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

Chapter 8

A gentle breeze kissed my fingertips as it danced through the fields of flowers, their vibrant colours muted by the veil of night that had fallen over the Blossom Sea.

Travelling alone in the darkness was best avoided, but time wasn’t on my side. Judging by my map, barely visible with the light of Cassandra’s lantern, it would take just over a week to reach the Threstian Gap.

Could Dorea hold out for that long?

The reality of my brash decision was dawning on me. My supplies were dwindling and with no knowledge of the path ahead, hunting might not be an option. I didn’t know if there would be somewhere suitable to camp, or dangerous areas to avoid. Asking around could help, but it was too risky.

I’d rather struggle by myself than be sold out or exploited again.

The more I considered it, the more certain I became about deviating from my orders. Dorea’s suffering aside, if I could bring a breakthrough of this calibre back to Reuben, the Night Ravens would have to take me seriously.

An unsettling feeling in my gut was the first sign something was amiss. I observed my surroundings, checking for anything out of place. It was eerily quiet, the flowers my only company.

Nothing.

I stayed alert, readying my bow, just in case. My instincts rarely led me astray, and I’d be wise to heed them. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited, vigilant of any potential threat.

There was another possibility. Was Silas still out here? My words had wounded him, that had been obvious, but he’d proven me wrong with his resilience before.

“I told you to leave me alone,” I said to the emptiness, on the slim chance it was him. Only silence greeted me, the disappointment in its wake unexpected. We’d hardly become close during our previous encounters, but his presence would have softened the unease I was feeling, enough for me to consider what to do next.

“We haven’t had the pleasure,” a gruff voice said, a man climbing out of a nearby meadow. A scraggly white beard covered most of his face, but amber eyes assessed me coolly. His clothing was torn and poorly cared for, his pointed hat faded, but the daggers strapped to his hip shone like starlight.

I stepped backwards, preparing to attack, but rough hands grabbed me from behind. The lantern slipped from my fingers, shattering into tiny pieces. I struggled, crying out as I tried in vain to free myself, my bow becoming dislodged in the process and falling onto the broken glass.

“We’ve got ourselves a lively one here, Finn,” his accomplice said in my ear, holding me tighter as I writhed in his arms. It was a futile effort, but I wouldn’t stop fighting. Fae like this preyed on the weak. The more difficult I made it for them, the more chance I could escape unscathed.

Yet another thing I’d learned the hard way.

“Easy darling. We’ll take your coin purse, then we’ll be on our way,” the one named Finn said as he closed in. Thieves, in the Blossom Sea of all places. It was as Cassandra had said. Cursing myself for not recognising the warning in her off-hand remark, I twisted, attempting to grab my bow, but it rested just out of reach.

“You’re wasting your time,” I said, as Finn grasped for the purse hanging from my waist, wrestling it free. I hoped that was all he would take an interest in. “There’s nothing in there except a few coppers.” I neglected to mention the silvers stashed in my new boots for exactly this reason.

He tipped the contents out into his hand, frowning at the pitiful pile of coins their efforts had brought them. “Search her for anything else of value.”

My legs lifted in the air as I fought to extricate myself from the roaming hands, groaning with the effort. Escape was my only chance at continuing the mission. If I sustained an injury here, it would all be for nothing.

When Finn reached for my bow where it lay on the path, a cry escaped my lips. It was my lifeline; I couldn’t lose that. I had overcome too much to get to this point. To be left at square one, either crawling back to the Night Ravens for healing, or forced to continue with nothing, no money, no means of hunting. Vulnerable.

It wasn’t fair.

My hand curled into a fist. No more.

I stomped hard on my captor’s foot, freeing myself from his grasp. He hopped on one leg, cursing me. Without stopping as I ran, I scooped up my bow. I didn’t get far before Finn caught me by my collar.

“You little shit. We tried playing nice, but you’ve left us with no choice,” he growled.

He slapped me so hard it stung, the shock of it sending tears streaming down my face. I wiped them away angrily with the back of my hand. My skin throbbed where he’d struck me, and I had little doubt it would leave a mark, but there wasn’t time to wallow in the pain. I needed to make another attempt to flee before they could disarm me again.

