And What I Found There - Book Two

52. I Still Mean Every Word I Said to You

"We made it!" Adisonia exclaims with relief and laughs. "This is the end of Ghost Hills! Finally!" Her serval eagerly carries her and the little Knave of Hearts down into the Valley of the Broken Graves.

The rest of our animal soul spirits gather on the edge of the ledge that slopes down into the trench, looking out at the horizon glowing with a light of the setting sun. I smile with relish at the sight of the sun for the first time in days. I almost forgot what it looks like!

"At last!" Quill chuckles as we hop off the backs of our animals. "For a few sketchy moments there, I thought we'd end up haunting the Hills ourselves."

"Rubbish," Cornelius smirks and shoves his apprentice's shoulder good-naturedly. "I never for a moment doubted our chances of survival." Quill gives him a look and our mentor laughs with a shake of his head. "Alright, fine. Once or twice even I had my concerns."

Despite feeling just as stoked to finally be leaving Ghost Hills behind us, I can't help but feel a twinge of pain too. I'll have to say good-bye to Vyndren again... I swallow as I glance over my shoulder at the Dark Rider and his wolf on the fringes of the forest behind us.

Cornelius suddenly seems to remember the Dark Rider and shoots him a misgiving look. "Von Vesymir, I don't believe your assistance is required beyond this point." Vyndren scowls. "But nevertheless..." The White Knight hesitates before he somewhat begrudgingly adds, "your skills proved most helpful during that unsavory scuffle with the Phantoms and Tyranspines so...thanks," he manages to say without choking.

Vyndren shrugs and slinks closer. "I wouldn't really call killing a skill but yeah...don't mention it," he sneers.

Cornelius rolls his eyes. "Don't forgot you're still a wanted man -creature, whatever- so if I were you, I'd stay in Ghost Hills where laws don't exist."

The Dark Rider snorts. "Just be glad you aren't me, old man," he crosses his arms. "And thanks for the unsolicited advice."

"Don't mention it," he scoffs. "Well," he turns to us. "Let's be on our way, apprentices. We still have much ground to cover and in little time." He gives Vyndren one last judgmental glance before he makes his way down into the valley.

"Vyndren," Quill briefly looks the Dark Rider over. "It's been... well, if I'm actually being honest, it's been bloody bizarre seeing you again but for what it's worth, I still think you have the qualities of a good Royal Rider."

"Qualities," Vyndren rolls his eyes. "I don't have qualities anymore, kid. All I have is a wanted poster a mile long so don't go getting me confused with a good guy."

"Right," Quill grimaces before forcing a smile. "Till next then then, chap..."

"There won't be a next time, Deckum."

Quill shakes his head before glancing at me. "Are we ready to go or...?"

"Um," I blush. "I'll be right there."

"Cornelius will be -"

"I'll be right there!" I insist. "Go on, go on," I wave him off.

"If you're sure," he reluctantly but finally leaves me with the Dark Rider.

"Wow. Those White Knights of yours are unbearable," Vyndren groans. "They're as irritating as a borogove with mites. No, actually they're worse. They're as headache-inducing as a Jubjub bird singing out of pitch."

I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder. "You do love mocking them, don't you?"

"My life has so few joys," he sneers. Now he sighs softly as he looks me over. "Adara, I...I haven't had the chance to thank you for saving my life back there..." He absently runs his hand through his hair. "I...I've never had anyone save me before."