Echoes of Moonfire

E

ck. His voice was steady but low, like the cave walls might eavesdrop. "We'll need food

hifted on the rock. "I

ed it to cover my crescent birthmark which was

s Eve?"

's t

The only friend I have left

atched the back of his n

ulder tugged under the bandage. "Let me go and check on t

g out into the light. He sighed-deep

g her head into my chest. Her flanks were still dust-caked from the ca

orehead to hers. "Don't worry, girl. I've g

e tossed a twig into the air. It spun like a co

that way,

? That's y

wrong

es now depends on the direction

hat way?" Caelum asked

res attacking themselves and heavy wind

? We're headed north." I

climbed on his horse

hills rolled like sleeping beasts beneath the blanke

othing but the sound of

we were kids," Caelum said eventual

ch o

out to the stables. We stole horses just

remember getting injured and h

h?" he said. "When playi

with a smile, overwhelmed

se of that" Caelum said, looking at me momenta

ng caught." I stroked my chin, trying to

eyes flicking toward the horizon. "His father a

Marius believed his son rode three horse

m chuckled. "But even knowing Aeron only

as a lo

n that had been chewing

d it all

didn't

mething wron

t. Why would

pped, voice cracking. "Why would h

and him with betrayal just yet.

defending him? You're su

. "But I'm trying to understand. Aeron doesn'

" I muttered. "How's he

tated. "The

asked, but he

rsh rock, more clustered trees. A strange stillness settled over the t

when we

light. Crude wooden stalls stood in crooked lines along what seemed to be a central path, though they were long abandoned. Some were st

by people who had once lived

y galloped down the slope and into the village clearing. W

a single so

oors hung half-open. Curtains fluttered behind wind

rse slowly throu

called out. "I

le

. I knocked on i

a broken cart with splintered w

l no

ed toward a narrow al

app

tion. A shif

we were s

y circled us with terrifying coordination. Each held a long wooden spear, the tips etched with g

ere were a doz

eled at ou

htly. I held her steady, heart ham

ng to look up." I muttered- right as th