Chapter One:

“Cedrine, where do you think you’re going? We were just about to discuss our plan!” Bryn yelled from the doorway down the hallway towards her. Cedrine shot a muddy faced glance over her well-toned shoulder. Her dark green eyes sent him a clear message of pure disgust. Her braided red hair and her ancestral traveling leathers barely peeked out underneath the pounds of mud.

“To piss and then find a bath.” Cedrine growled back. She wiped off some of the mud on her cheek, revealing a patch of rosy white skin underneath. She threw her arms up in anger. “You didn’t get pushed into the mud and almost stabbed in the back by a gnoll, Arrow Boy.”

“Really? Arrow Boy? We are the same age, Cedrine!” Bryn shot back at her. His fingernails dug into the brown shaggy mess that he called hair and his slightly pointed half-elvish ears twitched. "Really mature!"

A deep laugh pulled Bryn’s attention away from his muddy companion, “Hehe, "Arrow Boy." Fits you perfectly.”

“Do you have something to say to me, Thanmur?” Bryn turned to look at his Dwarvish companion who sat with his feet on the table whittling a piece of light colored wood. Thanmur’s tattooed head and bald chin shimmered in candlelight. Bryn had known Thanmur for just over a year, but his candor was something that would never change, even though Bryn had hoped it would.

He gave a shit eating grin, holding his unfinished work up to the light. “I don’t have anything to say, but your coin purse may.”

“What?” Bryn said with a scowl on his face. Then, a sudden realization ran through his mind. His hand shot down to his belt. Gone. It was gone. He looked back down the hallway at Cedrine. She turned towards the stairs and held up a coin purse imprinted with a large “B” on it. She flipped him the bird as she descended the staircase. He called after her, “Please, don’t spend everything! We need that to get to Mialos!”

Bryn sighed as he closed the door to the room. He lingered at the door for a moment, but then came back to the table, pushed Thanmur’s legs off of the table, and sat down in the chair across from him. Thanmur let out a grunt in protest, but continued whittling.

“You know, you don’t need to worry,” Thanmur said, not looking up from his project. Bryn noticed a small flicker of golden light arch across Thanmur’s dark eyes. Thanmur glanced up to see Bryn’s furrowed brow. “About her, I mean.”

“I know, I know. I want to make sure she sees the magnificent “Mialos, Star of the East” in person,” Bryn gestured widely in awe. He rested his hands gently back onto the table. A lump in his throat formed as he continued, “Cedrine’s talked about seeing the entire Realm before she goes back to challenge her father for the right to return to her Tribe in the Craglands. I want to make sure she does.”

“Ah, is that what you two whisper about when you are nestled in each other’s arms when we make camp?” Thanmur grinned wickedly as he set down his project to grab his large wooden tankard from his side. He whispered the Dwarvish word for “Gold” under his breath and his mug began to fill itself with a golden liquor. Thanmur brought the tankard to his shaven lip before stopping and handing it to Bryn. “You two move so quickly! We’ve only known her for a couple of weeks now.”

Bryn takes the tankard from his friend and takes a big drink from it. He let out a burp from the side of his mouth before replying, “It’s nothing like that! At least, I think it isn’t. It’s sort of hard to tell what she is thinking.”

“It’s as Saint Cobaltheart once said—” Thanmur proudly began before Bryn interrupted him.

“The minds of others will always be an enigma. It is better to observe their actions and let them show their true colors.” Bryn finished Thanmur’s sentence for him. Thanmur’s mouth hung agape for a second before he took back the tankard with a grumble. Bryn chuckled softly. Thanmur always used the same four “enlightened” phrases when he was trying to impart some lesson to anyone he talked to. “Goddesses, what did you call that drink again?”

“So, you can remember my proverbs but you can’t remember my family’s label? The ‘King’s Crown Ale’ is THE Greystorm family legacy, Arrow Boy.” Thanmur furrowed his brow as finished the tankard in one gulp. He picked up his project and continued to whittle. “Ever since I was exiled from Rivion Canyon, I’ve been trying to perfect… wait a minute, don’t try to change the subject.”

“I’m not doing anything of the sort.” Bryn threw his hands up in innocence, trying to stifle the laughter that was caught in his throat. A loud knock on the door saved Bryn from the perilous situation with his friend. “Don’t worry, I’ll get the door.”

Thanmur grumbled angrily as he watched Bryn open the door. A young human maid stood at the door carrying a tray of bowls of steaming soup and two steins of ale. Her violet eyes slightly glowed in the dimly lit hallway. She smiled and politely said, “Good evening, sirs, I have some soup and drinks from the kitchen for you both.”

“Uh, I’m sorry, we didn’t order any food.” Bryn looked back at Thanmur. His friend just shrugged in response. The maid pushed past Bryn and put the tray on the table. “You may have the wrong room.”

