A Crown and A Curse

Chapter 24: We Walk Alone

Kian

Her eyes were dim with pain, but she was awake and she was breathing. I was filled with relief.

"Zora," Areis said, kneeling down to be close to her. He had put his sister down on my bedroll. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," She sighed, her voice hoarse. "What happened?"

Areis took her hand, "Someone poisoned you, Zo."

Zora's eyes became grave. "It was Anders. He escaped and when I went to question the councilmen, they told me I was already dead. They all must've been in on it." Rage burned through me.

"Hopefully Anders got caught in the flames," I snapped.

"We aren't that lucky, unfortunately," Areis said, his face grim. Zora attempted to sit up and succeeded, though the process was slow.

"How far away are we from the caverns?" She asked.

"About a week, if the weather is decent," Areis answered. Cayra began to snore from where she was lying on my bedroll. "I suppose I should get her back to our tent," Areis said, turning to me, "If Zora starts to get sick again come find us."

"I'm okay, just go get some sleep," Zora said with an eyeroll. I knew that she hated being coddled.

"She's in good hands."

Areis winked at me as he walked out the door, "She better be."

Zora sighed exasperatedly, "Bye Areis."

I blew the candlelight out, causing the tent to go dark.

"Kian! I can't see a thing!"

"That's the point. Get some rest."

I couldn't see much, but I was able to stumble into my bedroll. As pulled the blanket up to cover my face I finally realized just how exhausted I was. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally. We had come to recruit Zora's people, not to bring destruction upon their home. I knew that they didn't resent us for it. After all, I had come to them, presenting myself as their king and savior. Now more than ever, I wasn't so sure I deserved that title.

The last day of our travels came swiftly and with the help of Cayra's healing Zora had recovered within a few days. We were headed towards the caverns at full speed. Despite the freezing weather, everyone was in good spirits. After all, I had promised them shelter and warm food upon our arrival. I could only hope the kitchen staff was up for the task of feeding about two hundred more people than usual.

"Good morning, Your Highness, have you seen Lady Zora?" Hestia asked as she approached me from where she walked with Cayra.

I chuckled, "You know I hate the formalities, Hestia. It is okay if you call me Kian."

"Sorry, Your Hi-... Sorry, Kian."

"No need to apologize. And no, I haven't seen Zora this morning."

"Oh, okay." Hestia sighed, her face dropping. "I've just been meaning to talk to her about something, that's all."

I frowned, Hestia didn't get upset often. "Anything I might be able to help with?"

"I'm afraid not, but thank you for your kindness." She turned and walked away. I began to wonder when she and Cayra had become friends, though I wasn't surprised that they did. After all, both of them had a quiet sort of strength and a powerful sense of selflessness. They were both extremely mature for their age and had both lost their parents. I wondered if they had grown together based on situational understanding alone.

We walked for most of the day, everyone peering through the trees trying to get a glimpse of the entrance. We were close, but not quite close enough for them to see anything. Still, I was glad they were excited. Then suddenly, the familiar break in the trees was straight ahead. In a few hundred feet, I would be home.

I wanted to sprint, to run as fast as my legs could carry me. But I forced myself to walk at an even pace. Although I couldn't force the foolish grin off of my face when a familiar head face stepped forward to greet us. "Took you long enough," Stailon smirked as we met in front of the entrance.

"I see you held this place together in my absence, how surprising," I shot back. Stailon smiled broadly.

"Welcome home, Kian."

"And welcome home everyone!" He called out loudly, earning a roar of cheers from the crowd behind me.