Threads of Fate

Chapter 63 ~ A Choice Already Made

    Azael woke to see sunlight drifting through the frosted window glass, and only a few flakes of snow scraped against it. A smile tugged at his lips, but couldn't fully form. Not when he knew what the next few days would bring. He glanced sideways to where Tissaia was still soundly sleeping, nestled against him with her head lying on top of his outstretched arm.

    He grimaced and flexed his fingers in an effort to rid himself of the sensation of pins and needles. Carefully, he eased his arm out from beneath her and smoothed a few stray wisps of hair back from her face. Tissaia didn't wake, though she swiped at her nose with a faint sniff, and this time, he did allow himself to smile.

    His gaze swept over her, taking in the ebony tresses that had been tucked into a loose braid before she fell asleep. A blanket was pulled up to her waist, but her back was mostly uncovered for a change. Azael leaned down and pressed his lips to a few of the scars there, keeping his touch light enough not to disturb her, then twisted out of bed.

    He collected his clothes and dressed swiftly and silently, taking care not to jostle any of his buckles as he strapped his belts into place. Tissaia stirred again when he sheathed Raxys at his hip and Orilight in between his shoulders, but she merely rolled over. Lastly, Azael gathered the top portion of his hair back and fastened it with a spare strip of leather to keep it out of his face, knowing the wind still blew.

    Then he slipped out of the room, leaving Tissaia to rest. Sounds of movement were beginning to stir from the other sleeping quarters as Azael made his way towards the entrance of the temple, and already he could see preparations being made for their departure the following day. He didn't tary long as he suspected Gaelen would already be waiting for him, and he was proven right when he reached the foyer of the temple.

    The male was leaning against one of the massive columns and gazing out into the white expanse beyond the building. He perked at the sound of Azael's footsteps. "I wasn't expecting you just yet," Gaelen said as he approached.

    "Everyone else is waking up. I think we're all tired of feeling closed in and ready to move on."
   
    "Well, the sooner we gauge the terrain, the sooner we might be able to leave." Gaelen turned towards the exit and his mouth curled down. "I'm afraid it could be rough going. Most of the mountainsides I can see from here look clear, but the valleys appear full. If that's the case, I'd prefer to travel around them which might take longer, and the mountainside will be more dangerous."

    Azael nodded his agreement, but kept his opinion unspoken for now. He would wait to see the conditions so he could review every route he and Vael had gone over, and decide whether or not they would still be viable options. Gaelen set off to leave, but Azael caught sight of someone from the corner of his eye.

    Talarion was approaching them, dressed in his leather fighting suit with his wings-like cloak draped around his shoulders. His hair was pulled into a tight braid, as it usually was when he anticipated being active. Azael furrowed his brows and ignored the questioning glance Gaelen threw at him.

    "Tissaia isn't awake yet," he said when the other male joined them.

    "Good. She needs to rest," came the gruff reply. Talarion continued past him and only halted when he reached the limits of the shield around the temple. "Weren't you two scouting or something?"

    Azael jerked his chin and Gaelen joined him while Talarion drifted outside. "I suppose he wants to come with us," the warrior guessed. "Couldn't hurt to have another set of eyes."

    Azael only shook his head. "Maybe you should stay. Let the two of us go. I think he has an ulterior purpose here."

    "Hm, very well. I'll see about the horses. Their supplies were beginning to run low last night. Maybe we can track down some more." Gaelen bowed his head and set off towards another wing of the temple where they had taken the horses to shelter, as there had been no stable and they couldn't leave the beasts outside to freeze to death.