The morning went by smoothly, packed up and ready with no time to waste. Orien is nursing a headache while I nurse heartache, my dream still clings to me like the Scarless name I bear.
The besthold announce our next stop is Lysbroten lake, just south of the Forest of Sin, a chance to water the horses and build our energy back up. I walk, haunted by the words of a stranger who does not exist, an entity my mind created to plague my dreams. I won't bother Orien this time, he will just add wisdom where it's not needed.
The morning air carries a strange bite, sharper than it has any right to be, even with the rising sun providing warmth the cold sank through my robes and gnawed. The group moves quietly as we leave through the gates of Crownspire, I keep to the edges of the formation, matching the pace without drawing attention.
Instructor Athea leads the group alongside the Beasthold Captain, Dane. Straightbacked and wordless. Orien walks with his hands clasped behind his back, taking in the view of the northern plains which are covered in the golden hue of dawn. We walk in silence, apprehensive of the journey that lies before us, the Forest of sin. Rumours speak of the forest being alive, strange creatures prowling looking for their last meal and lastly. A giant wolf, which caused me to dream.
Orien passes me a water skin and demands I drink, he knows my mind wonders and tells me to focus on the now, forget any memories we have while our bodies are asleep. The mind likes to play tricks. I nod to the man, still reassuring me despite not knowing my fears and nodding is all I can do as I do not trust my voice to stay steady. Hours pass but my mind still swims, still haunted.
Instructor Athea orders a halt as we arrive at our destination. Lysbroten Lake. The surface should have been clear and still, reflecting the sky like polished glass. Instead, it carries a faint ripple despite the absence of any breeze. A thin mist clung to the edges, low and close to the water. It feels wrong, warped by something unseen. Nothing dangerous, just wrong in the quiet way that sinks into your stomach and refuses to leave.
The horses drink, we stretch our legs and the Beasthold refills our water skins. I stay close to the edges, pretending I'm simply just resting my legs.
Rell Arcrest appears next to me without a sound. One moment I was alone, the next he was sitting beside me with his hands over his knees. A grin welcomed me as he asked. ''What's up with you? It looks like someone just drowned your favourite book.'' I don't laugh but I do almost smile. ''I'm just keeping my distance, I don't want you or the other scarred to have to save me.''
His smile falters, regret or pity seem to line his face as he tries to come up with some excuse, I tell him to leave it.
''Not all of us are like the giant spoiled baby Lucien you know? I for one can't stand the bastard.'' I'm in half a mind to believe him, but I know of him, his mother is the Crownlady of Deceit and he's a known trickster throughout the academy.
''I know what you're thinking.'' He mutters. ''How can someone like him not be like Lucien, growing up with a silver spoon in his mouth and getting whatever he wants because of his last name. Sure he's handsome, pretty and just about the funniest person at the academy.'' He jests.
I let out a laugh, a real laugh. He nods his head and asks what's up with the lake, like I would have the answers but I just say it doesn't feel right.
Rell nods. ''Exactly. See? Someone around here has instincts. Everyone else is too busy pretending they are brave.'' He jerks his head towards the students by the water, splashing and laughing with each other. ''If they were dragged under by teeth.
''You think the lake has teeth?'' I ask.
"Not literal ones," he said. "The metaphorical, soul-sucking type. The kind that looks harmless until you blink." He paused, then glanced at me. "What? I am being serious."
Rell studies me for a moment, his expression a mix of curiosity and something softer. ''You know, Veyrin. Can I call you Veyrin? I'm guessing Scarless or some other slur would just hurt you.'' I nod and he continues. ''You don't look as tired as you sound.''
I hesitate, but tell him I've been feeling strange recently. Bad nightmares and waking with more health and vigour than I should be. He bursts out laughing telling me that's not the worst way to feel, or wake up. I agree but admit it's unusual.
'Well, unusual suits you better than miserable.'' He says while leaning back on his elbows. Before we have the chance to continue, Instructor Athea calls for everyone to fall in line, the break is over and It's time to head out. As we moved, the lake lay behind us watching. Rippling without wind.
Rell stays at my side the rest of the journey, joking and insulting me but he assures me it's all friendly and I can insult him too if I like, he says his mother does it often. I like this person, despite having everything he needs and the name to take it. He talks to me normally too. Insults me yes but in a friendly way.
Our destination finally appears and we march towards the edges of the Forest of Sin. It is big, bigger than any formation of trees I have ever seen. The air thickens and the ground under boot begins to change. Not softer or harder, simply different. As if we have entered a place that remembers every footfall ever made within it.
Somewhere beyond the treeline as we make our way through the entrance of the dense Forest, a low painful howl echoes through the trees and settles into my ears.
''Please tell me you heard that? I'm not going to be bitten and turn into a werewolf am I?'' Rell murmurs.
I nod, my eyes dart from left to right. I wished I could pretend I couldn't hear it, but the truth pressed heavier on my skin with every step forward we took. The forest was waiting, and I could not help but feel like something was waiting for me too.
