Promise

Chapter 5 | Ryn

I didn't ask for an elaboration, and he didn't offer.

We walked in silence to the post office and continued in silence out of the city and onto a small dirt trail.

Miles ticked away, and with each step forward, my painfully empty stomach, full bladder, and throbbing feet reminded me of their dissatisfaction with my recent life choices.

Eventually, Solan veered from our path and towards a small stable.

He ushered me inside and closed the door behind us. I looked at him expectantly, but his eyes glazed over into a million-mile stare. He's doing a weird Phantom thing.

I looked at the horses and then the door.

I might yet escape.

Solan's voice pierced the air as soon as that hope entered my heart.

"Scheming escape?" Solan asked, speaking for the first time since we left my apartment—his tone split between amusement and anger.

I looked towards him, gaping. Can he read my mind?

Did he know my plan in the cavern?

He lifted a single brow. "Don't waste my time trying to run. I will find you, and when I do, it won't be good for anyone." He said, shrugging out of his equipment. "Aldric is meeting us here. It's going to be a while, so get comfortable." Solan advised, sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall.

Solan told Aldric to meet him at ECP 43 Zulu, so I suppose that's where we are.

Questions rolling around my head grew in number, but I stuck to my silence and slid to the floor.

"You should sleep." Solan suggested from where he sat.

Despite my exhaustion, falling asleep in the presence of this man felt foolish. I waited awake with heavy eyes for Aldric to arrive.

When he did, it was late morning and Solan sensed him before I could see him.

"Aldric." he said, rising to his feet. I stood, too, just as Aldric appeared from the tack room where a portal was hidden.

"Indoctrination?" Aldric said, lifting his brows.

Solan nodded.

"Well, good. I'm happy, and I know Artie will be too. Wes is going to be pissed, though." Aldric said with a lop-sided smile.

I know Artie is Arthur's nickname, but who is Wes?

"If things go my way, there will be a lot of people pissed by the end of this." Solan returned.

"What do you have planned?" Aldric asked curiously. I listened intently, wondering the same thing.

"Later." Solan returned, dismissing the topic as he turned to face me.

"Do you know how to ride?" He asked, jutting his chin towards the horses.

I nodded. I love horses. They ran wild on Shrey, and a festival was held in their honor every summer. We would ride bareback along the beach and braid flowers into their manes.

I felt my lips lift upward at the memory of wildflowers native only to the island. They were adorned with beautiful indigo and mauve petals. I'd give nearly anything to see them again.

"Good." Solan said, cutting me from my memory as he pointed towards a young mare. I shouldered my bag and began tacking the horse. Aldric and Solan spoke lowly in Median beside me.

The language was once again a mystery to me. Their conversation ended quickly, and Solan measured me carefully.

Our eyes danced like wind and waves across the surface of a sea.