Page 8 of The Song of Sunrise
“We need to send a message to the Council as soon as possible. This is the third attack this month alone,” Leaf says apprehensively. “They are not going to receive this well.”
All of a sudden, the heaviness of the situation settles like a stone in my gut. “Wait, where are we going? We have to go back!” My shoulder screams in pain as I struggle to sit up straight.
“You are injured, and we promised to get you out safely." Castor hoists under my arm, lifting me upward so I can swing one leg over the side of the dark stallion, now properly astride the saddle in front of him.
Though my body aches with each movement, I straighten my back, rigid on the seat, unable to let myself relax. My chest pangs and I pinch my eyes tightly, trying to discard the horrific memories seared into my brain. Nic was by the doors beforethe Underlings attacked. Rosie, Row, and Bane fighting in the middle of the hall, in the thick of the carnage.
“But my friends… I have to help, I… I,” I stutter, coming up short. What could I do to help? I have nothing to offer. No magical abilities. No training on how to fight. Only a dagger still uselessly shoved into my boot.
Leaf seems to sense the words I’m not saying. “I’m sorry about your friends, Akemi, but we had to get out of there. Castor and I were able to take out most of the Underlings. Only a few were still fighting in the tavern when we left. Plus, more WatchGuards were already on their way to Goldenpine.”
I try to digest his words, but a sinking feeling in my gut tells me otherwise. There were only two of those creatures left. And between the farmers, Row, Bane, and Rosie’s pure fury from anyone messing with her establishment—Goldenpine should be okay, right?
Castor’s voice is gruff next to my ear. “We should ride as far as we can tonight, then make camp.”
The rain continues to fall, each pelting drop chipping away relentlessly at my soul. Though I feel Castor’s body heat behind me, I resist leaning backward, not allowing myself that comfort. After a few more minutes riding, I’m fully soaked from the rain. My hair whips across my face, striking me in painful strands. Eventually, my fingers become numb and slip off the pommel, sending me backward into Castor.
“Here,” is all he says as he unclasps the silver breast pin of his large velvet blue cloak. In one swift motion, he fans the cloak around me, encasing me in a warm, dry, velvet cocoon. His left arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer to his body. I force myself not to melt into the warmth of his broad chest behind me, painfully straightening my back.
“Thanks,” I say, grateful for the reprieve.
We ride to the beat of the storm for as long as we can manage. My thoughts remain sparse and distant, floating high above like the bruised night sky. The horses keep an impressive pace on the twisting worn paths of the Darkwoods.
Despite the pull of fatigue, I keep my eyes open because I cannot bear the sight that greets me on the other side of my eyelids.
Marrow’s lifeless stare.
Castor and Leaf signal the horses to slow their pace, enough to give them some reprieve. My tailbone aches with each bounce.
I welcome the pain. At least I can feel that.
Leaf suddenly raises a fist, signaling for us to stop. He turns his head slightly, as if listening to the wind. I’m not sure how he can possibly hear anything through the relentless rain.
“Govs!” Leaf whispers urgently while tugging the reins of his white horse. “Off the road!”
Castor and Leaf jump into motion, navigating seamlessly into the thick forest to find a spot for the horses to hide. Once the horses are safely tied to a tree out of sight from the main path, they force me to crouch between them behind a large shrub.
We huddle closely together and wait. Sensing the urgency to remain quiet, I hold dozens of questions behind pursed lips. Leaf keeps his hand extended protectively over me and Castor, signaling us to stay silent.
After a minute or so, the bobbing of lanterns from the large travel party appears through the slits of trees. A dozen or so horses clop in the distance. Men shout to one another. Guards are posted around the traveling group, some in front, sides, and rear of the party, all adorned with the same armor and myriad of weapons and protecting the large carriage in the middle.
We hold our breath as they pass.
Two guards at the front look from side to side, heads swiveling like a pig on a roast stick, scanning the forest for threats.
We remain frozen until the curt discussions of the guards and clopping hooves fade into the chirping of grasshoppers. Castor and Leaf rise hesitantly from our hiding spot.
I shiver without their large bodies huddled next to mine.
“That was fucking close,” Castor says, untying Lux from the tree.
“Thank the Goddess for my ears,” Leaf adds.
“Who were they?” I ask, standing slowly. My whole damn body is aching.
“In the carriage? Likely a powerful member of the Lus’Civitas,” Leaf says with an air of nonchalance. “You know, the ‘govs,’ governance, political neutral leaders of the Northern Continent… blah, blah, blah.”
Wait a minute, that doesn’t make sense.I look between Leaf and Castor. “Doesn’t the Lus’Civitas oversee the Watch? Why did we have to hide? Couldn’t we have just stayed on the road as they passed?”
