Dreigiau Book 1: The Gift of Flame

Chapter 11

This is all your fault, you know?

AsaHi grumbled to herself as she shifted the weight of the traveling pack on her shoulders. Her feet stung and her body ached from the many hours of walking. While she was used to traveling long days, this journey was different — it was more pressing, more exhausting and more terrifying. Every sound on the road sent her scampering to hide. Every shift of the air made her glance over her shoulder in fear.

The silence was just as bad. It allowed her thoughts to creep in and guilt to play through her mind.

What's going to happen to Aunt SaRa if they find out that she helped me? What's going to happen to SoYa if I'm not there to take the blame?

She stumbled along the path, head drooping in a long stream of white hair that hung loose around her shoulders. So many days she was alone and left to mull over her crime. She came to regret more and more not thinking about the consequences of challenging the truth of the Dreigiau.

If I knew it would end up like this... that I would have to leave my home... my Promised... everything. If I had known...

AsaHi found the nearest tree and leaned against it to catch a moment's rest.

Would I have still done it?

She dropped her forehead against the rough bark, drawing in a tired breath.

Now all I have left is what I carry on my back and a sketchy map that's supposed to take me to a place I've never heard of.

The girl closed her eyes, letting her pack slide down over her shoulder to rest on the ground.

What have I gotten myself into?

For a time, the world turned around her in pale silence. The sun was going down for yet another day, and now more than ever she missed her home. Still, she knew there was nothing she could do except continue forward. AsaHi gave a somber sigh, reaching to gather her pack. That's when she realized that it was gone.

Where...?

The girl turned quickly, looking at the spot where she placed her bag. Though it was getting harder to see as the night shadows drew long, the pack was too large to overlook. It was nowhere.

She heard the sound of soft footsteps on the path only seconds before the voice came, "So, are you having second thoughts yet, AsaHi?"

A woman stood there, dangling the travelling pack from one hand. AsaHi wasn't very knowledgeable about all the officials of Nefol, but this woman's face was familiar, perhaps even a member of the Council itself.

AsaHi felt a lump catch in her throat – something about the woman felt wrong, "What do you want?"

"TsuYa sent me to bring you back to Nefol," the woman answered, eyes direct and unblinking. She fingered the sleek bone-blade that was strapped at her hip. It was obviously very old and darkened by the lifeblood of many fallen enemies. "I don't expect any trouble out of you."

"TsuYa?" AsaHi asked, stricken. "Why would he..."

"We're not going to hurt you. Our orders are simply to return you home," the woman told her, coaxing softly.

It was a calmness that didn't touch her eyes. Instead, there was a cold light there, concealed, and frightening. As the moon broke from the passing clouds, her hair was almost translucent. It might have been a trick of the light, but AsaHi thought she saw the hint of strange symbols glowing just beneath the skin along the woman's arms.

As she approached, AsaHi heard the sound of more footsteps from the surrounding brush. Others appeared out of the looming shadows, all hooded, with faces concealed. AsaHi shook her head and turned in a full circle. While she was bemoaning her situation, they had taken the opportunity to completely surround her.