The Butterfly Effect

The closest thing to apprehension that Rosie had was the thought, You should've done this sooner. Then not as many would've gotten hurt.

Because for all the shit that Priesty talked about, he did have a point in one thing: what Eira would've thought of all of this. If she saw Rosie now. And she wasn't one for praying—she wouldn't blame the gods for abandoning her—but she found herself doing it now, hoping she was making something right.

On the trip there, she recalled another moment. It's odd, she'd pushed most thoughts about Eira away—there was no use dwelling in them now, at least not during daylight hours. But since deciding this, it seemed she never quite left. Perhaps it was some fragment of a spirit, a ghost, guiding Rosie towards the right path. Maybe she was just desperate for some kind of validation. But the memory was one she didn't mind, in fact it filled her with a different kind of resolve.

They'd both had a little too many drinks, admittedly, though that didn't make Eira's excited smile mean any less. "I've got the perfect idea for the first thing we're going to do when we've got our own place somewhere."

"And what's that, love?"

"We should look into getting some pets. Give us some experience taking care of something in case… we might want to look after a someone one day."

"You're thinking pretty far ahead, for someone who didn't know what to do on the date she suggested."

"Is that such a bad thing? We might have our whole lives ahead of us, Rosie, but we shouldn't waste a second."

Of course, weeks later… it became apparent Eira's "whole life" wasn't nearly as long as it should've been. But that didn't mean she was wrong. There was hardly a second where she was anything other than right, whether that was a relieving or painful fact.

There wasn't a second left to waste.

Rosie had spent the years making sure the others working for Priesty knew she wasn't one to mess with. Most of them saw her expression and, wisely, turned right around and walked out. There were a few that stood and watched, though no one would dare to interrupt her. She barged right into the office and stared down the man at the other side of the desk.

"Come now, Roselyn, you know there's more important things to do than be angry," Priesty remarked. He wasn't fazed by seeing her—he probably didn't think much of it. In fact, he even leaned further back into his chair. "Did you not like what you found? Are you finally ready to turn him in, knowing there's nothing you can do to fight it?"

"I can fight it, and I'm going to. It's about time all of this catches up to you."

"You've got some guts, saying that kind of thing to me. Don't you think you've got something to pay for, too? You can't honestly think you're innocent in all of this… or that one thing is going to change all of that."

She slammed her hands down on the desk and leaned closer. Remembering a trick Eira would show her, Rosie made the candle nearby flicker—a little show of warning. "At least I'm going to own my mistakes. I didn't believe for a second that I was doing the right thing. But I'm sure about this."

"Oh, yes, give me the whole story about your sudden change of heart." He crossed his arms. "You know, I'd much rather you get to the point. You're not doing anything but stalling, and this is quite the interesting scenario you're putting yourself in. You better hurry up if you plan on doing this quickly. Not unless you're hoping someone will come, see this, and let you be the next one burned…"

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As she stalked around to be behind him and put a dagger to his throat, he didn't so much as flinch. It was as annoying as it was concerning—the fact he still looked like he had perfect control over every moment. She'd never known him to show emotion before now, though nearly everyone she'd come across, no matter how cut off, showed something when faced with death. It could be hatred. Sorrow. Fear. Confliction.

But the only thing present in Priesty's expression was the hint of annoyance… as if all of this was just some kind of inconvenience for him.

So as much as she didn't want to know the answer—afraid of what it might tell her—she asked,

"Why aren't you doing anything?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Would you only feel justified if I squirmed? Not used to people not putting up a fight, are we..?"

The dagger pressed just close enough to draw blood. "Tell me."

"Do you believe I have some nefarious plan? That I'm a double, perhaps, and the real me is safe somewhere else? Or that there are guards stationed just outside? The truth of the matter is, dear Roselyn, that it's just you and me. Anyone is unlikely to enter this office for another couple of hours. You could off me in seconds and hide all the evidence easily. And yet, you hesitate. Because to start this new life, it requires one more sacrifice. One more—"

The dagger cut closer. "One less manipulative bastard. I hope there's a special kind of place waiting for you…"

…

She walked back out like nothing had happened. No one would care enough to ask questions. If there was any kind of commotion about it, she was gone before it happened, and she didn't hear anything about it on her trip. But that didn't mean she took her time—she traveled with a purpose. She needed to be sure Alexei was alright. There hadn't really been a time where they were this far apart from each other; she knew he was an adult, but… she couldn't argue with the desire to protect.

She'd been to the town in question before—that's partially how she knew it was a safe place for them. It was bigger than a lot of the other towns in the area and had enough diversity and travelers that a few more wouldn't make that much of a difference. And while one might think finding them after would cause some issues, it wasn't something a bird and a little bit of magic couldn't fix. As soon as she got there, she found one and made it carry a letter to Alexei, asking to meet up with her at the town square.

In all of her time traveling, she wasn't exactly one to stop and consider the lives of those she passed by. Most of the time, it seemed like a waste; she wouldn't see them again and she certainly wasn't interacting with them. But now, she really focused on all of the sights around her. A couple of kids were chasing each other around some of the stalls. Others were swinging by their parents' arms or chattering abotu one thing or another.

But there was one particular kid she was able to spot right away, and that she gestured over as soon as he noticed her.

"Miss me?" she prompted. She nodded towards the other two beside him. "Seems like you've gotten pretty comfortable with your new friends. Manage alright without me?"

The relief on Alexei's face almost suggested she'd just returned from something terrible—like he hadn't expected a return. A part of her wanted to tease him abotu it. The other part new that, in a way, this had to have been hard for him; he'd already left so much of what was familiar.

But maybe, he wouldn't have to be apart from it for much longer, if he didn't want to.

"I'm glad you're back," he said as he sat down beside her. She was used to it sounding like his words just barely began to describe what he was feeling—this time, however, it was a good thing. "Feodor's been a big help…"

Feodor—he and a boy, probably Yul, had walked here with Alexei—shrugged. "I haven't done much other than pay for room and board."

Alexei shook his head. To Rosie, he said, "He's been helping me figure out what I'm going to do now."

"We," she corrected.

"What?"

"Do you really think I'm going to leave you alone after all of this? I'm still your mentor, after all. I have to make sure you're taking care of yourself and you don't end up in more trouble. Eira wouldn't forgive me if I did all that, just to leave you on your own. Have any plans?"

"Not… really, honestly. I want to go back home, but I don't think I can stay there. Not for a while. And I want to meet Milo again. But I'm not sure of anything else…"

"It's alright, we'll figure it out together. You've got your own life ahead of you, kid. I know you'll make the most of it."