From the Ashes

Chapter 34 ~ A Wrathful Goddess

Morana had been dreading this day since they left the library, but it was already here. They'd been traveling on the northern bank of the Une River for several days now and beyond the thinning trees lay whatever remained of her old village. She hadn't said anything to Tarion about it yet and didn't know if she would.

They were currently camping near the spot where she'd originally crossed the river during her flight from Rhidian's attack. The last rays of daylight had waned an hour ago and already, stars glittered overhead. Morana had volunteered to take watch first and Tarion had agreed.

As far as she could tell, he was asleep for a change. His back faced her, but his breaths were even and deep. Her idea had seemed to help the first time they tried it, so they continued doing so every night. Maintaining the dome shields was helping her expend a little nervous energy at least, and Tarion had been able to relax when she was seated beside him.

Tonight, she'd been humming again before he fell asleep, the song he said his father had sung for him. She'd forgotten to ask him what it was called again. She meant to ask if he'd teach her the words too. She only remembered a few of them, but she was certain Tarion remembered more.

A small sigh slipped from her lips and Morana lifted her hand, letting sparks of magic dance around her fingertips before spreading to warm the rest of her body. The nights were much colder now, but Tarion didn't want to risk any fires and she was willing to trust his experience as she had before.

Her gaze drifted in the direction of the village once more. Could she bear to see it? Could she bear to bring Tarion there? Morana bit her lip, glancing at him. Perhaps if she did go, it would be best to go alone. She wasn't sure what she might find or how it would affect her. She didn't want to risk it affecting Tarion too.

She stood silently and checked the dagger sheathed at her hips. She pursed her lips, glancing at Tarion's scimitar blades laying at his side. They hadn't seen any other Corrupted Fae yet, but that didn't mean it was all right to take chances.

Morana crept closer and picked up one of the blades. She stuck it through her belt, hooking the crossguard over the leather to keep it in place. She spared a moment to ensure her shield would remain intact, then stepped out of it and took off through the forest.

Tarion would probably kick her ass if he woke up while she was gone, but she'd deal with that if it came to it. This was something she needed to do alone, and now, before she lost her courage. The trees continued to thin around her, giving way to open ground. Moonlight brightened her path as a few sparse clouds drifted away from it.

Morana paused atop a small knoll and gazed down to the village. Her breath caught and her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. The only remnants of houses she could see were a few burnt beams and crumbling structures. She couldn't make out anything else from here. Morana sucked down a cold breath and steeled herself, then continued to the village.

Her limbs grew leaden with every step that carried her there. The cold of the night was inside her now, needling through her veins until shards of ice gripped her chest. Every breath burned and her hands shook at her sides. She drew near to the first ruined structure and lifted a glowing palm. The scent of ash choked her lungs.

Somehow, she forced herself to move deeper through the ruined sight. There was no grass underfoot. No dirt pathways. No sparse flowers. Only blackened soil and thick layers of ash. It stirred up beneath her feet in gray clouds, like phantoms swirling in her wake. She followed every bend, winding through the village to the spot where she had last seen her family, her best friend.

Only one other thought could pierce the fog in her mind. There were no corpses. Had Rehema kept her word and buried them? Had they been eaten by scavenging animals already or burned along with the rest of the village? Her heart hammered against her sternum and her mouth grew dry. Morana bit her tongue and swallowed, but it did no good. She rounded the final corner.