said. Here, let put it on you.

I gave it to her, then stood still as Mom wrapped the cloak over my shoulders, clasped the front on carefully, then paused.

I grinned up at her. Thanks Mom.

It will keep you safe, and your identity secure.

It is a pretty big hood, I agreed.

Through magic, she replied. My silly, irreverent daughter.

I laughed. Oh, okay. Youll need to teach how to do that!

When you return, perhaps.

She leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead.

My face flad right up. Mom! I said.

I thought you enjoyed such things? she asked.

Not in front of the wyverns! I huff. Mom can be so... Mom sotis. I stepped forward and hugged her tight-tight. Thanks though.

She hugged back. Youre welco.

Eventually the hug ended, and I picked up my pack with all of my stuff, then laughed as I skipped down to the biggest of the wyverns. He had a saddle on his back with room for soone between his shoulders, and so saddlebags for my pack.

I hopped up, and with so scrambling, managed to climb into the saddle. I wasnt too sure about the whole flying thing, but Mom did it all the ti, so it couldnt be that bad.

Mom walked over next to the wyvern and petted its neck, the big monster warbling at the affection. Be careful, Valeria.

I will be, I said. Dont miss too much? I asked.

Ill try not to, she replied. Then Mom glanced away, and it was her turn to blush a bit. Return safely and... and rember that youre a good daughter.

Uh, yeah, Im not about to forget that. Im a good daughter because I have the best mom. I nodded. Love you Mom.

Mom took a step back, and I could sense her ordering the wyvern to move. I love you too, Valeria.

The wyvern took off to the sound of great wingbeats and my laughter--and then terrified screaming because holy heck they were going high off the ground--on the wind.

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