Page 4 of Of Blooming Embers
During our journey, I often forgot about his rune tattoo because it remained invisible in the mortal realm in the same way that my ember was tucked away.
It blazed for a moment as a misty vortex spun in the center of the rock.
My heart fluttered as amber orbs twirled within the haze like beckoning fireflies. A petite, yet solid, frame stepped through the opening. Xeni’s features emerged, the fog clinging to the rich, tawny brown skin of her face and hands as she exited the portal.
Meticulously, her golden-brown eyes swept over her surroundings before landing on us. She adjusted the baldric across her torso as the glow from her hand tattoo flickered out.
“Commander.” She nodded, standing tall in her dark Draumr uniform. One eyebrow rose slightly as she studied Gavrel’s black tunic and breeches with clear, assessing eyes. Curiosity shone in her deep, burnished pools. Warriors rarely wore anything but their uniforms.
Gavrel offered her a kind smile. “Any news about the state Helos is in?”
Helos, the capital of the region, was situated in the swampy easternmost part of the Perilous Bogs. If you could call the grouping of ramshackle huts a city.
According to Gavrel, about a hundred dwellings huddled together, their bases resting on a system of wooden supports and walkways. The city was in a constant state of survival against the harsh, mucky landscape and leftover floodwaters gifted from Haadra and Ourea Peaks, the impenetrable line of melting, snow-capped mountains to the north.
“There’s major overflow from the lochs. Navigating south isn’t advisable,” Xeni reported matter-of-factly.
“We’ll chance it.” My confident tone belied the rapid pulse under my scar. Air stuck in my throat. Even without the deluge, the Bogs were dangerous to traverse, but we needed to get to Kaden.
She pursed her lips, digging a small scroll from her pocket and handing it to Gavrel. “I also received this missive. Addressed to you.” One of her delicate eyebrows lifted. “Arrived early this morning.”
“That’s … odd,” he muttered, unrolling it. His eyes quickly studied the curling letters. A frown pulled at the corners of his lips as he ran a hand through his wavy hair and then looked at me with a heavy sigh. He looked to the east. “We’ll continue to Ceto then.”
I rubbed my fingers across my forehead. “We don’t have the time.”
“This”—he gave me the yellowed paper—“might help us find him. Besides, the closest portal that leads to Helos is somewhere near the Ourea Peaks along the Haadran border.”
My mouth pressed together, but then slackened as I read the note.
You’ll find your next path.
With the seer, you’ll meet.
On the morrow at The Oracle’s Seat.
I crumpled the parchment. “We’re following some cryptic note from Ancients knows who?”
“It’s the best lead we have,” he said and moved toward the twirling opening, his rune igniting. “Let’s move.”
I shook my head, knowing he was right. If it was a trap, then so be it. Choosing to venture into the Perilous Bogs could cost us days. Weeks even. But finding the portal to Helos would be a boon indeed.
Xeni hesitated, her stance shifting away from the boulder. My fingers clutched Gavrel’s sword belt at his shoulder. Boots faltering, he faced me.
My head bobbed toward Xeni. Her chin lifted. “I’d hoped to be stationed in Evergryn, sir. Unless you require my assistance?”
A sly smile slipped across my lips, and I pulled her into a firm hug. Her body stiffened, but then relaxed ever so slightly before I released her. “Letti took the Mirage Orchid tonic. I’m sure she’d be ecstatic to see you, and I’d be in your debt if you watched over her.”
Her eyes widened, the corners of her mouth gently tippingupward. A beautiful rush of mauve swept across the gentle slopes of her cheekbones. She looked away as she smoothed her hands over the starched fabric of her overcoat.
“You can stay in my cottage next door,” Gavrel offered, not wasting any further time as he gave her directions and directives to monitor my father and not allude to me or my sister regaining our memories.
The warriors clasped each other’s wrists in farewell before Xeni swung atop one horse, guiding the other beside her. She bobbed her head once and then turned toward her destination.
Toward Letti.
My heart thumped heavily as the image of my sister hovered behind my eyes.
Gavrel’s soft, gravelly words pulled me back. “Ready, Little Star?”
