Of Blood And Fire by Ryan Cahill (best color ebook reader txt) 📗

in a deep breath of crisp air and held it for a moment, letting the cold flow through her lungs. She released it in a heavy sigh, watching as it plumed out and upwards like smoke from a chimney.

The streets were mostly deserted. It had been a long few weeks. With The Proving and the celebrations, most people were tired enough to sleep for days. That suited her fine.

The silvery glow of moonlight splashed down over the streets, providing just enough light for Ella to see the way ahead of her. Not that it would have mattered; she could have found any door in the village with her eyes closed. The dirt crunched under her feet as she made her way through the village, the sound accompanied only by the crickets in the nearby fields and the occasional cough of someone turning in their bed.

Rhett was exactly where he said he would be; by the broken signpost at the south of the village, beside the low wall. Even by the faded light of the moon, he was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. She picked up her pace, slightly skipping as she walked. A warm smile spread across his face, the corners of his mouth almost stretching to touch his ears. She loved that smile.

“You’re here,” she said, feeling a warmth spread through her body. She threw herself into him, wrapping her arms around him so that her hands clasped together at his back. He waited a moment, then wrapped his arms around her in return, pulling her in closer, sharing the warmth of his chest.

“Of course, I’m here,” Rhett said. He craned his neck slightly to place a kiss on the top of her head, lingering for a second or two before pulling his lips away. “I would follow you to the pits of Mar Dorul. I sincerely hope I never have to, but I would.”

She tilted her head upwards, resting her chin on the flat of his chest. “I know you would, as I would for you. Are you ready? Did you leave your letter?”

She saw the hesitation in his face. Rhett loved The Glade. It meant everything to him, but if they remained there, then there would be blood between Rhett and Vars. They could not be together if they remained. Maybe one day, they could return. If they were married, with children, that may soften her father’s heart. Time heals all wounds.

“Aye, I left my letter. I think my parents will understand. Did you leave yours?”

“I did. Mother will understand. Father, I think maybe in time. I did not tell them where we were going. I felt that was probably for the best. We can come back, in time.”

Rhett nodded. Ella knew his smile was more forced than natural, and she understood. She loved him, and she hoped that she would never have to ask him to do something like this again.

CHAPTER 12

Myth and Legend

Calen had lost track of how much time had passed since they left Milltown, but the sky was still as black as jet. The only light came from the pearlescent glow of the moon as it floated into the cart through the openings in the canopy.

Aeson sat on the driver’s bench, steering the horses somewhere. He and Dahlen had switched over a short while after leaving Milltown.

Calen had no idea where they were going. He had tried asking a couple of times. Dahlen responded with nothing but a blank stare, then returned to cradling the large leather rucksack he had nestled on his lap. Erik said he wasn’t sure, but that his father knew, and they could all rest soon.

Dann hadn’t spoken since they left Milltown. Calen wasn’t sure if he had even blinked. He just stared at his hands, occasionally giving his eyes a break to stare into the emptiness of the night sky out the back of the cart.

The only actual conversation Calen had was with Rist. He explained everything that had happened before he and Dann had stepped out into the courtyard. Rist let out a short gasp when Calen told him of how he had killed the soldier only moments before. He noticed Dann looking over towards him when he got to that part, but as soon as Calen met his gaze, he went back to staring at his hands again. So, he just sat there. What else was there to do? They had to stop eventually, and then they would answer his questions.

After a while, more and more trees passed by through the opening at the back of the cart. Calen knew they had reached rolling hills when the cart swayed to and fro, tipping back and forth when they hit slopes. He was about to ask where they were when he heard neighing, echoing in the empty night. It was close by, and there was more than one horse, by the sounds of it.

“We get out here. We’re leaving the cart,” Aeson called back. He pulled the cart to an abrupt stop, causing all of them to jerk forward slightly. Erik nodded at Calen as he heaved himself to his feet. It was a sombre nod; there was tiredness set in his eyes.

One by one, they all piled out of the cart and into the night. Calen’s breath misted in front of him as he hopped down into the open fields set on rolling hills as far as the eye could see. A light blanket of frost swept across every blade of grass, dressing them in white; rigid and crisp. It crunched under the weight of his boots. The adrenaline from earlier had worn off, and there was a slight chill setting into his bones. Calen pulled his coat tighter around himself. About twenty feet away, beside a thicket of trees, three horses were tied to a small post that appeared to have been hastily planted in the ground not too long ago. It seemed as good a