Don't Fall, part 4

FIC START!

Sakinah was able to go back to her room and change out of her week old smelly robes into something much more fitting for travel. She traded her usual silken slippers for heavy leather boots, and pulled her long, dark brown hair into a bun atop her head, which she then topped with a hat decorated with a Zu feather. She looked at herself in the mirror, wondering what in the hell she was even doing? Why would she follow someone so blindly?

As she stared into her own eyes, the day of her biggest failure seemed to reflect within them. How Sakinah fell to the floor as the ground rumbled angrily beneath the castle. Screams from both the village below and within the castle echoed from her memories into her concious mind, causing her to shudder in fear.

There was a knock at the door, breaking her trail through the past.

Sakinah opened it to find Lady Milala standing there. "Huh?" she asked curiously, cocking her head to the side. "Lady Milala? Is something the matter?"

"While you prepare for departure, Sir Kain is going to assist his men in town with finding the stone needed to make the repairs in the village. I came to tell you how proud we are that you have decided to solve your inner strife, Sakinah," Milala said. She hugged around the young lady tightly for a second. "The Epopts know that you are one of the only people to have been given a blessing from the crystal itself, but at the same time, you are as human as the rest of us."

"Lady Milala," Sakinah said quietly. "Why was I not able to forsee the earthquake? I had always been able to see everything since I last was with the crystal. I don't understand."

"Sakinah, I do not know what clouded your eyes from your usual sight, but you must seek it out," Milala replied as she leaned in and kissed lightly upon Sakinah's cheek. "Sir Kain has once been on this journey. He will know where to go."

"I'm sure he will," Sakinah said, forcing a smile. She turned to her desk, taking her favorite bag onto her shoulder. In it she carried only an empty book with a quill and a corked inkpot, as to document her discoveries along her upcoming journal. And, with that, she felt ready to go. There was only one thing left to do. Part of her was happy to be going, but another part of her only carried fear. "Even though I feel like I could fail again at any time."

"You are not perfect," Milala retorted at her. "You cannot hold yourself to standards only Gods could live up to."

Sakinah turned away from her room and tipped her feathered cap just a little to the right. "I have to do one more thing before I meet with him."

"Yes. Do be sure to pick up some provisions from the kitchen before you go. We Epopts have given the cooks to prepare things for your journey."

"Thank you, Lady Milala. You, and all the other Epopts, have always been taking care of me since I came here all those years ago. I promise to repay your kindness and generosity-"

"Child, you have helped us provide for all the world with your Skyreading. You have repaid our kindness. Carry no burden on you except your quest to answer your own questions. Troia has lived before you came to us. It will continue to live until you come home."

Milala stepped back to let Sakinah through the door, and the young Skyreader closed the door behind her as if closing the door on her past to struggle to move forward. She then took the key she kept in her dress pocket to the lock on the door. Before allowing herself any chance to turn away from what she set out to do, she put the key in her mentor's hand. "Keep this for me. When I have my answers, I will come back to face what remains here."

"Yes," Milala said, gripping the key between her old, wrinkly hands. "I will protect it as you go forward."

And then, Sakinah took to the stairs, not wanting to linger there any longer. She went down the staircase until she stood in the Great Hall of Troia. Many of the guards waved to her, knowing that she was to set out very soon. She waved in return, noticing that the people who populated the castle seemed to not care that she failed them enough to lead to so much of their country being destroyed. Or, perhaps it was that they wanted her to leave. Maybe they were happy to see her go? Perhaps they hoped she would get her punishment away from their land, saving them from whatever wrath was intended for her. Sakinah did not blame anyone for feeling this way. She knew that if her death would undo the damage, she would die willingly.

One guard opened the door to the Chamber of the Crystal for her as she passed him. She didn't even have to ask.

Once inside, the altar stood there as strong and proud as it had since she came to Troia during her childhood. The light was dimmer than usual, however. Sakinah approached the altar silently until she stood right before it, staring directly into the gentle light of the magical rock hovering right above the altar.

"Earth crystal," Sakinah said finally. "I come to inform you that I will be leaving Troia very soon. I am to quest to know the answers to my questions, ones that only I can find answers to. I failed you, and the power you bestowed upon me." She bowed her head, feeling her eyes burn with tears. "Sir Kain saved my life, as I flung myself from the tower just earlier today. I realize that taking my life, and the power you gave me, away from this world is a greater sin than I can atone for. I must have my answers, so I may better serve you when I return."

The crystal's glow intensified for a moment, and within it, Sakinah saw a place she had never been before. It was a mountain, taller than any other, wherein a grave marked by both the sun and the moon's light. And standing there at that grave was none other than Kain, with his hand extended as if to let Sakinah take hold of it.

"...Will I find my answers upon this mountain with him?" Sakinah asked. "Then it is where I will go. Earth crystal, you have given me so much. I wish to repay you in one form or another for watching over me as you have." She smiled, sniffling a few times. "But I will go. Thank you. Blessed be your light that shines upon all the world, Sacred Crystal."

Sakinah turned around to leave, when she noticed Kain was standing at the chamber door. When she left, he came with her, and the guard closed the door to the most sacred place in all of their country.

"We've retrieved the stone for my men to rebuild the village. Sakinah, I must pick up my apprentice from Fabul and deliver him home, but after that, I will see to your quest." Kain explained everything very smoothly. "Is that acceptible for you?"

"Yes," Sakinah replied. "The cooks of our kitchen have provisions ready for us. Take them, as the Epopts have ordered me to take them with us."

"All supplies are helpful," Kain said as they walked together to the main gate of the castle. "Once they are loaded, we can launch."

"Then, let's do it before I cower in fear and change my mind."

"I will not allow you to change your mind."

"Why not?"

"Because, Sakinah, I will not let you suffer the way I did. Even if it is against your will."

She looked up at him for a moment, appreciating his honesty. "Kain. Thank you."

"...it is I who must thank you."