A Spark Against the Shadows (Book Two) Fully Released

Chapter XVII - The Job

Sonya walked behind Phe as they left the outskirts of the town and moved into the forest on the eastern border. The half-moon above them created some light to guide their path as the two of them stayed silent for a while. They continued to move through the forest with ease when Sonya asked her, "Does no one patrol these woods?"

"There is really no need for them to patrol the inner woods by the city and castle. Further away from the town they have several guard posts and some towers, but this view of the Castle walls is guarded by a steep cliff and over twenty feet of stone walls," explained Phe as she turned slightly to meet eyes with Sonya.

"That would make a siege from the cliff side a little difficult."

She glanced around the forest while it grew darker under the canopy of the leaves above them, as well as the approaching clouds covering the moon. Sonya closed her hand as she created a small fire within her palm that floated above her fingers slightly. Turning her attention to Phe, who smiled back at her.

"That is also another reason I wanted you to aid me with this task," smiled Phe as she stopped witnessing the trees light up with her flame. "This is something Alexis could not help me with."

"Why couldn't you bring a torch?" asked Sonya as she moved closed to Phe, seeing her brown eyes watch the flame.

Phe walked closer to Sonya as she reached up and moved her hands towards the fire. As her palms neared the flame, Sonya closed her fist as the light went out. The darkness of the area was hard to see through as their eyes adjusted before Phe cupped her hands around Sonya's. "What if we ran into trouble? It's hard to put a torch in a matter of seconds," explained Phe as she moved her hands from Sonya's.

"Do you think we will run into trouble?"

Phe shrugged in response as she spun and led the way. Sonya stared at her as she continued to walk away until shaking her head and created a flame within her hand. The two remained to walk in silence through the forest for a few minutes until Phe turned her head and broke the silence. "There is something I wanted to ask you though."

Sonya met her in the eyes and nodded as the two stopped at the small gorge in the forest. Phe stayed silent for a second as she pointed to their right as Sonya examined a fallen tree spanning the ten-foot gap. The two moved down to the fallen timber along the gorge as Sonya looked over the edge and heard water flowing below. As she glanced over the edge, Sonya stopped as Phe caught her attention. "The two of you do not appear to be close. Battle tested together, certainly, but you two appear not to be the bestest of friends."

"I have been traveling with Alexis for a small time. How are you so sure of that?" asked Sonya as she walked in front of Phe as she stepped on the fallen tree first.

Sonya went across the log slowly as she wanted to cause it to shift from its rooted spot in the walls of the gorge. She got halfway across the tree, Phe said, "I have been known to get the insights of people through the touch of their skin. I felt a lack of relationship between you two."

"Well, I met her not too long ago," said Sonya as she continued to push across, holding her balance and the flame in her hand. "I actually met her through Kota, if you remember the story. Helped save his life, and he is helping me with finding my husband after we stop this woman."

Sonya moved to the edge of the tree and stepped off onto the other side of the gorge before turning, holding the light to up for Phe to move across the tree. Phe moved slowly as she planned her steps carefully. Keeping her balance, Phe walked across the log slower than Sonya and advanced across to the middle of the log. "Your husband, right?"

Sonya watched as the flame flickered light from Phe, showing her black clothes under the cloak and the darkness of her hair as she stepped closer. As Phe took a step off the log, she fell forward a bit as Sonya quickly put out her flame and caught her from falling. Phe grasped onto her hand and gave a small squeeze before Sonya tried to move her hand away. She held her grip tight before looking up at Sonya in the darkness. "I need to know about the letter about Kota before we go any further."