“That was a bad idea,” a familiar voice said. My traitorous heart leapt like it was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.

Silas. He’d come back.

He stood at the top of the flowery slope, bathed in unrelenting rage. Flames danced along every inch of his body, so bright against the dark night that it hurt to look at him.

This wasn’t the Silas I knew, with his easy smiles and mischievous nature. This was a god of vengeance. Judging by the curses of my captors, they thought the same.

The sleeve on the hand Finn used to slap me ignited. He flapped his arm in a panic, screaming as he tried to tear off the garment. I took advantage of the distraction to shoot an arrow into his shin. Crumpling to the ground, he clutched his leg, rolling in an attempt to extinguish the flame.

His companion, just as dishevelled as Finn had been, but with his hair shaved close to his head, took one look at Silas and bolted, not even glancing back to check if Finn was following.

“I suggest you do the same unless you have a death wish,” I said, aiming my bow at Finn’s chest. He grimaced, scrambling backwards on the dirty path, before clambering to his feet and limping away.

“Bitch,” he cursed under his breath.

Silas’ arm twitched, punishing the insult by setting Finn’s hat on fire. He flung it into the fields with a yelp, exposing a newly bald patch on his head, before deciding that a quieter retreat was in his best interests.

In his haste to leave, he’d dropped my coin purse, the coppers strewn on the path. I gathered them up, tucking it into my pack.

Silas laughed heartily, picking up the singed hat and twirling it around his finger. “Shame they couldn’t stay. I was rather enjoying myself.”

I glared at him, unable to stop my lip from twitching. Amusement danced in his eyes, Silas captivating in his delight.

I couldn’t believe he’d come back for me after what I’d said.

My smile faded. If Silas hadn’t saved me, I would have lost everything. How was I supposed to help Dorea if I couldn’t fend off a couple of thieves?

It was becoming apparent that I was out of my depth. This wasn’t like my usual missions, where I had ample time to prepare myself, but giving up wasn’t an option. There was too much riding on this.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it, the only way I could continue was with outside assistance. Silas had rescued me without hesitation, despite the harsh words I’d flung at him. Could I trust him to help me find the researchers? Would he entertain the notion?

I opened my mouth, intending to investigate further, but he was already several paces ahead. I jogged to catch up, Silas turning to me in surprise. There was no trace of the fire that had raged so powerfully moments ago. Even his doublet was untouched.

“Why did you help me? I told you to go away, in no uncertain terms,” I said. There was no hostility in the words, only curiosity. Why had he come back?

“You did. Luckily for you, I always did find a damsel in distress hard to resist.” He was teasing me again. It was comforting to return to familiar territory, though I couldn’t shake the image of him on the hill, unrecognisable.

“What’s the real reason?” I pressed.

He raised an eyebrow, knowing, as well as I did, that I was in no position to make demands. His curious gaze assessed me, and I prepared to be brushed off.

“I have my reasons. Why reveal them now when it’s far more entertaining to watch you stew over it?”

I scowled and he grinned in response.

“Just like that. Since I’m enjoying myself, I’ll tell you one thing. I had nowhere important to be, and you were obviously hiding something. Why else would you be so keen to get rid of me? So, I followed you.”

I stiffened, not only at the admission, but at the fact I hadn’t caught him tailing me. I’d been more distracted than I’d realised.

Silas continued when he noticed my rapt attention. “Since there’s only one entrance, I paid a child to tell me when you left the village. I came as soon as he fetched me, and, well, you know the rest.”

“I would’ve had the situation under control, eventually.” Perhaps if I was lucky, though I was loath to admit it. “But thank you.”

He beamed. “You’re welcome. Well, if that’s all, then I’ll be on my way.”

What? He’d made all that effort to find me, just to leave again? It frustrated me to do so, but I chased after him. “Wait.”

He paused, crossing his arms across his chest, trying and failing to keep the smug grin from his face. “Well?”

I hesitated, fidgeting with my sleeve. Trusting him was a risk, even though he’d given me no reason to doubt him so far. But if I stood any chance of helping Dorea, it was my only option. I had to take a leap of faith.

