Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 42 - A New Light

The flickering light from the torches cast long shadows on the cold stone walls, giving the small chamber a warmth that contrasted sharply with the rest of Smoreri Hold. The air was still thick with the tension of recent battles, but here, in this quiet moment away from the throne room, there was a sense of anticipation, a weight that hung over the group like an unspoken truth.

Ava stood at the center of the room, her heart pounding as she faced the Naitseers. Harvan, Taci, Yaroth, Donamer, Lanonir, Svonman, and Jarvonus—all of them watched her with a mix of concern and curiosity. She could see the questions in their eyes, the hurt that lingered just beneath the surface. They were her friends, her protectors, and she had abandoned them. That guilt had been gnawing at her since the moment she left them behind, and now, it was time to make things right.

Taking a deep breath, Ava stepped forward, her expression sincere and filled with regret. "I'm so sorry," she began, her voice trembling. "I know I shouldn't have left you all without a word. I just... I thought it was the only way to keep you safe. I didn't want any of you to get hurt because of me."

She looked down at her hands, struggling to find the right words. "But I see now that I was wrong. Leaving you behind wasn't fair. You're more than just my protectors—you're my friends, my family. And I should have trusted you to stand by me, no matter what."

The room was silent as her words hung in the air. Ava's heart ached with the fear that they might never forgive her, that she had damaged their bond beyond repair. But she had to say it, had to let them know how much their loyalty and bravery meant to her. "You risked everything to find me, to save me, even after I left you behind. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. I'm just... I'm really sorry."

Harvan, his massive frame filling the small space, took a step forward. His eyes softened as he looked down at Ava, the anger that had flared when he first saw her again now replaced with understanding. "Little Bean," he rumbled, his voice gruff but warm, "we've been through too much together to let something like this tear us apart. We were hurt, aye, but we understand why you did what you did. You wanted to protect us, even if it meant facing danger alone."

Taci nodded, green eyes meeting Ava's with a steady gaze. "You're not just our leader, Ava—you're one of us. We fight together, we stand together, and if necessary, we fall together. But we do it as a family."

Ava's chest tightened, a swell of emotion rising within her. She had feared that her actions had created a rift between them, but here they were, standing by her just as they always had. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, managing a small, grateful smile.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for understanding."

Harvan reached out and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, his grip firm yet reassuring. "We'd follow you anywhere, Little Bean. No matter where you go, we're with you. That's what it means to be a family—bound not just by duty, but by love and trust."

The other Naitseers murmured their agreement, their expressions softening as the tension in the room eased. The atmosphere shifted from one of anticipation to one of unity, the bond between them stronger than ever. Ava felt a warmth spread through her, a sense of belonging that she hadn't realized how much she needed.

She wasn't alone. She had her friends, her family, and together, they would face whatever came next. The road ahead was uncertain, but with the Naitseers by her side, Ava knew they could overcome any obstacle.

The grand hall of Smoreri Hold, with its towering pillars and cold stone walls, was filled with an air of solemnity. The recent events had left everyone on edge, the tension still lingering in the air. But as the heavy wooden doors creaked open and Segulah's soldiers marched in, something unexpected broke through the somber atmosphere.