Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Spring 458 AC

10 years ago

Raena smiled as she carefully dressed. Tonight would be special. Harold had his last job with the Court of the Hand, a particularly risky one, and then he would be free, and they could start their life together. Her favorite dress, a soft green that whispered of the forest, was smoothed carefully. Its color set her red hair ablaze, like living flame. She hoped he'd like it. The simple cloth felt luxurious against her skin, a tangible symbol of the new life they were about to begin.

Tonight, she was to meet him at their special spot, an ancient tree in Nestir's Forest, on the outskirts of town. A place where they had shared stolen moments, whispered promises, and dreamed of a future free from shadows. The old tree, with its gnarled branches reaching towards the sky, had been their silent confidant, a witness to their budding love.

A nervous excitement fluttered in her stomach. She pictured Harold's face, his roguish grin, the way his brown eyes crinkled when he laughed. Tonight, they would leave the town, its dark alleys and hidden dangers, and find a place where they could be themselves, where they could build a life based on love and trust.

She paused, looking at her reflection in the small, polished metal disc she used as a mirror. A hint of worry flickered in her green eyes. Harold's last job was dangerous, he had admitted as much. But he was skilled, resourceful. He would be fine. She pushed the worry away, focusing on the future, on the freedom that awaited them.

With a final, deep breath, she picked up a small, woven pouch containing a few precious coins and a beautifully carved knife, a gift from Harold. She slipped out of her room, her footsteps light and quick, eager to reach their secret meeting place. The ancient tree awaited, a beacon of hope in the twilight.

A tapestry of stars shimmered above as Raena left the guild. Harold awaited her, she knew, at the tree, or would soon. A quiet hum accompanied her footsteps along the ancient cobblestones, a smile blooming on her lips like a night flower. Her heart ached for the sight of him: his tousled brown hair, the warm, laughing crinkles around his brown eyes, the way he'd lift her and spin her, a whirlwind of shared joy.

She approached the forest, none the wiser about being followed by a shadowed figure, silent as the night itself. Following the winding path, Raena worked her way towards the ancient tree, her footsteps light, humming a tune that echoed softly through the trees. The damp earth smelled rich and cool. As she neared the tree, something felt off. A prickle of unease ran down her spine. She stopped humming, her breath catching slightly. Why wasn't he here yet? she thought. She strained her eyes, looking for the telltale flicker of torchlight. Harold should have been at the tree by now.

Slowing her approach, she brushed aside her concerns, though a small knot of worry remained in her stomach. Maybe I am the one early, she thought to herself. It was dark in the forest, the air thick and still, making it hard to make out individual differences. Under the tree, the shadows were impenetrable, but she knew where there was a torch, leaned against the trees northern root.

Raena made her way slowly to the northern root and the torch she and Harold had left there. Finding it just where it was supposed to be, she heard a sound she wasn't expecting, a slow, heavy dripping. Her heart skipped a beat. Dripping? What was dripping?

Concentrating, she focused, feeling her magic in her veins. Holding a finger to the torch she lit it. The flames flared up, casting long, dancing shadows around the ancient tree, the light warm and flickering. Walking around the giant tree, she followed the slow, rhythmic dripping sound, finding a dark, viscous puddle at the base of the tree. A metallic scent hung in the air. Her eyes followed the drip, a growing sense of unease tightening in her chest. The flame of her torch danced erratically, as if reacting to an unseen draft.

Horror choked in her throat. Tied to the tree was Harold. His throat had been slit, his fingers broken, and numerous other wounds marred his naked body. A gaping wound in his abdomen revealed his entrails. It was from him the dripping came.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Raena's legs trembled, and a scream caught in her throat. She wanted to look away, but her eyes were fixed on the gruesome scene.

Raena stood there, trembling, in shock, eyes unblinking, her mind a blank, echoing with the image of Harold. She didn't even move when there came a loud crashing in the woods behind her, close enough to feel the vibrations in the ground. Or when she heard the horrified whisper behind her. “Oh, my Gods,” came a horrified whisper she vaguely recognized. Hands gripped her shoulders and turned her around. Behind her was Kimmel, his face pale beneath his dark cloak, his gray eyes wide, a mixture of horror and concern.

