The next two days were horrible. Charles wouldn’t stop complaining about his knee as if he was the only one with an injury. They were chased by murderous thugs intent on killing them. their moas exhausted in a race moa wins over donkeys every time but a two day marathon the donkeys are probably going to outlast them. just half a mile behind and no cover from these plans, not even a tree was in sight. then the town of Shadowfen could be seen on the horizon. We can make it. I just hope our moas don’t die from exhaustion

“We can make it stormbreaker just a little farther” Nyssa cheered patting her panting moa on the neck.

“we might have to dismount and run on foot to lighten the burden” stopping to run and put Charles on Stormbreaker they ran as fast as they could to keep up which was not easy with his injured heel he felt tired even though he didn’t use that much energy painting alongside Nyssa after a about half a few minutes of running and jogging we were falling behind

“this was a horrible idea” Nyssa huffed

“well are moas needed to run without our weight” Falkner snapped back Charles slowed them down with some difficulty but he slowed them down enough to get on them Nyssa took the pack moa and he got back on his trotting along towards the town which grew closer but so did their enemies they were less than half a mile behind sweat poured down into his eyes wiping it away before it could freeze I’m so tired my legs feel like lead I can’t get enough air we must have covered less than a quarter mile. I knew we were injured but I had to lighten their load.

“how are you holding up” Nyssa asked with concern in her voice

“Well enough,” Falkner grunted

“they're gaining on us,” Charles cried. Does he think I don’t know that?

“Working on it” Nyssa said with a frown

“How?” Charles asked with agony turning around to see them with wide eyes “we’re working on it” Falkner said which didn’t seem to reassure him much by the look on his face with each step they got a little closer but the town was still far away at least our fire and ice might be enough even though they will expect it.

“Do you think they will counter our fire and ice?”

“I don’t see how” Nyssa replied after an hour of riding they were less than a hundred feet behind and they could hear there insults

“you're a dead boy!” and such drawing his sword holding it in his good right arm as did Nyssa then Nyssa raised her sword in challenge which brought more insults as they got within three hundred yards away pushing their moas to go faster with enemies hot on their heels were so close! But it became apparent I’m were not going to make it I’m too tired to use much fire maybe if we ditch the boy we could make it no I’ll be left behind

two men came on his flanks with clubs galloping. his moa’s tongue slipped out to help it get more air. as he slashed back and forth to keep them at bay Nyssa had a man trying to run her though with a spear and he could not help her finally landing a hit on the thugs hand cutting off several and dropped his club and slowed down to let his buddy take his place then a hit on Falkner’s good shoulder made him almost drop his sword

the town gates opened as dozens the town watch riding out to the rescue Nyssa tried to block with her sword before he could run her through the began to slow down and break off to escape they slowed to a trot

“We made it“ Charles cried with tears in his eyes

“We did'' Falkner sighed in relief past the bridge of the small frozen river right before the gate as they entered. The town watch broke off from them to pursue the thugs. people stopped to watch them

“This kid needs a doctor!”

“You” Falkner pointed to a woman wearing a yellow dress

“escorting him to the doctor to remove the rest of the arrow” she hurried to take his rains away from him.

“No help him down” Falkner scolded she helped the boy down and led him deeper into town, dismounting and falling to his knees from his exhaustion. I need a bed. pushing himself upright.

“let’s take care of our moas then talk to Clarisse about her son and possessions. Falkner just nodded after getting their moas settled at the nearest stable.

They found Clarisse at her home sweeping her empty home. When she saw Falkner she threw her arms around him and started to cry

“what happened?” then went to hug Nyssa

“your son took an arrow to the knee which he is now at your town herbalist he should be fine but will have a limp for the rest of his life and it probably won't bend well either we could not get your possessions so I burned them” Falkner said Nyssa handed her some silver coins

“this should take care of the cost for the surgery” bending over to catch his breath we should have recovered ourselves before coming here.

“Thank you,” Clarisse said, walking past them to see her son

“let's go to the herbalist to clean our wounds, then rent a room”

“Sounds good,'' Nyssa said, sounding as tired as he felt. walking through town and stumbling upon the herbalist a one story house with a sigh and a good thing to or it would have been impossible to find with the other two buildings right by it looking exactly the same pushing open the front door to find a neat array of herbs

“Excuse us we need help” and man with blonde hair hazel eyes wearing a green robe came to them

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“yes what is it” “We need our wounds cleaned and properly banded,” Falkner said, handing him two silver coins

“right this way” leading them to a table and chair in the only other room in the shop. taking the chair as he worked on Nyssa. Well, we made it, but did we didn't help we're back a week. we need to get on the road as soon as possible. poor Charles he will have a bad leg for the rest of his life and how are they going to support themselves Charles can’t work

“my lady this is a serious wound, how are you even standing?” “We're tougher than we look” Nyssa replied looking ready to pass out on the spot after he took a look at her side and thigh, fixing the stitching then placing some herbs on a badge. Then he came over and took a look at Falkner’s busted shoulder

“It's my armpit” he helped Falkner out of his armor, lifting his arm up slowly. He took one look and just put some ointments and bandaged it better when that was done. “This wound is deep” shaking his head

“How long ago did you receive these wounds?” “a few days ago I had to sew up Nyssa because she fainted from blood loss and I needed my heel looked at” he looked at him stunned.

