𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 (𝟏) | 𝟏𝟖+

xxxiv. string of notes.

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‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖'𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐘𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐀 𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄, and yet, Elowen feels like the province strides on pins and needles around her. Rumours must've already spread about Morrow's condition, one she already feels is her fault. Now, she garners the mark of him upon her neck, one that's healing and will scar forever.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎It burdens her with responsibilities she's not sure she's prepared to hold.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎By the time she reaches the courtyard, she's surrounded by prying eyes just aching to rip any information they can from her. Cordea and Arion stand there conversing with each other, all while Thorn and Oleander murmur amongst themselves. Even Ember stands there, more enamoured by the frogs hopping in the tall grass rather than waiting for Elowen.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The whispers end when the group notices Elowen approaching them. At first, they all stare, unsure of how to approach her. Should they mention Morrow? Will she crumble knowing that these are his final days? What if she flies away?

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Elowen takes a deep breath in, swallowing her worries and burying them deep inside of her. Morrow's not dead. Not yet. Now, she has to think about what's best for Tabrien.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I want updates on the terrans," Elowen orders, although her voice comes out parched and cracked, evidence of her inner anxiety.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Arion dips his head, forfeiting a nod. "They still got Ronyn. It's been well over a week, and we're not sure how he's holding on. All we know is that he's alive, and..."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"And what?"

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Cordea squeezes his shoulder, assuring her partner that there's no need to keep secrets from their newfound luna.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Arion sighs. "Let's just say he won't be in the best of conditions when we bring him back home."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The thought of Ronyn, bruised and bloodied, brings another blow to her inner creature. Although tethered to Morrow, her creature also adores the presence of Ronyn's aura. To know that she's losing both in such a minimal amount of time almost leaves her in shambles. But she can't break, nor can she collapse, when Tabrien needs her head to be held high.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Thorn clears his throat. "The terrans have been shifting around the main city, essentially surrounding us. With the warriors we have, it's enough to prevent them from advancing. That's only if we're constantly ready for their attack. The moment we fumble, we're all fucked."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"I sent some pixies to fly around the perimeter," Oleander adds. "They'll inform me of any new advancements with the terrans. They've been stagnant for the last day or so."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Elowen nods. "So that's a good sign, right?"

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"For now," Thorn grumbles, his greying eyes meeting her silver hues, a colour that resembles her own. "Oleander and Arion have this place fairly locked up."