I look around the dunes. My recollection is they stretch out for some distance inland, so it seems unlikely the Thegn would be so far away.
“What about the portal? Could he somehow be in there?” I look over my shoulder at the lump of stone cliff which rises outof the dunes and where the waves crash. “It would make a good vantage point.”
Warden cocks his head on one side as he contemplates my suggestion. “It would. But I don’t think we can get there without the Thegn spotting us.”
“What we need is the mist,” I say loudly.
Warden furrows his brow as I stamp my foot on the ground.
“Well, stones have to be of some use to someone, sometime. Especially when they could have stepped in earlier and didn’t have to erase my memories in the process.” I fold my arms.
Around us, the mist rises, seemingly coming out of the dunes, until it reaches over our heads. But the air around us is clear, meaning Warden and I can pick our way swiftly through the dunes, my dress catching on the hardy grasses as we head towards the cliff face. Our way there is obscured, at least I hope, by the fog Long Meg has created for us.
Given I have a sinking feeling in my heart this is what she wanted, this is the reason I have the sword and why I’m standing here at this very moment, I believe I deserve some help in lieu of the answers I was seeking.
And both Warden and I deserve to be free.
WARDEN
Ican feel the magic in the air around us, some of it from Long Meg, a hint of herbs and bitterness, some from the Thegn, thick, distasteful, cloying, and some I haven’t felt before.
A sweet tendril of goodness I want to be able to wrap around myself and never let go. It has to belong to my mate. There is no one else here who would make me feel this way.
I am already immortal, but even so, this magic makes me feel invincible. I can take on the entire of the Yeavering and beyond the veil and the Night Lands, and I will do it all for my lady.
The beautiful female by my side, who is keeping pace with me, a look of determination on her face. For all this is not her fight, for all she was drawn into this situation because the Faerie wanted her and the Yeavering decided to hide her away, she is still here, still with me, still wanting to end things our way.
The cliff face looms ahead of us.
“Are we climbing?” she asks.
“I am a Brag,” I respond. “I do not climb.”
“That might make things a little difficult, Warden. If it turns out the Thegn is up there.” I point upwards.
“If it got up, we can get up,” I say.
“What do you mean?” Her brow furrows.
I hum the old refrain to myself as we make our way along the bottom of the rock face until I find what I’m looking for. My sweet mare nearly hits my rear, given I come to such a sudden halt. Not that I mind having her close to me, not at all.
Above us there’s the sound of a storm, the one the Thegn is creating. With an army on the move, it has a hope it can clear the fog and take us where we stand.
I won’t let it. I want my mortality. I want to be the Brag I should be, be the mate I should be. Give my Hazel what she deserves, a life filled with joy, and if we cannot find her memories, we will make new memories, together.
“Here,” I say, stepping sideways into the thin opening in the rock, one which I wouldn’t have found unless I was looking for it.
My lady does not follow me. She wasn’t looking for the opening. I take her arm and gently pull her to me.
“Well, this is interesting, Warden,” she says, looking around the dimly lit passage.
“This is a portal,” I explain. “It is also stone, like Long Meg. I thought it might have its tricks.”
The hairs on my neck raise, and I see a shudder run through my sweet mate. She feels it as much as me. This place is charged, waiting, ready.
I think it is on our side.
“This way.” I walk to the stairs cut into the rock, leading up. There’s just enough light to be able to see what needs to be seen.
