The Nightwalkers

Chapter 2

Aniella sniffs, contemplating her next words carefully. It's all fine and well to tell them of their duties, especially when she'd already explained to Malachai what had to be done, and he'd clarified them in his own rudimentary terms, but describing the dangers they will have to face will be an entirely different matter. She'd taken her time when studying the three men before her, each parted word, every action, the entirety of their facial expressions.

They are not fighters.

They all look to be about eighteen or nineteen.

Despite the sagging clothes that reveal none of their strength, Aniella deciphers much from the way they move. As they exchange glances, even the shifting of their feet displays the ignorance in which they step on the crackling leaves and sticks under her feet. Aniella fights the urge to cringe. It doesn't sit well with her, and the thought of them at her back in danger saps the confidence from her body.

How had they even been able to survive this long?

All of this mulls in her mind as the three stare blankly at her, faces eager but concerned.

"We are to take the Bellya pass, through the high, dense forests, which lead to the Belline Line. Firn is just a few miles from the barrier, so once we make it through, we'll be safe from any dangers within the woods."

They nod to each other, in agreement or understanding, then look back to Aniella in surprise as she continues.

"Though this path is much faster than spending a month cutting through Wendill forest, Nightwalkers loath the heat of the sun, and find recluse in the Bellya mountains. We must always be on guard."

The contentment on their faces from just moments before drops, and their eyes take on a silver quality.

"I understand your....Uneasiness, but your intelligence has been proven and will be much more effective on the front lines."

She tries to sound encouraging, but every word that comes from her mouth seems to leech the resolve from their faces.

Luke glances at Malachai and the blonde before speaking.

"We have never encountered a Nightwalker before. How will we be able to defend ourselves?"

She looks at them incredulously, her arms folding over her chest.

"Did you not hear a word I said before? I will protect you. I have killed a Nightwalker. Have studied them. I will keep you safe."

The blonde snorts, "You?"

Aniella pins him with a glare that burns like fire.

Malachai glances between them, "I think what Gemin is trying to convey is that...Well, you don't seem to be very well equipped."

Aniella hooks her hands on her hips, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Gemin concentrates his stare on Malachai, "What I'm trying to say," He turns back to her,"Is that we are very capable of taking care of ourselves, girl."

It's Aniella's turn to snort.

She rakes her stare over the men before her, a smirk splitting her face.

"Do you really think you can make it to Firn without a guide?" She turns to Gemin, "I am more than capable of escorting three wandering boys back to my camp."

Gemin starts, "Oh you-"

Luke splays a hand over his chest, a wary eye on Aniella.

"When would you like to go?"

She studies the intensity in Luke's eyes.

"How about now?"

___

Aniella gives them thirty minutes to pack their bags and collapse their tents before she takes her place as guide at the front of the group, and they head south. To the threshold of Wendill and the Bellya Mountains beyond. They manage to keep pace throughout the day, before the sun reaches the crest of the treeline and Aniella forces them to stop under a cluster of Oak trees. The boys stay silent enough while they build the tents that Aniella knows that they wait for her to explain her -their- plans for them back at Firn, beyond vague Observant duties. She feels slightly unsettled by their unwillingness to speak.

Are they not suspicious of her?

Luke answers the question before she's able to consider it.

"You are Aniella Wellin, are you not?"
She whips her head to him, and he glances at her knowingly.

"Did you really think we would follow you if you were anyone else? You're quite noticeable even without your Lilithan accent."

Aniella tries to feign nonchalance, and Luke blinks at her in surprise.

"The girl with fire in her eyes and sunshine in her hair, with legend at her side and wind at her back?" Luke smiles, "You're very noticeable. And much younger than I expected for the Fox of Firn."

He speaks with a slight reverence, but there's a sadness in his eyes that confuses her.

"How old are you, Aniella?"

For some reason, his use of Aniella's name ruffles her, and before she can slip a convincing lie, a truth comes from her mouth.

"Seventeen."

She never usually told anyone her age, something that made people either look at her with pity or disregard her as a foolish child.

Damn him.

He nods, as if suspecting as much. Then sticks out his hand for Aniella to shake.

"I'm Luke."

Of course he knows she's discovered his name, but the formality of the introduction has her grasping his hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Malachai trundles over, wiping his dirt-covered hands on his trousers, before taking Aniella's hand.

"Malachai."

Gemin lopes behind Malachai, feigning nonchalance as he studies the surrounding trees, until he stops before her. His eyes are clear and full of suspicion with an intensity that Aniella immediately admires, and she slips her hand into his, giving it a firm shake.

He grumbles, "Gemin." then shuffles back into camp.

A smile plays on Malachai's face.

"I apologize," he whispers, "my brother packs as much pride as he can muster."

I stifle a grin, keeping my features neutral as best I can, then walk in between the two as they move towards the fire.