Page 43 of The Shadow of Polaris

“Let’s just say he and I have a rocky past.” The trio grew silent.

I scanned each of their expressions.

“It’s probably time for us to get on the road if we want to get to the Western City before dark,” Aryx said, sliding out his chair and placing his plate in the sink.

The couple chaperoned us back down the hill, where Judas and Arcturas chased each other throughout the stables. Like two old friends, they wrestled and played until each was panting. It amazed me they hadn’t tired each other out yet. Kratos, surveying the two from a safe distance, grazed through a feed trough.

“Judas, quit terrorizing that wolf!” Margerie scolded, pulling the boy close to her. “Sorry about him, he just gets excited whenever he makes a new friend.”

“It’s alright,” I chuckled. Arcturas’s tongue hung against the side of her mouth. “She loves a good game of chase.”

“Ryx, are you going to come back tomorrow too?” the boy asked, breaking free from his mother and throwing himself against Aryx’s leg.

“Sorry bud, not tomorrow. But I’ll be back real soon, okay? I’ll bring you something from Canissa. How does that sound?”

Judas nodded enthusiastically.

“Be safe, Ryx. There’s a lot of us here who are depending on you,” Lytos said. His expression was sincere as he pulled Judas into an embrace. The man’s hands were nearly triple the size of his son’s.

Margerie wiped a tear from rolling down her cheek.

“It will be okay. I promise.” Aryx hugged his friend tightly and whispered something in her ear.

“Elpis, thank you for being here. Good luck dealing with this one on your trip,” Margerie laughed, and leaned into a timid hug. I smiled and allowed her to embrace me. I suddenly realized the gravity of this family’s situation. Lytos, and in a few years, Judas, would be called to fight for the Venian army. Not only was Margerie at risk of losing a husband, but also a child. How many other families would be torn apart from this war?

Judas reminded me so much of Vikar before everything happened. They both had an air of fascination around them, believing the world to be a wondrous place. It broke my heart to think how this impending war might change him, just as Vikar had. Another child thrown into the boots of a grownup, robbed of the playful innocence of youth.

We strung our packs across Kratos’s saddle and began down the gravel road leading back to the city. It wasn’t until we turned the corner street that the trio started back up the hill to their home.

Feeling more at ease with Arcturas by my side, we marched up the street in silence, taking in the bustling city’s beauty. People gawked at the midnight-colored wolf as she trotted up the sidewalks, stopping in their tracks and jumping away in fear. When we reached the western gate, Aryx led Kratos to my side.

“Do you need help with the saddle? It can be difficult for inexperienced riders,” he asked, offering a hand.

I swatted it away, clicking my tongue as I kicked my foot in the stirrup and jumped into the seat.

“Who said I was an inexperienced rider?” I smirked.

He shrugged and stepped into the stirrup behind me, placing his hands on either side of my waist

“What are you doing?” My back straightened.

“You didn’t expect me to walk while you rode, did you?” He asked, foot still resting in the leather hold. I swallowed hard, tightening my grip around the reins. Aryx climbed into the seat behind me, swinging his powerful leg over the horse. His body was warm against mine as he reached around my waist to grasp the reins from me. The fresh, citrusy smell was intoxicating, and I forced myself to not breathe it in. He flicked the reins and Kratos started into a trot.

Chapter 23

Kratos carried us west for what felt like hours. The solid muscle of his legs rocked the saddle forward and back with each powerful step. Color in the trees faded into bright yellows, then oranges, then reds, as we left Venia behind. I stayed quiet, only responding to Aryx in short, clipped sentences.

Ignoring my hints, he continued on with casual conversation. My patience wore thin as the sun slowly crept across the sky. Finally, when it reached its apex, I snapped. Pulling up on Kratos’s reins, we skidded to a halt. I jumped to the ground, the imprint of my boots pressing deep into the dirt path.

“If you don’t stop talking, I will slice out your tongue,” I hissed, throwing my hands into the air.

“Don’t bite my head off. I’m just trying to make the trip a little less mundane,” he replied, dismounting Kratos to stand next to me.

“I don’t want to make the trip less mundane. I just want to travel in silence, arrive in Canissa, and accomplish what we need to do. Just because we are allies at this moment doesn’t make up for what you did. And it doesn’t mean that I am your friend,” I screamed, stomping my foot like a tempered child.

Aryx sucked in a breath. He clenched, then unclenched his fists, glaring at me with smoldering eyes, the gold blazing brightly around his pupils.

“I’m sorry,” he said. His tone was as sharp as the blade sheathed across his back. Reaching into my pouch, I pulled out my water-skin and drained it.

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