The Archer & the Flame (Whispers of the Night Ravens #1)

Chapter 4

The mission began like any other, with the familiar trail of the Yewdew Forest and the thriving wildlife that called it home, but I was certain the similarities would end there.

My arm was steady as I lined up my shot, keeping the raglaw within range. A common sight, the plump birds provided a satisfying meal, sadly a rarity on my travels. Perched high in a dragontail tree, oblivious to my presence, it preened its obsidian feathers.

My arrow struck true, as they always did, the bird plummeting to the ground. I removed the shaft from its body, wiping the point on a filthy rag before returning it to my quiver. Arrows were a valuable commodity, and I couldn’t afford to leave any behind. Not when I wouldn’t receive more supplies for a while.

Retrieving my prize, I trudged through the mud of the clearing towards my modest camp, and the sack of plucked birds hung there, the result of my hunt. Knowing I could rely on my prowess with a bow to keep the hunger at bay, I’d declined provisions this time. Others weren’t so lucky.

With the absence of the raglaw song echoing through the treetops, the forest had fallen into a hushed stillness. The afternoon light faded as the sun began its descent. Soon darkness would fall and bring with it a host of new challenges.

The defensive wards I’d woven around my camp let me pass without trouble, a warm caress on my skin greeting my return. It was simple magic, used in abundance by the fae, but I would take every advantage I could. Sometimes, the simplest measures proved to be the most effective.

Mercifully, the downpour I’d been caught in the previous day hadn’t persisted. A campfire remained unlit where I’d assembled it earlier, beside a sturdy log covered in moss and the worn material of my bedroll. I dropped the bird I carried, my mind returning to the orders Reuben had given me. My brow furrowed. It didn’t make sense. All I needed to do was meet the informant in Valtarra, find out what they knew, and report back to him. I’d spent days staking out dangerous woodlands and crept through bustling cities while evading notice, but a simple bookshop owner would be my toughest mission yet?

Still, I had no choice but to take it seriously. This was a golden opportunity, a stepping stone to prove myself capable of taking on the most difficult scouting assignments.

A chance to belong.

The raglaw was warm as I plucked its feathers a fistful at a time, depositing them in my pack with the others. If I was lucky, I could earn a few coppers in exchange. Sometimes that was the difference between sleeping outside and affording an inn.

All that remained for me to do was cook my dinner. I slumped on the log, holding my head in my hands. I despised this part. My bow felt like magic in my hand. Hunting prey was as easy as drawing a breath. But lighting a campfire? Near impossible.

Kneeling by the pile of firewood, I struck together two pieces of flint until they sparked. Or that was the theory. There was a technique to it, one I did not possess no matter how hard I practised. Instead, I relied on stubbornness, cursing all the while. With enough attempts, it would work eventually.

A shudder ran down my spine, tingling across my skin and making my hair stand on end. A warning. My wards had been breached. I was on my feet in an instant, pointing my bow at the intruder. We’d gone to great lengths with our stories, ensuring no one chose to travel through the forest without good reason. A stranger being this close to the Old Keep was suspicious at best, catastrophic at worst. My heart pounded, lodging itself in my throat.

I had to protect the Night Ravens.

“Having a little trouble there?” The voice was smug, taking far too much enjoyment in my struggle.

The stranger’s approach allowed me to examine him more closely. He possessed a youthful charm, with twinkling green eyes full of mischief and dimples that showed when he grinned. Glossy brown hair fell onto his handsome face before he brushed it back. It would be endearing if that sort of thing affected me. I couldn’t look past his polished appearance, the easy pride in his stature and his lack of supplies. He appeared to be nothing more than a liability, accidentally straying from the High Road with no concept of what he’d wandered into. Still, I remained on high alert, keeping my bow fixed on him.

The liability in question sauntered towards me, holding up his hands in surrender. “No need for violence.”

“Come any closer and there will be,” I said. His gaze darted to the bird resting next to the campfire, lingering too long for my liking. “I don’t share. Leave now and I’ll let you walk away with everything intact.”

His lip curved up in a wry smile, if anything, encouraged by my hostility. “I’m Silas, and just who are you?”

