Carissa curled her hands into fists. “Do you require something, Algernon?” Algernon arched his eyebrows. “Not feeling so hospitable today, hmm? Even after my explanation?” “Are you going to answer my question or do I need to repeat myself?” “That won’t be necessary.” Algernon shoved off the pole. “I… Never mind, it’s a rather silly…
Two Days Later Two scouts knelt before Elon—the very two scouts she and Algernon had saved a few nights ago. Elon and she were seated within a tent, the group of elders sandwiching them on either side. It was in this very same tent that she and Elon had first met the Elders. One gazed…
Silence blanketed the crowd, and the zealous fervor from moments ago evaporated. The man strode towards the Elder. “Do you know what havoc that man wreaked when he crossed our borders three years ago?” Wariness streaked across the Elder’s expression. “Surely you’re mistaken, Jokshan.” “Am I?” His gaze swept to Elon. “Why don’t I name…
Leaves and twigs crunched loudly, and Carissa glanced down in time to see Mera stomping towards the road. “Where are you going?” Mera didn’t even slow. “Back to the caravan. I’m not going to just lay around and wait for nightfall.” Elon knelt next to Carissa and picked up her forearm, examining a wound. “Mera,…
Carissa raised her sword and sprinted towards the sound of the scream. If she could get there in time, perhaps she could save the woman. Or perhaps it was too late already. She wove around trees, the dry underbrush snatching her pants and scratching her ankles. She slowed when she spotted the gleam of yellow…
Lyron’s gaze snapped up as Carissa and Elon drew near. He still looked sober, but the tear tracks on his cheeks had dried and he offered them a wane smile. “I miss Kybelle.” And now they were about to confront his mother. Perhaps this wasn’t the best timing, but they couldn’t exactly wait. Carissa knelt…
Algernon’s dark gaze pierced her—intense, yet too solemn to be a glare. “I’m aware. That’s why I’ve come here: so you may have your answers.” Elon began to lift Carissa into the wagon, but she stiffened. Elon said, “We need to load up, Carissa. The caravan is leaving. And if we share a wagon with…
Kybelle’s funeral had begun, and Algernon was nowhere to be found. Carissa stood next to Elon as a few of the men carried Kybelle’s wrapped body towards her grave—a gaping hole in the ground. For all the grief the caravan members had put them through, at least they’d seen to the funeral preparations. They’d replaced…
Algernon loosed his first arrow, and Elon merely stepped back, letting it whizz by before it thunked into the ground. Algernon cursed, drew another, and fired. Elon began walking to the left, letting the arrow slash through the space he’d previously occupied. “You’ll have to do better than that.” Algernon growled, a low, guttural sound…
“You son of an Esmerian—” Carissa bolted upright in bed, her hand shooting to her waist for a weapon. Except she didn’t have any. Algernon stood in their tent, a bow aimed at Elon’s chest. Elon stared back at Algernon, his gaze steady and cool. Algernon was trembling so hard that she feared he’d release…