“Nervous?” Athgar’s reassuring voice broke through her thoughts. He had risen from the bed, and she saw his reflection in the glass as he walked up and placed his arms around her.

“Not with you here,” she replied. “You make me feel safe.”

“Then what is it?”

“How long will we have to be on the run?” she asked.

“It depends,” he responded. “How long will the family keep looking for you?”

“They’ll never give up!” she admitted.

“Then we’ll keep running forever,” he promised. “We’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“I can’t ask that of you,” she said. “You deserve a chance to live, to raise a family.”

“Nonsense,” he argued, “I am living. It’s you that brought joy to my life. We’ll see this through to the end, even if we have to destroy the entire family ourselves. In any case, we’re safe here.”

“How can you say that?” she asked.

“We’ve been here for almost two weeks with no sign of the family,” he explained.

“But what of your own people?” she asked. “And you still have to find your sister, Ethwyn. I’m only getting in the way.”

“No,” he insisted, “you’re not. If they’ve survived this long, they’re still alive, and they’ll likely remain that way. Our job right now is to keep you safe. The search for Ethwyn and the other Therengians will have to wait. I’m sure the Gods will understand.”

She turned to face him, his arms still around her. “Do you really think the Gods take an interest in such things?”

“I suppose I do,” he remarked. “Can’t you say the same thing for your Saints?”

“An interesting thought,” she responded, “and one to which I’ve never given much reflection. I’ve never considered myself to be very religious. I suppose that’s common for mages.”

“So you consider us meeting a chance encounter?” he asked.

“I’d say fortuitous,” she confessed, “why? Are you suggesting your Gods brought us together?”

“I’m not saying anything, I’m just glad that we met, whatever the circumstances.”

“Me too,” she said, “but maybe it’s time we moved on?”

“To where?” he asked. “We’re already at the edge of the known world, where else can we go?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, “likely nowhere is safe for long. I’m not sure what to do.”

He moved his face closer to hers, kissing her tenderly. At that precise moment, his stomach growled, and she burst into laughter.

“It appears it’s time to eat,” she said.

He blushed, “So it is!”

“Come along then,” she urged, “let’s get some clothes on and see what’s for breakfast.

Continue reading Embers

Cast of Characters

Orcs

Agar - Youngling, son of Shaluhk and Kargen, Red Hand Tribe

Artoch - Master of flame, Red Hand Tribe

Durgash - Hunter, Red Hand Tribe