The Remains of Dawn

Chapter Ten

"We're two miles from the shelter," Borus informed them as he rode along the cage. He would pace his horse around the cage every hour looking at Oriel. Tassian would growl at him and wrap a wing around her every time he came around.

Borus rode off and Tassian relaxed. Oriel looked at him and observed that his bruises were starting to heal as they were turning green and yellow. Hints of blue and purple still resonated in the bruises, but they were healing. The swelling from the cut on his lip was gone, but the cut was still there. He would mess with the cut with his tongue and occasionally bit it. She was irritated that their moment was interrupted earlier. Wherever Borus was taking them better be worth the interruption.

A couple of hours later they felt the cage stop moving. Borus walked over to the end of the cage and crossed his arms at them. "I don't want to immobilize either of you again. Please, don't try to escape." He was staring at Tassian while he was talking. The hood still covered his eyes, but his mouth gave a hint of challenge.

Oriel knew that Tassian would take the challenge at any time and she wasn't ready to fight. She knew she recognized his name and those eyes were extremely familiar. She needed answers to the questions circling in her mind. She laid her hand on Tassians' are and scooted closer to the cage door. "We won't try to escape."

Borus nodded as he opened the door and stepped aside to let them out. Oriel stepped out of the cage first and moved so Tassian could get out. She looked around them. The land around them was extremely dry. No vegetation grew because of how hot the air was. Five extremely tall caves surrounded them in a horseshoe shape. Borus stood in front of them and motioned for them to follow him. His men surrounded them as they started forward. They walked into the middle cave and instantly the air got cold. Oriel wrapped her arms around herself as her body got used to the cold air.

The people inside the cave stopped and turned to watch them as they walked past. Piles of provisions and weapons lined the walls of the cave. Children clung to mothers as fathers stepped in front of them. Oriel rolled her eyes, used to that kind of reaction. Although, the reaction she wasn't used to getting was that some people were curious. Some people were walking closer to them to get a better look. Some had looks of amazement on their faces.

An older woman walked over to them and Borus stopped. The woman wore a blue, flowing dress. It had small, yellow flowers on it and long, bell sleeves. Her eyes were bright, silver-blue, and full of curiosity. She had freckles sprinkled along with her nose and her mouth was smiling. Her red hair hung in waves to her shoulders and framed her face. She walked up to Borus and outstretched her arms to him. She took his hood and pushed it off his face revealing a mop of curly, red hair. She wrapped her arms around her shoulder as her eyes landed on Oriel.

"Oriel?" her voice squeaked. Her eyes held sadness, joy, and confusion in them. She gently pushed past Borus and quickly walked towards Oriel.

Tassian quickly stepped in front of her and tense up. Oriel placed a hand on his back and moved to his side. She was still standing behind him, but she was able to see the woman stop quickly and look up at Tassian. Her eyes softened at the sight of him. She smiled kindly and folded her hands under her chin.

"I'm so very sorry," she drawled out. She looked back over at Oriel. "I've been waiting twelve years for this moment. My little girl is back home."

Oriel's mouth hung open and her brows furrowed in confusion. She started to speak, but Tassian interrupted her. "Excuse me, but what are you talking about." He looked back at Oriel and she saw that his face held the same expression as hers did. He turned his head back towards the woman. "Who are you?"

The woman looked between him and Oriel before speaking, "Krathys took everything from you." The way she was talking sounded like she was talking to herself instead of them. She turned and looked at Borus. "My son, please take these two souls to my quarters." She gave them a small smile before turning and walking away.