Legacy of The Enchanted

Whispers of The Heart

(Roan's P.O.V.)

The morning of our departure to Aqualius dawned crisp and clear, the early autumn air tinged with the lingering warmth of summer. The leaves on the trees had just begun to turn, splashes of gold and crimson dotting the forest that surrounded our camp. A light breeze rustled through the branches, carrying with it the scent of earth. It was the kind of day that made you want to move, to breathe in the air deeply and let the freshness of it invigorate you.

The horses, already saddled and prepared, stamped impatiently as we gathered our supplies. There was an energy in the air, a sense of purpose and anticipation that buzzed among us. For months, we had planned for this journey, and now that the day had finally come, it felt like a weight had been lifted from our shoulders. It was time to face whatever lay on the path to Aqualius.

I watched as Alli adjusted the straps on her horse's saddle with practiced ease. She moved with a quiet grace, every motion deliberate and controlled. Even in moments like this, when she was surrounded by the chaos of preparation, she maintained that regal poise that came so naturally to her. But I knew her well enough to see the subtle signs of tension in the set of her shoulders, the way her fingers lingered a moment too long on the leather reins. This journey meant more to her than just reaching the Aqualius; it was a step toward reclaiming what had been stolen from her, from all of us.

"All set, Ro?" Alli's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention back to the present. She had finished with her preparations and was now looking at me with those sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing.

"Almost," I replied, giving her a reassuring smile as I tightened the last strap on my saddle. "Just making sure everything's secure. Don't want to be caught unprepared if we run into any trouble along the way."

She nodded, her expression serious. "We need to be ready for anything. The towns we'll pass through... I'm not sure how they'll react to us, especially if they recognize me."

"Don't worry, Alli," I said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her arm. "We've got this. You've got this. Besides, you've got your charm and wit to fall back on. Who could resist that?"

A faint smile tugged at her lips, and she shook her head at me. "You're impossible, Ro."

"And you're lucky to have me," I quipped, my tone light, but there was a weight behind my words that we both understood. This journey was about more than just the two of us, but our bond.

We mounted our horses and took our positions at the front of the small group. Archer and Taryn were already on their horses, waiting a few paces ahead. Archer was his usual stoic self, his icy eyes scanning the tree line as if expecting danger at any moment, bow shouldered but ready. Taryn, on the other hand, was practically bouncing in her saddle, her energy barely contained. The contrast between the two of them was stark, but it worked. Somehow, they balanced each other out, even if neither would ever admit it.

"Ready to go?" I called out to them.

Archer gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable. "We're wasting daylight."

Taryn grinned, clearly excited. "Finally! I was starting to think we'd never get moving."

"All right, then," Alli said, her voice taking on the authoritative tone she used when she was in full princess mode. "Let's move out."

With that, we urged our horses forward, the sound of hooves crunching against the fallen leaves and dirt filling the air as we left the safety of the camp behind. The path ahead was familiar enough at first, winding through the forest that had been our home for so long. The trees stretched high above us, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. It was a peaceful scene, but there was an undercurrent of tension that none of us could ignore.