The morning went by smoothly, packed up and ready with no time to waste. Orien is nursing a headache while I nurse heartache, my dream still clings to me like the Scarless name I bear.
The besthold announce our next stop is Lysbroten lake, just south of the Forest of Sin, a chance to water the horses and build our energy back up. I walk, haunted by the words of a stranger who does not exist, an entity my mind created to plague my dreams. I won't bother Orien this time, he will just add wisdom where it's not needed.
The morning air carries a strange bite, sharper than it has any right to be, even with the rising sun providing warmth the cold sank through my robes and gnawed. The group moves quietly as we leave through the gates of Crownspire, I keep to the edges of the formation, matching the pace without drawing attention.
Instructor Athea leads the group alongside the Beasthold Captain, Dane. Straightbacked and wordless. Orien walks with his hands clasped behind his back, taking in the view of the northern plains which are covered in the golden hue of dawn. We walk in silence, apprehensive of the journey that lies before us, the Forest of sin. Rumours speak of the forest being alive, strange creatures prowling looking for their last meal and lastly. A giant wolf, which caused me to dream.
Orien passes me a water skin and demands I drink, he knows my mind wonders and tells me to focus on the now, forget any memories we have while our bodies are asleep. The mind likes to play tricks. I nod to the man, still reassuring me despite not knowing my fears and nodding is all I can do as I do not trust my voice to stay steady. Hours pass but my mind still swims, still haunted.
Instructor Athea orders a halt as we arrive at our destination. Lysbroten Lake. The surface should have been clear and still, reflecting the sky like polished glass. Instead, it carries a faint ripple despite the absence of any breeze. A thin mist clung to the edges, low and close to the water. It feels wrong, warped by something unseen. Nothing dangerous, just wrong in the quiet way that sinks into your stomach and refuses to leave.
The horses drink, we stretch our legs and the Beasthold refills our water skins. I stay close to the edges, pretending I'm simply just resting my legs.
Rell Arcrest appears next to me without a sound. One moment I was alone, the next he was sitting beside me with his hands over his knees. A grin welcomed me as he asked. ''What's up with you? It looks like someone just drowned your favourite book.'' I don't laugh but I do almost smile. ''I'm just keeping my distance, I don't want you or the other scarred to have to save me.''
His smile falters, regret or pity seem to line his face as he tries to come up with some excuse, I tell him to leave it.
''Not all of us are like the giant spoiled baby Lucien you know? I for one can't stand the bastard.'' I'm in half a mind to believe him, but I know of him, his mother is the Crownlady of Deceit and he's a known trickster throughout the academy.
''I know what you're thinking.'' He mutters. ''How can someone like him not be like Lucien, growing up with a silver spoon in his mouth and getting whatever he wants because of his last name. Sure he's handsome, pretty and just about the funniest person at the academy.'' He jests.
I let out a laugh, a real laugh. He nods his head and asks what's up with the lake, like I would have the answers but I just say it doesn't feel right.
Rell nods. ''Exactly. See? Someone around here has instincts. Everyone else is too busy pretending they are brave.'' He jerks his head towards the students by the water, splashing and laughing with each other. ''If they were dragged under by teeth.
''You think the lake has teeth?'' I ask.
"Not literal ones," he said. "The metaphorical, soul-sucking type. The kind that looks harmless until you blink." He paused, then glanced at me. "What? I am being serious."
Rell studies me for a moment, his expression a mix of curiosity and something softer. ''You know, Veyrin. Can I call you Veyrin? I'm guessing Scarless or some other slur would just hurt you.'' I nod and he continues. ''You don't look as tired as you sound.''
I hesitate, but tell him I've been feeling strange recently. Bad nightmares and waking with more health and vigour than I should be. He bursts out laughing telling me that's not the worst way to feel, or wake up. I agree but admit it's unusual.
'Well, unusual suits you better than miserable.'' He says while leaning back on his elbows. Before we have the chance to continue, Instructor Athea calls for everyone to fall in line, the break is over and It's time to head out. As we moved, the lake lay behind us watching. Rippling without wind.
Rell stays at my side the rest of the journey, joking and insulting me but he assures me it's all friendly and I can insult him too if I like, he says his mother does it often. I like this person, despite having everything he needs and the name to take it. He talks to me normally too. Insults me yes but in a friendly way.
Our destination finally appears and we march towards the edges of the Forest of Sin. It is big, bigger than any formation of trees I have ever seen. The air thickens and the ground under boot begins to change. Not softer or harder, simply different. As if we have entered a place that remembers every footfall ever made within it.
Somewhere beyond the treeline as we make our way through the entrance of the dense Forest, a low painful howl echoes through the trees and settles into my ears.
''Please tell me you heard that? I'm not going to be bitten and turn into a werewolf am I?'' Rell murmurs.
I nod, my eyes dart from left to right. I wished I could pretend I couldn't hear it, but the truth pressed heavier on my skin with every step forward we took. The forest was waiting, and I could not help but feel like something was waiting for me too.