Vuroth's Tear: Even the Gods Cry

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The journey was hard on them all, but finally, they made it to Syrdania. Analda was so in awe of the city that she forgot how badly she ached from walking all day and sleeping against trees or the hard ground every night. She was mesmerized by the enormous city walls, the heavy iron gates that hung in the archway into the city that were ready to be dropped at any sign of an attack severe enough to warrant such protection.

Verik wore his hood to hide his appearance, an Elemental Mage inspired either awe or panic in people, neither of which were attention they needed or wanted. Aven and Donovan followed silently with Analda between them.

Verik led the way through the city of towering buildings to a clearing on the outskirts of the city, between the enormous stone buildings and the protective wall. The clearing had several small, poorly constructed wooden shacks in the mud for the poor to offer them some sort of shelter and keep them off the main streets of the beautiful city. The people outside were all covered in rags riddled with stains and holes, dirt on their faces and most were bare footed.

Verik stopped and turned to the others, "Stay here, I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Aven asked the Mage.

Verik looked at Analda and then back to Aven, "I need to talk to a friend of mine, she could give u a place to stay for a while. It may not look like much but it's a safe place with good people."

"I'll ask you again, where are you going?"

Verik rested his arm on the sword hanging at his hip, "I'm going to the Capital, alone."

Aven shook his head, "No, we are coming with you."

"It's not safe out there," Verik looked at Analda who was busy staring at the huge buildings in the distance, "she can't handle a trip like that. I'll go talk to King Padrok myself and have a carriage sent for you."

"Why can't we get a carriage here and travel together?" Aven pleaded, he hated feeling useless.

Verik sighed and rested his hand on Aven's shoulder, "Aven, I need to get to Travidon quickly. The fastest route is too rough for a carriage, or a sheltered young woman for that matter."

Aven looked at Analda, he knew she had never left Ravdian before, and could tell she was in pain from the travel so far, even if she was trying to hide it. He looked back at the Mage, trying to find his eyes in the shadow of his hood, "Then Donovan can stay behind with her while I travel with you."

"The answer is no, Aven. You know as well as I do that she will refuse to stay here without you and I can tell that you don't want to part with her either. I've seen the bond you two have. Stay with her." He grinned at Aven's reaction, "You and Donovan stay here with her, I'll get to the capital faster on my own."

Aven could see there was no point in arguing, Verik wouldn't change his mind, "What are we supposed to do while we wait for you?" Verik's voice and what wasn't hidden by shadow on his face became very serious, "You need to be vigilant. I feel growing danger in the kingdom. You are a Mage, so I'm sure you can feel it too. Pay close attention to your instincts, Aven."

"I do feel fidgety, but it's hard to explain. I started to get an uneasy feeling before the Husks attacked Ravdian and it's only gotten stronger since then. I feel like there are eyes on me at all times."

Verik knew what he felt, he could feel it too, "Listen to that feeling. It just might save your life."

Verik patted him on the back and walked to a small shack nearby, knocked and then opened the door. Aven walked towards him but Verik held up a hand to stop him before entering and closing the door behind him.