INSIGNIAS: THE ABECEDARIANS

She stopped beside a small river way behind the cottage. It reflected the cotton-like clouds and vast sky. Sunlight sparkled through the surface and he could see the marble rocks and sands under the clear water. A swing hanged on a large tree beside a flat square rock.

Her back faced him. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed.

“Mrs. Emmy - ” he started but cut off as she turned. Sadness was evident in her eyes but a sweet smile formed as she looked at him.

“I know. I prepared myself for this day.” She nodded twice and turned towards the river.

“She is not strong, Skhy, but I assure you, she will try everything to help.”

“She refused, Mrs. Emmy.” Skhy walked towards the swing and grabbed a rope.

“I know, she did not tell me but I observed your interaction earlier,” she said still not looking at him.

“Convince her Skhy.”

“Push me?” She smiled sweetly and sat on the swing. He hated hurting her. She was like a mother to him.

“I only met her yesterday but she was quite stubborn,” he said as he pushed her on the swing, earning a hearty laugh from her.

“She is, but be good to her.”

“How am I going to convince her?” Her curls bounced with the wind. He was going to miss her all over again.

“You’ll find a way,” she whispered. A long silence followed as they let the scenery soothe their tired minds.

“Those people aren’t going to stop, Skhy.” Her voice filled of conviction.

“After the war, they did not waste time looking for them. I was lucky I found a way to look for Lei amidst their plans,” she continued. He stopped pushing the swing, walked towards the rock and sat down.

“How did you find out about her? I was surprised when her insignia appeared on that paper. The images were blurry at the beginning.” While he waited for Lei in town, he sat on a broken window while reading his father’s book. He tried to make out the images on the brown paper. He was about to give up when one circle became darker until a clear image of an insignia appeared.

“I thought you don’t know about her birth,” he added.

“I didn’t. But after the war, I found Carol’s diary.” The name brought him countless memories.

“I was not sure why they hid her, Skhy,” she continued. Tears formed on her weary eyes.

“Whatever the reason, it must be for her sake, Mrs. Emmy,” he replied as he offered a handkerchief but she refused.

“You could say that.” He frowned, confused.

“Her last entry, the day before the war, she said that Celeste knew about Lei’s future.” He had this as his assumption. Her parents tried to protect her, knowing evil persons would try to kill Lei. But how did Celeste know?

“Sorcery runs in our blood. Celeste obtained the power to see the future like our grandmother but it took a toll in her health so I advised her to stop using it,” she explained as if she read his mind.

“That’s why she became the assistant Premiere. She hid her power to everyone except the family and the Premiere.” She paused, maybe waiting for him to let the information to sink in.

“I understand Mrs. Emmy, please continue,” he gestured.

“As for Carol, she was there when her mother gave birth and when the baby was taken away.” She sighed then pursed her lips.

She suddenly turned and her green orbs looked back at him with determination.

“Convince her, Skhy. I don’t want her to leave, but she can learn many things in your journey than to stay here with me,” she begged. It must be hard on her to let Lei go. It must be killing her to not be with her. But Mrs. Emmy smiled at him without regret, just pure sadness.

“I will do my best.” He stood up and offered his hand to her, which she gladly accepted. She stood up as she gripped his hand.

“Protect them, Skhy.” Then he nodded. I will, with my life.

Lei turned back to her usually shirt and pants when Skhy and Mrs. Emmy returned to the cottage. She was walking in the garden surrounded by different types and colours of flowers. She was oblivious to his presence when he walked behind her. She suddenly stopped and picked up a yellow flower, which Skhy was not familiar of.

He stood behind her, observing her as she smell the flower and smile.

He stepped forward when a twig beneath his foot snapped, and Lei suddenly turned. Her wide eyes showed fear then surprise. Annoyance was evident on her face when she realized it was him disturbing her.

“We need to talk,” Skhy slowly said.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” She turned and walked forward while he followed her.

“You need to listen to me. We need to find the others,” he pleaded. Desperate was an understatement. Lei badly needed to understand where he was coming from. Was it a good idea that I found her first before the rest of the Seven?

He chased the thought away.

Lei stopped and her shoulders tensed.

“You have no idea how hard it is for me to live this life.” Her voice sounded like a whisper but she spat the words with venom. He closed his eyes then opened them as he breathed out.

“I know,” he whispered, looking at the ground. Her life or his life was not easy. It was a constant battle between their own happiness and everyone’s safety.

“You know?” He looked up and found Lei’s light green orbs filled with unshed tears.

“I feel the same way, but it did not stop me from fighting.” He was scared. He was lonely. But he reminded himself that someday, he would find true success, true happiness.

Lei remained silent as she stared at him, as if she does not believe him.

“I won’t regret it,” he said She blinked at his statement and turned her gaze away from him.

“I hope you won’t too,” he added then turned. He walked to the cottage, feeling dejected. I’m sorry Mrs. Emmy.

He went inside and saw Mrs. Emmy standing beside the kitchen door. A sad smile formed on her lips, she motioned for him to sit down on the sofa. He wordlessly sat and Mrs. Emmy followed. She clasped his right hand with her left.

“Thank you.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. He blinked, confusion evident on his tired face.

“I didn’t do anything; I wasn’t able to convince her.”

Mrs. Emmy shook her head but the smile did not left her face. She let go of his hand, stood up with a word and walked back to the kitchen.

Maybe Mrs. Emmy knew that this is going to happen.

He stood up and went upstairs to get his stuffs in the tree house. As he opened the door to Lei’s room, he felt alone and discouraged. He turned towards the door on the side of the room, opening it and stood under the warm sun. The forest looked peaceful - birds flew from different directions, a herd of cattle roam on a plane, the river reflected the sunlight as the water travel on the rocky bed. Who would sacrifice this peaceful place to go to a battle field? Of course, Lei would not.

He started to fix the contents of his bag pack with haste. He hated to leave, but he needed to. After shoving his clothes in the bag pack, he carried it on his back and left the tree house. Mrs. Emmy was waiting near the front door of the cottage as he descended the stairs. Lei was nowhere inside the house as he hugged her tightly and whispered ‘I love you’. Mrs. Emmy’s eyes filled with tears showed sadness but the same time showed pride.

He stepped outside with heavy heart and mind. Every step was torture. Will I accomplish my duty? This thought never left his mind as the cottage looked smaller and smaller as he walked inside the forest.

A sudden intrusion of power behind him made his head snap towards the enemy. He dropped his bag and clenched his fists. His determined eyes faltered when he noticed a pair of green orbs staring back at him. For a while, no one made a sound or movement. Skhy then eyed her bulging backpack on her back.

Why did she change her mind?

He did not know how to react, but he was quite happy. Really happy to see her.

Lei coughed and walked towards him. She stopped beside him, each facing the opposite way.

“I’m not my sister, Skhy. I am not the one you loved and lost.” Then she walked away and his heart ached again.