Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 44: Tribulations

Descending down the path that led to the lake. The land along the body of water was filled with large rocks. A light fog hung in the air.

The knight's had carried the boat downhill and placed it onto the water.

One knight brought out flint and steel. Striking both items together, he lit a torch.

Aiden looked back at the people who crowded behind them. No more than 12 people he noted.

● ● ●

The healers stood at the first row of people.

Among the 12 were the weeping mother and her son. Her sister stood beside her. Gytha walked toward them.

"Did you know him well?My lady?" she said gently

"Yes, he always helped with whatever we needed."

Gytha drew near the boy. "You look so much like him."

The boy hid his face and cried into his mothers dress.

"My apologies," Gytha said while taking a step back.

"He was his uncle," the mother's sister put in. "You'll have to excuse us, my lady."

The healer bowed. "My condolences again."

● ● ●

At the edge of the deck Aiden moved his hand toward the bow one of his archers offered.

"Let me do it," Henry said from behind him.

The Lord of Rathorn stepped aside and let Henry take it.

Nodding to the knight by the boat, Henry and the gathered bereaved watched as the vessel that carried Finnian's body disappeared and appeared in waves of fog.

Henry brought the arrow tip to the torch took aim and pulled back the bow string.

For a moment the boat was completely immersed in the fog. Then a blaze reveals its location once again.

Aiden placed his hand on Henry's shoulder, squeezing it. The Knight Protect walked with him back to their horses.

As the company was about to leave, Gytha took one last glance at Finnian's relatives. The mother she was talking to had gone down on her knees and was visibly sobbing.

● ● ●

Dinner at the castle that night was quiet. Gytha and Distira had gone back to the infirmary, while Ingrid would stay the night at the castle.

After dinner, Henry left for his room

"Aiden?" Ingrid said as soon as all the castle staff had gone.

"There's nothing to be done about it, Ingrid," Aiden replied, his voice desperately trying to silence questions that would hurt him.

Ingrid looked to the side and kept quiet.

"My apologies I'm just—" he curled his hand into a fist.

Ingrid motioned to reach his hand.

He looked at her fingers then at her flushed cheeks.

"What's it like?" he asked. "What's it like to read someone's mind and know how they feel?" he repeated.

She leaned back on her chair and placed her hand under chin. "Dreadful, it's almost like I've lost myself, my own mind to theirs. How can you be indifferent to someone when you understand them?"

Aiden raised a brow. "Knowing doesn't help."

"It's not just knowing, it feels like stealing."

Silence grew again.

Tilting his head, Aiden replied, "I'm more angry than scared. I think we can say by now that I've survived worse than a hunting guild trying to kill me."

She ran her fingers through her hair. "Indeed."

"Don't worry about me."

"But I do worry, Aiden."

He gazed at her with his brows raised.

"I care," her voice shook as she avoided his gaze.

"I promise you I will live through this."

Aiden reached for her hand but she jerked back.

"Don't it'll make things worse."

"I'm sorry I forgot that your gloves were off. I didn't mean for that."

"I should go."

"Ingrid, please don't—don't...I know we're grieving in different ways. Henry hasn't talked to me since this morning. But don't leave me again..." He glanced at her and she was taken aback by his words. "I don't think I can bear to lose another..." He breathed out and glanced to the side. "Please... Stay and be my advisor." After he said that he kept his head low.

"I—Aiden," she said in a voice of pity.

"I'm lost Ingrid, I don't know what I'm doing half the time." He pinched the sides of his head.

Ingrid bit her lip, then leaned forward so that their hairs brushed against each other.

Aiden started sobbing. "I'm sorry, this shouldn't even involve you. You've done enough. I shouldn't have said that." He quickly wiped away his tears and sat up straight. He blinked slowly and looked at Ingrid. He could feel her pain for him in her gaze and it made his chest ache. I shouldn't have said the words that hurt her, he thought to himself.

She held his hand and lowered her head.

He saw tears fall down her face. His chest ached again. Kneeling, he was desperate to look into her eyes and see that she was alright. He placed his other hand on hers.

"Hmph," she whimpered.

He squeezed her hand. He saw a glimpse of a smile.

"You shouldn't have to carry all this pain on your own, Aiden."

"Nor do you have to carry yours I bet."

Henry walked back into the hall, prompting Ingrid to hide her face and leave. Henry tilted his head and eyed Aiden. He walked closer. "Look whatever happens. If he gets close to or plays dirty I'm intervening. I don't care if the whole city knows who I really am."

Aiden sighed and smiled sideward. "I don't deserve you two."

"Yeah but we've taken a liking to you," Henry replied, bobbing his head from one shoulder to the other. "And it's not just because you—are who you are."

Standing up, Aiden walked closer to Henry, grinning and shaking his head.

"Wha—"

Aiden wrapped his arms around Henry. "Thank you for staying by my side all this time."

"Stop talking like you're saying goodbye," Henry said lightheartedly.

"How can I ever repay you—again?"

"Just stay alive, yeah?"

Patting him on the back one last time, Aiden tore himself away. "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."