From the Ashes

Chapter 53 ~ A Mother's Gifts

    The days were passing all too slow and much too fast. Five of the Elders had already departed to lead their forces and Gaelen's promised Fae to the Isle of Lorn and preparations were being made for the remaining Elders to begin the march to Durga's How.

    Morana would not arrive until after their forces were already situated and prepared for Astaroth's counter-attack. Rehema, Arlon, Lonan, and Gaelen would accompany her. Lonan and Arlon would track down and free Tarion, while Rehema and Gaelen assisted her in keeping Astaroth distracted.

    Morana had argued against it, claiming she would face him alone, and Arlon had no wish to be parted from Rehema, but in the end, the three older Fae won. Morana spent every moment since honing her skills. Neeri joined in her training, and though she'd said nothing yet, Morana knew it was only a matter of time before her friend demanded to go with her. That, she could not allow.

    It was bad enough that she was being forced to let her father come. She would not lose her friend again. She did feel slightly guilty about the fact that she'd spent more time with Neeri than with Lonan. There wasn't much to be done about it though. Lonan was often busy helping Rehema and only spared time for hasty meals and a few hours of rest.

    Today was the first time Morana had seen him for more than a few minutes, and it was because they were watching their warriors leave the village to group with the rest of their forces. Morana stood between Lonan and Rehema, doing her best to offer encouraging smiles to the males and females who glanced her way.

    She could see the doubt in their eyes and refused to let it reflect in her own. They trusted her to lead them to victory and she would. She would not allow any lives to be lost in vain. She was not so foolish as to hope that no lives would be lost in this war.

    It was better to resign herself to the fact now than to delude herself until she was faced with reality. But she could make sure that their sacrifices were not wasted. None of them would be. Not those who had died in the Ash War, and not those who would die now.

    Morana was silent until the last warrior vanished from sight and Rehema had begun the walk back to her home. Then, she turned to Lonan. "How long will it take them to get to the How?"

    "They're going to try to make it in three days," her father replied. "They'll push as hard and fast as they can without completely exhausting themselves. And a report came from scouts this morning. One of the Elders has already arrived. Their forces are sheltering within the How."

    Morana pursed her lips but gave a small nod. She glanced up as Arlon cleared his throat beside them. "Do you know where your friend is? Gaelen asked me to be her sparring partner for the afternoon."

    "She was back with Astrelle and Neoma when I last saw her," Morana replied.

    Neeri had spent a few hours with the refugees everyday, simply watching their children play and speaking with the mothers. She got along with Astrelle very well, Morana had been told, and she was glad.

    Neeri did her best to hide her grief, but now that she had recovered her memories, Morana knew the loss of her family had been weighing heavily upon her. She'd never had time to properly mourn for them, after all.

    And although Morana couldn't recall seeing them as she had Koen and Vesna when she was last in their old village, she knew they had been there. Neeri's parents and siblings would've been among the ravaged corpses. Morana was glad she could truthfully spare her the details, and she was glad Neeri found comfort in the refugees' companionship.

    "Then I'll check there," Arlon said, drawing her thoughts back to the present. He set off with a dip of his chin, leaving Morana and Lonan by themselves.