Shadows of Voryn

Chapter Thirty-Five

T'ara

They sat by the pond, its water so clear that every pebble beneath shimmered under the pale moonlight. No fish swam within, and the stillness of the surface mirrored the quiet resolve between them. Ancient trees stood watch around the clearing, their branches weaving a canopy of shadows and silvery light. All night, they lay side by side, neither daring to cross the line into deeper intimacy.
   Livei watched T'ara closely, sensing the weight that lingered within her. Saerena's shadow still haunted her companions heart, and Livei's chest tightened at the sight of such pain. She vowed to give T'ara the time and care she needed; patience, after all, was a small sacrifice for someone so cherished.
"The sun rises," T'ara murmured, lifting a hand toward the brightening sky. Her gaze lingered on the horizon, eyes narrowing against the dawn's golden glow. "We should leave before we are discovered; before they find us."
Walking away from the pond, they went through a cave that led to the tunnels. "How did you find these tunnels? I have been here my entire life."
"I know of tunnels from the Keep. Explored them when I was child." T'ara pointed to a path that would lead toward the Keep. "I come to the pond to swim and be alone."

"You never share this with Saerena?"

Tilting her head to side, T'ara realized the truth of what would be her response. "No. I only sought to share it with you one day. You get what this means. To feel freedom. Even for only a night." She sought to meet Livei's eyes.

It meant a lot that T'ara trusted her with such a safe haven. T'ara lifted the rusted floor bars to the side. Climbing up, T'ara glanced about, finding Rina standing with a heavy cloth. "You push luck. A bit too late," she muttered.

Standing, T'ara stripped off her clothes, smelling of sewer. They be fortunate to not pass through but around. It would only be one short path before passing through the tunnels. Only rats lived below.

T'ara walked over to a bucket of water, cleaning themselves off. Livei did the same.

"Seems, you have a whole system," Livei commented on the carefulness T'ara made for herself, sneaking around with so many eyes watching.

"Rina only began helping recently." T'ara smiled toward Rina, thankful of her assistance. There was time when T'ara lacked people to trust. Now with each moon she found another standing by her side.

Putting in new clothes, Livei wondered something. "You never try and escape?"

Slipping on a pair of trousers, T'ara answered, "I have desired many times to leave. Something kept me here. First Saerena. Then you. I thought to convince you. But I knew you would deny me of that." Livei opened her mouth to speak, closing it a second later. T'ara smiled. "You would never leave the hyena's. They are your family. If you leave; they leave and i could never fault you for that."

"I need them. You do too."

T'ara would agree. She valued Livei for being honest. There was never a doubt to Livei's intention and the truthfulness that lived within her heart.

"You have visitor waiting in the Villa," Rina said, nearly forgetting. "It is Lady Saerena."

T'ara nodded, taking quick glance to Livei, hopeful she found no offense.

"She asks for both of you," Rina clarified.

T'ara acknowledged. "We will go."

Both Livei and T'ara walked to the Villa in silence. No words to say, they wondered what news Saerena needed to bring to both.

   Finding Saerena alone, they both approached. Their was a uncomfortable tension set between the three of them.

   "Hi." Saerena spoke first. She rather get rid of the distance she felt from T'ara but she knew it would take time. She smiled weakly at Livei. There was nothing to be nervous of. Coming here, she had a whole set of words to say. Now they seemed lost. Regaining composure she let go of what she feared.