Chapter 5
I roamed through the forest hunting, the quiet of the woods calming the storm in my mind. The setting sun painted long shadows across the path as I neared my grandmother's cottage. The day was fading into twilight, darkness creeping between the trees.
The familiar scent of earth and blooming wildflowers filled the air, but tonight, unease lingered beneath the surface. The conversation with Galen twisted through my thoughts. The memory of my match with Finn burned fresh, especially with Ma?l's appearance and his taunting words still ringing in my ears.
As I stepped onto the worn path leading to the door, something caught my eye. There, on the doorstep, lay a book. The golden title inlaid in the worn green cover shone under the fading sunlight. My pulse jumped at the sight. There was no doubt in my mind that Ma?l had left it. An offering of peace.
I knelt down, fingers brushing over the spine. The worn leather beneath my fingers felt like an echo of his touch. A reminder of all those times we'd sprawled on the grass together. I'd share my stories with him and he his dreams of being a valiant knight. I glanced around, half-expecting him to appear from behind a tree, his usual playful grin plastered on his face. But nothing stirred but the gentle rustle of leaves.
Exhaling a breath that carried both relief and frustration, I tucked the book under my arm and slipped inside the cottage. The dim glow of candlelight flickered against the walls, casting playful shadows that danced as if they shared my thoughts.
Once settled in bed, I opened the book, revealing familiar scrawls across yellowing pages. Illustrations of trees and mountains, even wolves and snakes curled around paragraphs and quotes. It told of a lost girl who encountered both danger and salvation in the woods - a deceitful snake and a protective wolf. While I normally wouldn't condone defacing any book, Ma?l's sketches seemed to fit, as if this book would never have existed without them.
Each sketch brought a bittersweet ache. My heart and mind clashed over whether this gift was merely a peace offering or something deeper.
I curled onto my side, hugging the book to my chest like armor against my turbulent thoughts. Moonlight streamed through the window, catching dust motes that twirled like my scattered emotions. The pages held echoes of us - shared laughter on long sunny days and secrets whispered through winter nights. Like a rope in stormy seas, I clung to these memories, even as I feared the weight of them might pull me under.
Sleep claimed me as one final question lingered: what message lay hidden between these marked pages?
Morning light seeped through the cracks in the shutters, but something felt off. I blinked awake, my body heavy with an peculiar sense of foreboding. The usual sound of my grandmother bustling about in the kitchen wasn't there. I pushed the covers aside and swung my legs over the side of the bed, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Grandmother?" My voice pierced the stillness. I hastily pulled on my leathers. I padded down the small hallway to the kitchen, but it remained silent. The usual morning symphony of clattering pots and sweet aromas was absent.
Vacant. Loneliness pressed against my chest like a physical weight.
I stepped outside into the cool morning air, hoping maybe she had ventured into town or taken to her garden early for herbs to ease her aching joints. But as I walked toward our bountiful garden, dread twisted inside me like dark clouds rolling over an otherwise clear sky.
I turned back toward town, an impulse rising within me to find Ma?l. I owed him one hell of an apology, even if it meant enduring his teasing again. The thought brought a small smile to my lips amid churning worry.
As I moved through the village, people bustled about their morning routines but their joy felt distant from where I stood. With each step toward Ma?l's usual haunt near the square, determination coursed within me.
I spotted him leaning against the weathered fence of the training ring, laughing with a group of friends while his brown hair caught glimmers of sunlight. The sight of him made my heart flutter – comfort and chaos wrapped in one effortlessly charming package.
"Ma?l!" My voice cut through their chatter like a knife through fog, urgent and clear amidst all that noise surrounding us.
His friends quieted as they all turned to look at me. Among them was Finn, who sneered at the sight of me.
"Well, if it isn't the vicious little hunter," Ma?l teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, "Finn just got his ass handed to him by Thomas, I'm sure he could use another easy win." The boys snickered around them and Finn's face flushed crimson with anger. I took the comment at face value, not letting it turn my emotions into another rage. I smiled up at Ma?l as if he had said the most wonderful thing to me.
