Chapter Thirteen
Andi
The woods are unnaturally quiet. No sounds of nocturnal animals scurrying about for food, nor any owls hooting to their friends or announcing our presence as predators.
Just silence.
The woods were the safest option, disappearing within the woodland nightlife, hiding amongst their scampering sounds, since we’re trying to avoid an untroubled departure. Misty’s clip-clopping feet over the road would have alerted anyone on patrol.
Unlucky for us, the animals have chosen tonight to sleep in.
I know these paths like the back of my hand, spending many a day scouring these woods with Elana and Wyatt. I could find my way in the darkest of nights, but tonight, the moon glows brightly in the sky, guiding us along.
Walking along the withered paths, we watch where we put our feet, avoiding making any noise. The chances of the guards patrolling the woods are slim but not zero. The less noise we make, the better chance we have of making it a good distance away.
Through the trees, the Samly farm comes into sight.
Janil Samly has been a family friend for years.
After Dad died, he and his wife took it upon themselves to make sure we had enough to get by.
With Mum busying herself with helping others, Mira Samly became a second mum to us.
Telling her about our day, about the boys we liked, or the gossip we had heard in town.
Often, they would bring us cured meat, milk, and eggs. As much as they could spare from their farm, even with six kids of their own. I would try to refuse, but Mira didn’t know the meaning of the word no. Once we got back on our feet, I left some coins as a thank you.
More folk I must leave behind. I just hope that by my leaving, they all stay safe.
A warm, gentle breeze surrounds us, sweeping over a strong pine aroma, triggering comforting memories. I let myself be swallowed whole by them, allowing time to pass by.
Having travelled most of the night, far enough away now, we can mount Misty, allowing our legs a reprieve from the miles we have put between us and Vendyl. With the gentle swaying on Misty’s back, my thoughts drift to Mum, Elana, and Wyatt.
Leaving them behind breaks my heart. I doubt I will be back to Vendyl, not while I’m being hunted. Maybe never. Part of me aches to return, to go back to the loving arms of my family. But I know this only puts them in more danger, and I can’t allow that.
I’ll miss Elana’s wedding, and little nieces and nephews running around. Wyatt will keep her grounded while unknowingly teaching her kids all the annoying habits that will drive El mad.
Elana used to follow Wyatt around like a little puppy, the two quickly becoming inseparable. He was her idol, and she was his baby. He soothed her when she was hurt, sang her to sleep when she refused naps, and taught her to climb trees—much to Mum’s dismay.
When she became a teenager, he would chase away any boy who dared look at her. So protective, always in his nature to want to protect those he loves. I’m glad they’ll have each other.
The moon reflects on the lake at the edge of Samly farm, bringing back memories of Wyatt’s first time swimming. A smile grows on my face, seeing his boyish grin clear in my mind.
Dad would take Elana and me to the lake while Wyatt huddled behind us, unsure of what to do. It wasn’t long before Dad figured out that he couldn’t swim, making it his life’s mission to teach him. Before we knew it, Wyatt was in the lake flapping about like he was born to it.
Every day that week, to cool off from the summer heat, we would spend hours swimming, and every day Wyatt became better, until he was diving in the water like a duck. I wonder what would go through Dad’s head when he saw my mark, or the necklace he made me wear.
I can’t fault them. Would I have done any differently if I were in their shoes?
How agonising it must have been for them. Choosing to keep all this from me, deciding to keep me in the dark. Safe but still unawares. I don’t resent them for it, not even a little. Especially after seeing the devastating effects of my magic.
The guilt of wanting to know about my real family deepens with each passing minute.
Wishing I had more than a few portraits or news clippings.
I wish I had gotten to meet them, to know them.
But I won’t ever get the chance. They were killed for their power.
Who would do something like that? The mimicry must have been power hungry and jealous, watching my family use this magic, he so coveted.
He took my life away as much as he did theirs.
What would it have been like growing up in a castle, roaming the halls, running around the keep? Magic is not something to fear but to be embraced instead.
“What’s Eilia like?” I ask Myles.
“Eilia, it’s… breathtaking. Buildings are made from bright white stones, with balconies that overlook the ocean and the harbour, allowing them to watch ships come to trade from all over the continent.
