“In the wastelands of the Kesmourn Blightlands, there is only one path that connects the Land of Three Kings to the rest of the civilised world. Here, hundreds of men and women fight day and night to keep the trade route open. Swamp monsters, blighted creatures, demons and more constantly harass those brave or foolish enough to travel those roads. So much so that hiring a mercenary bodyguard is practically a necessity if one isn’t traveling alongside one of the few convoys that pass through the area. Overall, unless one has business within the Blightlands, I can confidently say, simply avoid being here.”
- Servitza Varcheg, Senior Pathfinder, “Kesmourn Blightlands: The Land of Three Kings”
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Tristan, Ary toyed with his name like a sour lemon, the sting of its acidity burning its way through her. Her little erratic breaths were only lightly calmed by the presence of Sophie beside her, the half elf letting her cling on tightly even though she knew she was hurting Sophie a little. She relished every moment of Sophie’s hand as it ran through her hair, each stroking calming Ary down little by little. She shuddered as Sophie hugged her, finding the warmth and love to be overwhelming but much needed.
It was different this time, different to all the past times she had ever mused about her past. She used to be lonely, cold and alone, but this time was different. She curled up by Sophie’s side, embracing every little sensation as if it would be the last thing she felt. This time, she was lost, lost in love, and in doubt. For she had seen Tristan, his demeanour, his attitude. And she had seen his sorrow, barely held back within his jovial mask. A masquerade for all involved. But he seemed worried, almost concerned.
Aryana winced as the memories came flooding back at once, the past and present blurring together into a tidal wave of emotions. She panicked as she felt herself getting dragged further and further back into her mind, like a warrior hesitating as they set foot upon the parapets. But she could also feel her strength recovering, the desire to push onwards creeping up, forcing her into a fight that she needed to confront. It was an awful sensation and she felt much like she had back in Brightfields, pushed around by fate and very much alone and impotent.
Her muscles tensed, she knew that at some point she needed to fight, to stand her ground and push out these thoughts. With Sophie’s help, she believed she could do it. For by her darling’s side, she felt safe, empowered and knowing that there was a fall back made her just that much more confident.
“Galen.”
A singular whisper mentioned as Tristan’s group had left, the context unknown only that it had been said. The word echoed like a wisp in the wind, so faint that she could’ve thought she imagined it. Yet in the back of her mind, she knew what the mere mention of it meant.
Aryana paled at once, what little composure she regained by Sophie’s side was shattered. Her eyes grew unfocused as flashes of the past, the future, and the present all intertwined in a knot that could not be untied, tightening a noose around her even as she thrashed against it. The air rushed out of her lungs as her mouth dried up. Galen.
Heir to the Frostfyres, now ruler of the clan with his father in the shadows, and the druids of the Frostwind cloaked in even deeper darkness. He had led the clan to prosperity, claiming multiple clanholds even before they relocated down to Melton. He opened up the borders to outsiders and even facilitated trade. The young man even managed to rally multiple clans to defend their homes against demons and invaders from beyond the mountains. For all intents and purposes, he was a hero of the clan, a shining beacon of the Frostwinders and their resilience and desire to persevere no matter what.
But he was also her tormentor, the one who took any failings out on the ‘witch and her spawn’. The one who had led the tribe so stalwartly against her and had even wrenched Tristan away from her, a pain that had yet to heal even now. He was the one who had ostracised her, bullied her, all because of something his father said to him that he now parroted to others. Words that have since spread to most of the clans, of the druidic prophecy with her somehow at its center. A person who she had no intention of ever interacting with again.
Arteria was supposed to be safe, a haven far away from her homeland. Its sanctity was threatened and she no longer knew what to do. She had tried to avoid Tristan and had successfully done so up until now. But she saw Merewyn, Rian, Gladys, and Cyneric, four more familiar faces that she had expected. With Tristan, it was five too many. And based on what they’re saying, more are here. Including Galen.
“Ary…” Sophie softly cooed.
Aryana just shook her head, though her body moved to snuggle closer.
“Fine. Just make sure to tell me when you feel it’s right, okay?” Sophie ruffled her hair.
“Mmhmm.” Aryana half heartedly mumbled.
The two remained like that for a while, syncing up their breathing as they digested the unfortunate encounter. Aryana didn’t know what they would do moving forward, or what Galen and the others had planned. All she knew was that his presence alone would be bad news. She also remembered the horrific moment when Galen had attacked Sophie at the clannsmeet. Though she was afraid of him, her blood boiled at the image of Sophie being hurt.
