Cold Hearts and Stubborn Minds

19

Dylan's P.O.V.

When I came home and found the cave empty, something inside my chest stirred, something that I hadn't felt in centuries. A violent anger, real and true. I didn't need to wonder who had taken Ryan, it was already known to me, her face burning in my mind like a memory you wish to forget.

Silena, the brat. The brat that convinced my family to leave me behind and never look back. Her and her bastard henchmen, idiots that they are, took Ryan. I never should've left him alone. He can't defend himself against these creatures. He can be strong-willed at times but that can't save a man from magic.

The girl wasn't nearly as smart as her adviser but she was as stubborn as me, meaning that she hasn't moved her base of operations. Her adviser has certainly pushed her to fortify it more, I can assume. I haven't been there in ages.

I pace around the room, my feathers raised in agitation. Ryan's scent is still here, lingering. It has a slight citrus residue to it that would stay wherever he went.

That's how I'll find him. I can follow his scent, much like a wolf-hound would. I don't care that it's the lowest way to find a human, it's the only way that'll work. You can't trace tracks through air. Only scent trails.

I gathered a few things into a satchel, just some food and water, and a knife. Then I stepped off the ledge and my wings caught the air. I caught his scent immediately and dove towards it. I could practically see the trail they took. It was planned long in advance, that was obvious. I should've seen it coming. Should've never thought the cave was safe enough. Should've taken him somewhere even more remote, should've washed his scent off him.

It was too late for all of that, now. My regrets have to be left behind if I want to retain my goals. I have no time to hate myself for my idiocy. There'll be time for that later, after I get him back. I'll wash him of his scent then.

~~~

Her fortress was something of a ruin, something that seemed to be just standing but I knew was well-guarded. A trap, if anything, to lead fools in so she could capture them and force them to bend to her will. This is where all those mysterious missing people always go.

I wasn't here for mysterious missing people, though. I was here for Ryan and that was all. I was here to find him and get him back, and keep him back, and that was that. 

I needed to find a way in. I knew it would be difficult, but there was always a way. Somewhere the girl wouldn't think is necessary to block off and would be too stubborn to listen if her adviser suggested it.

There. A small hole in the back wall. I might have to move a few bricks to slide in though, but it shouldn't be too difficult. It's just bricks. I've dealt with worse.

I lower myself down onto a tree a few kilometers away. If I were to just fly straight to the area I would be seen without a doubt. I walked the rest of the way, being sure to watch around all sides for any signs of guards. Ryan's scent got stronger as I got closer, meaning that he must not be too far inside. That'd make this a lot easier if I'm right and that's the case.

I get to the hole in the wall and start pulling a few bricks out before managing to climb in, my eyes taking a short amount of time to adjust to the darkness. It seemed to be part of the fortress that's long since been abandoned and boarded up since it was last used. It smelled old and the air felt stale. It was to be expected, honestly.

I could barely find Ryan's scent at first but soon tracked it down. It was easily distinguishable, and almost impossible to lose once you did catch it. It was a breath of fresh air in the entire place, honestly.