” He pauses for a second. “The castle, though, where your family lived, is the best part of the city. Standing grand and tall, above all else. Its gleaming white stones glitter in the sunlight. Enormous windows fill each room, and the view is amazing. We should go see it.” I feel his body tense as he says it.
I laugh at the ridiculous thought. “Sure, we’ll do that.”
My mind paints a picture of the shining city that was once my family’s. The image of my mother and grandparents greeting locals from the balcony of the castle and the crowd cheering, makes my heart warm.
“Was your uncle’s shop near the castle?”
“Close enough, his shop was beside the harbour,” Myles’ voice trails, as if he is reminiscing.
“That must have been incredible, meeting folks from all over the continent, trading before setting sail into the sunset.” Myles falls silent, and sadness exudes from him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. You must miss him,” I say feebly.
“It’s okay, it’s just been a long time since I saw him, he taught me everything I know. How to read and write, the smith trade, and how to fight. I owe him my life. I suppose thanks to him, I didn’t have to enlist in the army.”
King Zayn’s army, the man who sits on my family’s throne. Is he beloved by the folk of Eilia? How would he feel learning of my existence? Would he happily hand over the crown, or would he fight for it?
Would I fight for it? I have no idea. This is all too new, too absurd. Can I really be contemplating claiming a throne I had no idea was mine? That’s a question for another day.
We ride in silence for a while, the sun rising, waking the sky.
Birds sing their morning songs, alerting everyone to a new day.
The morning air has a chill to it as summer begins to blend into Autumn.
I often wonder how we’re able to grow anything in our conditions; seasons of short summers and long winters.
Yawning after a long night, my eyes droop. “Maybe we should stop somewhere nearby.”
Myles grunts in agreement.
Leading Misty off the road into the woods, we find a clearing near a stream, not too far away from the road.
Dismounting, I lead my tired horse to the stream, tying her reins to a nearby tree.
She’s done well and deserves a rest, this being the longest journey she has had to undertake and with two passengers, nonetheless.
Myles unstraps our bed rolls and removes our heavy bags, leaving anything unrequired still attached, while I gather firewood.
I’m so tired, I don’t even remember lying down to sleep.
A rustling noise nearby jolts me awake. My head feels groggy; a darkness has clouded the woods, and I didn’t mean to sleep for as long as I had. But I needed it.
The smell of cooking food stirs my stomach, and a grumble vibrates my belly.
Myles is sitting beside the fire, gazing into nothing. He doesn’t even look up when I near him, not until I place my hand on his shoulder, does he jump.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
I don’t believe him, but I doubt pushing him will make him talk to me. Picking up the canteen, I settle down on a log near the fire to warm up, my ears perking up at the sound of rustling again. Myles’ head snaps in the direction from which it comes.
Three guards push through the trees and bushes: a podgy redhead whose armour looks like it’s ready to split, one short brown-haired guard who looks about twelve, and another older guard, with grey hair and an eye patch over his left eye.
Myles places his hand on the hilt of his sword at his side.
I pull my hood over my head, pretending to feel the cold.
“Something smells good here,” the redhead growls.
“I’m sorry, we have nothing to spare, barely enough to get us to the next village,” I say, trying to sound sorrowful.
“What about ale? Surely, you’ve got some of that,” the older one-eyed guard says as he creeps up beside me.
“Sorry, no ale,” I reply. “Only water.”
“Well, aren’t you a boring lot. I guess that’ll have to do.
” He grabs the canteen from my hands and plonks himself down to my left, on the log beside the fire.
He stretches his legs out as he gulps the water sloppily, spilling down his armour and tunic.
Myles observes the guards, waiting for any suspicious movements.
“Where are you guys headed?” Myles’ face is hard and void of emotion.
“Vendyl,” the redhead answers. “Seems there’s been trouble in paradise. A witch, I heard.”
“A witch?” Myles asks, posturing surprise. “And what’s this ‘witch’ done?”
The young guard speaks, “I heard she killed some guards with her bare hands.”
“Some of them were my mates, can’t wait to find her and wring her pretty little neck,” the redhead snarls.
“Lord Adrian wants her alive. We all want to see her suffer, and she will with what Adrian has planned,” the older guard says, while the others jeer. I gulp, and force a laugh, standing and holding my hands out to the fire.
