Chapter 23 #2
He reached into his pack and pulled out the last of his food. He gave her some and took the rest for himself. He would worry about provisions for their return later. It had been a long day and wasn’t ending anytime soon. They needed to keep up their strength for what was ahead.
Yaz didn’t linger, preferring to eat as they walked.
She charted a course to the first tree, moving quickly through the thick snow.
He devoured the dried meat and finished off his water within moments.
Ravi looked behind him and thought he saw movement.
He paused and studied the area but couldn’t find anything.
The mountains were causing him to imagine things.
He shook his head and turned forward, putting his foot in Yaz’s tracks to the next tree.
He didn’t like being out in the open. He saw a dozen places he would put sentinels that could’ve spotted them the moment they crested the ridge. No alarms were sounded, and he didn’t hear any shouts to halt. That didn’t mean someone hadn’t seen them, though.
Ravi scanned the side of the compound with its many windows. Only a few were darkened. There were torches along the high outside wall. To unsuspecting visitors, it might seem inviting, welcoming even. The striking facade hid the ugly truth.
He wondered how Shaldorn had been kept a secret for so long.
But he knew the answer. The wealth and power of individuals who wanted their playground kept away from prying eyes.
The Dark Elves had known of it long before anyone at the DIA.
Ravi probably still wouldn’t know about the fortress if it weren’t for the potential conflict with the dragons.
Yaz reached the next tree and stopped behind it.
She turned to him. He thought she looked paler than before.
He wanted to tug down her scarf and tell her that everything would be fine.
But he didn’t dare. Something had shifted within her.
It was like a wall had come down between them.
He understood why, but that didn’t mean he liked it.
Ravi opened his mouth to speak, but she turned and made a beeline for the next evergreen.
The looming structure grew closer. He heard the distant cords of music from within.
Yaz didn’t pause at the next tree. Instead, she kept walking as if she couldn’t stop.
He suspected that if she halted she might not move again.
Ravi half-expected her to turn and bolt.
And he wouldn’t have blamed her if she did.
He glanced between the low branches of one of the evergreens heavy with snow and spotted a guard with his back to them.
They needed to hide before they were spotted.
He lunged for Yaz, but she had spotted the guard, too.
They diverted to a tree to the left and plastered themselves behind it.
They were so rough that the limbs moved, causing snow to fall from the branches.
They looked at each other, listening for movement.
When none came, Ravi leaned around the branches and surveyed the building.
He found the guard in the same location and realized he was pissing.
The guard then righted himself and turned to look around.
Ravi jerked back out of sight. When he looked again, the guard was gone.
He nodded at Yaz. She carefully checked her side before once again heading to the tree they had been on course for. They moved quickly in case another guard appeared. Ravi continued to look behind him, but there was no movement anywhere.
At the tree, Yaz blew out a breath. He noticed that she kept her back to Shaldorn.
The flickering torch flames along the outer wall stretched their long fingers as if trying to reach them.
Ravi remained behind the wide branches of the evergreen while getting a better look at Shaldorn.
Someone had taken their time crafting the compound.
The architecture was intimidating and flamboyant, its presence impenetrable and ominous.
Or maybe that was because he knew what went on within its stone walls.
“How do we get in?” he whispered, eyeing the building. When Yaz didn’t answer, he slid his gaze to her. She was breathing rapidly, her eyes wide with fear as she glanced around like a cornered animal ready to bolt.
“I can’t. It’s… There’s…”
He’d realized some time ago that he wouldn’t force her to enter Shaldorn.
Even if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t now. She was in no state.
Being this close to the place she had barely escaped was too much.
Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d entered somewhere and had to sort things out himself.
He’d complete the mission. Like he always did.
Ravi tugged down his scarf and gently touched Yaz’s shoulder. Her wild eyes jerked to his. She was so good at hiding her trauma. If she hadn’t shared it with him, he never would’ve known. But she couldn’t hide it now. It stood between them.
When they left Rannora, he hadn’t cared about why she’d left Shaldorn. He had told himself everyone had something in their past, but it had been a lie so he wouldn’t feel anything. It was always better that way. Emotions got in the way.
Like now.
But he couldn’t change that. He wouldn’t.
He fought the impulse to pull Yaz into his arms and shield her from the world. He didn’t because he feared she would reject his embrace. She had proven that she didn’t need anyone. Especially him. Odd how that disappointed him so. He was the same. Life was easier alone.
It had been his mantra for years. Somehow, after a trek through the mountains, that no longer applied.
He glanced down and noticed that she gripped his arm tightly. He didn’t know if she held on to steady herself or to shove him away. It was enough that she touched him in any capacity.
“It’s okay,” Ravi said, keeping his voice soft to calm her. “Tell me how to get inside, then make your way back to the boulders and wait for my return. If I’m not back by dawn, leave.”
She blinked twice. Her gaze was directed toward him, but he didn’t think she saw him.
She was lost in her memories. Bringing her to Shaldorn had allowed the past to rear its head.
He should’ve expected this. He should’ve prepared.
He’d heard the terror in her voice when she spoke of Shaldorn, and he had done nothing.
He stepped closer, bringing his face near hers. “Yaz? Did you hear me? You aren’t going inside. I just need the way in.”