LRAB 45 – Fateful Meeting
45 – Fateful Meeting
I looked up at the moon, the sparse canopy barely hindering my view of the glowing celestial body. I blinked.
The night air was colder than yesterday—a sign that winter drew closer still. Sounds of the insects chirping in the underbrush echoed across the solitary stillness of the forest. The only source of warmth remained the hand entwined with mine.
Athea paused near a particularly thick tree, hands tracing along the bark. I watched on with a curious expression as she ran her fingers about its rough texture, stopping at one section. She turned her head, addressing us, and said, "We are near."
As we began our journey through the dank bushes, Amara asked, "What was the meaning of checking out that tree?"
I too was curious about her actions and eyed the woman intently. She answered, "These lands are ridden with traps, and the safer path has been marked. We are all taught to recognize the signs—lest we become a victim of our own machinations."
Fascinating, I thought, though it does make sense, sort of.
We crossed the path in silence. The sodden grass felt slimy as it was crushed under our boots. My Blood Monarch-aided senses alerted me to the flares of vital energy in the distance. I exchanged a glance with Amara.
Athea's presence was an expected factor that we had been counting on. It was less a protection from the dangers of these lands than proof to lend credence to our story. But in the end, Amara's words proved absolute—that the greatest advantage lay not in our merits but our strength.
I strode forward with rare confidence—birthed from the belief in my own strength. By now, I could make out a raucous blend of noises alongside the faint glimmer in the distance. As we drew near, I finally glimpsed upon a wide open field with pyres lit at intervals. Men and women in grimy, scratched armor milled about.
I caught a wistful look on Athea's face, though she hid it quick. She walked ahead, and we followed behind. Some of the men caught our tread, and their eyes lit up when they glanced at Athea. Soon enough, one of the soot-stained men was rushing to meet us.
"Athea!" He pulled her in a bear hug and patted her back several times. The trio of us paused and watched from some distance. "I'm so glad to see you."
"I'm fine, Ed," Athea said, pulling herself loose. Though she sounded exasperated, I found a soft smile stretched across her lips. "It's good to see you too."
Ed smiled broadly and patted her shoulders before turning to address us. "And these are?" He asked, his smile giving way to a frown.
"Guilders," Athea replied briskly. "They have come to offer aid and also to
"Please follow me," he said, leading us toward another corner of the camp. There was no source of illumination present except the lunar radiance painting the ground a dim white. A few of the tents were lined along the back, squat and rough.
"Most of them are sleeping at the moment," Ed informed. "If you could provide their names, it would save us some trouble."
I readily offered the names of my former teammates and watched as the man darted toward one tent in particular before entering. I decided to wait outside.