chapter 3
956 Words
Trust is Earn
Chaos broke out as shouts erupted around the camp. Cradling her damaged arm tight, Arden squeezed herself against a tree. The smoke in the air blended with the metallic smell of blood, and shadows shifted between the flickering flames.
She was almost knocked down by a rogue who ran by her.
Rogue: "Avoid the path, stranger!"
Arden tightened her jaw. She felt a mixture of humiliation and rage, but the rogue had already left. As she looked around, she saw a blade left next to the fire. Her fingers curled around the hilt as she reached for it without hesitation. Despite the fact that the weapon was heavier than she had anticipated, she steadied herself with resolve and adjusted her grasp.
Out of the darkness, a figure rushed directly for her. Arden's breathing became labored. Though she moved awkwardly, she intuitively swung the sword. With ease, the assailant ducked and slashed at her with their own weapon. The edge brushed her side, causing pain, but she clenched her teeth and pushed ahead.
"I won't die here," Arden said to herself.
She cut once again, capturing her opponent's arm this time. They staggered back, hissing in agony. As adrenaline surged through her, Arden's chest heaved, preventing her from thinking.
Over the commotion, Kael's voice could be heard.
Kael: "Keep the perimeter secure! Reject them!
Arden glanced in his direction. He moved like a flash, eliminating attackers with a cold, measured accuracy that chilled her. His demeanor changed as his eyes momentarily locked with hers, briefly displaying astonishment before refocusing on the fight.
Another assailant approached her more quickly and violently. Arden's arms shook as their swords collided, narrowly deflecting the blow. She staggered under the power of it.
Kael: "Avoid getting yourself killed!" he said, yelling over his shoulder.
Gritting her teeth, Arden said, "Thanks for the advice."
Despite being out of breath, she didn't let her rejoinder waver.
There was a flurry of yells, snarls, and the piercing clang of weapons across the camp. Arden remained near the firelight, her steps becoming more methodical. She lacked training, but her instincts led her to strike when her opponent stopped and duck when a shadow threatened too closely.
The camp was in ruins when the invaders eventually started to flee. The outlaws didn't follow. Rather, they reorganized, carrying the injured to safer areas and putting out fires before they could spread.
Arden sagged against a tree after dropping the blade. Her side throbbed where the sword had grazed her before, and her whole body hurt. Wincing as her blood-stained fingers slid away, she put her palm on the wound.
Dark eyes scanned the area before settling on her as Kael walked up.
"You didn't run," said Kael.
Despite the discomfort, Arden pushed herself to rise, straightening her shoulders.
"I'm not a coward," said Arden.
Kael's mouth quivered, almost smirking.
"Perhaps you're worth keeping around," said Kael.
One of the local rogues snarled and moved forward, his face unpleasant.
Rogue: "She's going to cause trouble." Outsiders always do.
His tone became cold, and Kael's eyes jerked to him.
"Let me worry about that," said Kael.
The outlaw said a complaint but retreated, giving Arden a last glance before doing so. She remained silent while Arden's hands balled into fists.
As the night became darker, the camp became quieter. Arden sat by the fire, her fingers shaking as she tended to her wounds. Pouring water over the wound on her side, she said, the pain forcing her to clutch her knees for support.
Entering the ring of firelight, Kael emerged. Like the shadows bending toward him, his presence seemed heavier than it should have.
Arden: "Is this where you tell me I should have stayed out of the fight?" (without looking up).
"You handled yourself better than expected," said Kael, laughing.
Arden's brow furrowed as she looked at him.
"Better than expected?" said Arden. Did you not expect me to live? With his scar gleaming in the firelight and giving him a wolf-like edge, Kael shrugged.
"Most don't," said Kael.
It hurt that he was so direct, but Arden didn't show it. She looked him in the eye equally.
"I've been tested before," said Arden.
Kael's eyes flickered with interest as he c****d his head.
"This place will test you in ways you haven't seen before," said Kael. Your history is irrelevant to it.
Arden stood up straight, her will becoming stronger.
Arden: "I don't either."
For a minute, Kael silently examined her. Although his eyes weren't cruel, she felt uncomfortable because of their weight.
"There's something about you," said Kael.
Arden scowled, perplexed.
"Something dangerous," said Kael, dropping his voice.
AN unexpected surge of wind blew across the camp before she could react. The trees had jagged, swirling shadows from the fire's madly flickering flames. Even though the wind wasn't very chilly, Arden froze as a chill went through her.
Deep within, she sensed a weird energy. Her skin pricked at the slightest sound, almost like a whisper that she couldn't quite hear. For a little while, the world around her seemed brighter and sharper as her chest clenched.
Kael's stare became piercing and fierce as his eyes narrowed.
Kael: "What are you?" (gently)
The camp was strangely quiet as the wind vanished as abruptly as it had come. As she gazed at him, Arden's heart thumped in her ears.
Arden: "I don't know," he whispered. However, a little voice called back from deep inside. Are you certain?
As the darkness drew nearer to the firelight, Arden couldn't get rid of the uncontrollable sense that something inside of her had shifted.
What was inside her? Would she even become a danger to herself as a result?
- Writer
