Curling her lips, Sonnia spoke, trying not to laugh.

  “I am Freeg’s step grandmother. I was hardly able to get it with all the fuss at the entrance. Curses and plagues and then golems. Is something wrong or did you not learn manners to the elderly.”

  This time a human woman spoke.

  “Freeg never has spoken of family, it’s just odd. We know they ran into trouble with some adventurers. They were cut down.”

  A bystander pushed her arm and she went silent as more eyes fell on Sonnia and her disguise. She backed off from the crowds awkwardly staring while gripping her staff harder.

  “Well, I guess I should go find her then. I am gonna be off now.”

  Trying to distance herself from the crowd, more thoughts turned into her head looking angry.

  “Freeg has no family; they passed away. Yet she said they left….. Freeg. We need to have a chat now. Friends that lie are not friends”

  The sun was positioned to high noon. Sonnia felt comfortable walking around in her old woman form. A few times her back straightened and she wanted to walk faster but caught herself. Sonnia slowly stumbled to the upper levels. Few guards did eye her, some were murmuring to themselves. Sonnia heard of the festival happening soon. Also heard of Chester ready to sell a miracle cure. Walking up the stairs she was approached. A hand was put on her shoulder. A guard wearing the usual leather armor seen from all the others.

  “Ahoy miss. Sorry, the second level is meant for nobles only. It’s forbidden unless you have business.”

  Her first instinct was to shove the guard away but Sonnia fought hard to catch herself. She was seen shaking momentarily. Still she dawned her play voice.

  “Ahhh I see. I umm was visiting…Freeg. She offered a few petals to ease my coughs. I was told she lived up here.”

  Sonnia looked closer into his eyes and waited for a response. Her heart beat skipped a little yet the guard nodded his head staying composed.

  “I see. Freeg’s house is up here that is true but it’s usually abandoned. You’ll have no luck finding her. Check the Jail down below. It’s hard to miss. Literally has its name on the building. Have a nice day.”

  Sonnia nodded and shook her head. Going back down the stairs she tried navigating her way to the Jail. She remembered the tall building she used as a perch and looked to find it. Then finally she found it, the broken window covered with nailed wood and the big letters.

  Inside the building she was stopped by the jailor. He had a nasty looking bruise on his cheek. He looked at the old woman with an irritated look. Sonnia swallowed a laugh as she heard him mumble.

  “Got business here?”

  Sonnia limped closer. Her voice got dangerously close to normal.

  “I am here to see Freeg about petals pleaseeee.”

  The guard looked at her then shook his head putting a hand in the hilt of his sword.

  “Sorry captain's orders. No one gets in. Now leave.”

  Sonnia smiled and shook her head. Turning around she started walking out before quickly spinning with her staff and smacking him on his other cheek. The guard collapsed instantly. He let out a groan and a mark formed on his cheek and a tooth fell out. Sonnia finally let out a loud childish laugh.

  “Rough day for you pal. Drink your meals slowly.”

  Sonnia took a few minutes and moved his body into a chair then positioned him to look like he was asleep on the job with his sword stabbed into the table next to a book. She looked at him from a distance and continued deeper into the building. Walking past rows of empty cells Sonnia walked by whistling then in the back. Freeg laid in her cell looking up at the window. With Marm laying in the sunlight. She straightened up and wiped dust off of herself.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  “Hello Miss. I am Freeg. Are you sick.”

  Sonnia stared coldly and went silent, unlocking the cell.

  “It’s me, Freeg. I have some concerning things to ask you.”

  Freeg’s eyes widened after hearing the voice. She smiled and got up ready to hug her. Yet Sonnia stood still even feeling Freeg’s embrace.

  “Sonnia! I was worried about you! Marm was acting weird when you were gone. She cared about you too. How did you manage such a disguise??”

  For a moment Sonnia hesitated. Freeg didn’t seem scared or pressured by Sonnia. Still Sonnia remaining cold pushed Freeg away and stepped in, locking the cell door. Freeg looked uncomfortable and crept back into a corner waiting for Sonnia to talk.

  “Seems I may have killed everyone in the quarantine zone on accident Freeg. The dust actually spreads the plague like crazy. I didn’t find many living people. The cult attacked me. Gar said he wanted to assassinate you and steal your flower.”

  Freeg covered her mouth. Sonnia word stunned her. Any words that he attempted to hear came out as gasps, after a minute the shock let out.

  “What? Everyone is dead? They all fell to the plague? That’s terrible then I imagine the cult they wanted to kill me and steal Garm?”

  Sonnia stayed silent and walked towards Freeg taking small steps.

  “Cut the crap. You lied about your parents too. They didn’t leave. They died. I heard it, and I think you knew that too. I trusted you Freeg. Andddd well Liars deserve to die.”

  Sonnia got more angry, ready to kill Freeg if need be all it took was one more lie. Freeg nodded her head and looked down at the ground.

  “Yes. I did know. Sonnia…my parents didn’t leave me. They died….assassinated. They were all I had left. It’s hard some days to accept they are gone. I visit their graves often in the catacombs. It’s how I know my way around. I talk to them once a week at least.”

