Chapter 26
I heed Vanya's words and stick to the main road leading out of Bridgedale, heading south towards the capital. I recalled my journey from my former village to the little towns I spent my time simply surviving in. The memories weighed heavy in my chest, each step forward a reminder of how far I'd come from those desperate days. Then that final journey to Bridgedale. I skulked through the woods, trying not to attract any attention, afraid of robbers or worse. Now, I rode with my head held high.
Raven, my trusty companion, was happy to be out of the stable. When I found us alone, I would pull shadows to us, practicing covering myself plus an extension. Raven didn't seem to mind when the inky tendrils surrounded him, it was like he felt at one with the darkness. Or maybe he enjoyed the extra treats I gave him throughout the day. Either way, the day Vanya had gifted him to me was one of the happiest since finding the guild. My soul had found a kindred spirit in the animal and he seemed to have agreed the same for him.
One night, I lit a fire and created a wall of shadow around us. The power thrummed through my veins like liquid night. Testing my limits, I stretched the shadows to cover just my steed. The firelight transformed him into something otherworldly, rising from the dark depths of hell, the shadows giving him a dark ethereal presence, tendrils leeching out from him like a black flame. Even without shadow magic, my mount was magnificent, but the sight of him made me awestruck. Together, we were creatures of darkness and shadow.
In these quiet moments, I sensed Raven understood me in ways no human ever had. He wasn't just accepting my shadows; he was embracing them, becoming one with them, as if the magic had woven an unbreakable thread between our souls. Each time the darkness enveloped him, his trust in me grew stronger, and with it, my confidence in wielding this newfound power. We were no longer just rider and mount, but partners in this dance of shadow and night.
The shadow barrier held through the night, but exhaustion dragged at my bones until I could barely stay upright. Raven's steady gait seemed to stretch time like molasses. The world blurred at the edges, my muscles trembling with each league we covered, while shadows seemed to dance mockingly at the corners of my vision.
Epherinia loomed just a day's ride away. I should have been thrilled. A life among endless shelves of books awaited me—a dream I'd barely dared to imagine. But my thoughts betrayed me, always circling back to Ryn, of the life I had allowed myself to desire even just for a moment. Gods, I had no right to miss him. I barely knew him. That morning had proven just how little I truly meant to him. I'd been naive to think the pull I felt was mutual. Even now, my heart ached from the separation, a physical pain that twisted in my chest like a dagger, making each breath a reminder of his absence.
"Pull yourself together," I muttered. Raven snorted in response, making it clear he thought I was being ridiculous while he remained the picture of perfection.
You're far from losing your mind, little hunter. The voice was warm and familiar, wrapping around my mind like a tender embrace, sending shivers down my spine. Ma?l's presence, even just in my thoughts, made my heart stutter.
Everything I thought I knew about myself is slipping away.
You're stronger than you know, Alora. This is just another step in your journey.
I stroked his neck and led him to the edge for a drink and knelt to refresh myself. The icy water soothed my overtaxed body and mind. I leaned back, fingers digging into soft grass, face turned skyward as if the sun could burn away my exhaustion.
A sniffle to my right caused me to whirl toward the bushes. My eyes narrowed as I caught a shift in the light. Something was in there. A whimper came from it this time as I stood. My fingers found the hilt of my blade. Those sounds were too human to be an animal, but could signal a trap. Even Raven seemed to go tense and silent as I took slow measured steps towards the bush. Once I came upon it, I looked over the top to see a little face peeking up at me. Dirt-streaked cheeks and tangled blonde hair greeted my eyes.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle.
The boy startled, his green eyes wide with fear as he scrambled backward from his leafy sanctuary.
"Please don't hurt me!" he cried, his voice trembling.
I shook my head. "I won't hurt you, little one. Are you alone? Where are your parents?"
He rose, wringing his small hands. Despite his dirt-streaked face and tangled hair, his clothes were pristine save for the mud caking his shoes.
"They don't know I'm here. I was playing with Billy," he sniffled, fighting back tears. "A-and I got lost. Please, I just want to go home."
My heart ached for him. Another lost child in the wilderness, like so many tragic stories I'd heard before.
I scanned the area, ensuring no ambush awaited us.
"Come on, I'll take you to Epherinia. The constable can help find your family." I extended my hand, offering a gentle smile.
He wiped his eyes, further smearing the dirt across his cheeks, and took my hand. "Thank you, kind lady."
"I couldn't leave you alone out here," I said, leading him to Raven.
The boy froze, gaping at my mount. Raven cut an imposing figure with his towering height and unflinching gaze.
Raven had been won from an old warlord, Vanya once told me. He was the kind of beast who never backed down.
Life in Vanya's stables had softened his war-hardened edges, but now, back on the road, he carried himself like the warrior he once was, his eyes bright with renewed purpose.