Looking up, she found Sophie momentarily distracted, the hatire staring out a nearby window and onto the busy streets outside. Her gaze was steady, but lost deep in her thoughts, a hundred different problems demanding her attention. Aryana looked away and gently caressed Sophie’s hand. I’ll find a way to get Galen off our backs, to avoid him and the clan. You already do so much for me, this is my battle to fight. She vowed to herself. You’ve suffered so much and likely will too, in the future. Loathe as I am to accept that fate. But in this matter, I won’t allow it, I’ll fight this fight so you don’t have to. Even as it saps my soul. Believe in me, Sophie. Let me bear some of your burden.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Sophie felt uneasy. She was concerned by the appearance of the Frostfyres and moreso by the distress that her partner was experiencing. Worse yet, more were likely on the way judging by Tristan’s words, the very same people that had made Ary’s life in the Frostwinds a daily struggle. She couldn’t get a good read on Tristan and that worried her, for that meant that she had little idea about their designs on Ary. Considering they wanted to claim her back in Melton…
She scowled at the thought but pushed it aside, she had more pertinent matters to deal with. As a nearby clock struck five in the afternoon, she rose up from her seat, offering a hand to Ary as she did so. Reluctantly, Ary accepted her outstretched hand, the redhead seeming almost frightened to leave their little reading alcove. Sophie managed to fully coax Ary out of their spot with a few kisses, wrapping the girl in a supportive embrace to reassure her of Sophie’s unwavering support.
Calmed, Ary sighed and Sophie smiled at feeling. However brief it was, it was nice.
Putting the books away and grabbing Yana’s little stand, the faerie fluttered over and sat upon her perch, looking off into the distance, towards where the Frostwinders went. I wonder what she knows? But Sophie also saw how the faerie looked towards Aryana with some level of worry. At least she cares.
The three proceeded back out the quieter parts of the library and into the atrium area where the duo once had their exams as well. As Sophie feared, the Frostwinders were also waiting around, albeit at another end of the hall. A few other parents, students, and potentially friends of test takers were also loitering, the event drawing a far larger crowd than the duo’s session had last year. Among the group were also about four dozen redcloaks and a handful of Trinite guards, the proceedings bringing about far more security than she remembered. Though I wonder how much of this is because of that ‘incident’ with the scholar?
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
The doors to the annex finally flew open as two green robed proctors and a blue robed professor organised the mass of students within to exit the premises. To the duo’s surprise, there were almost a hundred if not more students milling about within the library’s wings, eager to forget about the exam. Redcloaks moved to help facilitate a smooth exit from the library, trying their best not to interfere with the average citizens as they escorted the students back outside.
Hundreds of chattering voices filled the library hall and there was a tense if celebratory atmosphere as the applicants all relished being done with the exam. Sophie felt Ary tense up beside her and discreetly followed the girl’s gaze. Her eyes landed on a handsome but muscular looking man that moved towards the Frostwinders. It took her a few seconds before everything clicked within her head, but then, she remembered. The guy that beat me up at the council. Bastard. Right when I claimed Ary, I didn't even have a clue what was happening back then. Tearing her eyes away, she forced herself to go back to looking for their companions, giving Ary a reassuring squeeze in the meantime.
Almost a hundred had filtered past when a familiar sensation probed the back of her mind.
Wasn’t that hard, Sophia sent the thought.
Where are you? Sophie queried.
We’re waiting by the westside exit, near the cafe. Slipped out with the crowd first to avoid the atrium crowd. Better be quick, slowpoke.
Sophie gave Ary a gentle tug and the girl quietly followed. They slipped back the gaggle of people and made their way towards the cafe. Sophie’s mind was entangled in the mire that was planning for contingencies, wondering what she might have to do in order to keep Ary safe.
Despite all her doubts, when she finally caught sight of the other three, she couldn’t help smiling. To her, there was something comforting in their presence, despite how strange each of them were. Elaria and Sophia had struck up a conversation while Raylani, true to her usual aloofness, remained on guard, shooting a tiny nod at Sophie’s approach. Encouraged, Sophie gently rubbed Ary’s palm, the girl looking at her strangely before finally smiling a little, breaking out of her frightened state.
“Well, well. Look who’s finally here? Enjoyed not having to do exams?” Sophia mockingly pretended to flip through a book.
“Maybe.” Sophie snickered, “How was it though?”
Sophia arched an eyebrow, almost offended that she had been asked, before turning towards Elaria and Raylani instead.
“It went well, I think. I understood most of everything, at least on the surface level.” Elaria replied, a faint hint of joy in her eyes, “Challenging though, and for Raylani…” Her expression shifted to one that was more nervous.
The dark elf sighed wearily, rolling her eyes as she tried to brush them off, “It was as my mistress says. Challenging.”
“‘Challenging’ she says.” Elaria cackled, giving Raylani a soft prod to the belly that made the dark elf flinch, “Poor girl struggled to read so much…err… what do we call this language again?”
“Common?” Sophie answered.
“Weird name for a language, but fair enough, I'm not from here. Yeah, she struggled reading common.” Elaria snickered.
