Page 51 of The Dark Mage
By the time ten days had passed, Fael was itching to leave.Nowhere nearby was safe enough to practice magic, and his recovery came with the building of berserker energy he needed tovent.
They filled their packs with food, medicine, and warm layers before paying for a ride in a farmer’s wagon to the nexttown.
For two weeks, they traveled from village to village, sometimes walking and sometimes riding.Fael rebuilt his strength, and most days they found places to practice and exercise.
In the small town of Orr, Ren’wyn found a job at the inn mending clothes and cleaning.Fael worked at the smithy, crafting and sharpening knives, daggers, and swords.
There were no Mari’s or Axel’s here for company.Fael and Ren’wyn’s routine revolved almost entirely around each other.
Winter set in, and snow fell steadily.Fael found an abandoned homestead—a dry and sheltered space where they could practice out of the elements, though they both wore extra layers to keep out thecold.
To maintain their cover as siblings, they took adjoining rooms at the inn, which was in better repair than Mari’s tavern.Ren’wyn found her bed cold and lonely, wishing every night that Fael would ask her to join him.He never did, though she could swear his eyes filled with longing when he thought she wasn’t looking.
There were moments when she felt his power brush over her like a caress—warm and enticing.
They spent four months in Orr, making a decent living, maintaining a quiet lifestyle, and strengthening their partnership.
The snows passed, and the days lengthened.When Ren’wyn yearned for something different, she told Fael she was restless, struck by the realization that she could be honest with him about her wants.
“I’m so glad,” he responded, making her giggle.
That night, he brought a bottle of wine upstairs and knocked on their adjoining door to invite herover.
Now, he flopped onto his straw mattress and reached for his glass.
“I’m ready to go as well,” he said.“Let’s stay one last week, then head south.”
South again—Luremala, with its tropical climate and foreign customs.More to learn, more to see.Ren’wyn waited for the familiar knot of anxiety to form in her stomach.Instead, she caught Fael’s eye and realized she longed for adventure—with him.With him.The thought made her shiver, but it wasn’t dread or fear that crept into her bones.
“Amoya will be a good destination,” he continued.“Though from here, I imagine it’s a month of travel.The city sits on the outskirts of the jungle, and we can settle into the customs and culture of thearea.”
Amoya, one of the five major cities of Luremala, was an oligarchy.The outlying villages fell into the nearest city’s territory, paying taxes and receiving the protection of their ruling bodies.Amoya was the most peaceful, led by a council of open-minded matriarchs.Riva, their ultimate goal, was the worst—ruled by cutthroat gangs and smugglers.
Fael noticed her considering, nervously twisting her gray skirt.
“I’ll teach you the basics,” he said.“I was stationed there for a year—I learned their cultural norms mostly because I was so bad at followingthem.”
He winked, and she smiled.This blooming feeling was trust—she trusted him to guide her.She poured more wine from the bottle on the dresser.
“I can’t imagine you misbehaving,” she teased.“What were you, a pirate or smuggler?”
He didn’t respond rightaway.
“I seduced the wrong women,” he finally admitted.
Women.Plural.Ren’wyn’s throat went dry as she caught his gaze.She sipped morewine.
“Luremala encourages women to be independent and strong,” he told her.“But if you think Terrepin has strong opinions about marriage, you’ll be stunned by how intensely they treat unmarried sex in Luremala.”
Shame darkened his face.Not a memory he relished,then.
“My father exiled me with a band of warriors to bring the imperial justice to Luremala after I displeased him.Amoya was beautiful, but I was there for a job.We were hunting a group of wights, trying to discover their leader.We failed—mostly because I worked against my troops covertly.Failing didn’t improve my standing.”
He rubbed his temples.“I met a few young women along the way.”His voice grew quieter.“One became very important to me.When we were discovered, they made an example out of me—the imperial captain—by whipping me bloody.I held my power in check as I raged against the punishment.”
Ren’wyn froze, the cold of the Void seeping into her blood as he continued.
“While I was in stocks, they executed her without warning.Right in front of me.”His hands clenched into fists, tiny flames flickering and extinguishing on his whitened knuckles.“I broke, and my power raged.I shattered the stocks and tore through the guards, the executioner, anyone who stood in my way.I became a living flame—my sword burned against those who committed the injustice.”
