Flare

s e v e n t e e n

a/n: for part two, the chapters will be half chapters because they're traveling, so it's meant to be shorter blips of time! it's a shorter part, so there'll only be a few shorter "chapters" in it.

"Your dad will let you go?" Flare asked as she observed the young necromancer pack a bag. Another opening in the cave had led to Thane's bedroom, and they had successfully avoided Mortimer, who Thane assured her would be sleeping downstairs at this hour of the night.
"I'm nearly eighteen," Thane said, tugging a backpack over his shoulder. "And he doesn't care about me that much in the first place. He's just concerned with staying hidden from people who want to use our powers. I'll pretend I'm a non mage."
Non mages were rare genetic mutations that occurred occasionally, resulting in mages that were unable to use their powers. The magic gene was still passed along to their children, if they had any, so magic was simply unusable to the one person with the mutation.
"If you think it's alright with him, then sure," Flare said, grinning at him. She couldn't contain her excitement. All her struggles, all her near-death encounters, and the countless pairs of boots she wore out were finally paying off. This was finally it. She assured herself that the journey back to her hometown - back to Ash's resting place - would be much quicker, now that she knew her way around. The knowledge of where she could go and where she should avoid would surely help her.
"Are you sure about this?" Flare asked again. She needed Thane to be sure about this. "This isn't just a light trek. It took me a long time to reach this forest. I came across a lot of dangerous people and things. Do you think you can handle it?"
Thane shrugged. "I trust you. And why not? It's not like I've been much further than this forest for, probably, two years. I need to get out more," he shot Flare a shy smile.
"Thank you," Flare burst forward and hugged him. Thane, shocked at first, wrapped his arms around her too. She grinned so hard her mouth hurt.
"You're welcome," he said gently. From what she had seen of Thane so far, in the day that they'd known each other, was that he was soft and gentle. His intimidating ensemble couldn't have been further from his warm heart. He radiated kindness. Flare liked it.
"Shall we go?" she asked.
"Let's."