Wings of Shadows ~ Book 1 ~ Beginnings ~

Different roads

The faint light of dawn was touching the horizon, as Rivynn sat quietly in the saddle, still clutching the tiny kitten. The steady lull of the horses' canter was comfortingly monotonous.
No one had spoken a word since they'd left.

However, with the coming day, Roake and his companions seemed to relax some and slowed the horses' pace.
Gently rolling hills, blanketed with farms and thickets surrounded them on the winding road they traveled. She wanted to be excited about this new adventure but every time she started to, the feeling was eclipsed by the painful reality that she couldn't share it with her brother.

"How are you doing, little one?" Roake asked.

She scowled and buried her face in the kitten's soft fur.

"We will soon be arriving at the town of Fell," he said, seeing she wasn't going to talk to him. "We have to rest the horses for a bit, but while we are there, you cannot touch anyone."

At this, she frowned and looked up at him for the first time since they'd left her home. His kind but stern eyes met hers as he continued. "Only mere humans dwell there, and you are not like them. If you touch them, they will perish. Do you understand?"

She shook her head, confused and afraid.

"I'm sorry this is difficult for you," he said quietly. "There is a lot you don't know. You will just need to trust me for now. Can you do that, Rivynn?"

There was something about his kind voice and earnest eyes that made her feel she could trust him, despite that it was he who had taken her away from Rain.

Reluctantly she nodded.

He smiled approvingly. "After Fell, we will ride for another day until we reach Ullinn, one of the sacred cities. And from there, we will be able to travel directly to Illuvaria, your new home."

"When Rain is better, will he come too?" she spoke at last.

"Rain is not your worry any longer, little one," he replied quietly.

"What does that mean?" she demanded, unable to grasp what he was implying but could tell it was something serious.

He shifted uneasily in the saddle before reigning his horse to a stop and the rest of the company followed suit.

They stood on the crest of a hill, overlooking a gorgeous green landscape.

"See this road we are on?" he pointed ahead to how it wound its way off into the distance, but from time to time other smaller paths branched from it. "Life is somewhat like a road. Sometimes, you travel with friends or loved ones, sometimes you travel alone. Other times your companions must leave you or you, them. And every journey eventually has an end."

He paused then looked down at her, "Your journey has only just begun. Rain's - has come to an end."

"But how can his be done already?" she demanded angrily. "He's still back at home."

Roake's turquoise eyes hadn't looked away and peered somberly into her pale ones.
But his next words were the most painful she had ever heard...
"Rain is dead."

If parting with him before had hurt, there were no words to describe the ache that tore through her chest as his words sank in. Rain is dead. Dead... She would never see him again...

His stupid grin, his gentle voice, his warm hugs, his games, his silly songs... all gone...

Fresh tears streamed from her eyes but they could not ease the pain that felt like it was choking the life out of her.

"No! He's not dead!" she screamed and dropped the kitten. "Rain can't die! He's my only brother! He's not dead!"

Turning her grief stricken rage upon him, she pounded her tiny fists into Roake's chest, but he did not try to stop her.
Somehow that only fueled her frustration at feeling so helpless.

"I won't let him die!" she cried and as her voice echoed across the serene landscape, a rumble sounded in the distance.