King of Crows

Chapter 8

A white winter sun shone through the half bare trees scattering sunlight onto the forest floor. Daren and Kera were now side-by-side. Matching each other's steps they tromped along a stone ridge overlooking a shimmering brook.

"How much farther," Daren puffed.

Kera nodded at a jumble of rocks that protruded from the riverbed like shark's teeth, "Cross those rocks and we'll be able to see the main highway through the trees."

Daren willed his legs to move faster. The noonday sun was already overhead. They had been traveling ever since daybreak and each step channeled a shock of iron hot pain into his joints.

"Wait." Kera shambled to a stop just above the row of rocks, "I need a moment. My feet feel like they're on fire." With a groan she dropped to the ground, legs dangling over the riverbank.

Daren sank to the ground next to her. His knees creaking like rusted hinges.

"How far north do you plan to travel?"

Daren turned to Kera, caught off guard by the question, "What do you mean?"

"Where are you going to deliver your message?" Kera said and stared into the crystalline water below. The reflection of the brook mixed with the green in her eyes.

Daren sighed. "Why do you want to know?"

Kera turned to him, "North is the only direction I can travel at this moment. The farther I get from Fraleth and his outlaw army the safer I will be." Kera's gaze turned glassy and she stared over Daren's shoulder, "I have nothing left here. No family, no friends. In the Northlands I still have a chance to survive."

"How can you be sure the Northlands will be any better?"

Kera's eyelids fluttered and her brow furrowed, "I've lived up north for half of my life. It's rough but people survive. Lord Fraleth will turn these woods into a desert if he means to conquer Cathedra. I can't stay here."

Daren let a pause pass between them as he considered Kera's question."What if I cannot tell you my destination?" He leaned forward, glaring at the pebble beach below.

Kera's face turn to stone, impassive and expressionless. "Then I will travel with you until our paths part. Traveling alone is risky business."

Daren turned to Kera, his hands clasped in his lap, "Traveling with me may put you in danger."

"You don't think I know that?", Kera shook her head and laughed softly. " I have no choice." Daren felt his heart constrict in his chest.

He felt sorry for Kera. She had lived happily in Cathedra, for a short time at least. If he could bring her to safety he would do it gladly. But he was bound to deliver a parcel through water and fire if it came to that. Would he risk dragging Kera into the power struggle between the last surviving member of the royal family and Lord Fraleth?

"I can't promise you anything." Daren slid off the river bank and onto the pebble beach. His satchel bounced on his hip as he hit the ground, "I can only guarantee that I will do my best to protect you for as long as you're traveling with me."

"You're too honest, Daren Foster. Next time keep your noble ideals to yourself. People can use them to their advantage if they wish it so." Kera dropped down beside him, "And I don't need your protection. You still owe me a pair of throwing knives."

Daren smirked and splashed into the stream, avoiding the jagged stones jutting from the calf deep rush of water. Kera followed behind him, leaping from rock to rock.