The Shadows of Erisdar (ON HOLD)

Chapter 22

Alex walked silently behind Darryl. He led the way with a mage crystal illuminating the rough, narrow tunnel that wound and curved through the mountain. It was the path he had used to enter Boronduin all those weeks ago. Percy took up the rear.

For weeks, Alex had been having nightmares of wolf attacks and corpses painting the ground. She recognised the outline of the Erisdar mountains in the background.

She tried distracting herself by training with Percy and Darryl, and keeping herself busy with duties around the pack. But no matter what she did, nothing could stop the haunting images. She was terribly worried about her family and friends that she had left behind in Boronduin. It was as if the dreams were calling her back.

The brothers had eventually decided that enough was enough, deciding to take her back to Boronduin on a scouting mission. She needed something to ease her worries.

After nearly a whole day and two rest stops inside the mountain, they finally emerged south of the territory, not far from the secluded area she had often used. They ran through the trees swiftly, following Alex to the Manor.

The group stayed downwind while the darkness of the night helped hide them. They soon crouched in the shadows of the trees overlooking the Manor. Alex looked around. It didn't look much different, everything was still exactly the same, even the way it felt, and for the first time, Alex realised that this never truly felt like her home.

The Boronduin were fast asleep, and the patrols had not noticed them slip through. They moved deftly to the manor garden where they all watched for signs of movement.

"I don't smell any of the wolves from that night," Darryl whispered. Alex nodded and slunk around the side of the building to the washroom window. Her bedroom balcony was too high up to reach from the ground. The two brothers helped her up, and she quietly pushed open the window before climbing in.

Swiftly, she crept through the house like a passing shadow, first to her parents' bedroom. Her heart hammered as she quietly creaked open the door and slipped inside. Soft breaths permeated the atmosphere. They were sleeping soundly, unharmed.

A weight left her shoulder as her worries eased. She turned to Annobel's vanity and carefully positioned an envelope that only her mother would find. Next, she slipped like a wraith to Markus's study. To each, she left a letter. A letter of apology. A letter to ease worries, to let them know she was alive and safe. To not worry, and not look for her.

Alex paused as she passed her bedroom door. The house was still quiet, and as Darryl had mentioned before, there was no sign of the Gasham' scents.

She scanned her room with a frown. It looked different. Someone had been here. Slept in her bed. She crouched down to a bag hanging from the corner post. Inside were men's clothing. She quickly closed it back up before grabbing a leather bag from her closet. She packed her belongings. The sentimental items she had previously forgotten were put into the bag, carefully wrapped in some of her clothes. By the balcony, she tied a rope to the bag and lowered it down.

Darryl and Percy looked up in surprise. This wasn't part of the plan, but Darryl grabbed the bag nonetheless. Alex crept back into the hallway, satisfied and ready to leave.

The creak of the front door split the silence like a blade. Alex froze mid-step. Heart pounding, she darted back to her room, mind racing. She quickly retreated to her bedroom. Making a beeline for the balcony, she leapt over the edge, hanging onto the railing, and lowered herself down, gripping onto the floor edge of the balcony before letting go.

Percy and Darryl had both heard the door and moved in time to see Alex dropping down from the second story. Darryl and Percy had both caught her in time to prevent an injury.