Threads of Fate

Chapter 24 ~ Unconventional Allies

    Tissaia broke from the group and ran straight to the males, catching an arm around each of their shoulders and pulling them into an embrace. Kaius just chuckled while Talarion's nimble hand traced her arm for any sign of injuries.

    She drew back after a moment to let him fully appraise her, and when he seemed content that she was unharmed, Talarion hugged her again, even tighter than her embrace had been. Tissaia frowned, shooting a questioning glance at Kaius, but the male just shrugged.

    She let her brother be the first to pull away, then turned to introduce them to their companions. Vael had shifted back into himself and Kahari stood at his shoulder, both of them observing the two males curiously.

    "This is Kahari and Vaeldan." Tissaia gestured to each of them in turn. "They found us after we escaped the Blood Fae and took us back to their village for the night."

    Talarion bowed his head to them. "Thank you for helping my sister."

    "We had to," Vael said, jabbing an elbow into Kahari's side. "She took one look at your sister and was instantly attached to her."

    Kahari batted his hand away, her freckled cheeks blushing red. "You make it sound like I'm in love with her."

    Tissaia grinned and flashed her a coy look while giving her hair a quick toss. "No one would blame you if you were, Darling." The female's blush deepened and Tissaia offered her a more sincere, and somewhat apologetic smile.

    "We should be moving on soon," Talarion called. "There's still a good amount of forest to cover if we want to avoid running into any stray warriors from Lochren."

    Vael's eyes narrowed with a thoughtful gleam. "You'll have to travel further west if you plan on leaving the forest near the foothills, but that also depends on your destination. If you're going to the mountains, why not follow the edge of the forest up to the Mouth of Hadeon and enter the range from there?"

    Wariness flooded her brother's features and Tissaia cleared her throat pointedly. Talarion ignored her, keeping his focus on the Shifter, but it was Kaius who answered. "We are going to the mountains, but we need to reach the easternmost part of the range. It'll be easier to cut across from the foothills and start climbing from there, rather than pick our way across the entire range."

    The news caught her off guard and Tissaia shot Kaius a questioning look. Last she'd heard, he hadn't known where exactly in the mountains the supposed temple would be. Perhaps he'd had another vision, or was able to infer more from his previous ones.

    Vael rubbed his stubbled jaw with one hand while his gaze flickered to Kahari's. "Even the foothills could be rough going," he said at last. "You won't find too many Blood Fae beyond the forest. Something seems to be...keeping them here. But many other Forest Dwellers have grown afraid because of that and left, and we've heard reports of an increase in bandits attacking those on their way to other settlements."

    Azael stepped forward, his lips parted in surprise. "How long has this been going on?"

    "A few months now. Some village Elders have sent requests for interference from the Cahirim and Lochren. If you were hoping to avoid their warriors, I'm afraid you'll find it difficult."

    "You mean Lochren's Lord answered their requests?" Talarion asked. Tissaia tensed, grateful for her brother's tact as neither she nor Azael had revealed their parentage to Vael or Kahari, and the pair had done nothing to imply that they knew the truth.

    Vael shook his head. "No, Lord Roshan refused. He claimed he would need his warriors for something else, but a few of them defied his orders and came to help anyway."