Seeing the shock in her glazed green eyes, Kimmel pulled her to him, wrapping her up in his arms. As soon as she was secured in his arms, her body trembled violently, and she started breathing hard, ragged gasps escaping her lips. A whimper came from her throat, building to a scream of anguish that echoed through the silent forest. Kimmel held her tightly, his own heart aching, whispering soothing words into her hair, while his eyes scanned the dark woods around them.

Raena clutched at Kimmel, dropping the torch. It landed near the puddle of blood, sputtering on the damp forest floor, throwing off small puffs of smoke. Like a dam, her tears were released. Wailing, she clung to Kimmel, her body wracked with sobs, as his anger burned, a cold, hard flame in his eyes. That someone could be so cruel to two young adults in love. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched. This was done to hurt Raena, as much as it was punishment for Harold wanting to leave the Court of the Hand. The wind rustled through the trees, a mournful sound that echoed Raena's cries.

“It's okay sweetheart, I'm here now. We'll get Harold down and lay him to rest,” Kimmel told Raena softly, squeezing her shoulders, his gray eyes filled with a deep sadness. The damp, cold air clung to them. Carefully she wiped her eyes, looking up at Kimmel she asked, “W-why? Why would they do this, Kimmel? I-I don't understand,” Raena sobbed quietly, her voice barely a whisper. Kimmel thought to himself, They will pay for this.

Kimmel noticed Raena began to feel hot in his arms, a radiating warmth that wasn't from the night air. Looking down, he noticed a faint, flickering glow emanating from her skin, a soft, orange light.

Holding her out at arm's length, he looked into her tear-streaked eyes, his own brow furrowed with concern. “Rae, honey, you need to calm down. Your magic is reacting to your emotions,” Kimmel calmly told her, gray eyes looking steadily into her green ones. He ran a soothing hand through her flame-red hair, his fingers brushing against the heat radiating from her skin, noticing her forest green dress, now slightly shimmering.

Kimmel's heart clenched in anguish for Raena, a wave of protectiveness washing over him. She was dressed in her best, the forest green fabric shimmering with her magic, to meet Harold. They must have had something special planned for tonight, something now brutally stolen. Raena continued to glow, the light intensifying, a warm, orange flicker that cast dancing shadows against the ancient tree. “I-I can't stop it Kimmel,” she panicked, eyes widening, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The heat radiating off of her was becoming intense. Kimmel knew he had to act fast.

“Rae, look at me honey,” Kimmel commanded gently, his hand on her chin gently guiding her to look up at him. “Breathe, Rae. Slowly,” he guided her. “Let the flame flow, guide it gently. Don't panic.” Raena's breathing slowed, her eyes locked on Kimmel, the faint glow of her magic softening.

“That's it, easy now. Imagine your emotions stilling like the water stills after a ripple. Accept it and let it go,” Kimmel coached her.

The glow around her began to dim, the flickering light becoming a steady, soft radiance. He could see the light shimmer off of the tears still wet on her cheeks. He kept his own breathing even, knowing if he panicked, she would too.

Though the flame didn't completely go away, it was banked for the moment. It was a steady, soft shimmer under Raena's skin, like embers glowing beneath thin silk, and a pulsating warmth that emanated from her in gentle waves, like a slow heartbeat. A stark contrast to the crisp, cool early spring air that nipped at their exposed skin. The shimmer cast long, distorted shadows around them. Kimmel thought to himself, We need to get her out of here.

He knew though, that she wouldn't leave without taking care of Harold. He couldn't leave her with that last memory of her love, not after what she'd already been through. A wave of sorrow washed over him, mixed with a cold, hard anger. “Stay here, Rae,” he told her, his voice gentle but firm, guiding her to a large, gnarled root to sit on, facing away from Harold's corpse. He then draped his dark cloak over her shoulders, offering a small measure of warmth and comfort. The root was cold and rough against her legs. Raena nodded, her eyes still glazed, and stared at the dark earth. Kimmel took a deep breath, and turned to the grim task at hand.