I make myself busy sorting through our bags and move as far away from the guards as I can be without seeming obvious, hoping they don’t sense my nerves.
The one-eyed guard points to me. “What happened here?” he touches his face, mirroring my dark bruises. “He do that?” Nodding to Myles.
I chuckle. “No, wasn’t him. I fell off my horse.”
He nods along, keeping his eyes on me. I’m not sure the guard believes my story. At least Myles hasn’t got any bruising on his face, or that might be harder to explain.
Footsteps burst through bushes behind me, and I catch my breath as two more guards head our way.
“Thought I heard you fuckers,” a voice calls. They walk around the fire to the redhead. “Should have known you’d find some food.” He laughs, slapping the redhead’s gut.
The familiar voice sends my body into a panic—Toothless. I bend down beside the fire, hiding, praying they leave before I’m recognised.
“Come on, you lot, Adrian wants her found quickly,” Toothless says to the others. He turns to Myles for the first time, and a wicked grin spreads across his face. “Well, well, look who we have here.” Drawing his sword, he points it towards me, “Thought you could sneak away, did you? Witch.”
Myles grabs his sword that he’s been grazing the whole time; the other guards pull out their weapons. Toothless and two of the other guards, rush towards me. Learning how to use a weapon would be helpful right about now, instead I will my magic to appear.
I focus on my breathing, throwing my head back, my arms stretched out wide—like I had done in Vendyl—my hands in tight fists. Lowering my head to look toothless in the eye, the guards stop in their tracks.
Toothless grabs hold of the younger guard, pulling him back. I throw my hands out. Nothing. Not even a flicker.
Shit!
Toothless laughs from his chest and leaps towards me.
Myles swings his sword at the red head and the other guard that appeared with toothless.
He kicks dirt at them, blinding the redhead.
Ducking behind trees, I struggle to maintain focus, instead watching Myles as he dances around, like fighting is second nature to him.
He learned this from his uncle, the blacksmith?
I turn tail and run off into the woods as the guards near me, the tree roots slowing them down, giving me enough time to search for something I can use to fend them off. Tripping up over my own two feet, my hands plunge deep into the soil, and I’m filled with a rush of energy.
Flowers bloom, and the grass grows tall.
With the guard’s fast approach, I try the only thing I can think of, I clench my fists into the ground, closing my eyes, trying with everything I have to draw on the magic.
My body fills with a tingling heat, I look up to see the tree roots lifting from the ground, new branches springing from the trees, swaying and smashing into the guards. The young guard is the first to go as a branch impales his stomach, piercing through his armour.
The one-eyed guard crashes into a tree branch, his head implodes at the force of the branch hitting him. Toothless, deftly evades all my futile attempts to pin him down.
Nearing me, cackling like a hungry animal toying with its prey, he lifts his weapon in the air poised to attack. As he is about to swing, his body goes rigid, a sword spearing through his head; Standing motionless for a few seconds before his body crumbles to the ground.
Myles stands behind him, covered in blood. I rush to him, checking him over, but none of the blood appears to be his.
“Misty bolted,” he says gravely.
He pulls me into him, and I hold back my tears. At this point, I am surprised there are any left. Misty was the last gift from Dad, and now she’s gone.
With her gone, I can no longer feel him with me. But I don’t have time to fall apart.
“Looks like we're walking from here,” I say, trying to hide my emotions.
Myles watches me dig through the dead’s pockets, stealing what little coins they had. I take a dagger, leaving the bigger, heavier weapons for Myles.
Spying a smaller sword, I try pointing it towards Myles and say, “You need to show me how to use this thing.” Myles takes it from me, and swings it around, it swooshes through the air, making it look easy. He hands it back to me, and it falls to the ground.
Laughing he says, “Well, since trouble follows you around… But I think you’re going to need to learn to hold it first.”
Scowling, I walk back to our camp, gathering our belongings. We are both tired, but having guards so easily walk in on our camp, we know we can’t risk staying longer.
Reaching the top of the hill, I stop to admire the view over the trees, realising this is the furthest I have ever been from home. A mixture of sorrow and thrill courses through me, ready for the adventure ahead.