For the first time since meeting the dark elf, Sophie noticed how ferociously the elf was trying to hide an embarrassed blush. “Mistress has coached me in the basics. But…”
“It’s okay. I… honestly on me for not remembering to help you guys with it earlier on.” Sophie quickly interjected, hoping to calm Raylani before also letting out an embarrassed sigh, “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Elaria tutted at both of them, “The proctors were more interested in the existence of a whole new elven race. Hah!” She snorted, “Even the elven proctors were absolutely baffled about her!”
“They have never been to the wilds. Those near the mountains know.” Raylani mumbled.
“Probably! Just be glad these weren’t them then!” Elaria reassured her, “Beside that, I think through your combat skill might just carry the pass. They were definitely impressed.”
“But my tests… my performance in front of you…” Raylani seemed on the verge of a breakdown.
“Ok, fine. Disaster might be a better statement. Regardless, we’ll find a way to get you in.” Elaria held up her hands in surrender, moving slightly closer to the distressed elf to comfort her.
Raylani looked ashamed and Elaria glanced at the others, giving them a look that said, give us some space. Motioning for everyone else to go, Elaria took her charge towards a corner, and Sophie found herself admiring how her sister’s expression instantly softened, adopting a far gentler manner. How neat.
Turning her attention to Sophia, her counterpart just shrugged.
“Sophie wants to ask me how I did.” She winked at Aryana, “But I have her memories of both the last exam and class. Soo… it was alright.”
“Huh, that almost could be cheating.” Ary finally spoke.
Both Sophie and Sophia just stared curiously at her before chuckling in unison.
“Guess it could be. But enough about the exams, I just want to forget about them, funny enough. How are you two? Sophie seemed… a little curt when we talked earlier.” Sophia asked.
“Earlier?” Ary looked over.
“Shared thoughts.” Sophia tapped her head, "Carries a little bit of emotion. Just a little."
“Oh.” Ary sounded a tad disappointed.
“We saw Tristan and other Frostwinders.” Sophie interrupted before Ary could carry on.
There was a quiet hum as Sophia processed the information, her face twisting into a small scowl before she relaxed.
“The problems just keep piling on, don’t they?” Sophia sighed, her confident facade slipping as hints of exhaustion broke through.
“Indeed they do.” Sophie joined her counterpart in the sigh.
For a brief moment she let her fantasy take hold. Her mind seized upon the brief lull and melancholic mood to revisit her life, to run her through her own life choices. She imagined a world where she didn’t make that fateful choice in Eichafen to stay with Anna’s party. To just set off back to Carrador and Eva’s side. Perhaps she’d get ambushed along the way and find out her powers that way. Or perhaps she’d make it all the way back to the Rosengart estate. Instead of dealing with tribals, undead, shadow monsters, cursed soldiers, she’d be learning how to be a proper maid, likely by Eva’s side at the academy. Where is Eva now, I wonder? On the way to Arteria? She rubbed her weary eyes. But if all that were true, I wouldn’t have met Ary or the others. I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to travel half the continent.
Would I trade all that for peace? She mused on the thought, unable to come up with a concrete answer save for one certainty. If being here, now, has made Ary’s life, and some other people's lives better, then I suppose it might’ve been worth it.
Her hands started shaking again as her reminiscing brought out more memories than intended. Her past battles caught up sooner than expected, breaking through the opening and infecting her with the horrific truth she always tried to avoid. She might be a hero in some eyes and a crazed warrior in others, but when fighting the undead or demonic threats, she could always excuse that. But murder, was something different altogether. She knew she was justified, knew that she had to defend herself and protect people. But it wasn’t the act itself that haunted her, though guilt still lingering. No, to blame it on guilt would be a lie by omission. She was frazzled because she had so easily swept all of it away to the recesses of her mind to be forgotten. How easily she had simply moved on. What will I become? What happens if I fight someone else? Just like that? I kill them?
Her racing mind came to a screeching halt as she felt Ary’s touch, the girl grabbed both her hands tightly before placing them over her heart. It was an odd experience as Sophie froze, surprised to have been dragged out of her worries and simply left to feel the beating of Ary’s heart with trembling hands. Yet, there was an undeniable sense of gentleness in the gesture that tamed the chaos within her, a spark of purpose that guided her.
Sophie stood still and tried her best to regain her composure, her own jittery nerves matching with Ary’s own uneasiness. Sophie leaned over for a deep kiss and the two warped each other in a comforting embrace.
“Ahem.” Sophia coughed awkwardly from beside them, the noise making the two jump in fright.
Sophia wasn’t the only one who snickered and Yana let out a little noise of her own.
“Seeing as the other two over there look like they’re about done with their talk and you two as well. Why don’t we lift the mood before we all end up with mild depression, hmm? Because I believe it’s time for a celebratory dinner.” Sophia stated.
“Dinner, dinner, makes you a winner.” Yana echoed, the faerie raising her arms in a cheer.
Sophie and Ary shared a look before the two giggled.
“I suppose that’s true. Might certainly help... all of us, recover a bit” Sophie managed to smile, “Dinner time it is!”