Wings of Shadows ~ Book 1 ~ Beginnings ~

Away from Rain

Seeing the strangers get on their horses and start in their direction, Rivynn hurried back to her brother.

"Rain," she pleaded, trying to rouse him again.  "Someone's coming. Please wake up."

His eyes fluttered open again.  "Who..."

"I don't know.  They look scary," she whimpered, helping him as he struggled to sit up.

The riders halted just outside their little home. 

Afraid and not knowing what else to do, Rivynn quickly picked up a rock and hurled it with all her strength at the first man getting off his horse.  "Go away!" She shouted. 
Effortlessly, the stranger caught the rock.  "Don't be afraid, little one," he said gently, but his eyes narrowed as they came to rest on Rain where he sat among the blankets.

"What is your name?" He asked her, kneeling so he would seem less intimidating.

"Rivynn," she replied warily.

"Hello, Rivynn. My name is Roake. What is your brother's name?"

Fearfully, she glanced back at him.

"It's alright. I won't hurt either of you."

"His name is Rain," she answered quietly. "And he got sick."

Roake nodded somberly. "May I examine him?"

A glimmer of hope sprang into her eyes and she nodded. Maybe this man could help...

Like Ruben had, Roake put a hand on his little forehead. She studied him and saw his stern eyes soften.

"You are very tired, aren't you, little one?" He said quietly, then whispered something in Rain's ear before rising.

"Can you fix him?" She asked.

Roake's turquoise eyes met hers. "Your brother is very sick," he said. "My friend, Elias, will need to stay here with him for a bit."

He turned and spoke to one of his companions in a language she did not understand.

Then he came and knelt beside her again. "We're going to take you to a new home, far from here. A beautiful place. Would you like that?"

She nodded excitedly. "And Rain too?"

"Rain is too sick. If he leaves with us, he will not make it."

As his words sank in, she took a step back and shook her head. "I'm not leaving my brother. If Rain can't go, I can't go."

"I wish it were that simple," he said. "But, you have to come with me or Rain will just get sicker."

Confused, she glanced between Roake and her brother who lay on the ground again, eyes closed. She couldn't stand seeing him suffering like this...

"I know this is going to be hard, but your brother needs you to be very brave. Can you do that for him?"

"But he will be sad if I'm not with him," she gulped. "And he will forget to eat his meals..." Hot tears began streaking down her cheeks.

"You don't have to be worried for him," he coaxed. "My friend is going to make sure he won't have to be sick anymore. You want that, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Then you must come with me, and Rain must stay."

Roake then turned to the chain on her leg and put a hand over it. Immediately, it broke and clattered to the ground. He did the same to Rain's.

"Have you ever ridden a horse before?" He asked.

Still reluctant to leave her brother, she shook her head distractedly.

"It's fun," Roake smiled and abruptly picked her up and set her on his horse.

Star scampered over, mewing pitifully.

"Is this your kitten?" He asked, scooping the little creature up.

She nodded, tears still falling from her cheeks as he put it in her arms before swinging up into the saddle behind her.

He spoke again in that unfamiliar tongue to Elias who was now standing beside Rain.

In the waning light, her brother looked suddenly so small and frail... and alone...

The reality of what was going on began to sink in... she was going to leave...
These strangers were going to take her away... away from Rain...

"Rai..." she was about to cry out, but Roake was faster and put a hand over her mouth.

Desperately she tried to struggle as the horses started away.
With all her might, she bit down on the man's hand, but he didn't even flinch.
Instead he pulled her closer, and for a moment, she was certain she saw a tear fall from his eye, whipped away just as fast by the wind as they galloped into the encroaching night.