Adventure called to him as strongly as it called to me.
Raven lowered his head to investigate the boy, nosing at his pockets for treats. Finding none, he snorted his disappointment.
I knelt beside the child, retrieving a small biscuit from my pocket and pressing it into his tiny palm.
"What's your name?" I asked as he offered the treat to Raven, giggling when the steed's velvety lips brushed his palm to accept the bribe.
"My name's Davian." He pressed his palm just above Raven's nose. "Can I ride him?" His green eyes sparkled with hope as he looked up at me.
I laughed. "We're going to have to." Rising, I guided him to Raven's side, gripped his small hips, and lifted him into the front of the saddle. Once his hands clutched the horn, I swung up behind him, creating a protective circle with my arms as I took the reins. With a gentle nudge, I turned Raven back toward the path.
"What's your name, miss?" Davian twisted to look at me over his shoulder. The frightened child was gone, replaced by a bright-eyed boy vibrating with excitement. My chest tightened as I thought of his family. His mother must be frantic, discovering her child missing. I pushed away thoughts of searching for Billy. I couldn't spare the time to look for another lost child. The one I'd found needed to return home quickly.
I ruffled his dirty hair, golden strands gleaming beneath the grime like his brilliant smile. "I'm Lor. Better hold tight. Raven loves the wind in his mane too much to stop for fallen riders."
I don't believe for a second he's the only one.
I laughed and urged Raven forward. Davian's knuckles went white on the horn, but his whoops of joy filled the air as if the threat of falling only made it more thrilling.
We reached Epherinia sooner than expected, crossing through the main gates as dawn painted the sky. After securing Raven in the city stables, we walked the main path until we faced an imposing statue. The crowned figure loomed above us, one hand resting on his sword's pommel, the other cradling a miniature sun. The king's likeness marked this as the square. Beyond his golden form, a shop window caught my eye, its display filled with books. I knocked on the door, praying the owner had arrived early.
"Can't you read the sign?" a gruff voice called from within. "We don't open for another-"
The door swung open to reveal the old man who had tended my wounds after Donovan's torture. His weathered face broke into an instant smile.
"It's you!" His gaze dropped to Davian, brows furrowing. "And who's this? Your child?" His eyes darted between us, searching for shared features.
"I found him during my journey. Could you help us contact a guard? He needs to return to his family." The old man nodded, beckoning us inside.
"Up those stairs, lad. Get yourself cleaned up while we sort this out." Davian bounded up the steps behind the desk, eager to wash away the evidence of his ordeal.
"You never mentioned knowing Vanya. Just who are you?" I studied the old man's face.
"You never asked. Would it have mattered? You needed a place in the capital, and I needed help." His gesture encompassed the chaos of his bookstore.
“You certainly do.” The shop was indeed in disarray, stacks and stacks of books waiting to be placed on a shelf or displayed on a table. The desk was littered with parchments. How the old man functioned was beyond me.
He stepped behind me to a small kitchen in the back of the place, making a small plate of food and setting it on the wooden table. Soft steps came down the stairs as Davian returned, sans dirt.
“Well well well, there is a cute face under there after all. Wouldn’t even know I found you crying in a bush.” I cooed.
He began wolfing down his food, barely pausing between bites, “I would rather not talk about my tears. I’m twelve and still act like a baby.” His voice dropped, shame coloring his words.
"Hmm, I don't know," I mused. "Not many twelve year olds would've had the courage to stay alive, let alone face Raven. He prides himself in the fear he strikes in others."
"He's a big softie. I doubt others are afraid of him," Davian scoffed.
I recalled the weary looks Raven drew from passing travelers, and even the stable hand earlier. The young man had turned white when he saw Raven, and my mount had fixed him with that predatory stare.
"Trust me, he strikes fear in the hearts of others. Your courage knows no bounds, Davian."
Davian shot me a smile, his face brightening. "Thank you for finding me."
Warmth bloomed in my chest as I watched him. Truly, I was thankful to have found him, sparing him from a night alone in the wilderness. Our short time together reminded me what it meant to truly help someone... without a murder being involved, at least. These past years my form of help had meant unlawful means. It was refreshing to do something so humble.
"Anytime you need anything, come find me. I'll always come, maybe Raven too," I promised.
The bell above the door chimed and Augustus entered with the guard. The moment the guard laid eyes on Davian, recognition flashed across his face, and a sigh escaped him.
"C'mon boy, let's get you home before your mother has another one of her episodes." Davian stood up and went to the man without another word. The guard and Augustus exchanged a nod, and with that they left.
As Davian looked over his shoulder one last time before stepping through the doorway, I sent him an encouraging nod. Once they disappeared, I slumped in my seat. An unexpected ache of loss hit me as I missed the little rascal.