Page 82 of A War of Embers

“How have you two not been killed?” I ask in exasperation.

“We have pretty faces,” Ethan deadpans.

“We’re dragons. We aren’t easy to maim,” Kennedy smirks.

Right. My magical abilities are limited to what I’ve learned I can do here in Aïdes. Except I already have my sword strapped to my back, so there’s no need to call on it. And the only other ability I know of is the potential to pull someone’s soul out. These two nutjobs might be annoying, but they’re not a threat to me.

“I don’t think she wants us to follow her,” Kennedy stage whispers towards his brother, his eyes still locked on me.

“Good guess,” I fire back.

“Alright,” Ethan drawls. “We’ll leave you to your business.” He narrows his eyes. “If,” he emphasizes, “you agree to stop by on your way back. Ma’s been wondering about you.”

“Sure,” I answer flippantly. If for whatever reason this doesn’t work, stopping by might just save my sanity from having to deal with Rowan immediately afterwards. Verity might also be able to calm my emotional state if this doesn’t work too.

“I’m holding you to that,” Ethan says sharply.

“Alright.” I mock salute hun. “Can I leave now?”

“Fine,” Kennedy shrugs.

I wait for them to move along, back towards the village they live in before I move a muscle. They’re going to watch until I’m out of sight. I can feel their eyes boring into me as I continue moving north around the village. Eventually their gazes dissipate. The trees becoming too thick for them to track my movements further.

It wouldn’t surprise me if they come out later in search of me. The Ashguard brothers aren’t stupid, they know I’m up to something. They also know how much I mean to their Lord. Hopefully no one comes looking quite so soon.

Several hours pass by, the light in the sky brightening the gray to a white sheet. The forest is still, not even a peep from the animals. It’s been a few miles since any birds or tree dwelling creatures have been seen or heard. Maybe they’re too scared to be up this far, closer to the Cliff of Embers.

Up ahead the trees begin to thin out. The trunks become further and further apart the closer to the edge of the forest I get. Until the trees completely stop and a lush grassy area expanding across hills appears to the left. Looking back towards the Bone City, I can’t see the golden roofs from here but the tall, black mountains are a stark contrast to the greenery just beyond.

The Cliff of Embers seems like a place the dirty, gritty part of the realm would inhabit. Instead it somehow embodies the peace I thought it would bring to me.

There’s absolutely no one around as I take stock of everything. Even on the mountains in the distance, life appears to stop at the bottom of the rocks. Jumping down from the tree, I land softly with a thud on the ground. I lose the visual of the grass expanding in the distance, but the cool air pressing on my hands holds a steady buzz of magic. I must be close.

Walking out of the forest, I hate the way I have no shelter or anything to hide behind if someone comes looking for me. The area is too wide open, and while it makes me uncomfortable, I can understand why it’s like this.

Only souls are meant to come out this way. There’s no reason for the living to venture this far northeast unless they’re specifically searching out the Cliff of Embers. People like me, physically trying to find the place of eternal rest, are few and far between.

Eventually I crest the top of the hill. Looking out into the distance, surprise settles heavy in my gut. The green grass sways in the wind, not a drop of fog or mist to be seen. Rolling hills continue on as far as the eye can see. And just on the edge of my vision, an archway of rubble sits alone in the middle of nowhere.

My heart slams in my chest. The arch looks similar in shape to the one on the map from Rowan’s private study. From this distance it’s a bit hard to tell. Surely it’s the arch though, standing as the gateway to the Cliff of Embers.

Holy shit. I actually made it. I found it. Everything I’ve been working for is finally within reach.

My body reacts before my mind. I start to sprint, aiming directly for the landmark all alone in the wild, untamed fields. My entire focus narrows down onto the rocks. Somehow it takes an entire day and mere minutes to reach the archway.

I heave out several deep breaths as I stare at it. Up close the rocks seem to be from the mountains, the same black, gritty material I saw a short time ago. Looking through the arch, it appears to be the same overgrown fields of grass swaying in the breeze. A mirage meant to trick your mind. Unlike others who probably come here, the strength of the magic is all consuming, pounding at my skin and prickling my scalp deciding if I’m friend or foe.

Unlike the map, there’s no walls or anything surrounding the area. There’s no one standing outside to stop me from entering. I can cross over and no one would be the wiser.

Still, I hesitate. Waiting for the roar of Rowan’s voice, for the sound of the Ashguard brothers ambushing me to stop from going over. For someone to know where I am and try to reason with me. But nothing happens. Only the breeze and magic hum in the air.

Reaching forward, I watch as my fingers disappear instantly through the portal. The air dampens, becoming warm on the other side. Nothing grabs for me, dragging me through or pushing me out. For a moment I feel alone.

A figure appears several yards away, stoic as it watches me. A large body with a dusty brown cloak covering it from head to toe. Whoever it is, they don’t appear to be in a rush to stop me from going through the archway into the Cliff of Embers, if that’s really what lies on the other side.

Shit. I freeze, watching as the figure moves steadily closer until it's only a handful of yards away.

“Are you coming or going?” a deep voice asks; one aged in time and weary all the same.

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