Shadow Of Crimson Veil [ON HOLD]

Chapter 10: The Long Night

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Sophia awoke to the sound of birds chirping softly outside the window, a stark contrast to the tension that had consumed her dreams. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before the events of the past few days came rushing back. Alaric was still out there, and their safety was anything but guaranteed.

She sat up, the modest bed creaking beneath her. The room was bathed in the gentle light of dawn, casting a serene glow over the rustic furnishings. Sophia took a deep breath, the scent of pine and damp earth grounding her. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to believe they were safe.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her reverie. "Sophia? It's Lucian. Can I come in?"

"Yes, come in," she replied, her voice still heavy with sleep.

Lucian entered, carrying a tray with a simple breakfast: bread, cheese, and a cup of herbal tea. His eyes, though tired, softened when they met hers. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"

Sophia managed a small smile. "Better than I expected. Thank you."

He set the tray on the bedside table, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I thought you might be hungry."

She nodded, reaching for a piece of bread. "You always seem to know what I need."

Lucian's smile was gentle. "It's my job to look out for you."

As she ate, Sophia couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes, the way his shoulders slumped with fatigue. "Did you get any rest?"

"A little," he admitted. "I kept watch as promised. Nothing out of the ordinary."

Sophia's heart ached at the thought of him staying awake all night, vigilant and ready to protect her. "You should rest now, Lucian. I can keep watch."

He shook his head. "We need to talk first. We can't stay here much longer. Alaric's men will eventually find this place."

Sophia swallowed hard, the bread turning to ash in her mouth. "Where will we go?"

Lucian reached into his pocket, pulling out a worn map. He spread it out on the bed between them, pointing to a small, remote village circled in red. "I've heard about this place from a friend. It's off the grid, and the people there are loyal. They'll help us if we can get there."

Sophia studied the map, her finger tracing the route they would need to take. "It's a long journey. How will we get there without being seen?"

"We'll travel by night, stick to the woods and back roads. It'll be risky, but it's our best chance," Lucian said, his voice firm with resolve.

Sophia nodded, her determination mirroring his. "When do we leave?"

"Tonight," he replied. "We'll gather supplies and rest as much as we can today. We'll need all our strength."

Sophia finished her breakfast, feeling the weight of their situation pressing down on her again. "What about Alaric? What if he finds us before we can leave?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "We'll be ready for him. But for now, we need to stay focused. We can't afford to let fear control us."

She reached out, placing her hand over his. "I trust you, Lucian. We'll get through this together."

His eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination. "Together," he echoed.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparation. They packed what little belongings they had, ensuring they had enough food and water for the journey. Lucian checked and rechecked their supplies, his meticulous nature providing a sense of reassurance.