Chapter 5: The Road to Valeth
716 Words
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the forest canopy as Kael extinguished the remains of their campfire.
"We leave now," he said, fastening his sword to his belt.
Elara rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The events of the previous night still felt unreal. The Shadowfang... the strange energy that had surrounded her... and the fear she had seen in the beast's eyes.
None of it made sense.
She stood and adjusted the small satchel she had managed to carry from home.
"How far is Valeth?"
Kael glanced toward the mountains rising in the distance.
"If we avoid the main roads, four days."
"And if we don't?"
He looked at her.
"We'll be captured before sunset."
They continued through the dense forest in silence.
Hours passed before Elara finally spoke.
"You still haven't told me why you helped me."
Kael didn't answer immediately.
"I was ordered to find you."
She frowned.
"By the king?"
"No."
"Then by who?"
"A man who died fifteen years ago."
Elara stopped walking.
Kael continued for several steps before realizing she was no longer behind him.
He turned.
"That's impossible."
"I know."
"You expect me to believe a dead man gave you orders?"
"He knew this day would come."
Elara stared at him.
"Who was he?"
Kael hesitated.
"My father."
Before she could ask another question, a loud crash echoed through the forest.
Kael instantly drew his sword.
"Down!"
They ducked behind a fallen tree.
Voices drifted through the woods.
Royal soldiers.
"There are fresh footprints!"
"They're close!"
"Spread out!"
Elara's pulse quickened.
Kael leaned close and whispered, "Whatever happens, don't make a sound."
Heavy footsteps approached.
A soldier appeared only a few metres away.
He scanned the trees carefully.
For one terrifying moment, his eyes settled on the fallen log where they were hiding.
Elara held her breath.
The soldier stepped closer.
Closer.
A twig snapped beneath his boot.
Then...
A howl echoed through the forest.
The soldier turned toward the sound.
"What was that?"
Another howl answered, this time from deeper in the woods.
The captain shouted, "Forget the animal! Find the girl!"
The soldiers moved away.
Only after their voices disappeared did Elara breathe again.
Kael slowly stood.
"We were lucky."
"Lucky?" she whispered. "They almost found us."
"They will."
His words sent a chill through her.
"It's only a matter of time."
---
By late afternoon, the forest began to thin.
Ahead stood the remains of an ancient stone bridge stretching across a roaring river.
Half of it had collapsed centuries ago.
"We cross here," Kael said.
Elara looked at the broken bridge.
"You're joking."
"No."
"There isn't even enough bridge left!"
Kael walked onto the cracked stones without another word.
Elara sighed.
"This is how I die."
She carefully followed him.
Halfway across, the bridge groaned beneath their feet.
Small stones tumbled into the rushing water below.
Elara froze.
"Kael..."
"Keep moving."
Another crack split across the ancient stone.
The bridge shifted.
Elara's heart pounded.
Then the entire middle section collapsed.
"Elara!"
The stones gave way beneath her feet.
She screamed as she plunged toward the river.
Instinctively, she reached out.
Something inside her responded.
The air around her rippled.
For the briefest instant, she stopped falling.
Not completely.
Just long enough.
Kael lunged forward and caught her wrist.
She slammed against the side of the bridge, hanging over the raging water.
"Hold on!" he shouted.
"I-I'm trying!"
With one powerful pull, Kael dragged her back onto solid ground.
Both of them lay there, breathing heavily.
Neither spoke.
Finally, Kael looked at her.
"You slowed your fall."
"I did what?"
"You were falling."
"I know."
"For a second... you weren't."
Elara searched her memory.
She remembered reaching out.
She remembered feeling something awaken inside her.
Then...
Nothing.
"I don't know how."
Kael nodded slowly.
"But you're beginning to use your Force."
Before Elara could reply, a deep horn echoed across the valley.
One.
Then another.
Kael's expression hardened.
"They've reached the river."
He helped her to her feet.
"We have to move."
Far across the valley, dozens of armored soldiers emerged from the trees.
At their head rode a figure in black armor, carrying the royal banner.
He raised a gloved hand.
Then pointed directly at Elara.
"There she is!"
The hunt had begun again.
- Writer
