Walking Between Dreams

Chapter 24

I hurried back to the meeting place with Lolos once Aedion was rescued, it was vital to have him alive. I glanced back to find winding dirt road wandering around grassy fields and faraway houses. It was the outskirts of Rifthold and it was glorious with the vibrant tulip and roses lining the deserted roads. A gentle gale shook the squat bushes and flowers; the fragrance was overwhelming. On a hill a few meters away from the road there was a well and I smelled a strong odor of rotten leaves from it. My heart fluttered a bit. 

"We will stay here until the remaining forces come," ordered the commanding soldier who was now seated upon a tall horse from an accompanying rebel group. 

The remaining swarmed towards the leaders of the attack and treated the injured. I took that as my chance to secretly saunter to the well but someone noticed. Lolos raised his eyebrows at me, so I gestured for him to follow suit. I crept to the back of the huddle of injured and terrified soldiers that participated in the rescue, and silently walked away. It was an effort to avoid the crumbling rocks that were by the bend in the road.

Lolos and I strode to the well through tall grass that itched my legs, sweat soaked through my cloak where the dual swords laid. 

As I approached the maintained well Lolos inquired with weary eyes; it seemed if there was weight on his shoulders, "What are you doing?"

I cocked my head towards him and responded, "Are you alright?"

He shook his head. "I have never been in this kind of conflict."

"What kind?" I pressed.

He whispered, "When someone dies."

I gently placed my hand on his shoulder, "You do not have to continue this."

"But I do, for my family," He admitted while taking a step a way, "How are you so calm?"

I looked into his bright eyes and confessed, "I have done it before to protect my loved ones. I could not walk away knowing they were in danger. It was something I had to do and you learn to live with it." 

I walked away to the perimeter of the well and found nothing abnormal save for a rock being chipped off. I sniffed by the rim of it and the scent of fall was strong. My hands were firmly placed on the sides yet I felt a freezing hold on my arms and I was pulled down into the darkness. Lolos reached for me and caught my onyx swords. The sound of breaking metal filled the quietness of shock.

Wind whipped through my hair with the sound of tornado blowing by, it was completely black for a moment. I thudded into the ground that echoed throughout the empty, damp well. Spiders crawled on the cobblestone walls and I could barely see any sunlight from down there. I warily stood up and flinch in pain as I flexed my knee so I grasped the wall. I moved my hands around the walls moving my arm up and down feeling indentations decorated that rock.

Eventually, I discovered on that was the spelling of Mia, my heart sank. A white cloud appeared as I took a deep breath and shifted it by shaking the rock. Chunks of cobble fell onto the stone floor and bounced. Inside was an eroded necklace that held an midnight crystal that reflected the few rays of light. I slipped it over my head and tucked it under my shirt, it was cold against my bare skin.

I took a step back and looked up the cloudy sky hoping that Lolos got help.

"We can get you out. " roared a fellow rebel before I could do anything, "Here is the rope!"

A thin strand of worn rope slid down the side of the well. I gave it a tug and it held still, so I began to climb with my feet against the rocks. The jutting stone were perfect platforms when I shuffled up with rope digging into my skin. I hogged the fresh air as my head popped out and was surprised to find Nesyrn glaring at me.

I smiled as I hopped down, "Nice for you to join us. I would say the rescue was a success."

"I cannot believe that Chaol vouched for you as a competent soldier," Nesyrn muttered while shaking her head.

I growled, "That makes two of us."

"Round up the troops and head out," ordered Nesyrn as she stalked away.

A short man handed me my bladed before following her and I strapped them to my back. I had to bend the metal latches back into place.

The commanding man nodded and gave his orders with Lolos laughing me in the background. A blush crept up my cheeks and I huffed away towards the front of the battalion of rebels. I found a quick pace as we followed the dirt road and Lolos found me.

"Are you alright?" asked the gray eyed man who could barely hold back a laugh.

I snapped, "What do you think?"

"I think you are fine. You are well enough to bite off my head," he chuckled, "but I still cannot believe you fell into a well."

He broke into a laughing fit, hunched over, and his face turned to a tomato red. I flared my nostrils and left him to get his act together.

Nesyrn giggled from behind, "I can't believe it either."

I looked into her endless dark eyes and walked away to a crowd of the wounded. I made my self useful and carried medical supplies to the a divided road that led into the city. 

"I want groups of five or less," commanded Nesyrn as she observed the area.

It overlooked the bright buildings that hid the bustling city. The sound of chattering people and horses could be heard.

One of the rebels waved his hand at me so I dropped off the supplies onto a faded wagon. He flicked the reins and they were off leaving a dust cloud, I sneezed.

"I want you with me," demanded the inky haired lady who was wearing full armor, a bow and quiver was strapped to her back.

I answered, "I have no choice."

Nesyrn stated, "Exactly, we need at least one more."

Lolos popped his head up from behind a gray horse loaded with food and raised his hand. I rolled my eyes and waved a hello to him.

"You know him?" ask Nesyrn as she observed his awkward steps to us.

I replied curtly, "We fought together during the rescue and he saved my life."

"You will do," the female guard observed, "What is your name?"

"L-lolos Fachinen, ma'am" stuttered Lolos with his cheeks twinged pink.

I elbowed him as Nesyrn turned her attention to something else. "You have crush on her, don't you?"

He grumbled, "Didn't you just fall into a well."

I rolled my eyes and followed Nesyrn as she pointed towards a narrow walkway through ancient, wooden apartments. There was room for one person to walk through it and the buildings were leaning towards each other, it smelled vile; however, we continued on.