The Thief (A Tale of Heroes & Demons Book 2)

Chapter 2

The Second Journey

Soft morning light was barely lending its lights to produce dappled patterns through the leaves when they set forth the next morning. For the first time since they met, their small group was separating.

"What happens next?" Katherine twisted in her position on the saddle in front of Caedmon to eye the others. Makom has brought three horses with him, one each for him and Caedmon, and another to carry supplies. Makom claimed one, and the other two were divided among the others.

Caedmon's thoughts wandered to the road ahead, and what lay beyond. "It will take us two days to reach Dracfort, so we should be able to leave within a fortnight."

Orelius nodded and called from his position on the other horse, "We will follow Saege's directions. We can rest at the caves my people call home and wait for you." He caught Katherine's gaze. "You remember the way?"

When she nodded her agreement, Caedmon pulled the reins of the horse away from his companions. "May the stars guide you, and the earth protect you," he called over his shoulder before spurring the beast into motion.

***

The forest was quiet around them when they paused to rest. Orelius slid from his position behind Saege but kept his hands braced so she didn't fall. "Can you get down?" He leaned down to see her face where it lay against the horse's mane.

When she didn't respond he brought his hand up and pressed it against her forehead, grimacing against the heat pouring from it. He reached over and checked the bandages around her arm but found nothing of alarm.

In a split-second decision Orelius shifted and pulled her down to the ground beside him. The newly freed horse padded over to the creek they had found, drinking its fill before sliding to the ground to rest.

He pulled out the pouch of herbs Katherine had given him and pressed a few against Saege's lips. For a few minutes nothing happened, and he could feel the edge of worry growing until he heard her take a sharp breath.

"Sss..."

Orelius's gaze snapped to Saege's face. Her eyes were fluttering but she reached to wrap a weak grip around his wrist. "S-stay."

He nodded and sat beside her, propping her on a thick cushion of undergrowth. He tried to recall what Katherine had told him about treating her arm, but the barrage of information was blending together. "How are you feeling?"

She laughed, a thick cough that wracked her entire body as the herbs flowed through her. "Bloody awful." She coughed again, but now when she spoke it was clear. "What's going on? Where are the others?"

"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

Weakly Saege lifted her partial arm and smirked. "Only vaguely. But today is hazy."

Orelius pulled the necklace carrying the flame up from behind his shirt to hang in the space between them. "The others are heading to Dracfort to quell the rebellion and call those whose warrior hearts wish to join the battle together. We are searching for the other part of this weapon to stop the demon."

Saege nodded and grimaced.

Orelius's eyes narrowed. "How are you feeling, truly?"

She sighed, and her eyes dragged across their surroundings. "Like I'm empty, a hollow vessel full of burning pain. Like the sun lives inside and is slowly burning me alive."

"Sounds about right."

"Excuse me?"

Orelius shrugged and leaned backwards. He crossed his legs and brought his hands up behind his head. "You lost your arm as well as immortality. It would be far more concerning if you said you are fine."