Aurya 13th 468 AC

Raena Silverthorne

Raena woke, gasping on a sob, her head pounding. Looking around, she didn't recognize where she was at first, the smell of hay and leather filling her nostrils. Then, realization struck her. The stables! She was bundled up on a bed of scratchy straw and worn saddle blankets, with a few more blankets piled on top of her. Her body ached, and she felt a chill despite the blankets. Judging by the thick darkness, it was still night out, or the storm had continued to rage into the morning, the wind howling outside. The stables were quiet, the horses shifting gently in their stalls.

She could hear quiet voices talking a few stalls down. Not close enough to overhear the conversation, but enough to know there was one. Straining her ears, she could hear at least three men, familiar men at that. A wave of curiosity mixed with apprehension washed over her.

Getting up, she felt a wave of dizziness, and her muscles ached, but she moved quietly. She wrapped a rough saddle blanket tightly around her shoulders, and exited the stall, moving into the dim light of the stable's lantern. The horses shifted quietly in their stalls, the smell of leather and hay filling the air.

Following the voices, she found Jonathan, Jimmothy, and Kimmel all talking quietly. She noticed Darius's absence. Kimmel was the first to notice her standing there, his gray eyes filled with concern, and greeted her with a warm, if slightly strained, smile.

“How are you feeling, Rae?” Kimmel asked gently, understanding in his eyes. Raena swayed slightly, her hand going to her aching head.

“Sore, a headache, and cold. Where is Darius?” she asked, her voice raspy.

The men all shared a quick, worried glance, their faces etched with unspoken concern. “He's making sure no one else saw you lose control of your magic,” Jonathan answered, his voice low. The dim light of the lantern cast long shadows across the stable floor, where loose hay lay scattered.

Raena flinched, her heart racing, remembering vividly the feeling of losing control, the raw power surging through her. She'd thought at first it was just a nightmare, a horrible, vivid dream, but the men had just dispelled that notion with their words, the cold reality of the night before settling heavily on her. Her breath became shallow, and she felt a wave of nausea. She looked around the stables, the familiar smells of hay and leather now tinged with a faint, metallic scent she recognized from the night before.

“Was anyone hurt?” Raena asked, her racing mind jumping to imagine the worst: the stables ablaze, the horses panicked, someone injured. The men all shook their heads unanimously, their faces etched with relief. She had started to glow again, a faint, orange shimmer, but with the men's answer, her glow again subsided slowly, and they each let out a careful, collective sigh. The lantern light flickered, casting long shadows across the stable floor.

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Down the long length of the corridor, she could see another two lanterns hung, their warm, flickering light creating pools of thick, heavy darkness in between. The men were all sitting on rough, wooden stools, in the open space that held feed for the horses, large burlap bags piled against the wall. The air was thick with the smell of hay and leather, and the quiet sounds of the horses shifting in their stalls echoed through the stable.

“What time is it?” Raena asked curiously, her voice still raspy.

“Just before dawn,” Kimmel told her, his gaze fixed on the stable entrance, a hint of worry in his gray eyes. “Darius should be back soon with some food and intel. I'll wait for him to get here before I tell you what I found out.”

A low rumble of thunder echoed from outside, and the horses shifted restlessly in their stalls. Raena shivered, despite the blankets, and wrapped them tighter around her shoulders.

Kimmel stood and offered her his stool, which she took gratefully, her legs still feeling weak from the previous night. Still reeling from her magical outburst, and the horror of the night before.

“So, you did learn something,” Raena stated more than asked, looking up at Kimmel, who nodded his head, his gray eyes shadowed with concern.

Jonathan and Jimmothy watched the interaction quietly, their expressions somber. A few strands of hay clung to the rough wood of the stools.

Suddenly, the creak of the stable door reached them, a sharp sound in the quiet space. A dark cloaked figure slipped in, closing the door quietly behind him. Broad shoulders, green eyes, and sandy brown hair greeted them from the darkness.

