Crown of ash and light, p.12
Crown of Ash and Light, page 12
I don’t know if I’ll ever see you again. I can’t promise that I will return. And the thought of never feeling your arms around me again... it breaks me. But know this—no matter where I am, no matter how far away, I will always be thinking of you. You are my heart, my everything. My love for you will never fade, even if I never see you again.
Please be safe. Be strong. Live the life I could never give you, the life you deserve. I will carry you in my soul forever. And I will love you, always.
Forever yours
Mom’”
I placed the note on the table where they would easily find it, weighing it down with a smooth stone from the hearth. My heart tightened as I looked over at the children, their peaceful faces still, lost in sleep. I moved quietly, careful so I would not disturb them. Each soft breath they took reminded me of everything I was leaving behind. Taking one last look around the room, I felt the ache of parting from them, but I knew it was the only way.
With trembling fingers, I pulled the hood over my head, hiding my face in the shadows of its fabric. The light and dark elementals stood silently by the door, their presence a steady reminder of the path I had chosen. With a deep breath, I stepped into the morning light, leaving behind the home that had been our sanctuary. Both the panther and lion flanked me, their silent forms a testament to the resolve we shared. Together, we moved into the forest, the shadows swallowing us whole as we disappeared into the depths of the trees. The morning light faded behind us, and with every step, the weight of my decision settled more firmly on my shoulders. This was the path I had chosen, and there was no turning back.
DRAVON
There was an earth-shattering scream, one full of fear and despair, that yanked me from my sleep. My heart slammed against my chest as the remnants of slumber disappeared in an instant. Azura was crying uncontrollably, her hands shaking as she gripped a crumpled piece of parchment like it might slip away. Therynna stood frozen nearby, her face drained of color as she stared at the note, her expression one of pure disbelief.
“What happened?” I demanded, my voice rough as I tried to make sense of the scene. Stravos appeared beside me, his expression mirroring my own confusion and alarm.
Azura’s sobs only grew louder, and she thrust the parchment toward Therynna, unable to speak. Therynna snatched it from her, her hands shaking as she smoothed it out on the table. I stepped closer, my eyes scanning the familiar handwriting. The words hit me like a blade. The note alone was a painful reminder of our mother's absence. We didn’t need to read the words more than once to understand the weight of her decision.
Instead, we turned our focus to what she’d left us: her journals. Azura flipped through any journal she could get her hands on quickly, her brow furrowed in concentration, while Stravos and I spread out the journals on the table, the smell of ink and old paper mingling with the air of tension that filled the room.
“If we’re going to catch up to her,” Azura said, breaking the silence, “we need to understand everything she’s taught us. We need to understand the elementals.”
“Including the ones she bonded with,” Stravos added, pulling one of mother’s personal journals closer. “Dark and light. We’ve never even seen her use dark elemental magic. How does it work?”
We poured over the journals, each entry revealing the profound connection our mother shared with her light and dark elementals, and the wisdom she had gained from them. One passage, in particular, caught our attention: her notes on how the elementals could solidify into any form they wished, taking on the shape of animals to interact with the physical world while still retaining their elemental powers. The light elementals could transform into radiant creatures—wolves, birds, lions, or any other animal that radiated pure energy. The dark elementals, in contrast, could become creatures of shadow—sleek panthers, serpents, owls, or even more fleeting, mist-like beings, their shapes shifting to match their needs. Her writings explained that this ability to transform into any animal allowed the elementals to remain a constant part of the world, bridging the gap between the ethereal and the tangible, while still granting her the power to call upon them whenever needed. It was a breathtaking revelation, demonstrating the depth and fluidity of her bond with these elemental forces.
Time slipped away as we studied, our focus unbroken even as the sun climbed higher until it began its descent. Day by day, week by week, the weeks turned into months. Six months passed in a blur of relentless effort and quiet determination. Though we missed our mother deeply, we poured ourselves into our training.
One evening, I found myself standing over the dining table, now transformed into a makeshift command center. Maps, books, and scattered notes blanketed the surface, each scrap of paper a possible clue. Over the days, we pieced together fragments of information, slowly uncovering the same strange tale told in different voices: our mother was traveling with a lion and a panther—one with golden fur, the other dark as midnight. The clues were scattered, inconsistent. Some came from frightened villagers who claimed to see a woman with striking white hair flanked by two beasts. Others were vague secondhand stories passed from town to town, warped by distance and retelling. A golden lion. A shadowy panther. A woman who moved like a queen and disappeared like smoke. Each time a new lead surfaced, we marked it with a pin—until the map looked like it was bleeding. But despite all the sightings, no clear pattern emerged. The pins formed nothing but chaos, a web of near-misses and dead ends. Each new dot on the map felt like another piece of a puzzle that refused to take shape. The frustration gnawed at me, but I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. Somewhere out there was the one clue that would bring her home.