I knew gushing about the book or apologizing right here in front of everyone wouldn't bode well for either of us. The boys were like vultures if you showed any signs of weakness. Poor Thomas let it slip he was sweet on a girl and they had tormented him for months.
"How about you and me, Ma?l?" I challenged, my violet eyes locking onto his brown ones. A spark of anticipation flickered in their depths. The others fell silent, sensing the shift in atmosphere as Ma?l's grin faltered for a heartbeat.
Ma?l's eyes widened, his confident grin faltering for a moment. "You want to spar with me?" His tone carried equal measures of surprise and intrigue, a challenge sparking in his eyes.
I nodded, my violet eyes locked on his. "Afraid you can't keep up?"
The men around us let out a chorus of "ooohs," egging him on. Ma?l's shock melted into a wicked smirk. "Alright, Lor. Let's see what you've got."
We stepped into the ring, stalking each other in measured steps. My heart raced, but not from fear. This was familiar territory. This dance with him was all too familiar.
Ma?l struck first, a quick jab that I evaded with practiced ease. I countered with a sweep of my leg, nearly catching him off guard. He stumbled but regained his footing, chuckling. "Getting better, little hunter."
A thin sheen of sweat formed on my skin as I blocked a particularly fierce punch. Ma?l was strong, but I was quick. His raw strength met my speed, and I landed two strikes for each of his.
The world narrowed to just us, the men's roars becoming distant echoes. I saw an opening and went for it, launching a kick toward his center. But Ma?l was ready. He caught my ankle, turning my own force against me.
I hit the ground hard with a heavy thud, the breath knocked from my lungs, my ribs screaming in protest as dirt and gravel bit into my back.
Before I could recover, Ma?l had me pinned, his weight pressing me into the dirt.
"Yield?" he breathed, his face inches from mine.
I struggled for a moment, but his grip was unbreakable. "I yield," I panted.
Ma?l pulled away and reached down to help me. As he pulled me up, I expected to see triumph in his eyes. Instead, there was only warmth and genuine concern.
"Good match," he said gently.
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "Thank you. And... thank you for the book. It was thoughtful." My heart fluttered traitorously in my chest, warmth spreading through me despite the ache of my bruised pride.
Ma?l's expression grew tender. "You're welcome, Lor."
I swallowed hard, pushing down my pride. "I'm sorry about our argument. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
He traced his jaw thoughtfully, watching as the rowdy boys sauntered away now that the match had concluded. "It's alright, I just wish you'd talk to me when something is wrong."
I lowered my gaze to my feet, the truth lodged in my throat like a thorn. "It was just too much wine. You know I don't have much experience." I lied, it was the only way I could think to patch things up without revealing I drunk myself into oblivion over him.
"Well, seems your tolerance for wine rivals your sense of direction." He nudged my shoulder, his laugh deep and warm. "Trenton ditched patrol duty tonight. Care to join me instead?"
My heart leapt at the prospect, but I forced my expression to remain neutral. "And what's in it for me? I'm not keen on being your backup while you catch some shut-eye."
"Come on, Lor," he said, eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's your birthday, and I happen to know we'll be passing a merchant camp. Who knows? They might have a tragic romance to add to your collection."
"Fine," I conceded, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest.
His face lit up with my acceptance, a grin spreading across his features. "Perfect. I'll come by your place after supper."
As he turned to leave, I said, "I can just meet you at the front gate…"
He turned back, his eyebrows raised in mock horror. "And risk you getting lost? Not a chance. I'd rather face a pack of dire wolves than your grandmother's wrath. She'd break every bone in my body and make sure they all healed wrong." With a final grin and a casual wave, he sauntered off, no doubt to catch some rest before our night patrol.
I watched him go, my chest tightening with a familiar ache. Tears threatened to blur my vision, and I blinked them back angrily, hating myself for being so weak. This was Ma?l, my best friend, nothing more. But as I turned to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking away from something far greater than just a patrol partner.