Alliance in the Ice - The Guardians of Noindaith

Vindisburg - Soldier Paul

The sight of Kaya joking and laughing with Emil had torn open an old wound inside me. The memories of Sophie, who had always enjoyed flirting with other men, tormented me again.

How surprised I had been that Sophie had chosen me out of all the young boys at her feet. Yet I had never doubted her love when we were a couple. I had never found out whether she had left me for another man. Her smile, her charm, all the thoughts of it came flooding back as if my last encounter with her had only been yesterday.

I couldn't bear to see Kaya and Emil so carefree together. I had developed feelings for Kaya. It was my own fault that she didn't return them and I couldn't let her be happy. Nevertheless, it felt like history was repeating itself and this feeling weighed like a stone in my stomach. However, I didn't want to start a fight with Emil again.

So I turned away, left the two of them alone and retreated into the protective shade of the forest. Surrounded by the tall trees and their soothing rustle, I found a place of refuge. The cool forest air enveloped me as I made my way deeper into the thicket, where the light of the sun only reached the ground in small patches.

The trees around me gave me a feeling of security. Their branches whispered comforting words. I let myself sink onto a tree root, felt the rough bark of the trunk against my back and closed my eyes.

Sophie had been like a ray of sunshine in my life. Her eyes had sparkled like stars and her laughter had been like music to my ears. How could I, the simple country boy, have resisted her charm, her extroverted nature? She took me to dance bars and introduced me to lots of other people; she celebrated our student life with my fellow students. I had made plans and dreamed of a future with her. But then came the day when everything fell apart.

Since then, I had sworn never to open my heart like that again, but to protect it from further wounds. But Kaya, with her free spirit and approachable nature, had unexpectedly found a way in. But her closeness to Emil, as innocent as it may be, stirred up all the old fears and insecurities.

I breathed in deeply, the fresh scent of the forest filling my lungs. Maybe it was time to let go of the past, to stop letting the shadows of old wounds rule me. Sophie was part of my history, but she didn't determine my future. I didn't need her or Kaya. I had my comrades who gave me support and strength. And my family was waiting for me at home. In any case, it was only bad luck to develop too much affection for someone during this time.

I slowly stood up and looked up at the sky through the treetops. I felt like a whipped dog as I made my way back.

Excited voices came from the camp. I ran the last part of the way because I was afraid that something had happened.

Instead, two more guards, a man and a woman, stood between the three huts. He had a serious expression and a sharp look in his turquoise eyes. The young woman, on the other hand, who looked almost childlike with her round face and red cheeks, smiled shyly as she looked at her surroundings.

Amba stepped out of her hut and welcomed them with open arms. "Welcome, Iluq and Mauja. We've been expecting you," she greeted them. Seven days had passed since we had moved into the valley.

Iluq nodded silently, while Mauja replied with a quiet "Thank you".

"We met by chance high up in the north when we sensed the demon. The changing pattern of the winds, a trembling deep in the earth," Mauja explained.

In a calm voice, Iluq added: "Then we saw these dark air masses brewing and knew immediately what had happened."

"We picked up your trail straight away," Mauja added.

My gaze wandered over to Kaya while the two guards continued to report. Kaya sat to one side, her eyes fixed on the horizon. I felt the pain flaring up inside me again. Although I felt the desire to be near her, I avoided her so as not to be hurt even more.