  Sonnia stood only a few feet from her. She slowly lowered her staff. She eyed Marm before Sonnia could try anything, Freeg clutched Marm in her arms.

  “Marm is the only family I have left Sonnia. She’s done this town a lot of good. I’m sure you can believe that as well. We give the town hope.”

  Freeg's face grew more angry and her breath quickened.

  “What are you trying to prove, Sonnia? We are friends! I healed you. Why do you look at me with such hatred? What could I have done to earn this?”

  Sonnia didn’t soften for a moment; she debated telling Freeg what she discovered from Gar. Still she inched closer to the truth.

  “Marm. How did you get her again? Explain it slowly.”

  “My parents gave her to me as a gift. I was always bed ridden. Alton found her. My parents gladly took her and gave it to me. When I got better he got sick.”

  Sonnia smiled and nodded her head.

  “Final puzzle piece then. Freeg, show your arms. NOW!”

  Freeg hearing Sonnia angry voice quickly lifted her arms. Clear, no signs of infection. Sonnia looked closely, seemingly confused. She grabbed Freeg’s other arm and looked at the same thing. She even ripped open the top of her dress. Freeg recoiled in horror and covered herself. Still though, clean no black lines. Sonnia got up.

  “Why aren't you infected?”

  Freeg covered herself and spoke more louder with tears forming as she blushed.

  “I told you the petals. Marm protects me. Every night she gives me her warmth and love. Why are you acting like this?”

  Sonnia, now irritated, started rambling.

  “The dust killed the people. It was made from petals. I saw it all. I felt it. It all made sense yet you are always with Marm and you are safe. What the hell. Errrr. This is stupid.”

  She sat down and smacked the back of her head against the wall letting out a sigh. Freeg though stayed tucked in her corner. Shielding herself and Garm with her arms.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Sonnia yelled at her.

  “The petals did all of this. It all made sense. Alton, random sick people, why the wall doesn't work. We need to kill Marm. Hand it here.”

  Freeg frowned.

  “I refuse. What proof do you have that Mark caused this? Her petals have healed people, me included. I think you are paranoid.”

  Sonnia grabbed Freeg’s hand and yanked her off the ground.

  “I’ll show you. Then you’ll destroy Marm once and for all.”

  Then she pulled Freeg to her side, tightening her grip to a strong squeeze.

  “If you try to scream for help. You and the flower will die by my hands and I will save the town. They will believe me too. Do I make myself clear Freeg?”

  She nodded her head and stayed silent. Sonnia smiled and slowly walked to the exit.

  “Remember Freeg. I am your grandma. Pick whatever name you want. I’ll show you that I am telling the truth.”

  Freeg followed silently letting out a cough as she covered her mouth. Walking out they passed the guard. Sonnia ignored him, though Freeg noted his bruises and frowned. Once outside Sonnia lead her down stairs into a alleyway. A sweet stale odor filled. Freeg frowned and looked around.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  Sonnia ignored until she brought him to the same man she had found a day ago. Still laying there except now the sprouts had bloomed into flowers, some purple, others blue, then other red. They instinctively moved away from Sonnia

  .

  “This is the plague Freeg. I’m sure you’ve seen it many times. They sprout flowers like Marm. They look similar, don't they? It’s proof."

  Freeg though still shook her head no.

  “Marm doesn't and hasn’t killed anyone. She is different from these. Perhaps Marm is a species that thrives on killing the plague. This isn’t proof Sonnia. Not enough to convince me.”

  Sonnia growled in anger. She raised her staff ready to pluck the pot of her hands and crush Marm suddenly. Sonnia heard a voice in her head as her eyes momentarily dazed. Kaelith spoke.

  “Sonnia, you are being too harsh. She sees you as a friend and an ally. Use your charm and win her. There is so much more to show her. She is Freeg the town healer not Freeg the silent killer. Trust me. It’s why you are here.”

  Sonnia went back to normal and shook her head in agreement. She looked at Freeg and sighed.

  “It’s not your fault, Freeg maybe. I’m still deciding but I’ve seen a lot today.”

  Freeg still looked wary.

  “Like what? What changed you, Sonnia?”

  Sonnia looked at her and smiled a bit.

  “Once upon a time there on the other side of a wall. There was a man who watched his friends die and get infected. He tried hard to find a way to save them instead. He made a way to control and stall while making people think they were saved. A blonde girl found this way to stall and gave it to everyone. When she learned the truth she killed his friends. His dead plant infected wife. Then him. Not before he told his secrets. Now she wants to save the people by spreading the truth. Now she stares at the source debating what to do. And yes I got hurt a lot learning it all.”

  Freeg looked confused and took a few steps back.

  “I’m not convinced what if he is lying? A spiteful last way to ruin the town. The cult hated us and Chester. There is no proof that Mary is connected to the plague. Stop Sonnia.”

  Sonnia remained calm and looked at the body.

  “I have one last thing to show Freeg. I don’t want to do this again. Watch.”

  She used her staff and ported the chest open. Inside a rotten smell filled the air. Black roots showed and it seemed the man’s heart was being shriveled up and blackened. Sonnia, careful to avoid the thorns, stabbed the heart and a scream was heard. Marm seemed to react as the flowers fell to the ground seemingly glowing a little.