Cici Tsumis

Chapter 7

It took about a day and a half. I would have come sooner but I still felt numb from the bloody war I partook in. It was like I was in a bubble, and everything was an echo and blur around me.

And now I stare at what was once a beautiful mansion. The one I lived in as a girl. It’s now a mountain pile of burnt wood.

Miraculously, the forest did not catch on fire. I thought numbly.

There were a few workers, trying to move piece by piece. For what purpose? I have no clue.

“My lady! is that you?”

I look up. A maid is running towards me.

“Why it is you, my lady! No one else has such dashing good looks like Master Duke Regin!” she started to babble once she stood before me.

I flinched when she spoke my father’s name.

“My father…is he…” I hesitated to ask. My eyes drifted to the side. I bit my lip…It was not ladylike to do so. I faintly recalled my mother’s voice.

Fortunately, the maid nodded in understanding. “Oh yes the Master! You must be looking for him!”

Urgently, she pulled my arm, forcing me to follow her. “Come my lady! Hurry! Before you miss him! He is by the docks!”

For a maid she was quite brazen. If I was not in shock, I would have scolded her.

She called a nearby carriage standing by. She pushed me in and shut the door.

“Hurry dear! You must take the young lady to the Master before he leaves!”

Wait! Leave?!

“Hiya!” The coachman yelled before I could ask the maid what she meant.

“Good-bye my lady!” The maid yelled before her figure became a distant memory.

---

The docks were near my father’s office. It made sense because he owned a shipping company.

The building was still intact. It was about a mile or so away from the mansion.

The docks were bustling with movement. Men were coming in and out of the ship. They were preparing to sail.

I walked tentatively close to the ship, gripping my arms in the process.

“Young miss! Out of the way!”

A hand gripped my upper arm and pulled me out of the way of a barrel rolling out of control.

“Gustav! Be careful with that! Next time, you will be dismissed!” The person holding me barked out. I winced in pain for both my ears and my arm.

“Yes sir!” The man answered and scurried away.

My heart slowed a bit down when he finally let go.

“Bianca?”

I lifted my head up. My eyes widened. “F-father?”

He had certain features that showed that he was a bit older. Compared to the last time I saw him when I was 13. But he still didn’t look an age over 30.

He was still tall but not overbearingly so when I was younger. I reached for his chin now.

His crystal blue eyes stared at me as if he could not believe I was here in front of him.

“F-father, I -” I swallowed the lump in my throat and cast my sight to the ground. you’re alive! I wanted to say.

“I see you are alive and well.”

what?

His face was blank. I could not read his eyes…

He was blocking me out.

“I heard…that you are leaving?” I breathed out. Please don’t block me out! I pleaded in the back of my mind. I stared at him intently for his response.

He cleared his throat. “Yes, this war has opened my eyes that it’d be best to do business elsewhere.”

“War can happen anywhere.” I quietly disputed as I gripped my hands.

He sighed. “Yes, I’m aware. But in the outside world, I have a contact that might be willing to help me out.”

A contact? In the outside world?

I pursed my lips, my heart thudded dangerously. “It’s quite dangerous, isn’t it? Why don’t I come with you?”

“No.” He said abruptly. “The outside world is vast and peculiar. You will stay here until I send for you.”

I scowled. “I can take care of myself. I survived a battle-“

“The only survivor as I recall hearing. That does not assure me of your skills.”

I felt a stab in my chest.I looked to the ground and focused on his footwear. It was made of fine leather as usual. No decorations or fine details, which was odd.

I was trying to ignore what was unsaid:

‘It was out of pure luck that you even survived.’

He didn’t say that, but it was implied.

“If it’s peculiar, why are you going?” I whispered. Why don’t you stay…with me?

He grimaced and turned slightly away while rubbing his neck. “There are other ways one can battle and my way is not by sword. I’ve traveled to the outside world before; I will be fine.”

I nodded, recalling such rumors when I was younger. I was amazed to find out that father traveled to the outside world and returned. It was rarely done.

“Is mother going?” I looked around. I found it odd that she had not come bearing down on me with either a lecture or as a sobbing mess.

He froze. His crystal blue eyes widened. There was a sense of dread in them. I saw my reflection on them. My expression matched his perfectly as it sunk in the reason for his frozen state.

“Your mother is dead. She was burnt within the family home. I was at work, so I was unaware. By the time I knew, it was too late…”

Oh…Mother is dead.

I started rubbing my arms subconsciously as the news twirled in my mind.

“Bianca!”

I didn’t realize I was starting to hyperventilate until father gripped my shoulders.

His face showed concern as he peered into my face.

I wanted to laugh. Really? Now you are worried about me?!

I pushed his hands off my shoulders.

There was an awkwardness in the air.

He looked uncomfortable.

Surprisingly, I didn’t care.

He opened his mouth.

“Sir Regin! We are ready to set sail whenever you are!” A man yelled from the ship.

He closed his mouth and sighed.

“Stay here…and stay out of trouble. I’ll send a letter once I reach my destination.”

I nodded numbly, refusing to glance in his direction.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him raise his hand towards me.

Only to put it down and leave.

---

I watched as his ship disappeared into the mysterious fog that surrounds our island.

It was mysterious because it would act like a wall. It would either repel ships or sink it. The few that manage to go through it, don’t ever come back.

It is unknown if they end up dead or manage to go through alive. The rare ones, like my father, are ones who can come in and go as they please. No one knows why. Many have asked my father. But he always shrugs and says, ‘who knows.’

It was dusk now. The air was starting to get chilly.

As I walked away, certain thoughts plagued my mind repeatedly.

Father has left. Mother is gone. My best friend has disappeared…and I…

I am all alone…