I glared at him with enough venom to wither the most courageous heart. There would be no chance of him receiving an answer, no crack in my shield. He may not be an overt threat, but that didn’t mean I wanted him anywhere near the Old Keep. Or me. “That’s none of your business. Go away.”

Silas’ dimpled smile widened, my hand tightening on the bow in response. His reaction unnerved me. Usually, my hostility discouraged interest, leading others to believe I wasn’t worth the bother, but my rage amused him. He could be dangerous, after all.

“Don’t be so hasty. Perhaps we’ll be useful to one another? You’re struggling with your campfire. Luckily for you, that happens to be a strength of mine,” Silas said. I kept my bow trained on him as he inched closer.

Too close. I wouldn’t fall for that trick again.

I fired a warning shot into the ground just shy of his feet, hoping to scare him away before resorting to bloodshed. However, I wasn’t afraid to escalate if he pushed me further.

To my dismay, he laughed, retrieving the arrow and examining it as if it was made of gold. “I meant what I said. I mean you no harm.”

With an exhale, I released some of the tension in my body. We couldn’t lie. The gods forbade it, their power rendering us incapable of speaking the words, but there was an art to phrasing things to hide a truth you didn’t want to expose.

“How about a trade? I start your fire, and you share your food with me. Then it’ll be like I was never here.”

“I said I don’t share.” But even as I said it, my mind turned the offer over carefully, trying to find his angle.

I covered myself in my cloak more thoroughly, a cool breeze sending shivers through me as the sun bowed out of sight. I wore the basic clothing the Night Ravens had provided me with. A white shirt, frayed at the edges, brown trousers that itched, and a heavy green cloak with a hood. Easy enough to move in, but not the warmest of garments. The prospect of a roaring fire was enticing, but I hesitated, unsure if I could trust him, even with such a simple bargain.

“Well, in that case, I’ll go. Enjoy your evening.” Silas made a point of retreating so slowly he barely moved. He glanced back, checking I was watching him.

I considered his offer again. As long as I was careful with the terms and kept my guard up, I could benefit from his help.

I groaned, certain I would come to regret it.

“Wait.” He stilled at my shout. “One bird, that’s all, and you’ll leave as soon as you’ve eaten. Or if I decide you’ve outstayed your welcome.” It was specific enough to grant me protection should he be deceiving me.

“As you wish.” He bounded over to my camp in a few paces. A thin string of light encircled my arm, mirrored on his, disappearing as the bargain bound us together.

This close, I could see the detailed embroidery of his doublet, intricate golden patterns woven into the green material. There was no telltale flickering, no obvious flaw to the illusion. He wore no glamour. It was genuine, hand-stitched and made to fit him like a glove. It must have cost a fortune.

He was important, whoever he was.

Silas extended an arm towards the unlit campfire. “Step back. This could get a little… heated.”

I scowled at the instruction but obeyed. Flames, tendrils of scorching fire, flowed from his fingertips, igniting the firewood. I gasped.

All fae could use simple enchantments, like glamours and wards, but only the chosen few had Blessings, the ability to harness the elements - air, fire, water, and earth. I was already an adult by the time I’d met my first Blessed fae. In the Night Ravens, there were only a handful.

The fire’s warmth soon reached me, the heat sinking deep into my bones. My shivers subsided at last. Silas sat on the mossy log, rolling his shoulders. I joined him, leaving a wider gap than necessary, unconvinced of his intentions. To my surprise, he smelt like the forest. It was a woody scent, punctuated by subtle notes of vanilla that only enhanced its soothing quality.

“I’m surprised you didn’t try that earlier. Aren’t you Fire-Blessed?” He cocked his head, assessing me. “No? With that temper? Gods, I’m usually better at this.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your Blessing.” He said it like it was obvious. “You know, magic.”

“I know what a Blessing is. I don’t have one.”

I skewered two birds, propping them over the open campfire. My mouth watered at the smell, providing a moment’s distraction from my infuriating companion.

“Come on, you can tell me. We’re friends now.” He shuffled along the log to nudge my shoulder, unbothered when I shook him off. The flames danced and sizzled as juices from the cooking birds trickled onto them. “What’s the big secret?”