“No one saw her display last night. The storm covered it,” Darius’s deep baritone told them, his voice low and weary, as he made his way towards them. His cloak was damp, and a faint smell of rain clung to it. Raena let out a small, relieved sigh.

“That's good,” Kimmel stated, wiping his hands nervously on his worn leather trousers, his voice low and serious. “Now, down to business.” He looked around at the group, his gray eyes scanning their faces. “As you know, I visited a few contacts last night to find out what I could about the Fredricks.” Jonathan, Jimmothy, and Darius listened intently, their expressions somber. Raena leaned forward, her heart pounding with anticipation.

“Firstly, they are from Westeria, though not noble, they do have connections to nobility, and Addy is said to work for Viscount Garrith Warwick. Doing what, I don't know,” Kimmel answered, his voice low and troubled. “Secondly, the Bookshop was a reward to Addy for some task she did for the Viscount. He's the one that controls Nestir's Forest.” Raena's eyes widened, her mind racing with the implications.

Jonathan's brow furrowed, and Darius shifted his weight, his green eyes narrowed. The Viscount was known to be a cruel man, and the fact that he controlled Nestir's Forest was troubling news.

“Is he the same Viscount who could have saved my village and didn't?” Raena asked, harshly, her eyes narrowing, raw emotion bleeding out in her voice, a tremor of anger shaking her. Flames flickered erratically under her skin, casting a faint, orange glow on the surrounding straw. Kimmel’s face became grave, and he took a step closer to her, his gray eyes filled with concern. Jonathan and Jimmothy exchanged a worried glance, while Darius remained still, his green eyes fixed on Raena. Raena stood, her fists clenched, her shallow breaths coming in ragged gasps.

“Yes, Rae, the one and the same,” Kimmel said gently, his gray eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination, reaching a hand out and resting it lightly on her shoulder. His eyes met and held her green ones, offering silent comfort. “We'll get to the bottom of this and find out what he has to do with this, if he has anything to do with it.” Raena’s breath hitched, but she nodded, her eyes still filled with a burning anger. Jonathan, Jimmothy, and Darius watched the interaction closely, their expressions somber and supportive. The faint, lingering warmth from Raena’s banked flames shimmered in the dim lantern light.

“I checked with Xera while I was in the Guild. There's a fire mage on her way, it'll take her a couple of days,” Darius rumbled the good news, his green eyes showing a hint of relief. “We just need to get you through until then.” He looked pointedly at her, his gaze lingering on her arms, and she glanced down, noticing the small, bright flames dancing erratically under her skin, shifting quickly. A wave of anxiety washed over her. Jonathan and Jimmothy exchanged a look of cautious optimism.

“Something's changed about your magic, it's closer to the surface now,” Kimmel commented, his voice low and concerned, gazing intently at Raena. The small flames danced more vigorously beneath her skin, and she could feel the heat radiating outwards, a faint, burning sensation. Raena's breath hitched, a wave of fear washing over her. Jonathan and Jimmothy exchanged a worried glance, while Darius remained still, his green eyes fixed on Raena's arms.

With every emotion, her magic flared, the flames under her skin dancing erratically. Immediately, she looked to Kimmel, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and frustration. “You got this, Rae. Remember what I taught you. You have to still your emotions. Accept them and let them go,” Kimmel calmly said, his gray eyes holding hers, his expression reassuring. He gave her a slight nod of encouragement, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

Jonathan, Jimmothy, and Darius watched with quiet concern, their bodies tense, their eyes fixed intently on Raena's pulsating, flickering glow. The dim lantern light reflected off the faint, orange shimmer beneath her skin, casting long, distorted shadows across the stable floor. The air was thick with a tense silence, broken only by the soft sounds of the horses shifting in their stalls.

“W-what do we do now?” Raena asked, her voice trembling, shakily sitting down on the rough, wooden stool she had stood from. Her legs felt weak, and her head throbbed. Breathing deeply, she worked to gain control of her emotions, the lingering fear and anger threatening to ignite her magic once more. The faint, orange glow beneath her skin flickered erratically, but slowly began to dim with each deep breath. The other men watched her with quiet concern, their expressions somber.

