daughter of esmund

Seven

A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a while and I'm really sorry about that, but, I'm back! I was doing some planning for the future of this story which is why I haven't been posting. Also, high school people. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! If you do please leave a vote and comment any feedback you might have! Thank you guys!

- Joya

<~>

The walk back to Phoenix Drop is a long and painful one.

It's a warm summer day, birds singing happily from their hidden homes in the surrounding maple and evergreen trees. The bright sunlight shines through the gaps in the forest ceiling, lighting up bits and pieces of the grass the covered the ground. As we walk, our feet sink into the fresh grass, it still holding it's emerald color.

We aren't remotely close to the front gate of Phoenix Drop until early afternoon.

I eventually become used to the pain and I'm able to walk on my own, but only for short intervals of time.

Vylad is helping me when we finally reach Aphmau's house, the stairs leading up the hill and to the front door are too much for me to climb on my own. I had tried, but I only made it up a couple stairs. I hate having to depend on people.

He opens the door, inviting himself in as the open doorway reveals a pacing Katelyn, her sapphire eyes drifting towards the door and landing on me. Her face seems to wash over in relief as her eyes widen slightly.

"Thank Irene you're alright, when you didn't come back I was going to go look for you. I was so worried" She says hurriedly, rushing over to pull me into an embrace. Her blue hair is tied back into a messy ponytail, small hairs escaping from it. Her eyes look tired, but relieved.

"I-I'm okay Katie," I respond, that nickname feels so old now..

In that time, Aphmau has entered the room with a tall man. His hair is an almond brown color, long in the front and short in the back. His icy blue eyes peek through his bangs, contrasting the pigment of his olive skin. Both make their way over to Vylad, confronting him.

"What happened out there?" Katelyn asks, pulling away to look at me directly, her hands resting on my shoulders.

"I, I had a run in with a bandit," I mutter.

Her face softens as I wince, her arm grazed the bandages. Her expression is filled with worry, but she doesn't question it.

The man that Aphmau entered with looks over to me, smiling as his gaze meets mine. He's quick to make his way over to me, Katelyn having stepped back and turned to Vylad, who's explaining everything that happened.

"Well well well, another Ro'meave joins the party," He jokes taking a hold of my hand and kissing it with a bow, "Laurance Zvahl, pleasure to meet you."

I smirk slightly at his introduction, "Annie, it's nice to meet you as well."

He smiles looking over to Vylad before looking back at me, "You know, Garroth and Vylad have always talked about their younger sister but I'd never believe that I'd have the joy of seeing her first hand."

I look to the ground as a dusty pink color spreads across the bridge my nose.

The big thing in that statement was that Garroth and Vylad had mentioned me. Garroth didn't forget...

"Alright Casanova, leave her be," Katelyn interrupts approaching us, "An, there's a change of clothes for you upstairs, second door the the right."

I nod, making my way, slowly, up the stairs, each step causing a great amount of pain, but I don't dare show it. I had been trained to not show pain in public. I make it through the hallway and to the door, opening it and stepping inside a small bedroom.

In the corner is a small, neatly made, bed covered in purple sheets, small wrinkles covering the surface of the sheet. . The room also contains a dresser and mirror, a rug, and a stack of clothes that sit on top of the dresser.

I change quickly, it's a relief to have a shirt that's not caked in dried blood on one side.

The outfit contains a light blue, long-sleeve cotton shirt, which was most likely Katelyn's since it is a bit to big for me, a pair of snug black jeans and of course, my boots.

I've tried to take as well of care of the boots as I could, but they're quite tattered. I look into the mirror, smoothing the wrinkles in the shirt before I notice a pair of scissors sitting on the desk.

I take a look at my hair. My blond hair is tangled, and it's thinness is quite apparent. It's long, almost too long to be manageable. In what seems like a rash decision, I take a hold of the scissors and sections of my hair, cutting it. After 15 minutes have passed, it's hard to cut hair with dulled scissors, I've cut my hair to my chin in mostly even layers. It doesn't necessarily look nice, but it's more convenient. I run my hand through it slowly, pulling the many tangles from it.

With that now done, I make my way downstairs, with a snail's pace once more. where everyone is talking, and I guess, waiting for me.

Katelyn is the first to notice me at the bottom of the stairs. Her face shows surprise, most likely at my hair.

Her expression draws Vylad, then Laurence and Aphmau's gaze to me.

Vylad smiles, "Short hair looks good on you!"

I return a smile as I dismount the final stair, catching two things as they are thrown to me with as much grace as I could manage.

A wooden bow, a flowery design carved into the sides as well as a quiver. The quiver, which was made of leather, held quite a few arrows, the ends of them adorned with white paint. I forgot I lost my bow and quiver to that bandit...

Katelyn had thrown them at me, a smile still on her face as she leans against the back of the purple sofa.

"Alright, time to head out then," Aphmau declares turning to me, "you can join us if you want, I wouldn't want to force you if you aren't interested in going,"

"Where are you going?" I question.

Katelyn's reply is said in a way that I know she knows I won't turn down the opportunity,

"Nahakra."