Thread: Light in Shadows (Fates and Flame)

Kaias heart fluttered with anticipation and fear at Aezons response. What wouldnt she understand? Had she made some terrible mistake in giving this man the shadow root after all? Just as he sounded ready to fess up to his intentions, Leiku flew between them. Kaia had been so wrapped up in her anxiety that the spirit startled her, forcing her to take a step back as it cut them off. She didnt understand what was going on, but Aezon seemed used to Leikus odd forms of communication. Kaia could only follow his gaze, wondering what had gotten them so worked up. Her bright eyes squinted into the depths of the mist, managing to spot the approaching shapes along with him. What is she started to say, only to find her hand and ensnared as Aezon pulled her away. Kaia sucked in a breath, surprised by suddenly being dragged along. Why did they have to hide? Did he know something she didnt? Before she could voice any of the questions, she was shoved down into the bushes and motioned to silence. Kaias heart was thumping as she bit back to urge to argue, and followed his instructions. She stared out from between the brambles and watched the river, wondering what could have caused him to react this way. She began to understand when she heard the sound of oars. A passing boatman was nothing to fear, but her blood grew a little colder as the realized it was several. It wasnt often people journeyed through the Mist in such groups. Not so far from Kaja Lai, anyway. Any thought of it being traders from the city disappeared when he finally saw the men. Kaia gasped at their appearance, hunkering down closer to Aezon once she realized who they were. Reavers! she announced quietly. Vicious men who answered to no War Chief but their own, they were known to roam the Mist bringing terror and heartache everywhere they went. Kaia was paralyzed by fear as she watched them creep along the surface. What were they doing out here so far from their preferred, open waters? Her heart practically stopped once she put it all together. Theyre heading for the village! she declared. Before Aezon could stop her, Kaia sprang to her feet and took off. The curious shadow tribe boy was all but forgotten as the image of her parents flashed through her mind. The careful guidance she led Aezon with was gone as she bolted through the swamp. Her feet carried her swiftly across the world shed known ever since she was a little girl. She veered to the right with all due haste, making sure she was out of sight of the reavers whilst taking the most direct course back home. She knew there was no way shed beat their boats. They must have been coming within sight of the village even now, while it would take Kaia several minutes to reach on foot. She remained uncertain of what she would, or even could do once she arrived. The people of her village were hardy and strong, but few were skilled enough warriors to fend off such a raid. Kaia liked to think she was without rival when it came to the bow, but she couldnt take down 20 well-armed men alone. She didnt let that stop her, though. She just had to make it back to the home first. Once she knew what she was dealing with she could formulate a plan. Her heart racing, Kaia put on an extra burst of speed, silently pleading to the spirits that she wasnt too late. Kaias breakneck pace saw her arriving faster than ever before. Once the murky shape of her village appeared within the fog, however, she began to slow down. It wouldnt do to clamber into town and possibly right into the midst of danger. She decided to approach carefully instead. Taking her bow in hand, she tried to steady her breathing while creeping through the haze. Nothing appeared to be out of the norm at first, but as stepped by a set of pylons on the outskirts of the village, she could hear the sounds of distant shouting. The clash of a skirmish was quick to follow, leaving Kaia to pick up speed as she hurried towards the source. The sounds of fighting were silenced as quickly as theyd begun, but Kaia was able to deduce the commotion came from the center of town. Once more, Kaia slowed her pace wen reaching her destination. Remaining cautious, she kept herself out of sight, ducking out behind one of the storefronts that overlooked the small plaza. No sooner than shed taken cover, Kaia was startled by the sound of a bang and clash coming from inside the shop. She made sure she was well out of sight of any of the windows while drawing an arrow from her quiver and hastily nocking it. Her stomach remained in a tight knot as she heard the sound of a struggle inside before another loud crash. Worse yet was the painful wail that came after, followed by the sound of hostile voices as someone was dragged away. It wasnt just the storefront, she realized. A quick glance from behind her hiding spot showed her that reavers were going door to door, forcing everyone out of their homes and into the streets. Those whod been gathered were guarded over by 10 of the brutes, each with their weapons drawn. The villagers were packed neatly together, herded like cattle. She searched the faces for Kai and Lena, but did not spot her parents among them. Instinctively, her attention jumped to the door of her fathers herb shop. There seemed to be no sign of life at first, then Kaias heart jumped to her throat as she heard a clamor from inside. She moved to step out and make for the store only to falter back as one of the reavers happened by. Shed just managed to escape his notice, leaving her to hold her breath while he passed by the side of the building and moved on. Kaia dared not move again until he and his sickle were well out of sight. Venturing another peek around the corner, Kaias attention snapped back to their shop. In an instant, the doors were thrown open and both Kai and Lena were forced outside by a pair of men. They seemed to come along willingly, but that didnt keep the reavers from manhandling them. When one of the men found Lena moving too slowly for their liking, he shoved her from behind. The force nearly sent her toppling into