The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Areanath

Once the sun had nearly risen, Areanath rose quietly and packed his belongings in silence. He cracked the hand mirror he had used during the night, breaking the thin glass as quietly as possible. He would no longer need it, he was sure, and once broken, Mothlenor wouldn't be able to use it to trace who Areanath had reached out to. He didn't want Nevina or Hasani put into any danger should Mothlenor realize something was awry. As an extra precaution, Areanath buried it under a few inches of soft dirt. He left his tent to see Mothlenor brushing his hands over the dappled mare Areanath had ridden the day before. She seemed agitated, jerking her head around and scraping the ground anxiously with one hoof.

"Is she alright?" Areanath eased towards the mare, running a hand over her neck soothingly.

"Something in the trees spooked her, that's all." Mothlenor turned away from the horse, leaving her to Areanath. "I've already used a calming spell on her, she should be fine momentarily."

Areanath continued to stroke the horse gently. He could feel the power of Mothlenor's spell where his hand stroked her. He seemed to be telling the truth, for within a minute the mare was as calm and placid as ever.

They packed their camp as quickly as it had been made, with Mothlenor using his skills to break down and refold their tents in little time. The fire was doused and covered, and Areanath and his brother were back in the saddle and ready to leave after only a few minutes.

"Where are the others?" Areanath searched the small clearing, surprised to realize that the four strangers had managed to saddle their horses and slip into the woods without his noticing.

"They've gone ahead. They'll find us again on the trail." Mothlenor clicked his tongue, urging his horse forward. "No worries, Areanath."

Areanath followed his brother, suppressing the wave of anxiety that rolled over him at Mothlenor's words. As Mothlenor led them back to the game trail, Areanath could imagine one of the silent assassins appearing suddenly at his side and stabbing him while his brother looked on. But when the four men appeared a few minutes later, it was on the trail in front of them. Their horses stamped the ground impatiently and tossed their manes, but their riders held them fast and allowed Mothlenor and Areanath to pass before bringing up the rear once more.

The day continued to stretch on, the air around them becoming warm and heavy as the sun climbed. No one spoke. Areanath could feel the stares of the men at his back, and their silence continued to disturb him. Their horses continued to act out, whinnying loudly and stamping the ground. After some time, Areanath's horse became equally agitated, despite Mothlenor's calming spell. Areanath risked renewing the spell, but his mare continued to protest, until Areanath could hardly control her anymore. Only Mothlenor's horse seemed unaffected by whatever was distressing the other animals.

Finally, his emotional exhaustion at its peak, Areanath called out to his brother. "Mothlenor, wait."

Mothlenor stopped, turning his horse to get a better look at Areanath.

Areanath took a deep breath, willing his hands to stop shaking on the reigns. "If you're going to kill me, please just do it now. I grow tired of waiting."

Mothlenor was silent for a moment, an eyebrow raised in surprise. Finally, he gave a quiet chuckle. He turned his horse forward again, calling over his shoulder. "Just a little longer, brother. We are nearly there."

It had never occurred to Areanath that they were headed to a certain destination, but only that Mothlenor was trying to put as much distance between themselves and the castle as possible. Knowing that there was a definite end to this journey caused his panic to rise further. He sucked in a lungful of air and craned his neck up to look to the sky. But this deep into the woods the trees grew too densely together, and what little sun peeked down through the treetops was not enough to calm him. His skin began to crawl, and his heart beat faster in his chest, the pounding growing louder in his ears. His palms grew sweaty, slipping on the reigns. Bile started to rise up in his throat as full panic began to set in. And still the four men behind him continued to stare at his back, their gaze making the hairs on the back of his neck stand. Areanath wondered if he might collapse from sheer panic right there.