Ikshan

The wind blows quite strongly but the sun is warm as we reach the place Sonia indicated to us. I take the box which contains the amulet from my bag. Leno wants to see again where he was from. I told him it was not a good idea, but he insisted. I knew he would see only what was left of it, which was nothing. Some pieces of a ruined past buried in the ground. I hope it will not hurt him too much.

At least, there is no trace here of the modern world, only trees and bushes, and plants growing among rocks. The only presence of humanity is a vineyard visible on the other side of the hill.

"I spotted a wine-tasting place on the road. We have to try it!" Zoé says.

"Sure! Do you know I have a vineyard? By the way, I bought it because I met once this incredible sommelier, and it's funny because..."

"Ikshan," Zoé interrupts. "I would love to know about your sommelier, but I have a strong feeling it's a thirty minutes story, at best, and a wonderful thirty minutes story, I'm sure, but, well, I'm hungry. So can you tell me about it later?"

I clear my throat. "Yes, sorry. I think I'm stalling because I'm worried about Leno."

A flicker of concern crosses Zoé's face before her usual sarcastic expression makes a comeback, without erasing completely the softness in her eyes, though. "You're so cheesy. But I guess it's part of your charm. Well, don't worry. He's going to be fine. He has you."

I smile.

Then I call for Leno as he asked me to and, while he appears in front of us, he lifts his hand before his face to protect his eyes from the light. It's the first time he's outside since he's been cursed. His eyes get used to the sun and they open wide as he turns around to absorb the whole landscape around him.

"Are we there? The exact spot?" He asks carefully.

"Yes."

"There was a village here." He points at the foot of the hill, where only trees stand now. "And the vegetation was different," he adds slowly.

I worry. "Leno?"

He turns his head toward me, and his eyes glisten as on the verge of tears. I take a step forward and, hesitantly, grab his hand in mine. It's the first time I touch him. I'm surprised by the heat of his skin. He looks at my hand before his gaze comes back to look me in the eyes. A tear rolls down his cheek. I would like to bring him more comfort, but I don't know what to do.

"I'm sorry," I say.

He nods, squeezing my hand.

"Do you want me to bring you back when you'll go?" I ask.

He looks one last time at the landscape and takes a deep breath. "No, I'm fine. Thank you. Just tell me when you'll have the amulet."

Leno vanishes not long after, leaving Zoé and me, alone and ready to accomplish what we're here for. Fortunately, we won't have to dig because it would have taken a lot to do so blindly in such a rocky ground.

I pull out of my bag the enchanted stone Sonia gave me and listen quietly to check if nobody's around. I start to chant the spell, and threads of light reach for the ground from the stone. Zoé watches me with intensity.

I feel a vibration under my feet before dust splashes from the ground, and after a minute or two, a golden piece of metal appears from the dirt and flies to my hand. I grab it and the light vanishes, along with the vibration.

"Is it dangerous to have it in your hand?" Zoé asks.

"Sonia said it's not," I reply, lifting the magical object at the level of my eyes to study it. On this one, there is another image, not a monster this time, but a person.