45

GABRIELLA’S POV
“What did you find?” I asked Margaret, my eyes fixed on her, brimming with anticipation. Her emerald-green bracelet, the one she wore when she wanted to channel her mystical abilities, caught my attention as she reached for it.
“It’s not what we expected,” she replied, her voice tinged with disappointment. She held the bracelet tightly in her hand, her fingers tracing its intricate patterns.
My heart sank at her words. Not what we expected? What was she talking about? I couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration and impatience welling up within me.
“Margaret, please speak to me directly,” I pleaded, my voice laden with urgency. “Say it in a way that I can understand. What do you mean by ‘it’s not what we expected’? What did you see?”
She looked up at me, her gaze distant for a moment before refocusing on me. “It didn’t show me what we’re looking for,” she said, her tone curt and abrupt.
I could feel my irritation mounting. Why was she speaking in such short, cryptic sentences? I took a deep breath, attempting to regain my composure. “Margaret, I need you to communicate clearly,” I implored. “Why are you doing this?”
Her brow furrowed in confusion. “Doing what?” she asked, her voice tinged with obliviousness.
I sighed, feeling weariness creep into my voice. “Doing that-talking in such a curt manner,” I explained, my frustration evident.
Margaret’s eyes widened in realization, and she offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice softening.
“My mind had wandered off. What were we saying again?” Her gaze locked onto mine, more attentive than before.
“It’s fine,” I reassured her, mustering a nod of understanding. “You said it’s not what we expected,” I reminded her, hoping to steer the conversation back on track.
“Oh, yes,” she replied, her voice regaining a touch of certainty. “We were expecting to see a traitor or something,” she started, her words flowing with a newfound sense of coherence. I could see that she was now attentive.
“Yes, yes,” I interjected, urging her to continue. “Who is the person? Who did you see?”
“That’s the problem,” she confessed, her voice filled with a hint of defeat. “I didn’t see anyone.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at her in disbelief. How was that even possible?
“If you didn’t see anyone, then what did you see?” I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of confusion and frustration.
“An instruction,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
An instruction? What did that even mean? The tension in the room thickened as we exchanged a silent gaze, searching for answers. The weight of the unknown pressed upon us, intensifying our emotions.
“What instruction? What are we supposed to do?” I demanded, my voice betraying my rising anxiety.
Margaret took a deep breath, her eyes conveying a mix of determination and apprehension. “We were told to conduct a thorough search,” she revealed, her voice carrying a newfound weight.
My mind raced, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation. A thorough search? How were we supposed to proceed? Doubt and uncertainty clawed at my thoughts, but I couldn’t afford to let them consume me.
“How do we go about that?” I asked, my eyes locked onto hers, desperately seeking guidance amidst the chaos of our emotions.
Margaret’s gaze softened, and she reached out to gently squeeze my hand, offering a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, just calm down,” she said, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “We’ll gather all our resources-the guards, the warriors, and anyone else who could be of use. Then, a meeting of the elders will take place to finalize the arrangements.”
Relieved by her words, I nodded and tried to steady my racing heart. “Okay, okay,” I replied, my eagerness still palpable. “After that, what happens?”
Margaret’s expression turned serious, a hint of frustration flickering in her eyes. “That’s what I was trying to explain earlier,” she said, her voice tinged with a touch of irritation. “You didn’t let me finish.”
I immediately felt a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized, realizing that I had cut her off, desperate for answers. I fell silent, allowing her to continue.
“It’s fine,” she reassured me, her voice softening. “So, as I was saying, once all the preparations are in place, we’ll commence a three-day non-stop chant to empower the visions and insights of those who will carry out the thorough search.”
I listened intently, my mind absorbing her words. Three days of continuous chanting?
Margaret’s reassuring gaze met my bewildered eyes as she continued to outline the plan. “During these three days, they won’t consume normal meals or drink ordinary water,” she explained calmly, causing a wave of shock to wash over me.
A gasp escaped my lips as I struggled to comprehend the implications. “How are they going to survive?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern.
