Luxem

The three of you have now travelled through the forest for more than a few days now, edging closer to the outskirts of the forest and into the open lands. The sky had darken as the moonlight began to seep through the forest branches and leaves.

You set up the beds for everyone while Tara tosses some vegetables into a stew, cooked careful using a small flame. While Adel continues to read a map setting your path.

“Adel, how close are we to the nearest village?” You ask turning your head to her.

“Possibly a full day’s walk if things go well.” Adel replies, you nod your head in approval; for a few days all three of you were able to learn something about Adel, picking up the pieces of who she was before her illness, she was more educated than a regular person, that much was clear.

“Have any more of your memories come back to you?” Tara asked.

“Not much, I remember being taught how to repair clothes and read in a stone room somewhere and I walking into the forest looking for something...” she ponders “That’s all I can remember so far.”

“Just keep thinking and hopefully they’ll come back.” You encourage, she smiles back at you.

“The food is done.” Tara called out to you two as she scooped some into a wooden bowl. She handed one to you and another for Adel as she poured some for herself. You three eat contently as you chat about your next steps.

“Once we reach the village we could find a carriage or caravan heading to Luxem.” Tara tells you. “Then we just have to head to the keep and hope we can get a meeting with your cousin.”

“Important thing is to get back to my sister and my father’s spy master, if we’re to beat the Demon sitting on my throne then gathering as many allies in a safe place is essential.” You plan.

“Adel, if you don’t want to continue with us then don’t feel obligated.” Tara informed her.

“I will vouch for you, my cousin and sister will look after you.” You comfort her. “You don’t have to put yourself at risk.

“Thank you, your grace, but I want to help you.” Adel tells you. “You two have helped me so much, I have to repay you somehow.” She smiles at both of you.

You all place your bowls away as you put out the small flame. “I’ll take the first watch.” You offer “you two get some rest, I’ll wake you up when it’s your time.” You say to Adel. You watch as they clear up the rest of the camp and get comfortable on their bedrolls.

You sit on the stump of a fallen tree, holding Harmony in your hands and polishing it with a piece of cloth, the moonlight gleams slightly on the blade. You can hear the soft creaks of crickets in the distance, the rustling of the wind and soft snoring of one of your companions.

You scratch at your face, the rough stubble brushing against your fingers as you watch around at the darkness.

You begin to think back to that moment, when you saw that winged demon in your room while you slept, your mother, just before she plunged a knife in you in an attempt to kill you.

You grip the hilt of Harmony tighter as a feeling of rage and sorrow creeps over you as you wonder why this happened and what you’d do to her when you come face to face again.

Suddenly you hear a sound behind you.