Page 111 of Daughter of the Serpent

She never meant Haldor to pay the price.

The crowd’s eyes bore into her, their silent judgment pressing down like the weight of a thousand stones. It was the same piercing gaze they had given her weeks ago during her trial - sharp and merciless. She retrieved Axel’s axe before she scanned the massive throng, searching for a way out. Axel was nowhere to be seen, and his absence another pang she didn’t want to acknowledge. Slowly she waded to the edges of the ring, as the victors stepped forward, taking their positions before the elders and the crowd, ready to be presented with their prize. The crowd roared, a burst of cheers erupting for the victorious warriors. At the center of it all, Rederick stood tall, commanding attention. His voice carried over the commotion, smooth and measured.

“Praise be to the victorious few, who have bested their brethren in the ring! The gods bestow their favor.” His voice echoed through the silent crowd. “Enjoy these hard earned gifts and revelry before you each set sail for the island of the gods,”

Sylvie watched as the elders offered their tokens of favor - gifts, goblets of wine, hollow words of praise that rang empty in her ears.

A dull ache settled in her chest, heavy and relentless.

She had only ever wanted to prove herself - to show her strength, to stand among them as an equal. Yet the truth settled like a stone, harsh and unwelcome.

She would never be one of them.

She would never earn their approval.

All she ever did was hurt the ones she loved.

Once all had been awarded their prize, Rederick addressed the crowd once more.

“In one day's time, we shall once more congregate, amongst the sacred stones of the woodland goddess - to offer our sacrifices to the gods for their blessings, for protection, and for safety in your comingvoyage. All are welcome. But for now praise our champions, drink, and give honor to the gods!”

Cheers erupted again, the energy shifting into celebration. Rederick turned back to the delegates, his eyes scanning each face with purpose, till he met her own. They drilled into her with a relentless darkness.

“Ensure to spend your remaining time wisely.”

Sylvie shifted her weight, unease curling tight in her chest under the weight of his gaze, even from across the square. Her hands clenched at her sides as she took a cautious step back, then another, her movements quick and uncertain as she edged away from the thick press of bodies.

The gathering began to break apart, the swell of people surging like a tide pulling in all directions. Sylvie’s heart raced, the pressure in her chest mounting. She needed to find Haldor. She needed to fix this -somehow.

And Axel - her jaw tightened at the thought of him.

She had to know where he had gone, why he hadn’t stayed.

Her eyes darted through the dispersing crowd, scanning for the familiar figures.

Then she saw him - Haldor. He was walking briskly away from the ring, his back to her. Even from this distance, she could see the tension in the slope of his shoulders, the way his hands flexed at his side.

Drawing in a shaky breath, Sylvie set after him. Her steps were cautious, weaving through the gaps in the crowd, careful to avoid brushing against anyone who might stop her. The weight of the stares and whispers still clung to her, prickling against her skin.

“Haldor!” she called softly, her voice barely carrying over the remnants of the crowd’s chatter. He didn’t slow, didn’t turn his head.

She quickened her pace, determination biting at her heels.

She needed to make sure he was okay.

She needed to explain.

Finally, her footsteps fell in rhythm with his, but he didn’t slow,he didn’t even turn his head in acknowledgement. She could feel his anger, his frustration biting at her, curling along her skin in thick oppressive waves. She clutched her chest, willing herself to breathe, to slow her pounding heart, to let go of the mounting sorrow that was consuming her more and more with each moment.

She had already lost Tara, she couldn’t lose him too.

"Wait!" Sylvie's voice cut through the quiet as her footsteps barely kept pace with his as Haldor stormed away from the village square and into the stillness of the temple. She clutched her arm, still burning from the fight, her ribs aching as her insides knotted with nerves. With each step forward the crowd's lingering murmurs faded, but he didn’t slow, his jaw tight, fists clenched at his sides.

“You’re a bigger fool than I thought,” he hissed, as she kept pace. “Do you have any idea what you've done?”

She trailed behind him, following him when he disappeared into a darkened corner, where they would be alone.

“I’m so sorry, I never meant for this to happen.” She reached out, but he stiffened. "But you stood up for me in front of the entire village. You offered your life for mine, Haldor.Why?"

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