Margaret’s expression softened, her voice filled with a mixture of empathy and resolve. “It’s a test of their dedication and inner strength,” she replied. “They will subsist solely on the nourishment of sacred herbs and purified water, channeling their energy into the task at hand.”
I furrowed my brow, trying to wrap my mind around the magnitude of the undertaking. The intensity of their commitment was staggering, and the weight of responsibility settled upon me like a heavy cloak.
“But won’t it be dangerous?” I voiced my concern, my tone laced with worry. “Three days without proper sustenance? They could collapse or fall ill.”
Margaret nodded, acknowledging the valid point. “Yes, it carries risks,” she admitted, her voice tinged with a somber tone.
“That’s why we must carefully select individuals who have undergone rigorous training and possess the resilience to endure such a trial.”
Margaret’s eyes softened, and she placed a comforting hand on my arm. “I understand your eagerness, and I share it,” she said, her voice infused with warmth.
“To choose the right individuals, we’ll perform a sacred ritual involving both men and women. During this ceremony, a divine sign will appear on the bodies of those who are destined to undertake the task.”
I couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and reverence at the thought of witnessing such a profound event. “Wow,” I whispered, my voice filled with wonder. “This is truly a momentous undertaking.”
Margaret nodded, her expression grave yet determined. “Indeed, it is,” she acknowledged. “But we won’t face it alone. Our ancestors will guide us and provide the wisdom we need to navigate this path.”
Her words offered solace, reminding me that we were connected to a larger lineage of knowledge and support. However, my curiosity still burned, demanding answers to our immediate course of action.
“Thank you, Margaret,” I said, gratitude lacing my words. “But what do we do next? How do we begin, and when should we start?”
Margaret’s eyes met mine, a glimmer of anticipation in her gaze. “Now is the time for action,” she replied, her voice filled with resolve. “We must convene the council of elders and present them with our findings. They will provide the guidance necessary for our next steps and help us initiate the preparations.”
Her words resonated within me, igniting a renewed sense of urgency. “Yes,” I agreed eagerly. “Let us gather the council. Let’s act fast.”
A smile of agreement graced Margaret’s lips, and she stood up, ready to set our plans into motion. “No, that’s not yours to worry about. I will take care of the necessary arrangements,” she assured me, her voice brimming with determination. “Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll hold a meeting.”
“Thank you so much, Margaret,” I said, genuine gratitude emanating from my words as I offered her a heartfelt smile. “You don’t even know how much this means to me. I can’t thank you enough.”
Her own smile matched mine, warm and reassuring. “It’s nothing,” she replied modestly. “I’m glad I can be of help. We’ll face this challenge together. I’m not doing it just for you; I’m doing it for my people too. If any harm comes near one of you, it has come near all of us.”
The weight on my shoulders felt slightly lighter with Margaret’s support, and a sense of relief washed over me. Knowing that there was a solution, a plan to follow, and the thought of it gave me a renewed sense of hope.
“Alright,” I continued, my voice filled with determination. “I’ll take my leave now. I need to get back to my room before Nicklaus wakes up and notices my absence.”
A hint of amusement danced in Margaret’s eyes as she chuckled softly. “What?” she asked, a playful tone creeping into her voice. “He doesn’t know you came to see me?” she teased.
I couldn’t help but blush at her remark, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and guilt. “No,” I admitted, lowering my gaze slightly.
“I didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily. Besides, I wanted to gather as much information as possible before involving anyone else. So, yes, this is just between me and you for now.”
Margaret nodded in understanding, her expression softening. “I get it,” she said, her voice tinged with empathy. “But remember, it’s important to trust and confide in your loved ones. Let him know before he hears it from someone else because we’ll make an announcement tomorrow afternoon so everyone can be ready by dawn.”
She was right. This was something that involved everybody. Sooner or later, he’d hear about it.
I had to tell him first thing tomorrow morning. With a grateful smile, I looked up at Margaret.
“You’re right,” I acknowledged, my voice filled with appreciation. “I’ll talk to Nicklaus about it tomorrow.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
And with that, I left her room with hope in my heart.