Thirteen Rings

Chapter Ten

The sun rained down upon them with golden droplets as they travelled through the forest to the south of Endomier.

"I just skirted around the outside of this last time." Lyria cut into the silence.

"That's probably why it took you so long." Darius teased, regarding the woman swaying from side to side as their horses cantered along the main road.

"I don't trust these trees."She mumbled, only just loud enough to drift to him over the hoofbeats.

"What do you mean, 'don't trust these trees'?" His eyebrow arched with curiosity. "How are these any different from the ones in Antraxia?"

"They feel unnatural, as if there's something malicious about them."

"They're trees..." He countered, face contorting in confusion.

"Doesn't mean they're any less alive."

"If you say so." An exasperated breath escaped his throat and an uncomfortable silence enveloped the pair.

A crow began to caw overhead, it's harsh voice scratching against the reticence of their surroundings.

"That's a bad omen..." Sylvia breathed, her head swiveling on her perch, clearly scanning their surroundings.

"You're so superstitious," Darius groaned, rolling his eyes, "it's just a bird."

"Bad things happen when a single crow calls."

"But a murder of them are safe?" His words came out a little more sarcastic than he intended.

Twisting in her saddle, she glared daggers into him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Thinking carefully, he replied. "Just that sometimes, things are just that... Things."

"If it were that simple." Relaxing, she turned from him, eyes set on the path ahead. "In my home land, there were many bad omens before the collapse."

"That's because there actually were bad things happening." He argued, rolling his eyes has his patience began to run low.

"Listen, just because you have a lack of faith, doesn't mean you can just shit on mine." She angrily fired back.

"Sorry."

Exhaling deeply, Lyria tried to ignore the sarcasm clinging to his words like poison. "Do you just have a problem with any religion?"

"With anything that implies there is a higher power to ourselves." He countered. "We control what we do, not destiny or any other bullshit like that."

"Ever think there's more to life than just this?" She gestured with her hand at their surroundings. "I think our lives are supposed to mean something; whether you accept that or not, and eventually you're going to have to stand for something."

"I already stood for something." He breathed. "Didn't turn out all that well."

"Is that why you won't kill anyone?"

"Perhaps." His word fell heavily around them, signalling the end of the conversation.

"Are we really going to betray Mathias?" She asked, letting him deflect the previous question.

"It's the lesser of two evils. What other choice do we have?"

"We could keep the rings."

"And do what with them? They'll just corrupt us, you saw what they've done to your home."

"Even so, we could do some good with them; use them sparingly and only in times of great need." Her words seemed almost desperate, as if she was trying to convince herself of something.