“You’re going to the healer,” he said, walking toward the door.
This time, she didn’t argue as her eyes fell heavy and the world blurred out of focus.
Chapter 42
Part 2
They say wisps lead you to your fate… but what if the fates tied the wrong threads…
Chapter 43
A Bitter Homecoming
It had taken Riona three hard days of riding to reach Cailleach’s Keep. Unlike the commanders or elders, who could use magic to propel their horses faster, never needing to stop for food, water, or rest, her journey was slow and grueling. The steady rhythm of her horse’s hooves echoed through the quiet wilderness.
As she approached the northern lands, the transformation into winter was unmistakable. Winter always arrived earlier here, in the sacred lands of the goddess Cailleach. Though it was only October, the trees were nearly bare, their skeletal branches stretching toward the grey sky. A few stubborn leaves clung to the remnants of autumn, but the grass had already dulled, and the oncevibrant colors of the land faded into muted tones. Riona entered the city of Frostfire, its name comes from theeternal flame blazing within the mountainside overlooking the town. This flame was said to be a divine gift from the goddess Cailleach herself, and a grand temple and statue had been built around it to honor her. Taking a long breath, Riona felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her it as it had been years since she had last stood here.
The city had an elegance about it, a beauty that was almost impossible to capture in words. Frostfire was nestled in a valley between two towering mountains, its buildings shimmering with diamonds that caught even the faintest light and transformed it into a cascade of brilliance. Delicate silver embroidery adorned the exteriors of the structures, like intricate frost patterns on windowpanes. At the heart of the city stood the grand town hall, the centerpiece of Frostfire’s life. It was a place of gathering, hosting meetings, banquets, and lessons, as well as sacred marriages performed under the watchful gaze of Cailleach. And yet, for all its beauty, it was a place Riona, years ago, couldn’t wait to leave.
As a child, she had craved the warmth of the sun on her skin, the vibrant meadows in bloom, and the promise of spring and summer lasting longer than the harsh northern winters. Her parents had often visited Lumora for the Festival of light, taking her with them often. The moment she first saw Lumora, she dreamed of one day living there but that wasn’t the only reason she left. Her father was a cold man, harsh and unyielding. He rarely minced words and even more rarely showed affection unless public eyes were upon them. She knew those displays of affection were all for show, a performance to maintain an image. Behind closed doors, he was a man of ruthless and relentless discipline, the kind that was met with fists more times than words, but the words he did speak were venomous.
The way his quiet judgment weighed upon her, he was always expecting more, always demanding more. The moment she saw her chance, she took it and never looked back. These days no one outside of Frostfire knew who she really was, Riona had refused to use her family name when she arrived in Lumora. Instead, she adopted a different one,far removed from the shadow of her father’s legacy. She wanted to be seen for her own worth, not as the daughter of the Commander General Byrne.
Chapter 44
New Beginnings
The town of Frostfire was just beginning to wake and a silent cold hush hugged her limbs. She guided Briar toward the inn nestled at the edge of town, her breath visible in the frosty air. Riona hopped off of Briar, leaving him tethered to a post just outside the doors.
“I’ll be right back,” she murmured, patting Briar’s mane.
Smoke curled lazily from the chimney atop the worn greying house. The windowsills were painted silver, matching the shutters, and a young apple tree stood in the small courtyard. Riona pulled on the worn iron handle and slipped inside.
Small conversations hummed in the dining area, the smell of rich stew hanging in the air. A younger woman was collecting trays when her eyes met Riona’s.
“Mornin’,” the girl called as she waved Riona over to a small counter of oak polished to mirror-like shine despite its chipped appearance. Resting on top was a large book, its engraving worn smooth from time and beside it a pint sized cup of tea.
The girl smiled wide, her eyes shining in the morning light were the color of cinnamon. Riona noticed her freckles scattered across her face and across the bridge of nose when she looked at her and her nose scrunched up.
“What can I do for ye?”
“Do you have a room available for a few days?” She opened the book, scanning the names, dates, times and rooms. After a moment, she brightened.
“You’re in luck, a room opened up this morning.”
She scribbled down Riona’s name and, in exchange Riona, handed over a few coins from her pouch. With a nod, she accepted the key. Riona opened her mouth to thank the woman when a voice called out sharply from the kitchen. She turned quickly as she excused herself and headed toward the voice.
Riona pushed the doors open to leave. The warmth of the inn mixed with the frosty air creating streams of smoke around her as the weight of each step made the stairs groan.
She made her way to the Circle office, there were two. One in the Keep and the other in Frostfire. Kael, the officer in charge of Frostfire when Commander General Byrne wasn’t present, was known for his precision and authority. Riona paused for a moment outside the door, anxiety tightening around her. She needed this, needed to work and she knew the Circles were always in need of capable officers. She was good at what she did, and she knew it. But the idea of working under her father twisted her stomach into knots. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and knocked loudly.
“Come in,” Kael’s voice rang out.
Riona stepped inside, her boots clicking softly on the wooden floor. The office was pristine, every item down to the quill pens precisely in its place. It was a stark contrast to Commander Nethran’s chaotic workspace in
Lumora, where reports and scrolls were piled high on his desk. Somehow, Nethran always seemed to know exactly where everything was amidst the clutter, but Kael’s space reflected the man himself orderly and methodical.
Kael looked up from his desk, his frosty eyes briefly flickering with surprise before settling into a composed expression. “Good morning, officer. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
