The Awakening

Chapter Thirty Four

The moon shone brightly, lighting the path just enough to ensure that Brianne and Avelon did not veer from it too much. The light created dancing shadows in the dark, which Avelon tried her best to ignore. They had been walking in contemplative silence for longer than she felt comfortable with, but before her discomfort could overwhelm her, a town appeared on the horizon. She had to swallow the sigh of relief at its sight. The crooked rooftops were barely visible in the dim light of the moon. Very few torches were lit, providing indication that most of the town's inhabitants had turned in for the night- meaning it was very late. Although no Fae roamed the sandy streets, the smell of fresh bread and smoke still filled the air as Avelon and Brianne entered the outskirts of the town.

It was not the same town she and Balor had entered through upon her initial arrival to the palace. Brianne had suggested on their way they visit a neighbouring town with the hopes that it would not be the first place Balor would look for them. Avelon's tense shoulders loosened only slightly as she felt the relief of being the only Fae wandering through the quiet streets. They did not need someone informing or reporting to Balor their exact whereabouts, though Avelon could not shake the feeling that Balor knew exactly where they were, irrespective of informants. The feeling was unsettling.

"We need to find an inn," Brianne said softly, her eyes scanning the darkened street ahead. "It's safer than being out in the open. Maybe we can lay low for the night and—"

Avelon nodded, but Brianne's words drifted from her as her thoughts rushed miles away. She could not shake the image of Fallon's face, still etched in her mind. Her decision to leave her behind haunted her, and no matter how much she tried to focus on the riddle or the future, her heart kept returning to her. She had been an awful friend. For longer than she could remember, Fallon had always been present in her life. She should have tried to find her, rather than frolicking around with Brianne or Lugh.

She should have tried harder.

Anger stung at her eyes. She wanted to blame Brianne, or Lugh, but she knew the blame could only be pinned to one.

So, she blamed herself.

Silently, she vowed that she would make her way back to the palace, if only to find Fallon and get her out. A sudden thought struck her.

"Did you find anything in the palace?" Avelon's voice made Brianne jump in her seat.

Avelon could make out the outline of the deep frown making its way onto Brianne's face. "Balor's guards found me sniffling around where I shouldn't have, before I could find anything." She sighed, her voice laced with disappointment.

"They threatened to take me to him directly but changed their minds very quickly. I knew something was up before you burst into the hall." Brianne continued.

The guards might have known what Balor was up to, or they had simply been informed not to bother him. Avelon rubbed a hand down her face, breathing deeply.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find anything for you."

She opened her mouth to console Brianne that none of this was her fault, but Brianne's next words made her heart nearly stop.

"But I reckon the area I was in, was close to where they are keeping Fallon. When the guards were ushering me away, I noticed a lot of guards were clustered all around as if they were guarding something." Brianne glanced at Avelon. The hope that shone in her eyes, almost outshone the moon.

"I need to find her, Bri. You need to tell me exactly where to go." Brianne's mouth pressed into a thin line as she processed Avelon's words.

"You can't go back alone. Balor will kill you." Brianne's eyes were filled with worry as she watched Avelon. The edges of Avelon's mouth pulled upward, forming a sad smile.