“How are you even walking?” after everything he insisted on them sleeping upstairs they didn’t protest and tried to help Nyssa up but she waved him off and then collapsed on the first bed Falkner went to sleep on the other bed after sleeping for a whole day after leaving him and made are way to the town stables but their moa’s still needed rest so they went back to bed I miss my castle, the servants, the fine food mother. Will I ever see her again? or John I never gave him the proper chance he deserved as he fell asleep.

Falkner woke in the middle of the night hungry. Did we have dinner? shaking Nyssa awake.

“what is it” Nyssa said drowsy

“we need to hit the road after we get something to eat” after some complaining she got up and we got dressed for the day, heavy coats and breeches

“now? It’s the middle of the night”

“Yes now” Falkner said he looked unrecognizable, the bags under his eyes, the messy red hair and the scruffy beard. He went back to his room to get his razer and hurried to shave. That chase took a lot out of me.

After shaving they left about two hours before sunrise. After getting lost in the unlit streets the houses looked abandoned and the cold wind did not comfort him. finding the stable and waking up the owner who told them we were crazy to get up at this hour. After they saddled them and tied their belongings to the two, they weren't riding and found out that the barky that should have the first batch of bread done soon so they headed there with haste as if it was going to disappear if they didn't get there in time.

they soon found it between two rich merchant's houses and knocked on the front door

“maybe there not up yet” Falkner pointed out

“nonsense you heard the bald guy they should be making it as we speak'' Nyssa replied knocking harder on their door. It opened to reveal the baker, an older woman with streaks of gray in her blond hair wearing her bed clothes

“What do you want at this hour?”

“When is your first batch of bread ready?” Nyssa asked, she looked at them dumbfounded

“I’m about to make it why”

“Great, we will take some loaves” Nyssa breamed handing her a pouch of coppers she took it and went back inside to make their bread. We are spending a lot of money. If Nyssa keeps this up we will be broke. they sat on the ground just by the front door running his hand through his hair and pace just anything to pass the time.

“Do you miss our life of luxury?” Falkner asked

“yes but you know why we had to leave. We will become so much more,” Nyssa said, putting a hand on his shoulder staring at the black sky where the stars could be seen there’s so many.

“it’s beautiful”

“It is,” Falkner agreed. “Do you remember when we were kids and we ruined a good four batches of pastries?”

“Yes you started a fight by throwing fire at me and the pastries burned.”

“I remember you started that fight not to mention you were stuffing your face, mother and John were so angry seeing the burned batches and your stuffed cheeks I thought we would get sent to the dungeon” they burst out laughing. Finally the door opened and she handed Falkner and Nyssa their loaves of bread and began wolfing it down then went their way straight south where the mountain was waiting for them.

In the middle of the day they rode on a dirt road.

“at least we're not being chased” Nyssa said

“Thank goodness” Falkner agreed. Did we do that much good? they left a cripple and his mother must have fallen behind. farmboy a godling no less passing us soon Vulture valley will be ahead of us that will be fun pulling out his map.

After that this morning all was silent beside passing the occasional traveler they rode side by side on the dirt road actually seeing the kingdom and not just on a map. it was boring seeing rocks and boulders on the hilly plans soon it will be over who I’m I kidding? We were still a month away before we were even at the base of mount Iroswell and climbing it won't be easy. focus one day at a time

“What are you worried about?” Nyssa said with concern on her face

“What's really bothering me is all that work our wounds, pain and for what? To

Reunite a cripple with his mother who has nothing if we were gods we could really help them” she said nothing for a while

“It was worth it, the criminals were brought to justice and she has her son. It could have been better but yes it was worth it”

“thanks” feeling a little better about the whole ordeal they went through but not much at least one of us is happy about this

“how do you think John and mother are doing without us” Nyssa looked at me as they rode

“I don’t know, probably angry we don't even bother to leave them a letter I do know that Lily is angry for missing your own wedding” Nyssa teased

“I know that!” Why does she always berate me so? She always makes fun of me even when we were children, pleased to see me angry.

After two weeks of uneventful travel they stopped just before nightfall near some pine trees. Falkner built a campfire; he stretched his hand out, fire rushed out of his hand and set the branches ablaze.

“I wonder what else I can do with our power, what ways are we not seeing like with your icicles” Nyssa turned around from her seat far away from the fire

“I don’t know fire and ice aren't exactly complex elements”

“but there must be something we’re missing!” Falkner said pacing close to the fire

“like what?” Falkner threw his hands up

“how should I know? That's what we need to find out. Maybe I could create a fireball

''how?” there must be something I’m are missing

“Maybe” Nyssa admitted

“Let's try new things in a few days ok I’m tired I’m going to bed” with that she entered her tent

“good night” Falkner said I guess I’m keeping watch again