The Red Cape

V.

Volume I.

"Daëne, don't!"

Rose scolded the young man she referred to as Daëne, whom was bent over, his hands pressed upon his temple and eyes closed in concentration.

They stood on the shore of a lake, behind Rose was a thick forest of trees.

Daëne grinned, his purple eyes twinkling with humor and his dark, black, hair blowing in the wind.

"Do what, Rose?" he asked, mockingly.

"You know exactly what," Rose said anxiously. "She will see, and we'll be killed."

"Rose, we're all the way in Castelle. Far, far away from where she is. Besides, I long to fly, it has been so long."

"Yes," Rose walked to the shore, "And for good reason. It's too dangerous." She put a hand on his shoulder, "I won't have you getting harmed."

"You're no fun, Rose," Daëne whined. "I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me," he put his hands on her shoulders."

She pushed his hands off. "You mustn't! The trouble you'll be in! You'd be seen. It's putting everything at risk. Please, don't."

"Rose, relax, I'll be fine." Daëne turned away from her and concentrated once more.

Rose shook her head, "No," she whispered. "Don't do it."

Daëne ignored her. He started to change form. Rose backed away as he grew larger and larger. He cast a large shadow behind him. Then he jumped up into the air and took flight, soaring over the lake.

Suddenly, Rose was thrown back by an invisible force and she landed in the dirt, hard. Then, she sat up, groaning. Her eyesight was blurry and her head ached.

In the distance, she heard an inhuman screech. She saw a dark shape fall out of the sky, slowly changing into a human, falling into the lake below with a crash.

"No! Rose screamed. "NO! Daëne! DAËNE!" Then she blacked out.

*

Rose sat up, breathing heavily. Tears stung her eyes. She let them fall down her cheeks, then wiped them away.

She looked around her, and saw Hunter beside her, snoring a bit, but fast asleep on the hay.

The sight of him comforted her, so she laid her head back down, trying to forget.

Rose and Hunter left the barn just after noon, and started down the path leading to Klaresport. The rain puddles had mostly evaporated, but it was still an overcast day. Hunter looked over at Rose, then frowned in confusion.

"Where's your cape?" He asked her.

"It's in here," she pointed to her satchel, "Captains offering passage in Klaresport will not be keen on allowing strange characters aboard their ships. The cape draws too much attention to me." She thought for a moment. "I'll need a dress as well, before I leave. To blend in."

Hunter raised his eyebrows. "How likely are the captains to oblige letting a lady aboard their ship?"

Rose stomped her foot in frustration. "I didn't think of that."

"Rose, I'll come with you. Let me handle the captain, I'll get us a passage to Trailia."

"You would do that for me?" Rose put a hand on his arm, looking up at him with her wide, green irises. "I barely know you."

He shrugged, "We have saved each other's lives. That's enough for me."

Rose smiled a little. "Thank you," they began walking down the path once more.

Once the pair had reached the open gates of Klaresport, people were flowing in and out. Hunter and Rose walked through the gates slowly. Both were vigilant and careful about every step they took. People were eyeing Rose strangely and some pointing to her trousers, whispering.

Hunter leaned over to Rose and whispered softly in her ear, which gave her goosebumps. "The tailor shop is the second on the left, go there and get what you need. I'll find the tavern. Meet me in the square in half an hour."

Rose nodded and walked to the left and entered the second shop. Inside, many dresses were on display, as were many laid out. Most of them were worn greens, blues, greys, and other earth tones. Cloaks were on shelves as well.

Women were milling around the shop, exchanging gold coins for the fabrics. Rose grabbed a faded green dress that matched her eyes, and a grey cloak.

She darted into a fitting room and slipped on the dress and buttoned the cloak around herself.

She stepped up to the counter and placed four gold coins in front of the shop owner, whom took them with a nod.

She left the store and saw it was getting dark. She made her way to the town square where a fountain was gurgling water into a small pool below.

Hunter was waiting beside it casually.

She strode over to him. "Ready?" she asked him.

He nodded. "It's over there," he pointed across the walk to a lit up tavern, echoing with music, laughter, and loud conversation.

"Let's go meet a captain," Rose said.

They started forward.