The Odyssey ☾ Bellamy Blake

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"Unveiling Shadows''

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The rhythmic sound of a blade scraping against stone filled the small space of Asteria's home. She carved symbols into her arrows, marking them with the quiet promise that each kill belonged to the shadow hunter.

She was deep in thought, her mind tracing the paths ahead—the strangers, Anya's orders, the whispers of change creeping into their land.

Then, a forceful rustling outside.

Lincoln.

He didn't bother announcing himself. The flap of her tent was shoved aside as he stormed in, his expression dark, shoulders tense.

"You don't know what Xinar just did," he said, his voice thick with urgency.

Asteria stilled, fingers halting their work. Her eyes flicked up to him, sharp and searching. "I'm guessing he didn't throw them a welcome feast."

Lincoln exhaled sharply, pacing like a caged animal. "He nearly killed one of them."

That made her sit up straighter. "What?"

"He shot one of the Sky People," Lincoln continued, his voice low, like he was still grappling with the weight of it. "A boy."

Asteria's fingers curled slightly around the hilt of her dagger before she forced herself to relax. "Is he dead?"

"No." Lincoln ran a hand over his jaw, the muscle there tensing. "But he could've been. If the arrow had hit just a little differently..." He shook his head. "I brought him here to be treated."

Asteria let out a quiet curse, pushing herself up in a smooth motion. From across the room, she grabbed a leather strap, securing her daggers at her waist as she moved toward him.

"So his first instinct was bloodshed." Her voice was measured, but there was an edge to it.

Lincoln met her gaze, his own shadowed with conflict. "I want to say he was wrong, but... he thought they were going to pass Mount Weather. He wanted to stop them. Kira tried, but she was too late to stop Xinar from almost killing a boy."

Asteria studied him for a moment, then exhaled. "It's not your fault, Linc." Her tone softened, just barely. "But where is the boy now?"

Lincoln's jaw clenched. "With the healer. I made sure they kept him alive."

Asteria nodded, exhaling slowly as she grabbed her bow from where it rested against the wall. "Then we should go see him before this situation spirals even further."

Lincoln moved to the entrance, but before stepping out, he glanced over his shoulder. "You know what this means, don't you?"

"That Xinar might have just given the Sky People a reason to fight?" Asteria tightened the strap of her quiver. "Yeah. I know."