“We help you stay in control, at least until the fire mage gets here,” Kimmel stated, his voice firm and determined, his eyes meeting Raena's. “And we figure out what Addy is up to.” The other three men nodded in unison, their expressions resolute, their bodies leaning slightly forward. Raena nodded slowly, a wave of gratitude washing over her, and took another deep breath, the rough wood of the stool grounding her. The horses shifted quietly in their stalls, their soft snorts echoing through the stable.

“First, we keep an eye on Addy and the bookshop. Gather any intel we can. Darius, I want you on this job, you are our best,” Kimmel commanded, his voice firm and decisive, his gray eyes focused on Darius. “Secondly, we get Raena out of town for a few days, until her teacher gets here. This way, if she loses control again, we don't risk harm or damage to the town and people.” Raena nodded slowly, a mix of relief and apprehension swirling within her. Darius shifted his weight, a quiet determination in his green eyes. The other men remained still, listening intently. The horses shuffled in their stalls, their soft snorts echoing through the stable.

“Jonathan, you'll be our lookout in the guild. Jimmothy will come with us, so when he returns you'll know where we are. He can either come get us or bring the fire mage to us,” Kimmel continued, his voice steady and assured. Jonathan nodded, his expression serious, while Jimmothy shifted his weight, his blue eyes showing a hint of anticipation.

“Sounds good, boss. I'll gather supplies. We'll need a few horses,” Jimmothy stated, a determined glint in his blue eyes, running a hand through his blonde hair, already calculating what would be needed and how much it would cost. He moved quickly, his footsteps echoing softly in the stable, his gaze scanning the available horses. Raena watched him, a wave of relief washing over her. The horses shifted restlessly in their stalls, sensing the change in activity.

“I'll deal with securing a horse for Raena,” Kimmel replied. “You just worry about supplies.” Jimmothy turned around, nodding, and headed back to the group.

“What about my bow and pack?” Raena asked, her voice tight with anxiety, longing for the familiar weight of her bow.

“I'll fetch them,” Jonathan offered, his lanky form uncoiling from his stool. He gave her a reassuring smile, his eyes filled with understanding. Raena leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, as Jonathan moved towards the stable door, his footsteps echoing softly on the stone floor.

With a quiet, “I'll be going as well,” Jimmothy nodded to Kimmel and Raena, his tall, slender frame already in motion, his long strides quickly closing the distance to his brother, Jonathan.

“Right, I'm off then,” Darius said as he pushed off the wall. He looked to Kimmel, and asked, “Anything else before I go?” Kimmel shook his head. Quickly and quietly Darius left, slipping out the door, as silent as a shadow.

Kimmel's steady gaze rested on Raena. “I need to wake the stable hand and see about a horse. You should stay here and rest.” Raena nodded tiredly, as Kimmel headed to the back of the stable. Horses shifted in their stalls as he passed, footsteps muffled by the hay on the stone floor.

As Kimmel's footsteps faded, Raena remained, alone in the quiet. She drew in slow, deliberate breaths, picturing her magic as a flickering flame, slowly being banked, her emotions following suit.

The heat beneath her skin cooled, the flickering fading, leaving her free of the immediate crush of anger, sadness, and anxiety. She drew Kimmel's cloak closer, the scent of him comforting, and stood, her eyes taking in the dim light of the stables.

The stalls, worn and well-used, lined the dimly lit expanse of the stable, the air thick with the scent of hay, leather, and horse sweat. In the center, mounds of grain sacks cast long, distorted shadows, and the mounting stools, scuffed and solid, stood like silent witnesses. A leather saddle, its straps aged and supple, hung on a stall, a testament to countless rides. As the stable hand returned with Kimmel, Raena noted the man’s weary eyes and the faint sheen of sweat on his brow.

“That one there,” he said, his voice rough, pointing to the last stall, “he’s a right bastard. Smartest horse in the stable, but ornery as hell. Doesn’t take to anyone.” He paused, his gaze lingering on Raena, a flicker of something akin to curiosity in his eyes.

