A Throne of Flames || COMPLETED

Chapter 9

Guilt consumed me bit by bit. I had left Risha straight after her sister had been slaughtered, without a word or note. What if she thought me dead too? Why hadn't I left her a note explaining where I was going, or why? I kicked at the sand in anger. I needed to go back. I couldn't leave her alone again.

My mind was made.

I checked my tuck, seeing there was only a small hunk of bread left: I hadn't planned to be gone for too long. Looking at my dragon, I thought how he had not had any food since he hatched. He must be starving. I offered Varil the last piece of bread, but he turned his snout away indignantly, huffing.

Have it your way then.

I put the piece of bread in my mouth, chewing slowly. I needed to get back before nightfall: I had no food or water, and my dragon needed food too.

Need spurring me on, I made it back to the camp soon after the sun had dipped below the land. I couldn't see Risha anywhere. She wasn't at the market, which was still alive and bustling despite the terror that had consumed the past few days. she wasn't near the Brook that ran through the camp either. The only other place I could think of was the tent. I kicked myself for not thinking of that first: it was dusk now, and she might very well be asleep.

Reaching the tent, I saw the silhouette of a young girl and relaxed. She was still here.

"Risha?" I called out in a hushed voice. The girl turned in my direction, catching sight of me and came running. She hugged me tightly, her hand gripping around my waist, holding onto the small of my back. Her head was pressed tightly against me. Varil hissed, obviously miffed at the lack of attention. Risha didn't seem to notice though, she was too busy clinging to me.

In a muffled voice she said, "I thought you had died. I thought you had gone to Thaiya in the afterword. I thought you had left me here all alone."

Once again I felt that pang of guilt, and once again I realised how young she was. She was still just a little girl holding onto the belief that her sister would come and save her.

After a moment, I spoke." Do you still miss her?" My voice was scarcely a whisper. In three words she broke my heart.

"All the time." she uttered, her voice raw. I hugged her tighter. Crouching down, I brushed the hair from her face and then gripped her shoulders. "Risha, I need you to be brave, OK?"

The girl nodded, whipping her eyes with the cuff of her top.

"I have been given a quest from the Gods. I have to go to all the sanctuaries in the world, and make sure they are free from the darkness spreading over this world. I need you to help me."

She nodded again, and her eyes widened, and she pointed to Varil, who was parading around on my left, trying to get some attention. "What is that?"

I smiled at her innocence. "He is a Dragon, Risha. he was at one of these sanctuaries. His name is Varil, and he's a self-loving prat." I scooped up my preening dragon, and shoved him onto my shoulder. I cocked my head and asked "So, do you want to come?"

"Yes."

I took her hand and led her back up to the tent, she needed all the rest she could get for tomorrow. For most of the night, I stayed up, freeing about what I had pulled her into. I knew the dangers. but she could avenge her sister, and she may have more insight than I had, as she had lived in this world all her life, while I had spent most of mine toiling in the mines. I had convinced myself that my Instinct was right. I could get some sleep at last.

The morning sun peeked over the horizon as I gently shook Risha awake. We had to leave as early as we could: they journey would be long and hard, and the longer we could cover that first day, the batter. she groaned as the sun hei her eyes, and rolled over, shielding them, before sitting up. After we had breakfast, we started to pack. Risha went to get two large packs including a saddle bag, as taking horses would be our fastest way to travel. In them we pack a week's supply of food: we could always hunt on the way, a small tent and a few water skins, full to the top and two coils of rope. I also took a lantern,a few torches and a bottle of oil. Then with weapons strapped to our sides and our bedrolls under our arms, we sauntered down to the stables. Thankfully, my mare had been able to make her way home unharmed. I loaded the saddlebag and flung it over her back, together with the saddle and reins while Risha found Thaiya's horse, a fiery male with a brilliant chestnut coat and blonde mane. After scrambling up onto their backs, we set off.