I snapped, my limited patience depleted. “Would you fucking listen to me? I have no Blessing.”

Silas reeled back like I’d punched him. Good. It was satisfying to wipe the smile from his face and gain the upper hand. Silence fell, only interrupted by the crackling of the campfire and the hiss of the meat as it cooked.

He frowned. “That’s impossible. Everyone has magic.”

It clicked. The casual arrogance, his fine clothing, the disbelief at my words. He was part of the nobility, sheltered from the world beyond his limited experience. “Everyone you know.”

I awaited his rebuttal, but none came. He nodded, looking uncharacteristically serious for a moment before he masked it with an easy grin. “Good thing I now know you. What was your name again?”

I ignored him, turning the meat over slowly, careful not to burn my fingers. Silas leant back in deep thought. “You must be tough.”

“Excuse me?”

“A Blessing isn’t only about commanding an element, it’s a way to prove you deserve respect. Where I’m from, we’re pitted against one another to determine who is strongest. Lose, and you’re treated worse than dirt. Without magic, you must be tough to have survived.”

I busied myself with the skewers, though there was no need to interfere.

“You don’t talk much, do you?”

“I think you’re doing plenty of talking for the both of us. I only agreed to feed you. I don’t owe you more than that,” I said.

Silas shot me a dazzling smile. “You should count yourself lucky. Many have vied for the chance to dine with me.”

If that was meant to impress me, he’d misjudged it. His popularity was no concern of mine. “Why don’t you find one of them and leave me alone?”

“And miss an opportunity to find out more about my new friend?” he said, not missing a beat.

I bristled at his presumptuous familiarity. Was he always so forward with strangers? It only heightened my distrust of him. “We’re not friends, and if you value your life, you’ll stop trying to get to know me.”

Silas let out a low whistle.

“I mean it. You cannot harm me, but I haven’t made any such promises,” I said.

“Have it your way.” He shrugged, gazing around the camp with interest. “It’s just you out here? No ferocious hunter to watch your back?”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Who says I need one?”

“You’re plenty ferocious. I’m not doubting that. Just working out if I should sleep with one eye open tonight.”

“You should, but not because of my hunting partner,” I said.

“So, there is someone? And you’re sharing the same bedroll? Sounds cosy.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response, instead rescuing the raglaw meat before it charred.

“Here.” I handed him a skewer. “Be careful, it’s-”

“Hot!” Silas yelled before I could finish, yanking his canteen from his belt and gulping down the water. “It burns.”

He truly was na?ve to the world, possessing not a shred of common sense. I laughed, surprising myself as much as Silas. He snorted, the sounds of our laughter bringing life to the quiet forest.

“So that’s what it takes. I’ll be sure to injure myself more often if it earns a smile from you,” he said.

I realised how close he was to me, so close I could feel the heat radiating off him. It became overwhelming. I withdrew back into myself, to safety.

“Finish eating, then leave as you agreed,” I said, backing away. From the refuge of my bedroll, I hugged my knees to my chest.

“Did I do something wrong?”

I lifted my head, finding Silas’ face anguished. “You are distracting me from my duties, and that’s the last thing I need right now.”

“So, you find me distracting?”

I scoffed. That’s what he had gleaned from my words?

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said. He didn’t need his ego inflated any more than it was already. “I’m serious. You have a bargain to honour.”

Breaking a bargain had unpredictable consequences, none of them pleasant, courtesy of the gods’ displeasure. Some perished immediately, others were struck down with unimaginable illnesses or cursed with eternal misfortune. That was if you could break it. Usually, fate intervened to bind you to the terms.

Messing with bargains was a fool’s game.

“Right,” he muttered. “Has anyone told you how warm and welcoming you are?”

“It’s worked for me so far.” As he wiped his mouth and stood to leave, I offered him the only thing I was willing to, advice. “Be careful out there. Idrix is a dangerous place for those who are ill prepared.”

Silas’ bravado returned as a flame danced on his index finger. “I’m ready for anything it can throw at me.”