As we entered the broken front gates of Maverith, I could smell the death in the air mixed with the smoke. The once cheery city, with the colorful elk banners that represented my family had been torn or burned away, and the streets seemed more shadowy than they once were. 895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnodPDIU1QV
We passed familiar structures, most burned down to a skeleton or a half-standing ruin. I recognized the side of the stables, the well in the center of town that I'd occasionally toss a copper down and wish for silly things. What shook me most, is that there were still bodies laying here and there. Too many for us to stop and burn. I felt disgusted and guilty as we passed each one.
It took everything in me to not break down in tears. I tried to keep my gaze locked on Marius's back, and held onto the notion of revenge. It was coming. One foot in front of another, and before I knew it, it would be within my reach. One foot in front of another.
I repeated it silently like a mantra. One foot in front of another, I will deliver the justice that is deserved. One foot in front of another, I will right what has been wronged.
My vision blurred with tears, but out of sheer force of will, I refused to cry. Before I knew it, we were exiting the gate that led straight to the bridge over the Baleford river. As we were leaving, I kept looking back.
I reminded myself one foot in front of the other.
Marius's Point of View
After we had crossed the Baleford, I brought out the map once again. We would not longer have to worry about having to skirt along the edge of the supposedly notorious Screaming Plains, but this way definitely took longer. We'd have to make several days of a trek back west towards Phey.
I remembered Zaraline mentioned that Phey would be the best place to sell our horses and buy warmer gear and more supplies. Even in summer, the temperatures of the mountains would be horrendous.
Occasionally, I would glance back at Zaraline. Since we'd met that peasant woman and passed through Maverith, something seems to have clicked with her. She did not seem quite the same. She smiled less than Veran now. Not that I blamed her any. Once again, guilt weighed on my chest.
The next morning, I chose to ride along side Zara. She offered me the occasional glance, but would not be the first to speak.
"Another denar for your thoughts?" Zara angled her gaze away from me, shaking her head.
"I'm not sure if you'll get your money's worth." She then looked dead ahead, her shoulders slouched.
"Why not? You can't tell me you're not thinking anything at all."
"I'm not thinking anything good."
"I wouldn't expect you to." I glanced over at her. "I would support you, if you attempt to piece the Northerlands back together after we meet this Dragon." I meant every word. The Northerlands could become an alley in the likely civil war to come.
"That means much to me, Marius, thank you." She cracked a faint smile, before it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
~
The days dragged by, but soon enough, we did arrive at Phey. Beyond it, the gargantuan, ice-capped peaks of the Weygate mountains rose towards the heavens. It was astonishing, to be in the shadow of them, and even a bit intimidating. I had never seen anything that could compare in size to the Weygate Mountains.
Phey itself appeared ancient. It was built amongst ruined elven spires, with elegant designs carved into the pristine stone. I swore there was never anything more white in this world than those spires. They even sparkled in the late-morning sunlight. If I stared at them too long and then looked away, there would be spots shaped like them in my vision.
As we neared Phey, the chill in the air became a tad harsher too. Every time the wind would suddenly pick up, I'd be unable to suppress the borderline-violent shivers that followed suit.
Soon enough, we were passing under the gates into the City. Compared to what we'd seen thus far, this place seemed as cheerful and bright as the market district of Alderas.
Zaraline's point of View895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1tJOtDT1z
To be back in Phey and see it mostly unchanged was a small comfort. The chill in the air nipped my cheeks and nose in a welcoming way. I pulled the shawl of my old dress around myself tighter, bringing a part of it up over my head, to hide my hair. I didn't want to be drawing attention here.
"I take it you know the best place to sell the horses?" Marius asked me as we made our way through the cobblestone streets.
"As it so happens, I do." I remembered old man Barlow, and his son Daerith, who ran a stables only a few streets over.
So, between the two of us, we took the four horses to Barlow and Daerith, getting a gold coin for each steed. Calavius and Veran went off to find a suitable inn for us to rent a room at. I recommended the Bee's Hide Tavern. It'd be our last bastion of comfort before we trekked to the frozen hell of the Weygate mountains.
Thereafter, we made our way to the Bee's Hide Tavern, where Calavius and Veran were already drinking together at one of the tables. Marius and I joined them, ordering drinks of our own. It had been a while since I had a decent mug of mead.895Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddOEO8gENb
While we waited for the barmaid to bring the next round of drinks, I leaned back in the rickety wooden chair, resting my covered head against the backrest, closing my eyes. I listened to the raucious noise of the Tavern. I couldn't make out any specific string of words among all the noise, but I was a nice change to the relatively quiet countryside.
I felt someone tap my arm. I opened my eyes to see Marius offering a mug of mead to me, which I eagerly accepted. I took sips at first, which quickly turned to big gulps. Before I knew it, I had the rest chugged, and was requesting another. I wasn't even feeling tipsy yet either.
While I was waiting for my next drink, I observed my companions. Calavius and Veran were well on their way to being wasted. It made me wonder how mang drinks they had since we briefly parted ways earlier. Meanwhile, Marius was quiet, slowly sipping at his drink, and occasionally laughing at some half-slurred joke Calavius made. I placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning over so I wouldn't have to yell over all the noise.
"Do you not like it?" I made a motion, waving my hand towards his drink.
"What? No, it's got an interesting taste. I just don't drink often. Don't care much for being drunk."
I could understand. I was once the same way. Since I had reached my second decade on this earth, drinking had become almost second nature to me. Not that I was addicted to it, like an alcoholic would be. I enjoyed the fun that came along with being drunk. Most of my friends back at Maverith, I was easily able to drink under the table.
Ah, those were the days.
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