Page 63 of Whispers of the Elderoak

She knew if she let herself go there, let herself truly ponder over what had been done to her, the reality of her predicament would overcome her.

And she would fall apart.

23

Ava slept all day without any interruptions, stirring around sunset when her tiny rodent companions tickled her face. She turned to wake Remy, but he was already up and about, preparing for the next leg of their journey.

She was happy to see her furry companions darting around her feet. Though they hadn’t been with her long, they were a small beacon of promise, providing her guidance and a little bit of entertainment with their silvery fur and tufted tails.

As she waited for the sun to continue its voyage below the horizon, she gathered her supplies and prepared for another night of travel, feeling a sense of sadness that she and her friend would be parting shortly. She wondered where Luna was, curious why she had seemed to disappear even though she said she’d be waiting. But Luna had always been that way. Coming and going as she pleased.

I guess she’ll reappear when she’s ready, she thought as she buckled the belt around her waist then secured the quiver of arrows on her back.

She didn’t know how far she was from her destination, but assumed it would take her at least a few days, if not longer.Ignoring the worry that she didn’t have enough food, she focused on her goal. Get to Mosshaven. Get an audience with the king. And somehow find this man from her dreams, though she had no idea how she was supposed to do that.

If she encountered anything nefarious on her way, she would survive. Be angry.

Crush them.

When the sun was below the horizon and the moon had welcomed the night, she felt it was dark enough to leave her shelter. Slinging her bag across her chest, she added the new dagger to her belt and picked up the bow, ready to search for the brightest star.

“Are you ready?” she asked Remy.

“Yes yes yes,” he replied as they exited the cave.

The night was cool, a breeze providing relief against the heat of the day, and Ava made her way to the top of the hill with her companion to give herself a better chance of spotting the star. Out of breath, she reached the apex and surveyed her surroundings, hands on her hips.

There.

High above the treetops blazed a shining star, much brighter than the others and even a different color. While the other stars shone with their usual golden-white glow, this one was light blue, like an aquamarine suspended in the sky.

It was beautiful.

Home. That was the way to her true home. She was still in disbelief.

She turned to Remy and pointed at the star. “That’s the way I’m going.”

He smiled, looking up at her, pride flickering in his eyes. “I know it is. You’ll be safe there. Safe safe safe,” he said. “My home is that way.” He pointed in a different direction.

She got down on her knees and grasped Remy’s shoulders, looking into his globe-like eyes. “Remy,” she said as tearswelled, blurring her vision. “Thank you for being my friend when I was in a dark place. Thank you… for everything.”

Remy looked at her. “Thank you for freeing me, for saving my life. I owe you a debt.”

Ava shook her head. “You don’t owe me anything. Just enjoy being with your brothers.”

He looked at her with affection in his eyes. “I will see you again. Someday. I know it. Yes yes yes.”

She pulled Remy into a hug and his arms wrapped around her neck. “I hope so,” she whispered. After a moment they pulled away and Ava removed the extra dagger from her belt, pressing it into his hand. “Be safe,” she said.

Remy nodded and headed down the hill. He paused and waved enthusiastically before trodding on again. As Ava watched him go, tears flowing freely, she whispered, “Goodbye, Remy.”

Her only friend in this world had left on his own journey. Safe, but not with her. She was alone again, and her heart ached with the realization. Everyone was gone. Her mother, grandfather, Eleanor and Henry. And now the one person she had connected with since arriving was gone too.

She thought she used to like solitude, the peace and quiet with no one to worry about but herself. Between the way others treated her family and her mother’s death, it was safer not to let anyone else in. But these last couple of months had begun to change that. The awareness that she didn’t want to be just a lost puzzle piece, trying to shove itself into the wrong spots. She wanted, noneeded, to find where she fit.

Wiping her eyes, she took one more look at the star and sniffled.

Committing the direction to memory should she be unable to see it in the depths of the forest, she took off down the hill, climbing over low bushes and brambles, and continued to trek through the woods.

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