The King's Obsession ✔️

FIVE

Word Count: 1713

~Akara

Snow laced wind whips against my face, as I nudge my horse on.

It took me a day to prepare. Fran pointed me in the direction of someone who could lend us horses and enough gear to take us partially up the mountain. We also attained a map, which thankfully highlights that the Snow Demon territory is relatively close to the base of the mountain.

Marek should be there. He will be there.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is," Nakoa yells over the wind as we continue our trek upward, our horses sludging through the thick snow. She was wary about this yesterday, and now, she seems to be moments away from turning back around.

"If it's so dangerous, why did you agree to come with me?" I ask over my shoulder.

I feel bad dragging her up here just to find a man she still distrusts. I spent all night encouraging her to stay behind, to look out for herself, but she insisted. Part of me wonders if it's because she thinks I won't make it back, or that I'll turn into a Tani before I get a chance to lay eyes on Marek again.

"There is nothing for me back at Tai's estate," she exclaims, pushing her horse to line up with mine. We are making slow progress, but it's steady. We should be where we need to be by tomorrow evening. "There is nothing for me anywhere."

I watch her for a moment, sad. So much of her life has been destroyed too, including when she lost Evolet.

"Do you have your weapons?" I ask.

"The sword?" she asks, dark eyes widening slightly. She was apprehensive when I passed it to her this morning. I couldn't let her come up this mountain, where a Tani lurks, without something to defend herself if it ever comes down to it. Unfortunately the man who gave us our gear only had a sword to offer Nakoa. "Yes, but I have no idea how to use it."

"I'll protect you," I assure her.

Leaning down, I grab the dagger I have stored on my horse, showing it to her. I'm hoping I still know how to wield this thing, since it's been awhile since I've needed to. And since I drank from the river, I've been weaker...

"He taught you how to use that dagger, didn't he," Nakoa breathes, shivering. I can hardly see much of her face considering ow much of it is covered by thick layers and a covering. But I can see her eyes, more curious than ever.

"He gave me the dagger," I admit. For some reason I could never bring myself to get rid of it, even when I hated him.

Now I'm hoping it will bring me right to him.

"Are you ready to kill the Snow Demon, if we have to?" Nakoa asks anxiously. The trek up here doesn't unnerve her, the Tani does. I can't blame her, I'm scared of coming across it too, since Marek lost his sister to it. But Marek could be up here for a long time if we don't go, and there is a chance, no matter how small, that the Snow Demon can, and will kill Marek.

"I'm hoping wherever the Snow Demon is, Marek is," I say surely, trying to give her hope that he has already killed it, and we won't have to worry about that part, even if I don't believe it myself. "So on that logic, we shouldn't have to kill it."

Nakoa doesn't say anymore, so we just ride, silent as we stare at the endless amounts of snow and rocky outcrops. Eventually our horses tire, and it becomes so cold I can't feel my fingers and toes, so we pause for the night in a nearby cave, and eat by the fire.

We don't just stay there the night.

Upon waking, we are met with a cold, white wall of a blizzard. We creep back into the cave more with our horses, and do the best we can to keep warm, until all our food has been eaten, and the only way we can keep warm is by huddling close to each other.