Keeping Him Loved

Chapter 30

        It had been approximately six days since they left Velder. Thanks to the Senarhl mounts, the trip was much faster than walking the whole way. The beautiful deer-like creatures were native to Eldemyr or so (y/n) was told. She peeked out the window to look ahead at them. The light blue and white fur of the sacred deer stood out against the fading light of the sun. Their white antlers looked like hardened snow.

        The sky's orange and purple hues indicated this was the final day of their travels. They'd finally reach Eldemyr later that night, but (y/n) wasn't sure if she was ready to get there yet. Her current traveling company had nothing to do with her reasons for being hesitatant. Although the small Night Saver group had their ways, (y/n) could tolerate them just fine. She just tried to avoid them as best as she could.

        Sael kept apologizing to her and usually couldn't look her in the eyes whenever they spoke. He had been one of the elves she fought, but not one that had directly taken part in harming her father. Having him around was awkward to say the least, but that wasn't the only reason why (y/n) stayed away from him. The older elf was not supposed to have granted her father's wish to spare (y/n)'s life, and he often got targeted by Ilphas for it whenever he talked to her. For both their sakes, (y/n) kept her distance.

        Ilphas was Sael's sister. (Y/n) quickly learned that she was actually very nice, but hard to get along with. Her personality was overbearing and it didn't help that she was quick to act rather than listen. Ilphas didn't like (y/n), and it was clear in the way she strained to maintain her politeness. Thanks to Add's terms for helping Night Saver, (y/n) was treated much like a queen even by Ilphas, but it was best to limit their interaction as much as possible. Ilphas often snuck in rude comments whenever no one else was nearby.

        Kassias was the least worrisome out of the group. In fact, he did everything he could to make sure that he didn't come off as rude to (y/n) in any way. She was grateful for that, but she avoided him solely because Kassias was good friends with her father before he left Eldemyr. The information had slipped out when (y/n) overheard a conversation he had with Ilphas. She had never heard anyone whisper so quietly and had to strain her senses just to pick up their words. There were sure to be both good and bad topics for Kassias to discuss with (y/n) directly, but she was not ready for any of those talks yet. Not with someone who was still a stranger to her.

        Then there was Synn. (Y/n) didn't know much about him at all. Sael told her that Synn was even younger than her. No one had made it clear, but Synn looked and acted like he was in his early teens. It made (y/n) wonder why the young elf was even with the group especially considering how flippant he was towards authority. Following directions was not one of his strengths.

        The line of carriages slowed to a stop indicating that their evening break had started. (Y/n) looked over to Add who was looking through a set of notes he had taken about the disease he needed to develop a cure for. Kassias had given him as many details as he could without a patient there to show the results.

        "I'm going to take a quick walk," she told him.

        "Take these with you," Add said although he didn't look away from his work. Three of his dynamos fell into a synchronized line behind her.

        "Hm? That's new." She briefly looked at the weapons. "I'll be back soon."

        (Y/n) stepped out of the carriage and took in her current surroundings. For them to be closer than ever to Eldemyr, she found that the forest surrounding the dirt path that they followed was no different than the forests she had seen anywhere else. The only real difference she could make out was how much more these forests seemed to thrive.