Just as the weight of the uncertainty began to settle heavily on my shoulders, Therynna came running out of the woods, her face flushed with excitement. Clutched in her hand was a piece of paper. "I got this from the village poster board!" she exclaimed, holding it up for us to see. The paper described a sighting of a woman with white hair in a city called Elderglen. But the account ended strangely—the woman had appeared in the town and vanished into thin air just as quickly, leaving the townsfolk bewildered.
The room fell silent as we absorbed the new information, our hope rekindled but tempered with questions. Was this truly her? And if so, how was she disappearing without a trace? Our bond with our elementals strengthened, and our mastery of high-level magic grew to heights we hadn’t thought possible.
The use of our weapons became second nature, the movements fluid and precise. Each strike hit its target with ease, as though the weapons were extensions of ourselves. The once-daunting challenge of harnessing both magic and steel now felt like a natural part of who we were becoming. Azura practiced subtle manipulations with her kunai and chains while Stravos tested the balance of his scythe. I kept my sword close, studying both the weapon and the entries on the fire elemental that had bonded with me.
I stood over the dining table, my hands resting on the edges as I leaned forward, staring intently at the map spread out before me. The pins marking sightings of a woman with white hair and either a lion or a panther or both, were scattered and chaotic, but this new lead—Elderglen—stood out. I tapped the location on the map, my jaw tightening with resolve.
“We need to follow this,” I said, breaking the tense silence. My voice was firm, carrying the weight of my decision. “Elderglen is northwest of Solhaven, the capital, but south of the Dark Forest. If this sighting is real, it’s the strongest lead we’ve had so far.”
Azura and Stravos exchanged a glance, their faces reflecting a mix of hope and hesitation. Therynna, still catching her breath from her sprint back from the village, stood nearby, clutching the piece of paper that had sparked this discussion. Her wide eyes were fixed on Dravon, waiting for his next words.
“It’s too close to Solhaven for comfort,” Azura said, her voice cautious but tinged with determination. “If it’s true, then she’s walking a dangerous line. The empire’s reach stretches far, even to places like Elderglen.”
“Which is why we have to go,” I replied sharply. “If the empire is closing in on her, we can’t waste any more time. We’ve trained for months for this moment. We’re stronger now, smarter. And if she’s really there, we can’t let her disappear again.”
Stravos nodded, gripping the handle of his scythe as if drawing strength from it. “I agree. We’re ready. We’ve worked too hard to stop now.”
My gaze swept across my siblings, my determination unwavering. “We leave at dawn. Gather your gear and be ready. Make sure we each pack enough rations to last a while on the road, and we’ll need to find horses for sale. With them, we can travel faster. The trek is going to be long since we’ll need to avoid all towns unless absolutely necessary. We can’t afford to draw attention to ourselves. Any stops we make for supplies, we’ll also check for any updated news about our mother appearing in another town.”
The next morning, just before dawn, we were all up, quietly preparing for the journey ahead. The house was filled with the sounds of shuffling gear, the rustling of bags, and the faint clink of weapons being adjusted. Before leaving, I carefully put out the hearth, watching the last embers dim to darkness. The warmth that had filled the home for so many years was gone, replaced by the cold weight of our departure. Azura double-checked her pack, ensuring it was secure, while Stravos helped Therynna strap her quiver tightly. I tightened the straps on my sword sheath and glanced around the room, noting the determination etched into each of their faces. The faint light of the approaching sunrise barely filtered through the windows as we prepared to leave the only home we’d ever known behind.
As we stepped outside and closed the door, it felt final, like saying goodbye to a part of ourselves. Standing there, we each whispered our goodbyes, emotions thick in the air. Azura wiped a tear from her cheek, and Stravos’s hand lingered on the doorframe for a moment longer than necessary. Therynna clutched her bow tightly, her lips pressed together in silent resolve. It brought tears to my eyes, the thought that this might be the last time we’d see it. With heavy hearts, we turned and began our journey, the memories of this place etched deeply into our souls.
We took our first steps away, movement at the edge of the forest caught our attention. The wolves, which we so rarely saw, stood watching us silently. Around them, other mythical creatures emerged from the shadows of the trees, their forms both familiar and awe-inspiring. One by one, they bowed their heads in unison, a silent farewell and a message that resonated deeply within us: bring her back home. They missed her just as much as we did. With the creatures still watching us, we made our way toward the village, the stable coming into view in the distance. The path ahead was winding and narrow, but the forest had always felt like a friend to us, its shadows soft and welcoming. As we approached the stablemaster, his eyes narrowed at the sight of us. He eyed our cloaks warily but quickly shifted to business, stating a steep price of 8 gold per horse. Azura immediately stepped forward, her voice steady as she began to haggle.
“Eight gold per horse is outrageous,” she said. “These horses aren’t even bred for speed. They’re sturdy, sure, but not worth that much.”
The stablemaster crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Five gold per horse, then. Final offer,” he growled after a few minutes of back-and-forth.
Though still steep, we reluctantly agreed, knowing we needed the horses more than we needed the gold. With the deal struck, we handed over the coins and selected four horses, each one strong enough for the long journey ahead.
STRAVOS
After making a week's trek, we finally reached the outskirts of Elderglen. The city stood tall and bustling, its stone walls weathered but sturdy, a testament to its age and importance.
