Magic and Mortality (DISCONTINUED)

Chap. 10 - Protection

KEY = Subtitle/POV change | Author's note |"Speech" | 'Quote/Thoughts' | Text | Emphasis

BELINDA'S POV

Crisp air nipped my cheeks as the warmth that had comforted my back faded. I sleepily rolled around to see the tent door gliding back into place — Aelfric had left the tent. For what reason, I did not know. I followed after quickly sliding my blanket around my shoulders. 

The light momentarily blinded me, shadow covering my face as I lifted my hand to my eyes. I walked over to Aelfric. He was standing at the edge of our camp — peering out over the track we'd follow later today. 

"Hey." I stood on the tips of my toes to rest my chin on his shoulder. He tensed, then pulled me around in front of him so that his arms wrapped around me. My hands rested on his. 

"Good morning. Are you alright?" Aelfric pulled me closer in his arms — almost, protectively.

"I mean, I'm good now. I'm..." I trailed off, remembering how I'd felt so lonely until he'd broken out of my bubble of sorrow, surrounding me with the promise of companionship. "I'm sorry for waking you up." 

Aelfric chuckled. "Don't apologize. I hadn't been sleeping amazingly anyway." We stood quietly, watching the sun rise over the land. 

I'd only felt like this before with one person, one that I'd pretty much forgotten. A boy — anothe 7r elf — but I was quickly ripped away from him. We were young, but the best of friends. And now that Aelfric's here, it feels... different. Like it's opened another portion of my mind, adding depth and meaning. It was comforting in a way I'd never felt.

THIRD PERSON POV

After quickly packing everything into bags that were charmed to stay light — never growing heavy even when filled to the brim — the two set off down the gravel road once again. Belinda's knives hung on a makeshift belt, her bow and arrows being kept by Aelfric for the time being. The atmosphere between the two was strained, but not uncomfortable. Very little conversation was exchanged. In fact, no sound escaped from the two until an arrow skimmed Aelfric's pointed ear.

Around a dozen goblins ambushed the travelers, swinging axes above their heads. Belinda threw a few of her blades as their exposed heads, causing a few to fall dead while pushing their comrades to the ground. Her blades whirled around with a terrifying speed. A goblin down there, another few gone over there, the girl tornado was unstoppable. 

The goblins flew at the girl recklessly — their axes were deflected just before a knife pierced their skin. Only one, a goblin by the name Svish, hadn't been caught under the spell of her threat. He walked towards the equally captivated elf boy whose eyes were filled with wonder. His dual axe rested on his shoulder as he crept up behind him. 

He didn't notice that none of his comrades still stood.

That Belinda was looking at Aelfric with adrenaline sparking through her. 

That she had now caught sight of him, raising his axe to strike down what seemed to be her mate. 

He barely registered the pain as his heart was stabbed with a long-blade dagger.