“I… it was a strong possibility.”
“Anaiah.”It was on the tip of his tongue to ask why she’d stayed silent, but deep down, he knew.
Every bit of knowledge revealed about either of them added to the chasm between them.He wasn’t alone.Not only did he have family to draw him back, he likely had a warrior team missing him too.
“It doesn’t really matter without the rest of my memories,” he murmured.
“It does,” she whispered.“You know it does.”
Daya pulled back, and he let her go.The distance between them widening with every step she took away from him.
Chapter 7
Ridgecrest Forest, Border of Eldridge and Zamyra
Sloggingthroughtheforest,Daya did her best to ignore the rain and mud.It made traveling much more strenuous, and she was ready to go home.At least she could leave knowing they’d narrowed down the area.And it was much closer to home than she’d realized.
Because of the breadth of the problem the mountain had shown her, she’d assumed it would be farther out, covering a wide swath of land.She’d been wrong.They’d found the rock outcropping the mountain had shown them days ago, but nothing since.
You’re in a bad mood,Ereven observed.Do you miss your sky hunter?
He’s not mine.She gritted her teeth.It wasn’t the first time he’d asked her that during their journey.I knew I should have brought Ember.Go scout ahead, will you?
She’s less talkative but more opinionated.You’d be in an even worse mood.
I’m still surprised she skipped her turn to travel.Ember had decided she didn’t want to switch with Ereven for the next stretch of hunting, choosing to stay home instead.
I’m not.She likes the sky hunter almost as much as you do.
Ereven.Scout.The hawk was all chatter today and no action.
Stopping, she took a sip of water and adjusted her glove.She really hated hunting in the rain.Gloves, heavy clothing, protective covers for her quiver and bow.It was an enormous hassle.
Apparently, Ereven felt the same.Between the fog and the rain, she didn’t blame him for not wanting to fly, but his lack of interest in hunting was not speeding up their trip.One week out was far too long for this type of hunt, in this type of weather.Especially when she could be home, curled up by the fire.
Flying low and fast, Ereven returned, wings beating powerful strokes as he came at her.The direct path gave little doubt to his intention, and she brought her guarded arm up just in time for him to land.
What’s wrong Ereven?What did you see?
Men.Fortress ahead.
The abandoned one?Ridgecrest?She remembered it as a crumbling pile of rocks.Should we spy high or low?
Ereven ruffled his wings in indecision.High.Fog for cover.We’ll fly.
Nerves roared through her stomach with the possibility that they’d found what they’d been searching for.
The towering fortress had once stood guard over the war-torn border between Eldridge and Zamyra.It had still been an active military post when she’d been a small child and had succumbed to ruin by the time she became a guardian.Though apparently not enough to keep it from being infiltrated by eroding darkness.
Under Ereven’s direction, Daya made her way carefully up the hillside that backed up to the fortress.The slope was steep, offering few spots that were situated for long-term observation.
She immediately took back her feelings about the rain.Drizzly fog blanketed the air, giving her an added layer of protection.She wedged herself behind a boulder, in much the same position as she’d found Raiden all those weeks ago.
As expected with the dense, stormy sky, she couldn’t see anything with the spy glass.Returning it to her pack, she connected with Ereven.Drawing from the well of the mountain’s magic within her, she let her mind fade away and melded with the hawk.
Let’s fly, my friend.
Looking down on the land from his eyes was always a bewildering experience.Everything looked completely different as they moved through the air.Ereven took off from his perch on the rocks above her and flew in wide, lazy arcs around the fortress in what hopefully appeared to be natural patterns to anyone who watched.Selecting the outer areas first, he flew toward the stables.