“I have a favour to ask of you.”

“You’re coming to a spoiled noble for help? You must be desperate.” Satisfaction rolled off him in waves. I supposed I deserved that.

“There’s something I need to do. It’s important, but I can’t tell you what it is. After today, I don’t think I can do it alone. Will you accompany me?” It was a poor offer, hinging entirely on his goodwill, and that was in short supply in Idrix. I hoped my instincts were right about him.

“You expect me to drop everything and come with you without knowing what I’m agreeing to?”

It was a good point. He had nothing to gain.

He was quiet for a moment. “What will you offer me in return?”

My mouth hung open. I’d expected an immediate rejection. I had nothing of value, but if he was entertaining my laughable proposition, then he needed something. I thought back to the forest, how he’d eyed the raglaw hungrily and how quickly he’d devoured it. The relief when he’d seen me again, suffering from his lack of preparation.

He needed me as much as I needed him.

I weighed my words. “We’ll travel together. If you help me complete my task, I’ll stay with you afterwards for as long as you need me for, within reason.” I’d have to take a sanctioned break from the Night Ravens, but it wasn’t outside the realm of possibility.

“You’re not an assassin, are you?” Silas took a step away from me, his eyes narrowed.

What sort of question was that? I quirked an eyebrow at him, but he was deadly serious. “No.”

“And you won’t make me cause harm against my will?” he said.

That’s what he was worried about? “No. It’s nothing like that.”

“And afterwards you’ll stay as long as I need?” He was enjoying this now, going beyond due diligence and drawing it out just to annoy me. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Then I’ll do it, on one condition.”

“What is it?” I asked, a little too quickly.

Silas grinned savagely, retrieving the aurabloom he’d tucked into his doublet. It was nearly identical to when he’d first picked it, but the change in one petal had dread pooling in my stomach.

“I had a fascinating conversation with some young men when you unceremoniously abandoned me. They saw me examining this flower and were curious about why I had it. Then they told me something rather intriguing.”

The colour leeched from my face. “Really?”

“Indeed. It turns out it’s an aurabloom. They reveal your true feelings, including those you want hidden.”

“Silas, I…” What was once a blush pink petal had withered into the murky grey of suspicion. My chest tightened.

“Take it. I showed you mine. Now show me yours.”

My breath caught, but I knew there was no use arguing, not with the grim expression on his face.

If this was the cost of earning his trust, it was a toll I had to pay.

My fingers brushed against the flower and I steeled myself for what it would expose. I wanted nothing more than to look away and not bear witness to my shame. But I had no choice but to watch and see what Silas would learn about me.

I felt naked. Exposed. Broken.

The aurabloom showed him my greatest hopes and my deepest fears, the pain that infected my heart and the armour that protected it. It bared my soul to him, leaving nothing sacred.

I held my breath, waiting for him to speak. It had been no small ask, making myself so vulnerable in front of an untrusted acquaintance. The tension that hung between us as he stared at the colours was agony.

His voice was quiet, eyes trained on the blue petal that matched his. “Who did you lose?”

I couldn’t look at him. “Everyone.”

He was deep in thought. I was conscious of every second that passed before he broke the silence. “Fine. You have yourself a deal. But trick me again and I won’t stick around, bargain be damned.”

Under no illusions that he meant it, I nodded.

“And no more brushing me off. If we’re partners, then I want to get to know you. You can keep your secrets, but I won’t suffer poor conversation for weeks. I’d lose my mind.”

It had worked?

My relief was immediate at having a partner to help me through the challenges ahead. I hoped I wouldn’t come to regret it, a thought compounded by Silas insisting on sealing the deal with a complex handshake. Beads of white light looped around our arms before fading, binding us to the terms. The bargain was struck. There was no backing out.

I continued along the path, but he made no move to follow, looking behind us.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I thought I saw...” He shook his head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Since we’re allies now, do you have any snacks to share? Using my Blessing has a toll. I’m ravenous.”

My meagre supplies would not last at this rate. Despite that, I handed over some leftover raglaw. It was a small price to pay for my rescue.

As Silas ate happily as we strolled through the meadows, I only hoped I’d made the right decision.