The sight was both a relief and a challenge. While the city offered a chance to gather more information about our mother, it also presented a risk. I pulled my cloak tighter, ensuring my hood covered my hair, a mark that would most certainly draw unwanted attention.
Dravon took a deep breath, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "We stick together," he said firmly, his gaze sweeping over me and the others. "Let’s find an inn, lay low, and start asking questions. Elderglen might hold the answers we’re looking for."
Azura nodded, her expression determined yet cautious. I exchanged a glance with Therynna before following Dravon through the city gates, my steps purposeful as we disappeared into the crowd, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us.
When we reached the inn, the air inside was warm and filled with the scent of cooking stew. I stepped forward to speak to the woman behind the counter, who looked up from a ledger with a curious glance. "Can we get one room with two beds?" I asked.
She considered for a moment before replying, "Two silvers."
Dravon handed over the coins without hesitation, and the woman handed us a key, gesturing toward the stairs. "Second floor, last door on the left," she said curtly before returning to her work. We made our way up, ready to settle in and plan our next steps. Once inside the room, the conversation quickly turned to finding information about this supposed white-haired woman who had reportedly appeared in Elderglen. We all agreed it had to be done carefully to avoid drawing attention to ourselves.
Azura was the first to propose an idea. "Taverns are where secrets go to die," she said with a smirk. "Loose lips are everywhere after a few pints. If anyone knows anything, that’s where we’ll find it."
I nodded in agreement but glanced at Therynna. "You can’t go in," I said, my tone firm. "It’s not safe for you there."
Dravon immediately chimed in, "I’ll stay behind with Therynna. You and Azura can handle the tavern. Just be careful and keep a low profile."
Azura grinned, already preparing to head out. "Don’t worry, we’ll be subtle," she said, though her tone indicated a hint of mischief.
With the plan in place, we split up, determined to gather whatever information we could about our mother’s possible whereabouts. Azura and I made our way into a bustling tavern, the air thick with the smell of ale and roasted meat. The sound of laughter and loud chatter filled the room, blending with the clinking of mugs and the shuffling of cards at the poker tables. We slipped to the back of the room, finding a corner table where we could listen without drawing too much attention.
A waitress approached us, her apron smudged and her tray balanced expertly on one hand. "What can I get you?" she asked, her tone brisk but polite.
"Two ales," I answered, keeping my voice low but steady. She nodded and moved off to fulfill the order, leaving us to scan the room. Around us, the din of conversation ebbed and flowed, snippets of stories boasted, and drunken ramblings swirling together. Azura and I exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to focus on picking out anything that might hint at the white-haired woman or her elementals.
After the waitress brought our ales, Azura leaned back and casually propped her feet up on the table, her posture oozing nonchalance. I immediately frowned and leaned closer to her. “Put your feet down,” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low.
“But I don’t want to stand out,” she replied, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips. “I’m trying to look relaxed, like I’ve got nothing to hide. Besides, we’re already getting eyed up by that table near the door.”
As she shifted her legs, the chains of her kunai rattled softly, since the weapons were strapped securely to her legs but now closer at hand. Her movements were deliberate and calculated—a reminder of her role as an assassin. I sighed, knowing there was little point in arguing further. Azura was in her element, and she knew exactly what she was doing.
As time passed, the door to the tavern creaked open, and six Imperial soldiers strode in, their presence sending a cold chill down both of our spines. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise as they made their way inside, their armor clinking softly with each step. Azura’s gaze never faltered, though she masked her watchful eyes, her movements relaxed and nonchalant. But I knew better; every subtle shift in her posture screamed tension.
I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at the soldiers, knowing they were behind me, but I focused on Azura’s body language. She was my guide at this moment, her composure the only thing keeping my nerves from fraying completely.
Slowly they moved across the room, their boots thudding against the wooden floor. They settled only one table away from ours, making the proximity almost unbearable. Fear chilled me to my core, and I could feel it radiating between Azura and me as we sat, trying desperately to blend in while every instinct screamed to flee. Azura subtly adjusted her hood, ensuring her hair was completely hidden, and I followed suit, tugging mine down further. We couldn’t afford to take any risks.
The waitress approached the soldiers’ table, her expression wary but professional. “What can I get for you, gentlemen?” she asked, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.
One of the soldiers leaned forward, his voice low but carrying enough weight to silence the nearby chatter. “Have you heard anything about a girl with white hair?” he asked, his tone sharp. “Or a woman with a lion and a panther at her side?”
The waitress froze for a brief moment before shaking her head quickly. “No, sir. Haven’t seen anyone like that,” she said, keeping her tone neutral as she avoided meeting their eyes. The soldier studied her for a moment before leaning back, apparently satisfied, but the air remained thick with unease.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but notice how out of place I felt without my scythe. I’d left it back at the inn with Dravon and Therynna, knowing it would draw too much attention in a place like this. But Azura’s confidence in her chained kunai reassured me. She could handle herself— probably both of us—if it came to that.
