Where Thorn Blooms

VIGHEDEN

was exactly the same. Every rustling branch reminded me of rebels hiding, w

s sensing my tension as we ventured de

red, though I wasn't sure if

st in Yaunus. This forest covers half of all

oyal guards to catch me within a single day, but the poss

the girl! But the boy

er! Take me in

ink you're a hero. A

ght. If I have to die to s

e! Run! Don'

ices echoed in my mind. One after the other, incessantl

louder. My vision blurred due to

voices that reminded me of what happened fi

crying out in pain. I had a map with me, but it seemed useless becau

rts are so close. Our feelings have always been connected since childhood-when he's hurt, I feel it

dwus and I are one, but what did I do? I ran. I left him. I left my bro

h I had just stayed with him, I would have accepted that better. Maybe what happene

t I was already at the heart of the Madera Fores

d, then grabbed my bag. I looked around to see if anyo

t the brown horse I had ridden. I

pered to the horse, as if it understood me. "I will never fo

es and gently tapped it with a simpl

acking dogs, and they could use its scent to track the horse I rode. By l

to wash away my scent and be carried by the current, then cross to the othe

just trust the gods and goddesses in the sky that th

water. I swallowed again and noticed my fingers trembling. The only

or a moment, then tightened my grip on the hem of my maid'

courage myself, even though my heart felt

lly stepping into the river, making sure

s a waterfall found in the kingdom of Cotha-the neighboring kingdom of Ruilux-this is why the river

. My bag was also wet, and no matter how

ionally. I felt my vision blurring and spinning, but I fought it because if

ver. But just before I took another step-everything around me sudden

d to the ground. But just before I lost conscio

ed, before everyth