Page 34 of The Heartless Archer

Her hands slipped under his arm and gently placed it off of her, so she could get dressed.

The moon stood high in the sky and she knew that soon enough the sun would rise, taking up the place of the glaring white face.

A soft breeze drew through the night air, seemingly whispering her name. With one last look at Lukas, she closed the barn doors behind her, knowing she would never see this place again. To her surprise, it felt more like a weight was finally lifted from her, binds that were holding her tight to this place finally loosened, until they fell off.

She took her time as she travelled through the dried forest, catching herself multiple times watching out for snow-coloured fur.

But she never found it.

It was better this way, the last thing she needed right now was another mouth to fill, especially a wolf’s mouth.

The forest remained silent, her steps as light as feathers to not disrupt any slumbering dragons.

To her luck, or maybe it was skill, she did not run past a pack of angry wolves or giant bears.

She reached the town fairly quickly, the vessel placed in the center of the court the market usually was built on.

The windows were all closed, shutters drawn over to keep any demons out, or may keep them in.

She walked over to the giant vessel, the small opening allowing a glimpse of all the letters already nestled inside.

She wondered who wrote their names onto those small pieces of parchment, willing to risk their lives for gold.

Maybe someone had an ill aunt they needed to care for, bills that needed to be paid, and mouths to be fed.

She drew out the crumpled note, clutching onto the parchment with dear life. Her gaze flew upwards to her only companion, the moon glaring angrily down at her.

“I may not be worthy of many things,” her voice was a whisper in the night, “but I want you to keep in mind that I am doing this for her and solemnly for her. So please, if there is someone listening, give me some strength. Just this one time.”

She stared at her name, scribbled down on the paper. Stared until the vowels looked funny and the consonants grew dreary. Before she could decide against it, she threw the note inside, sealing her fate in the hands of the royal family.

Without looking back she left the courtyard, the way to the orphanage as quick as a hunt.

Maybe this was her last time climbing up the ivy that grew on the walls of the orphanage, the last time she drew off her boots silently. She eyed her bed for a moment before she turned around, slipped under the duvet, and pulled the small body of her treasure against her.

Lulva stirred slightly.

“You’re cold,” she mumbled.

“I came from outside,” Noora whispered back, instantly calm at the familiar smell.

“Did you visit the pretty boy? How is his wound?”

Noora stiffened, surprised that she remembered Kai.

“No, I went to see Lukas. Sleep now, Freckles, you need it if you want to grow as tall as me.”

“I don’t want to be as tall as you, I want to be taller.”

Noora chuckled quietly, softly brushing through Freckle’s hair.

“Well, then you need even more sleep.” She kissed the girl’s temple.

“Goodnight, kaikua’ana.”

Noora stiffened again as she drew the girl closer.

“Goodnight, little sister.”

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