Arvium

51: Lost and Found

Month 1, Day 4, 12:00:00; Arvium, Arvium Forest

Aella froze, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the man. He wore no helmet, and his armor was filthy. Dirt and blood crisscrossed his upper body, and he shifted, keeping his weight off of his left leg.

"Garron," she whispered. She lowered the blade, feeling a chill move over her body.

He held out a hand, but paused and drew it back to his side. His voice was soft as he spoke. "Are you okay?"

Her chest was warm from Chloe's crystal, and she lowered her shoulders. She turned her head away from him, glancing at the dark blobby shadows that denoted trees on the top of the ridgeline. "I know what I'm supposed to do. It's a start."

The ground crunched underneath Garron's feet as he stepped closer. His fingers wrapped around her hand as he gently pried the sword from her grasp, and slid it into her sheath. Then, he lifted her face to face his.

She glanced up, then frowned as she glanced down at his armor, seeing a gash on his side. She gasped, then glanced back up at him.

"I'll be okay," he said.

She pulled away from him, turning her side to him as she crossed her arms. "You said you would come for me."

Silence filled the clearing, then a twig snapped somewhere overhead, and an owl cried out.

She lifted her head to the sky. She smelled the salt of the sea, and she could see the surface of the planet high above even though it was darkened-the swirling white clouds, the blue seas, and green continents. The red planet was fiery, with lava trails moving over the surface, the image wavering because of the heat. A cool breeze swept over her skin, and she shivered.

"I'm sorry," he said.

She blinked, feeling her throat constrict and she bit her lip. She squeezed her arms tighter across her chest and lowered her head. "Why?"

He stepped closer until he was just behind her. His tone was low, and quivered as he spoke. "Will you come with me to somewhere safer before I explain myself?"

She turned around to face him, and rubbed her finger on the side of her arm. His shoulders were slumped, and his face was turned away from her gaze.

Beo stepped in front of her, the wolf's red eyes looking into hers. She watched as he walked up to Garron and jumped up, licking him on the cheek. Garron stepped backward, his eyes wide as his arms flailed next to him. "Wha--what?"

Aella chuckled, then laughed, her whole body feeling lighter. She grinned as Garron kept trying to scoot away from the wolf who followed him around at a slow pace.

"Call off your wolf," Garron pleaded, waving his hands in front of him.

"Beo," she called out.

The wolf froze, then came over to her side.

Garron sighed, nodding his head. "Thank you."

She nodded her head, then swallowed. "Will you take me home?"

His eyes widened and he nodded once, holding out his hand.

She stepped forward and placed her hand in his. "Not Anadon's--not yet."

He nodded. "Yes, Princess."

She stepped closer, and closed her eyes, feeling a rush of air as the teleportation spell enacted. She blinked as she opened her eyes, seeing the small cabin they were standing in. It was one room, but a comfortable size. Two cots lay against one wall, and the other side of the cabin held several shelves full of jars, weapons, and a variety of pouches of all sizes. A door and a window were across from her, but little light penetrated the thick curtain. The table in the center of the room had several chairs around it, and a cushioned chair at the head