“She said you’d said that,” The maid reached into a pocket on her apron and pulled a small piece of parchment out. “‘Enjoy the soups, boys. -C.’ If that will be all, sirs, I’ll be taking my leave. Please leave the tray by your door when you are finished with it.”

“Ah, thank you.” Bryn shyly said as he moved out of the way and shut the door after the maid left. He could feel his face growing redder. 

“So, are we going to actually talk about plans or are we going to continue to gossip about our new traveling companion who generously paid for our meal with your coin?” Thanmur said brushing the scraps of wood off of his studded leather breastplate. He put both his project and knife onto the table. Bryn sighed as he ran over to his pack that was stored in his shared room with Cedrine. He retrieved a small map tube that was strapped to the side of the pack, brought it back to the table, pushed the tray to the side, and unfurled it. Bryn had purchased this map in Wyster, the capital of the Wysterian Empire.

“She meant well by it.  We are here in Vivian just about nine days into a twenty-four day trek to Irida. Most of our travel would be through the grasslands, but we will need to cut through the mountain pass on our way to Cynthia. It will be a difficult climb as Cedrine has said many times before, but it will be the easiest way to stay out of the fray. Once we make our way through the pass and get to Cynthia, we will hug the coastline as much as possible until we hit Irida.” Bryn explained as he dragged his finger across the roads on the map to Irida. “From Irida, it will be a five day voyage to Mialos on the island of Ska’Tret. Fortunately, Ska’Tret and the Wysterian Empire are still on good terms, so ships are able to pass between the two nations relatively easily.”

“We would be getting close to the frontlines in Irida, wouldn’t we? The townsfolk were talking about Fort Cecelia being under siege by the Trasselites since the war started.” Thanmur slurped in between spoonfulls of soup. “I’m sure a Battle Warden of the Craglands would feel right at home on the battlefield, but a scrawny guy like you, not a chance.”

“Again, thanks for the vote of confidence, but no, I don’t think we will have to worry all too much about seeing anything. From what I’ve heard, the Pale King has withdrawn his troops from the eastern border to bolster support in Eastbank.” Bryn gripped his temples with his thumb and index finger. He worried more about the mountain pass than seeing any battle. Cedrine had made it abundantly clear that the creatures of the Iron Craglands weren’t creatures of this Realm, but creatures of the Outer Realms that came to devour anything they could kill. “I’ve gone over our expenses several times. We should be able to make it to Mialos with at least twenty-five silver pieces to spend on another voyage somewhere else.”

“Your soup’s going cold. Eat.” Thanmur rolled up the map and pushed a bowl towards Bryn. He put his own empty bowl back onto the tray and reached for the frothy stein that remained. Thanmur stopped himself before drinking to make sure Bryn was actually going to eat. “I don’t disagree with your plans, but you are only making yourself worry more by stressing out about it.”

“I guess you’re right.” Bryn picked the wooden bowl up. The warm light brown liquid sloshed as he brought it to his mouth. It was… well, it was something. The cook must have a dulled sense of taste, because the soup was entirely too salty and any other flavor was completely suppressed by it. Yet Bryn dared not to let the salty soup go to waste. In two gulps, he drained the bowl of the soup and slammed it onto the table. “That was disgusting.”

“What did you expect? The same quality food as that of the Capital?” Thanmur let out a deep laugh almost choking on his first sip of ale. “Drink, drink! We have a long trek ahead of ourselves and I want to be in bed before the Battle Warden comes back.”

“No, it’s fine, you can go to bed. I think I’ll stay up to wait for Cedrine to get back.” Bryn said with a yawn. “I’d like to speak to her about my plans for Mialos.”

“What exactly are you wanting to do in Mialos?” Thanmur asked with a raised eyebrow, pushing the other stein towards Bryn. “Have you been there before?”

“My dad took me there on business once before the war started. He is— was a scholar of the divine. He was invited to the Museum of Relics to help identify some artifacts from the Era of the Lich King. It was beautiful, but I don’t think the museum could compare to the wonders of Jade Bazaar.” A faint smile crept onto Bryn’s face, but quickly faded as soon as it appeared. He took a quick sip before continuing, “It was so lively and oddly beautiful. Have you been?”

“No, but it sounds lovely. It will be nice to see a city not torn by war.” Thanmur smiled as he sheathed his knife and slid his whittling project across the table to Bryn. The light piece of wood had been transformed into a small statuette of Bryn with his bow drawn and ready to strike down a foe. He had even included the smallest intricate details of the carvings on Bryn’s bow. Thanmur downed the remaining ale in his stein and started to walk towards his room.

“How’d you do this so quickly? It’s amazing!” Bryn said inspecting it closely. “I didn’t know you could whittle.”

“Call it ‘Divine Inspiration.’” Thanmur chuckled.  “Keep it. Don’t stay up too late, Cinderhoss.”

“Goodnight, Thanmur.”

