Birds chirped from their positions in the trees, their songs providing much-needed encouragement as I continued my trek through the woods.
I ran until I came across a small stream rushing along the forest floor. The moment I laid eyes on the crystal clear water, I dropped to my knees. Ignoring the way small rocks cut into my legs, I cupped my hands and greedily dipped them into the water.
Bringing my hands to my mouth, the cool liquid ran down my throat, providing a momentary reprieve to the aching of my muscles. Even the water smelled and tasted different when it wasn’t brought to me in a jug. It tasted like the morning air, fresh and cool, as it dripped down my throat.
Wiping my hand across the back of my mouth, I panted and drew deep breaths as I leaned back against a nearby tree. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself a moment to relax. The bark was rough against my back as I focused on slowing my breathing.
The wind blew around me, sending locks of my hair flying into my face before a voice echoed through my mind.
Greetings, daughter of Uhna. We have been waiting for you.
A scream crawled up my throat as my eyes flew open. Drawing one of my daggers in one swift movement, my heart pounded in my chest as I bolted to my feet.
“Who is there?” I called out.
No response. My heartbeat sounded like a drum.
“Show yourself,” I hissed.
The wind rustled, but there came no reply.
Wide-eyed, I took in the dark trees and bushes that surrounded me. Thunder still roared above, but I couldn’t see anyone. I turned in a circle, my dagger outstretched, as my gaze swept through the forest. The rain continued to fall, the steady pitter-patter of raindrops sounding like drums as they beat against the leaves.
“You’ve been in that tower for too long. Now you’re hearing things.” Scolding myself, I kept a firm grip on the hilt of my dagger as I looked around one more time. I was alone. After a few achingly long minutes, my heart rate settled.
The forest was empty. They hadn’t yet found me. I was still free.
Exhaling a ragged breath, I pushed back my hood and ran my hand through my damp hair. I couldn’t stay here any longer. My reprieve from running had cost me and I knew the king’s guards wouldn’t give up so easily. I had to keep going. Cursing, I rubbed the palms of my hands over my eyes before pulling my hood back onto my head. Letting a calm wash over me, I began picking my way through the forest once more.
I didn’t pray to the goddess Kydona for safety or protection as I started running again.
She had abandoned me long ago. Matthias, my guard—and only parental figure—had taught me to pray every night when I was little. For protection, he had said. It was because of the gods and goddesses that we were still here. He had insisted that we pray to them every night.
Matthias prayed to Ithiar, the God of War. And me? I was supposed to pray to Kydona, the Mother Goddess. For protection. But I had put a stop to that tomfoolery when I was thirteen.
Why would I pray to a deity who obviously cared so little for my well-being? She hadn’t stopped the king from taking everything from me. She hadn’t released me from my captivity.
Obviously, I was invisible to her. And so Kydona was invisible to me, too.
I knew Matthias had disapproved of my lack of reverence, but he had never said anything. And now he was dead, so he couldn’t. Matthias had been the one constant in my life.
From the day I had turned five, he had shown up daily to take me to the attic for my ‘walks’. Away from the prying eyes of my other guards, we had trained and sparred until we had both been breathless and sweaty.
At least, that’s what we had done until he had up and died on me a year ago. The Plague had swept through Ithenmyr, taking more than a third of the servants and guards with it. Ever since the day they had burned Matthias’ body on the pyre, I hadn’t seen outside the circular walls of my room once.
Until today.
And so, I didn’t pray. I ran. When the voices became nothing more than whispers on the wind, my shoulders relaxed enough for me to slip my dagger into the sheath on my forearm.
The rising sun illuminated the surrounding forest, and I kept picking my way through the trees. Dawn gave way to morning, and soon my footsteps slowed as a gnawing hunger rose within me. At the same time, I noticed just how wet my cloak and clothing had become. Everything was completely soaked, and my run through the forest hadn’t helped matters at all.
Spotting a small cave carved into a large hill up ahead, a small smile crept onto my lips.
Perhaps Kydona hadn’t forgotten about me after all.
* * *
I entered the cave, sitting on a rather uncomfortable stone that marked the entrance before opening my makeshift bag. Pushing aside the leather wrapping that was thankfully somewhat waterproof, I pulled out a loaf of brown bread and a piece of hard cheese. The bread was stale, but after a few moments in my mouth, it grew soft enough to chew.