A dark bay horse, muscles rippling beneath his sleek coat, stood in the stall, his eyes gleaming with an almost predatory intelligence. Raena, drawn by an inexplicable pull, approached slowly, extending her hand. The horse leaned out, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled her scent, then gently nuzzled her palm. She ran her fingers along the smooth curve of his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin, and he responded with a soft whinny, nipping playfully at the strands of her hair.

“Well, I guess except for her,” the stable hand commented, a hint of awe in his voice, his brown eyes widening slightly. “I'll give you a good deal on him.”

Kimmel, his expression unreadable, nodded. “How much?”

“Fifteen silver.”

“Done,” Kimmel concluded, his voice clipped. “And the tack?”

“Another twenty silver,” the stable hand replied, his gaze sharp.

“Fifteen, and you have another deal.”

“Eighteen, and not a silver lower,” the stable hand said shrewdly, running a hand through his sweat-dampened brown hair, his eyes locking with Kimmel’s.

“Deal,” Kimmel said, extending his hand. The stable hand clasped it, the grip firm and calloused, and they shook on the bargain.

“You'll have to saddle Ash yourself. He's never let anyone saddle him,” the stable hand warned, his voice low.

Kimmel nodded, his eyes fixed on the horse. Raena, her fingers still tracing the horse's neck, offered, “I'll do it.”

“I'll get the tack,” the stable hand said, disappearing into the shadows.

Kimmel approached the horse, only to be met with a flash of white teeth and a thunderous stomp of a hoof, accompanied by a defiant, challenging neigh. He held up his hands, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Looks like you’re on your own with this one, Rae.”

"Well, this is certainly... something," Raena murmured, watching Ash, the dark bay gelding, shift and snort in his stall. The stable hand was busy collecting the tack, leaving her and Kimmel to assess the horse's temperament. Ash's large, dark eyes were fixed on Raena, his ears flicking back and forth. She hadn't even attempted to mount him yet, and already, she could feel the powerful energy radiating from him. "Good thing you taught me horsemanship at a young age," she said, a hint of nervous laughter in her voice. "I'm going to need every ounce of it with this one. He seems… intensely interested." She eyed the horse, a flicker of apprehension mixing with her curiosity. "He's almost... staring.”

Ash, as if in direct response to her words, let out a soft, resonant neigh. He then gently nudged her shoulder with his velvety nose, a surprisingly tender gesture from such a powerful animal.

"He appears to be quite fond of you," Kimmel commented, a hint of laughter in his voice as he watched the stallion nuzzle Raena.

Raena offered Kimmel a small, half-smile, a flicker of warmth in her eyes. She then turned her attention fully to Ash, giving in to the horse's gentle nudges and stroking his velvety muzzle. Ash responded by arching his neck proudly, a low, rumbling whinny vibrating in his chest as he reveled in her touch.

A few moments later, the stable hand reappeared, Ash's tack clutched in his arms. "Here you are," he announced, a touch of distance in his voice. He carefully placed the saddle and bridle on a stool positioned just outside Ash's stall, clearly hesitant to venture any closer to the large, attentive horse.

"Will you need your usual horses, Kimmel?" the stable hand asked politely, his eyes flicking towards the impressive dark bay.

"Just mine and Jimmothy's this time," Kimmel replied, a casual tone in his voice.

While Kimmel and the stable hand continued their conversation, Raena stepped forward to retrieve Ash's tack. The dark bay stood patiently in his stall, his large, intelligent eyes following her every move with a curious intensity.

Ash's eyes gleamed with an almost eager anticipation as Raena approached with his tack and unlatched his stall door. Surprisingly, saddling Ash proved remarkably easy. He responded to her every command with a gentle obedience, a stark contrast to his earlier restless energy.

The stable hand watched, his jaw slightly slack, as Raena effortlessly saddled Ash. He shook his head in bewildered admiration, then turned to Kimmel and nodded. "I'll get your horse and Jimmothy's ready then and bring them out to the yard." He still seemed a little stunned by Ash's cooperative behavior.