Echoes

Chapter 23

 "Pix," I said as gently as possible.

Her back was to me as she silently stared out the window. I walked over and put my hand on her shoulder. There were streaks of tears running down her cheeks.

"He didn't even say goodbye," she whispered, handing me a slip of paper. "I understand, but..."

I took the paper.

"Nisa and Pix," I started. "Thank you for all you've done to help me, and my parents. But now I need to help them like you've helped me. This may be hard for you, but I think I'm making the right choice. I know you'll understand."

I set the paper down on the table.

"Did you know about this?" Pix asked, wiping her face.

I shook my head. "Not until late last night."

Pix blinked hard. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by a quiet knock at the door. I let go of her shoulder and opened the door.

"Good morning Nisa," Sanus said, bowing slightly.

"Morning, general," I replied flatly.

Sanus cleared his throat, well aware that I wasn't in a good mood. "Apparently Shae's made me her personal delivery boy now. These are for you and Pix." He handed me a large bundle of clothing.

"I've already taken the liberty of bringing over your horses and packing their saddlebags," he continued. "I hope you don't mind, I've tied them up out front for you."

I smiled. "We don't mind at all, thank you."

"I'll meet you two at the gate when you're finished," he said, turning to leave.

"We'll see you then," I replied. I shut the door and sighed.

"Was that Sanus?" Pix asked, wiping her nose.

I nodded, holding up the clothes. "These people really like giving us clothes, do we smell or something and they just don't want to tell us?"

Pix smiled, but she wasn't happy. Clearly my joke wasn't lightening the mood. We sorted through the clothes and picked what was best for us. Pix ended up with a teal blouse that reached her mid thigh, with loose sleeves at her elbows and a pair of short black trousers that reached right to the top of her riding boots. My takings were a new pair of tight black pants and a mauve shirt that laced up the front with long, tight sleeves.

Pix looped her belt around her hips while I slipped my boots on. She had started wearing her hair up more, pulling it back to finally reveal her full face instead of hiding behind her hair. I really liked seeing her become more confident with herself.

"Are you all set?" She asked, sheathing her sword.

"Yeah, just a second, I left my dagger upstairs." I scampered up the stairs as quickly as possible, grabbing the dagger and slipping it into my boot.

"OK, now I'm ready," I said, hopping off the last step.

Pix nodded and opened the door. We stepped out into the cool morning air and turned to the two horses tied to a wooden stand in the front of the house. We mounted as fast as we could, which wasn't easy, seeing as the last horse Pix rode drowned. She seemed to still be traumatized by the experience.

"Ready?" I asked, settling myself into the saddle.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she mumbled, gripping the reins for dear life.

We pulled away from the house, and exited the piazza. Pix led me through the narrow streets, weaving in and out of small squares and courtyards. The grey morning light reminded me of that morning in Alvion, before I left. It felt like years had gone by, but it had barely been more than a few weeks. I wondered what Josh had told Ravi, what they were doing now, or if they really even missed me. I shook the thought from my head. I needed to focus on right now.

We came to the gate, finding a group of about a dozen people on horseback. Shae and Sanus were closest to us when we approached the group.

"Good morning!" Shae called, waving excitedly. The sleeves of her long black robe flowed in the wind, along with the matching burgundy top and bottom underneath. A gold belt was fashion tightly around her small waist.

"Good morning Shae," I replied as we approached.

Shae smiled warmly, but her face dropped slowly as she noticed our expressions.

"Where's Gavie?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

I sighed. "It's a long story, but he had his own business to attend to that was more important than ours."

Shae didn't even have a chance to respond before an arrow embedded itself into the gate, just behind her head. The Guardsmen readied their weapons as we all turned to the direction of the shooter. I turned to find a man holding a bow several paces down the street, a dark cloak wrapped around his body. His red hair was pulled back, revealing his chiseled face.

"Gavie?" I asked incredulously. "What in the-"

He fired another arrow, into the same spot as before. "I have some things I need to say."

No one moved. Gavie strung the bow over his shoulder. I didn't even know he knew how to use one. He stepped forward until he was next to our horses.

"I've done a lot of thinking," he started. "About myself and my family. And I know going to Inewei by myself isn't going to accomplish anything other than getting me captured too."

He looked up at me. "I'm sorry for letting you think I didn't care. I do, more than you know. And not just about you Nisa."

He held out his hand to Pix. She narrowed her eyes and shook her head.

"You left us. You made me- us, think that you didn't care," she said, her voice breaking. She shook her head violently. "I don't think I'm ready to forgive you."

Gavie sighed. "Pix please. Just give me a chance, I promise I'll never leave you again."

She stared at him in silence for a few seconds, the rest of us holding our breath. Then slowly, she gave him her hand.

Gavie pulled her out of the saddle, dipping her back and gently placing his lips on hers. Pix wrapped her arms around him.

"Finally," I muttered, rolling my eyes. It was about time.

A few Guardsmen clapped as Gavie pulled away. Pix's face was bright red.

Shae was grinning from ear to ear. "Sanus, if you'd get Gavie a horse, dear."

"Don't worry about it," Gavie said. "I'll just ride with Pix."

Sanus nodded, smiling slightly. Gavie hopped into the saddle and pulled Pix up, looping her arms around his waist, still in shock.

I rode over to Gavie. "Way to go."

He gave me a lopsided smiled. "I figured it was the only way she'd forgive me."

"You've got that right," I said, staring at Pix who was lost in her own little world.

Sanus rode to the front of the pack, calling for the gates to open. The iron doors swung forward, revealing the path up the mountain once more. Shae galloped forward and turned, addressing the group.

"Our mission is simple: ride to Mount Wanea and search for life. If we do find people, do not harm them. Our goal is to make peace with them, and to aid them in their struggle against the Beasts," She explained. The authority in her voice was hard to disagree with.

"Onward!" She called to the group. "And if we perish, may Audral see you to the stars above!"