The Right Course #2
The silence might have been awkward as they walked, except Aaryn was lost in her thoughts, and Runa had eyes only for the surroundings, excitement clear in her eyes. "It's beautiful here. In the clouds. Who would have thought?"
Aaryn showed her the bonfire, where several tents and cots were set up for the refugees, and she pointed out the taverns and kitchens and blacksmiths and tanners and schools and—
"It goes on forever. Practically a city. This is amazing," Runa hissed. "How did the druids do this?"
"Every time I ask, they tell me, ‘magic,’" she said, imitating Thea's voice.
"Did you leave Evergale willingly?" Runa asked suddenly.
Aaryn glanced up, finding worry in her gaze. "Yes," Aaryn admitted. "I wanted to see Starspark. And now that I'm here, looking from the outside in, I wish I'd come sooner. Carissa is here, too."
Runa gaped, and absently rubbed a hand over her healed skin. "Have you seen her?"
"I visited her this morning. She's…" Aaryn swallowed, empathy welling anew. "Rolim is missing. They were honeymooning on the outskirts of Skymore when the attack happened. Stormstrike brought her back safely, but there was no sign of Rolim."
Runa covered her mouth, shaking her head. "She must be devastated."
"She is," Aaryn said. "So seeing a friendly face might be good for her."
"Alright," Runa agreed. "If you think my face is friendly enough, let's go."
It was outside Carissa's home that Aaryn heard a familiar voice. “I thought I’d find you here.”
Aaryn turned to find—
"Thea," she greeted, a smile curling her lips as Thea approached.
Thea pointed over her shoulder with her thumb, the other hand tucked in a pocket. "Just wanted to let you know I saw your dragon on his favorite rock. I think the kids wore him out."
Aaryn's heart pitter-pattered, and she hoped it wasn't obvious as she raked her gaze over Thea for injuries.
"Runa?" Thea asked, brow furrowing.
The woman in question stepped up beside Aaryn, a smile of disbelief on her face. "Thea?"
Aaryn watched in confusion as the two stepped forward, embracing heartily. Their arms wrapped around one another, and Aaryn was utterly unfamiliar with the expression on Thea's face. Maybe because it was one of… wonder? Excitement?
"What are you doing here?" Thea asked, hands planted on her shoulders as they stepped back.
"I—I was with my parents in Skymore when…" Something dark seeped into her voice. "When Evergale attacked," she finished.
Thea's eyes flashed with concern. "Your parents…?"
"Are fine. They're with the other refugees."
They finally released each other, and Aaryn didn't realize she'd been waiting for just that. "I was a little injured, but Aaryn took me to a healer," she said.
"And you know Aaryn because…" Thea asked, tucking her hands behind her back.
"Runa was the guard assigned to me when the prince locked us down," Aaryn explained.
Thea blinked, shocked, gaze stuck on the former guard. "How did we never cross paths?"
"It's been…" Runa trailed off, and Thea turned thoughtful.
"More than a decade, at the very least. Skies! I remember your parents' stall at the market," Thea remarked.
It struck Aaryn then.
Thea was from Skymore. And she… hadn't mentioned it. Not even when she'd seen it burning with her own eyes. Aaryn had assumed something had happened to Thea's family, for her to end up here. For Vaelen to have taken her in. Maybe it didn't matter that the town Thea had been born in was gone.
Maybe she hadn't allowed it to matter.
And now, Runa. A bridge to that childhood.
This Thea was the same one Runa had grown up with. The same one she'd mentioned in the library all those moons ago.
Aaryn studied Thea, looking for a crack in the facade, and now she was torn. Torn between seeing to Runa and Carissa; and the desire to comfort Thea, to mend cracks Aaryn hadn't even found yet.
They hugged once more before breaking apart, and Aaryn stood by, feeling awkward.
"I knew there was a Thea we were on the lookout for, but I didn't know it was you. The world is much smaller than I give it credit for," Runa said, shaking her head with wonder. "You know, you were always quite the troublemaker."
"The very same," Thea announced, holding her hands out as if to present herself. Aaryn rolled her eyes.
Runa glanced between them. "Ohh, is she your guard now?" Runa asked as if she'd figured out a mystery, and Thea snorted.
"Hardly. She fits right in here," Thea said, and the softness of her tone made Aaryn flush.
"Is that so?" Runa beamed over at Aaryn.
Her cheeks heated. "Yes," she admitted. "I get to spend so much time with Starspark, and there's no guard to rush us through it."
"Guess that means I'm out of the job," Runa teased.
"Actually, we can—I mean, once you get settled, and see to your parents," Thea began, "we can find somewhere for you in Claw Hold. If you want that." At the confusion on Runa’s gaze, Thea chuckled. “Claw Hold is where our version of a First Guard trains.”
Runa's eyes lit up. "Really? Because I think my dad mentioned something about knitting, and I almost saw red. My skills lie elsewhere."
"Of course. Just let me know when you feel up to it," Thea said. "We can vouch for you."
Thea glanced at Aaryn expectantly and she nodded.
"Alright, then I'll see you at home?"
Home uttered by Thea felt like so much, and Aaryn's cheeks heated once more. "See you there," Aaryn agreed.
Runa cleared her throat softly. "I'd love to catch up and talk about… everything, I suppose."
"We have ten years to fill in," Thea supplied.
"You can find me?" Runa asked, and Aaryn suppressed her frown, keeping her expression happily neutral.
"Yeah, I'll find you," Thea promised, and Aaryn glanced away as they embraced again.
She did not recognize the prickly feeling in her chest, but she certainly didn't like it, and tried her best to bury it deep, deep down as they bid Thea goodbye.
It wasn't until Thea was gone from view that Runa bumped their shoulders together, more casual than they'd ever been in Evergale. "Home, huh?" she asked with a teasing delight in both her voice and gaze. "That sounds cozy."
"Let's go see Carissa," Aaryn redirected them, and waved at the house.
That smile was a little too knowing as Runa stepped back and let her lead the way.