Seeing that village of cinders and the broken hopes carved out of the people I could easily see my old life in, has me unsettled and clumsy.
“Alora,” Caym’s voice is stern, “you cannot save them all.” My chin jerks slightly as if I’ve been struck.
There it is again, the reality that Ican’tsave them all. My throat suddenly feels cracked and dry. I should have been dead long before all of this happened with King Euron. I should have crossed the veil a long time ago and greeted my family in the Plains of Elmir. Though I can’t save them, save sweet Hanin, I’m unwilling to sit by and watch others be lost due to a zealot’s twisted game.
“Let’s finish what we’ve come for.” The words leave my throat with a low snarl.
You can’t save them all. You can’t save them all. You can’t save them all.
I chant the hard truth like a prayer and let the seeds of loathing twist in my soul. For all I care they can have the wretched thing.
The air stills, not even a breeze dares to stir as I stalk down the remaining slope.
My teeth gnash together and pain shoots down my leg with each step. My speed remains the same as I let the bolt of growing discomfort continue. Just like the slice on my hand has healed, this too will mend. I just have to quit being so weak and push through it.
A raven’s cry is heard in the distance and my steps slow. I can’t see where it came from with the moons covered in dark clouds.
I strain my ears, hoping to hear the bird again. Caym doesn’t move either. His stance is rigid, waiting.
The soft caw comes again, closer now and the icy feeling begins to creep in again.
“Kina,” Caym whispers, confirming my growing fear, “she’s seen someone.”
“Fuck.” I enunciate every syllable with the curse. I thank the gods for sending us such smart companions but company is the last thing Caym and I need to be dealing with.
“Your bird Caym, is beginning to feel like a bad omen.” I grit the words out, unsure of if we should race down to the storehouse for cover, or if we’re walking exactly where Kina is warning us to not go.
“Unfortunately I agree with you this time, Lor.” Caym’s use of my nickname throws me off.
Twisting my body to face him I tease, “Don’t be getting soft on me now.”
“Well, gods, one of us needs to be.” He’s quick to snip back. The humor warms me, erasing the turmoil that thrashes inside me slightly.
A moving shadow catches my attention again and both Caym and I snap our heads in the direction it disappeared to.
He returns to look at me, awaiting my signal to move.
The thoughts that once pelted my mind cease. A preternatural awareness settles over my body. We’re being watched. And not by Caym’s damn bird.
The night sky darkens again as clouds cover the moons’ view. It adds a sinister edge to our already risky task.
I signal to Caym and we split into different directions, him to the right and me towards the left along a path that leads to the back of the storehouse.
In no time I’m down the rocky slope and padding along the meadowy grass that the trail is etched in.
I step quietly while the swish of my skirts against the grass is subtle enough I actually think maybe the gods are favoring us for once.
The building grows bigger in view as I quickly make my way to the back entrance.
The door is ajar, gently moving with the slight breeze that carries the fresh scent of snow from the northern mountains.
I scale the steps and press my back against the hard frame. Peeking through the crack, the storehouse is quiet and appears to be empty except for a desk with haphazardly strewn papers that lay across it.
I crane my neck, listening to anything that might be in the building. I’m met with silence.
Deciding that it’s safe, I press the door open slowly, willing the heavy door to not creak.
The ill—lit space sends ripples along my spine. I loath the dark. It’s one of my faults. And something about this spacefeelsoff.