--------

Bryn was woken up by the heavy slam of the door and bolted upright in his seat at the table. He turned to see Cedrine standing a few feet away at the door. Her silver line tattoos that circled the backs of her hands and then ran up the length of her arms were now visible and they almost shimmering in the candlelight. Her wet hair was now unbraided and rested midway down her back. She stepped closer towards the groggy Bryn and placed his coin purse onto the table. Her stern dark green eyes pierced the gentle part of Bryn’s soul as she looked him up and down.

Bryn gulped, “Did you enjoy your bath?”

“Yes.” Cedrine responded as she reached across the table for the stein. “Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Definitely enjoyed it.” Bryn lied as he pushed the stein closer to Cedrine.

“Good. The lady said it was popular.” Cedrine grabbed the seat on the opposite side of the table and dragged it next to Bryn’s seat. She sat down as close as possible to Bryn and took a drink from the stein. “Weak liquor. I wish I had some of the King’s Crown right about now.”

“Cedrine, could we speak about, uh, our plans? Only if you want to, I mean.” Bryn could feel that lump slowly returning the longer Cedrine remained. He could feel his cheeks slowly starting to flush with heat.

“Sure, if you drink with me,” Cedrine said, passing the drink to Bryn. “But, try to keep it short. I love hearing your voice, but I do want to sleep at some point tonight, Arrow Boy.”

Bryn took a large sip before handing the stein back. He hoped that the booze would help him get over this awkward interaction. “So, we have almost two and a half weeks left till we get to the coast, but after that it should be smooth sailing. Have you had any thoughts about where you want to go after?”

Cedrine took the stein and finished off the remaining liquor. She thought for a second before letting out a hiccup and put the stein onto the table. “No, not really.”

Bryn let out a disappointed sigh. “Sorry, I don’t mean to, you know, force a decision on you.”

“You aren’t.” Cedrine simply replied. She wrapped her arm around his and interlocked her fingers in his. Her hands were warm and soft, but so strong. She rested her wet head onto Bryn’s shoulder, pulling herself closer in the process. Bryn froze. She never had been this… affectionate? He wasn’t sure if that was the right word, but sure, she preferred being close to him. Nothing to this degree before. A subtle wind of lavender flooded his senses.

“Is everything alright, Cedrine?” Bryn asked cautiously. Cedrine had always been extremely reserved with her emotions, rarely showing them. He had only seen glimpses when she would have nightmares in the middle of the night. “You just, don’t take this the wrong way, don’t seem like yourself.”

“I’m fine…” Cedrine’s voice trailed off. It was dismissive, but her tone was soft. She continued to hide her face. A shiver rolled up his spine as she let out a warm sigh on his neck.

“Okay, okay, okay.” Bryn nervously said, nudging her off of his shoulder. He threw up his hands and looked into her eyes deeply. “Are you sure you’re fine?”

Cedrine glared back at him just as intensely. Bryn could see the tension in her jaw starting to seep into her shoulders. Her biceps went rigid and the veins began to pop in her forearms. It looked like she was going to punch him.

Bryn braced for an impact, but the only feeling that came was two hands firmly gripping the back of his head and a firm kiss planted on his lips. His heart sank, only to soar a moment later. She bit Bryn’s lip gently and pulled back from the kiss. Her lips tasted sweet like strawberries. Her stance softened as she pulled her hands back towards her. Bryn pushed her hair from her eyes and caressed the side of her face. Cedrine’s face started to turn red. She bit her own lip as she stared at his again.

Bryn gulped nervously, “What was that for? Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I told you I’m fine, so why don’t you believe me!?” She stood up so quickly that she knocked her chair over in the process. Bryn flinched as the chair clattered on the floor. Cedrine balled her fists, digging her fingernails into her palm. She didn’t look at him, but angrily spat out, “I can take care of myself! I don’t need you to save me, Arrow Boy.”

“Save you? What are you talking about!?” Bryn shouted back. He honestly didn’t know where her anger was coming from. Save her? The only thing that came to mind was… it couldn’t be. “Is this about the gnoll who pushed you into the mud? Are you mad that I shot before you could kill it yourself?”

“What!? No! That’s not the reason!” Cedrine angrily stormed past Bryn towards their room, but stopped at the door. She spun towards him to say something, but she froze in place. Tears had begun pooling in her beautiful eyes. He didn’t know what he did wrong. He just wanted to make sure that she was okay. Her voice softened, “If you save me one more time, we’ll have to…”

 Bryn got up and began to walk towards her. Goddesses, she was so different from anyone Bryn had ever known. Every step was like stepping through a sticky and slimy bog. His eyes slowly became unfocused and began to water. All of a sudden, Bryn’s world turned upside down and he could feel his legs crumble from underneath him.

He could see Cedrine yelling, but he couldn’t hear what she was saying. He slowly succumbed to the dark void that took his senses.