Page 63 of The Anointed's Paladin

The grief hit me like a wave, threatening to suck me in, but I let it flow through me, imagining it soaking into the earth like springrainfall. I took a breath.It’ll be all right, I told myself again, though I didn’t quite believe it.

I stood, taking off and starting to fly down the narrow, crumbling staircase that hugged the cliff face.

Glancing back at the boys, I noticed Kaine was paler than normal.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

“I will be when we’re on the ground,” he said, eyeing the narrow descent.

“Here,” I said, happy to finally woodweave again. I grew strong shrubs along the path, lacing vines between them and forming a railing for him.

Talon stretched out his left wing for balance and turned to Kaine. “Hold on,” he said, offering his tail.

Kaine hesitated. “Don’t suppose there’s a chance I can just close my eyes and be carried again?” he joked.

“Trust me, it’s safer this way,” said Talon.

“If you say so.” Kaine took the proffered tail. They started down the path, and I zipped around them, waiting patiently for their descent.

“I’d carry you if I could still fly,” said Talon wistfully.

“And I’d carry you if I was bigger,” I added.

“That would be a hard no from me.” Kaine shook his head. “My plan is to keep my feet firmly on the ground, thanks.”

-

The cliffs led right back into the forest, and we walked on deer trails for a while, until we came to where a proper path led towards the ocean. Trees were thinner here, with less undergrowth. We were back to a normal forest on this side of the mountain, with regular-size trees. The initial high from being among plants again was wearing off, replaced by a deep tiredness. I took my spot in the nook of Talon’swings and tried to stay awake as the walking motion rocked me back and forth.

The forest floor was steep and sloped, and it seemed like an exhausting trek down for the boys. We went deep into the early hours of the morning, then started setting up camp.

We picked a sheltered thicket; the trees grew more closely here, and rocks gave us some cover as well. I wove a shelter for Kaine, and Talon started his nightly routine of scrubbing his clothes and making them neat. He frowned as he unpacked his bedroll and found the missing corner. I pulled my bag closer, wondering if he knew I’d taken it. He didn’t say anything, though, setting up his bed as normal.

I smiled as I noticed he’d set up near Kaine. They had slept next to each other last night, so it seemed they were getting along nicely. I was very pleased. I couldn’t have my wife and future concubine arguing.

Talon went to get some water and boiled it for soup and Kaine had vanished again. I sat on the ground, setting up alert vines in a perimeter around us. I felt Kaine, not too far from us, hunting rabbits.

“Kaine! Dinnertime!” I called. Talon had finished the soup. It wasn’t an exciting meal, but better than nothing. Kaine had finished hunting—successfully—and started back.

“Is it really dinner if it’s four in the morning?” Talon asked as I settled next to him.

“It’s the spirit of the meal that counts,” I said.

Talon shook his head. “I’d say it’s more the food you eat.” He tore a bite out of a stiff chunk of bread. I sniffed. He was completely wrong, but I didn’t see the need to embarrass him by continuing the debate.

Kaine approached, sneaking up behind Talon. I cocked my head. What was he up to?

He stopped right behind Talon, dropping two dead rabbits into his lap.

“Fuck!” Talon said, jumping half a foot. His wings shot out, opening comically with athwoomp. I burst into laughter, a snort escaping before I could stop it.

“You’re welcome,” Kaine said, plopping down next to me. He closed his eyes, then opened one of them, peering at Talon.

“Youdoknow how to cook those, right? Because I sure as hell don’t, and I don’t even know if sprites eat meat.”

“Of course, I know how,” he said, picking them up and shooting Kaine a glare.

“We can eat meat, actually,” I said, opening my mouth and pointing at my canines. “We just usually don’t. You have to cook it and we’re not big fans of fire.”

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