Chapter 58
The rest of the day seemed like it was a never ending battle.
Xander and Boone were constantly out scouting to make sure there wasn’t another attack coming while the rest of the group got supplies together for their night on the road.
They had to make it look like they fled with just the horses and bags, having to collect things they could only find on the road or that might have been given to them by a goodhearted bystander.
After being without her full power, she had to get used to that endless well of it roaring inside her. There were some moments it was almost overwhelming and she knew it was going to take her time to adjust to it.
“We leave in the morning,” Kaden said as the whole group finally stood together outside the longhouse after the sun had set.
“Horses are already situated off the main road, Titus is staying with them overnight.” Xander mumbled. “Boone and I never got a chance to go scout the capital so hopefully we are not walking into a trap.”
“I’ve put a shield around Mydalsa with my power,” she said with a tired voice. “Now that I have my full power it should be stable for a few days.”
Everyone nodded towards her, Raine looking like she was about to fall over from exhaustion.
“Get some sleep.” Kaden voiced to the group.
No one argued as they retreated back into the longhouse and she stared up at the clear spring sky.
“You sure about this plan of yours?” she whispered.
“Do you trust me?” he said as he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her back against his chest.
“Of course I do.”
“You are strong Alyra, stronger than you give yourself credit for.” His mouth brushed against her ear. “I trust you to stick to the plan, no matter what happens.”
She swallowed hard but didn’t argue. “I just hope it doesn’t come to that, I’m not sure how I will handle it.”
They stood silent for a while, both staring up at the stars and she couldn’t help but feel something stirring in her power. Something wasn’t right, but it had nothing to do with Mydalsa or her companions.
“You feel it too?” Kaden suddenly whispered.
“You think Mavros has done something big?”
“I think we are in for a war that will change history.”
She turned in his arms, her hands gripping at his chest and they rested their heads against each other.
“Mavros dies, no matter what.” She breathed.
“No matter what.” Kaden answered.
They got to the horses just before the sun set and started down the main road back to Elnora.
They all had to ride bareback to keep up with their story, their original bags they escaped with on their backs and a few blankets tucked inside them.
If anyone asked, they passed a few travelers that had extra supplies along with looting a few empty houses along the way. It was all a plausible story, but it made this very uncomfortable.
She could tell by the time they got to their stopping point, the first alcove where they had stayed at on their way out, that the men were extremely sore.
Her legs hurt, but she knew the men had a whole other challenge while riding bareback; it made her thankful she was a girl.
They set up camp quickly and all sat around the fire silently. They all could feel the tension in the air, a powershift they couldn’t explain and the vibration in her power scared her.
They heard rustling in the trees and Kaden was instantly on his feet with sword in hand. She got to her feet next to him, her power on the tips of her fingers ready to strike if they were attacked.
The messenger she had seen a few times came into view, staggering out of the trees and the stench of blood caught her nose. Before thinking, she rushed to him, Kaden and Xander on her heels, and she was able to grab him as started to fall to the ground.
“What happened?” Kaden asked urgently.
She grabbed at her power and tried to close his wound on his side, the blood coming out faster than she could heal it.
“Mavros.” The guy started to cough. “He’s taken Elnora.”
She felt the men around her tense, Kaden kneeling to help her hold pressure on his wound.
“How bad is it?” Xander asked, kneeling as well.
“He attacked today and Emris didn’t have enough men to stop him. Most of the guards are dead and only a few civilians were harmed. Those creatures patrol the streets and Mavros has ordered anyone that resists to be slaughtered.”
Her flame burned brighter around her hands and she could finally notice progress as the wound started to close. He had still lost too much blood and she only prayed to Odin that she could save him quickly.
“What happened to Emris?” Kaden whispered.
“Mavros has him alive, but he's chained in the Throne room and his wings are pinned to the wall.” The male groaned and she could see him start to roll his eyes.
“No!” She growled, her power closing the last of the wound.
Xander grabbed his head and tried to tap on his face to wake him but she could tell he was still breathing.
“Let’s get him closer to camp.” Kaden muttered and both males lifted the messenger and laid him out on one of their few blankets and she watched his chest carefully to make sure he was still breathing.
“What do we do?” Raine asked, panic hinting in her voice.
“I’m taking you back to Mydalsa.” Finnley growled. “If Elnora is lost then we need to think of a new plan.”
“I agree you need to take her back.” She nodded. “I think Titus should go back too and the rest of us will head to the capital.”
“Four of us against Mavros’s army?” Boone sighed. “That won’t go well even with her power back.”
“We don’t know if his full army is there or if he just got lucky with Emris spreading his army thin.” Kaden snapped.
“I’ll go scout.” Xander offered.
“You and I will go.” Kaden nodded and glanced down at her. “We won't get too close and they won’t know we are coming. You stay here with Boone, make sure the boy survives and if anyone attacks, incinerate them.”
An annoyed look formed on her face but she understood what needed to be done. She felt Kaden step closer and lean down to give her a quick kiss before both him and Xander disappeared into the night.
Finnley and Titus said a quick goodbye and walked over to grab their stuff from the horses.
“Please be careful.” Raine said, a tear falling down her cheek.
“Here,” she said, holding her axe back out to her friend. “I want you to take this with you and make sure you give it back to me when I return.”
Raine held out her arms and the girls embraced for the first time since they had met.
“Thank you, my friend,” Raine choked out, holding back a sob and then walked over to Finnley who was waiting for her.
“Finnley.” She started, the male looking at her with a worried face. “If things go bad, take care of my people.”
She could see the understanding in his eyes, no more words needing to be exchanged and she saw the slow nod in return. The sound of wings echoed off the rocks and soon she was standing a few feet from the fire looking up at the dark sky.
“I hope Kaden has a good plan.” Boone groaned as he sat next to the messenger boy, the fire flickering in the light breeze.
“Yeah.” she sighed, not wanting to tell him of the plan they had already agreed on and she knew right then their future was in danger.