6

My darling,

The cold reminds me of how warm your heart is. I am never worried of the winter when you are in my arms.

* * *

Melech felt like he was falling. Water rushed all around him and was whipping him every which way. His hand threatened to tear itself from Micah’s grasp, but he fought the feeling. The responsibility to protect these young people had overwhelmed him in the past days, and he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he lost them now.

Melech had not experienced this kind of disorientation since he first passed through the waterfall to Ratini all those years ago. It was pitch black here, wherever they were, increasing the feeling of chaos. He forced himself to keep his eyes open. He had dealt with magic before, during the war, and if he knew anything, he knew not to be afraid of it. The fear in him would only make the magic stronger and more unpredictable than it already was. He looked around for something, anything to focus on in this void they were tumbling through. But there was only darkness. Melech had only the grip of Micah's hand, and the amulet in his other hand to cling to as they tumbled in space.

Then, reality came crashing back almost out of nowhere. All of a sudden, they were thrown into tangible water. Melech finally lost Micah’s grip and they all climbed to the surface of the water to take a breath. By the time he had reached the open air, the memory of the void was already starting to fade, which was for the best, he guessed. He looked around to find the others and saw all three of their heads bobbing just above the surface of the waves. They were safe. Melech took a relieved breath and beckoned for them to follow him to shore. He had never been a great swimmer so he was grateful that the amulet had brought them only a few feet away from dry land.

He reached the beach first and helped the others on to their feet. The winds nipped at the back of his neck making him shiver. They were all soaking wet, and Melech realized they needed to find shelter soon. He looked around, taking his surroundings in for the first time.

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He heard Cecilia gasp and could understand why. There was nothing. Whatever this place used to be was destroyed beyond recognition. Piles of ash mixed with the sand and buildings stood on their last legs, painted with soot and smoke scars. There was no one in sight as well. Not one soul to notice the strangers who had mysteriously arrived out of the sea.

Melech turned when he heard a quiet sob behind him. Cecilia had fallen to her knees and was looking down at the ashes that covered her wet hands. Micah was squatting next to her with his hand on her shoulder while Venali looked out at the horizon. Melech looked away. This place, this forgotten battlefield, reminded him too much of the horrors of his past. The look of Cecilia's face was nothing new to him. He had seen that sad, broken face on so many after his army had stormed a town. That face was seared into the back of his eyelids for him to see every time he closed his eyes. They had become old friends to his nightmares. And, after all this time, he was starting to make peace with his demons. But this place tore down that wall of indifference and acceptance and Melech didn’t know how long he would be able to last.

He walked over to Cecilia and the others and held out his hand to help her up. She took it somberly and let him guide her to her feet.

“I am so sorry about your home,” he said, wrapping his other hand around hers. “But is there anything you recognize that will help us get to the castle, anything at all. It is dangerous for us to stay here overnight.”

She looked around helplessly. “Everything is so different I… I don’t…”

“Hey,” Micah searched for her eyes. “Look at me. It’s okay.” She took a breath then looked around again.

“There.” She pointed at a building in the distance. There was a light shining from it in the dusk light and Melech could tell it was only a mile or so away from them. “That’s the church of Aduial Amon. The castle is about a day’s walk from here.”

It looked promising enough to Melech. “Thank you my dear.” He patted her hand once before letting go. As the others readied themselves for the journey, he noticed something white poking out of the ash filled sand. He knelt down and brushed it off to inspect. The tip of a femur stared back at him. Melech covered it quickly as the others approached him.

That’s why no one was in sight. They were all buried under a foot of sand and ash. He watched as Cecilia and Venali passed him. If they would have found it instead of him, how would they have reacted? He was so used to seeing death, so overexposed to tragedy, while he could bring compassion to instances like this, it was fleeting.

He let a little distance come between him and the others before following them. He wished Nevari was here, she could always tell what he was feeling even when he didn’t say it. But she was stuck now because of him. He clutched the amulet and took a breath. The sooner they talk to the high priest the sooner he could get home. With one more look at the spot where the bone had been, he trotted towards the group.