daughter of esmund

Ten

A/N: Hey All! I did better this time for sure with the gap between updates. It wasn't great, but it was alright in my book. The next chapter should be out at the end of the week since I'm just in the mood right now. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and if you do it would mean a lot to me if you gave it a vote and commented some feedback! These things help me improve as a writer so I can make this story better for you guys! I hope you guys are doing well! Also, there is some cursing in this chapter, just warning y'all. With that, I'll take my leave! Enjoy! Also, see ya in 2019!

Word Count: 2497 (oof)

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Annie's POV

We dock at a small seaside village the next morning, beginning the hour or so walk through the forest to Nahakra after unboarding. I don't know if I'm excited to be closer to Eli, or just to be closer to home. I haven't been remotely this close for a long time. The only problem I think we may have is with Vylad, because I'm pretty sure he's still wanted for attempted murder.

Just because I forgave him doesn't mean the region has I guess.

We travel in a compact group throughout the forest, mostly for safety due to the bandit camp located close to Nahakra. Aphmau has taken a slight lead though with Aaron by her side, so I assume they know where we're going. Behind her is Katelyn and Laurence who are busy talking among themselves and behind them is Vylad and me. The journey has been mostly quiet, the only noise being made by the rustling of leaves due to the summer breeze. I cross my arms, trying to conserve some body heat as I don't own a jacket anymore, and I don't want to take Vylad's again. He glances over to me, smirking he places his arm around me and rubs my shoulder. I may not have taken his jacket but I sure am stealing the warmth from it.

"If you needed a jacket you should've asked for one before we left," He laughs.

I huff, "I didn't know it was going to be this cold.."

He raises an eyebrow, "You've lived in this part of the region for most of your life and you didn't know that it's always this cold?"

I roll my eyes, "I forgot," I mutter.

He shakes his head with a smile, "When was the last time you were near here?"

I think for a moment, has it really been that long? I can barely remember the last time I had even been close to O'khasis.

"I think...maybe, 9 years now?" I guess, it probably is closer to 10 but I don't want to cross into double digits.

His eyes widen, "Shit, you never went back to even visit mother or father?"

I let out a laugh, "I never knew Zane had left, I thought that if I went back Zane would kill Chelsea and then myself, or at least order someone to do it..plus..." My voice trails off as I remember something I never told him.

I never told him that everyone thought I was dead. Shortly after Chelsea and I had left O'khasis, we stopped in Nahakra for a day or two. That was our first mistake. The next mistake was my own, someone recognized me, and being the scared kid I was.... I ran, and guards chased after me.

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Keep running. Just keep running.

My breath was almost gone as I began to climb up the guard tower on the end of the city wall, grasping for the next ladder rung as soon as I cleared the previous one. I could see the guards climbing after me in the corner of my eye, gaining speed. Once I reached the top I went and straddled the opposite wall, preparing to climb my way down. Chelsea had been trailing me the entire way and was waiting near the outside of the gate with our things, all I had to do was get to her. But then things changed as a guard I wasn't expecting came from my right,