the mud. Kai recoiled at the harsh treatment, shouting at the men and stepping over to help his wife. His good nature was rewarded with a fist to the gut, sending him to the ground in her place. No sooner than he was down in the muck did the reaver deliver a swift kick to his ribs. Kaia watched in horror, barely able to stomach what she beheld. She had to stop herself from rushing out to help them the reavers would see her long before she made it. She could easily take out the pair of them with her bow, but where would that leave the other villagers? Rounded up as they were, theyd be at the mercy of these men if she came out fighting. Who knew what theyd do then? The decision became all the harder when Kai received another blow. Lena wailed out, pleading for the men to stop. The other reaver snatched a handful of her hair and yanked her away. Holding her head up straight, he pulled his sickle to her throat and forced her to watch the scene instead. Kaia couldnt take it anymore. It seemed like the world fell silent as her blood came to boil with anger and fear alike. Nothing felt real as she stepped out of her hiding place and drew her bow. She took aim at the man holding her mother hostage, ready to let her arrow fly free and sink into his skull. He was so engrossed with the beating her father earned that he never would have seen it coming. But Kaia found herself terrified with the prospect of ending a mans life so quickly, causing her to hesitate. She announced herself instead. Stop! she yelled, approaching the reavers with a stride of confidence. She hoped they would not see through the bluff, picking out the nervous wreck beneath the surface. Leave him alone and let her go! she commanded, keeping her voice strong. The man assaulting her father had his fist primed for another strike, only to stop at the sound of her voice. He stepped away from Kai and shifted his attention between their new guest and the one still threatening her mother. She caught the notice of the other reavers as well. In a flash, all of the attention was on her. She could feel the weight of their eyes, enemies and hostages alike. She was even aware of Kai and Lena. Their gazes bore into her with fear and alarm. But Kaia pushed all that away, fighting the urge to look at them as she locked eyes with the man holding the sickle at Lenas throat. Let her go, she repeated, standing firm several paces away. The mans stern face cracked with a grin, a wicked sort of amusement sparking in his hellish, green eyes. Or what? he challenged her. His voice was rough and daring, bearing not the slightest hint of worry for his well being. Or Ill put this arrow between your eyes before you can even blink. She pulled the bowstring tighter to prove her point. And I promise you, I wont miss. Compared to hunting snakes and frogs out in the mire, it would be all too easy. The reaver remained unimpressed. If anything, his grin widened. Well I dont know, he said coyly, This one might be worth dying for. He brought his lips in dangerously close to Lenas ear, keeping his eyes on Kaia all the while. I can think of so many fun things we can do together, he said, quietly. You might even enjoy some of it by the end. His words made Kaia sick to her stomach, but the anger he stoked was much worse. She took another step forward, her hands practically shaking as she fought the urge to loose the arrow. She was right on the cusp of doing it of killing this man and setting off a chain of reactions she might quickly come to regret. Looking up from the ground, Kai seemed to read her expression and realize it. Weakly, he raised a hand as if to stop her. Kaia, dont, he beseeched her. Then again, the reaver went on, pretending he hadnt heard the man, Youre more the sort of thing Ive been looking for. Youve got a much prettier face than this old hag, anyway. He relaxed the grip on his weapon, but held it close enough to remain a threat. His accomplice stood by as well, staring daggers at Kaia. Perhaps we can make a deal, her foe suggested. Ill let her go if you walk on over here and take her place. Its either that or you can kill me and then my men will kill you and Rolling his eyes, he sighed and shook his head with frustration. Well, after that I imagine itd probably be easiest for them to slaughter the rest of these fine people too. His grin spread as the terms were laid out. So what do you say, beautiful? Shall we have a fair trade, or a bloody one? His unexpected proposal sent a cold chill down Kaias spine. Shed worked so hard not to look into the faces of her parents. Not even when Kai pleaded with her did she risk looking away from her opponent. But now she could not stop herself, her heartstrings pleading at she looked into her mothers tearful eyes. Everything about her expression told her daughter not to do this to turn around, run away and forsake them in order to save herself. Her father seemed to share in Lenas sentiments. His face haunted her as he stared up from the pitiful state to which hed been rendered. Abandoning them was something Kaia simply could not do not her parents, nor the rest of the people shed known for so long. If turning herself over meant ensuring their safety, it was a trade she was willing to make. Kaia released the breath she didnt realize she was holding, easing the tension out of the bowstring while hesitantly lowering her weapon. The cocky, victorious smirk the reaver wore as she surrendered made the moment all the more repulsive. Returning the arrow to its quiver and hooking her bow back over her shoulder beneath his sickening observation was one of the hardest things Kaia ever had to do. Unlike her mad dash home, now her feet carried her with deliberate slowness. She couldnt bear to look at her father again, not even as he sluggishly got to his feet in a vain effort to stop her. Im sorry, she told him softly before passing by. Once she was near enough, the reaver lowered his blade and released Lena. He did not let her wander far however, keeping the woman by his side until Kaia came to the end of what felt like the longest walk of her life.