188 The Long Night

HELENA'S POV

The river is slowly getting frozen as the night succumb to the frosty winds. The temperature drops, while our small flame dance in the gentleness of the cold breeze that beats the heat, struggling to grow. The snow started to fall lightly, sending more shivers upon us. As I endure the cold freezing my lashes and numbing my fingers, I can finally tell that I am close to coming home. So hang in there, Agalea - that's all I thought of. 

Our bellies started to growl when Stellan and Ottis appeared from the woods. Jac even thought of following them when he began to lose his mind from his need for food. However, we were surprised at the rush for leaving that Stellan and Ottis initiated as soon as they got back. They didn't bothered to warm up in the fire, or even sip a little water at least. Certainly, I can see through their eyes a certain kind of danger have come our way. Atrius and Jac asked why the ever careful Ottis erased the signs that we were there like before. Stellan, who tried to be unbothered, led me to Areon. Hurried but calm. One word made us all stop questioning. One word made my chest tighten, making it hard to breath.

REBELS.

Then, it all came back to me. The agonizing memory that I buried at the back of my mind flashed right before my eyes. The torture of someone cutting through my skin, drinking my blood... I froze at the nightmare that haunted me with my eyes widely open. I was about to lose the battle within and breakdown when a warm hand on my cheek woke me up from the atrocious cruelty that bound me from a harrowing past. Standing under the flurry, there was Stellan effortlessly melting my fears away. I closed my eyes as I held his hand on my face. He is indeed my sanctum in my blizzard of agony. 

We left our new found sanctuary shortly. This time, Ottis led the way followed by Atrius and Umbriel, then Jac, and in the rear, Stellan and I. Galloping blindly in the wisps, my sensitivity became finely tuned as I peer through the shadowy night. The falling snow blinds me even more, keeping me appeased. I'm not sure if any of them can see in the dim snowy path, but I can tell something is following us beyond the gloom. Then, I heard low growls with movements in celerity all around us. As I relied on Stellan, I kept telling myself that I have nothing to fear when I'm with him. "Something's out there", I finally said.

"Hold the reins for me, will you my love?", he whispered in my ear as I immediately grab the reins tightly.

Stellan unsheathed his sword, ablazed with his aura. And there, I saw large winter wolves, almost the size of Areon chasing us. I lost count as they hide behind the trees, snarling loudly followed by howling sounds. We all dashed at a full speed, with vigilance on the unwanted company.

Like art of war, Stellan strike the wolves with his sword who dared to approach closely. I was surprised how the snow, the blur and Areon transpired with Stellan's series of onslaught, that holding the reins was all I did. I tried to call the winds, and even drift the snow, but the weather was also like the heavy rains blocking my magic.

My friends gave their fair share of a good fight. They held their swords for a backfire, and nonetheless, strike in millitance at any wolf that come near. Stellan covered them well, reassuring their safety. One wolf was about to snatch Atrius with one large bite, Stellan fired up a bolt hitting the wolf in the eye. Truly, he deserve to be a commander of Hesam knights, who watches not only his back but also looks after his men.

To the abyss surrounded by neverending flakes of snow and chased by hungry wolves, Jac suddenly tumbled down the soft bed of slush as his horse trip over a rock. My heart fell as he got caught up by two wolves. "Jac!", I clutched on Stellan as I held my breath, hoping he'd do something to save Jac. Yet, he stayed on guard watching Jac with piercing stares. Swiftly, Jac shot three arrows in one blow, then with an energy arrow as his last, hitting two wolves on a clear headshot. We all cheered in unison as he jump back on his stallion. He wore a proud grin, jumping in tears of joy. I heaved a sigh from the great tension bottled to my neck, gazing at Stellan.

"Sometimes, we set them off to trigger their strenghts", Stellan simply said. And here I thought he casted Jac off. "Can you take off your claws now?", he gleamed a smile, realizing I dug my nails on his arm.

"Oh, sorry", I held the reins with my both hands in embarassment.

After nearly a mile, the night went calmer than our pounding chests. There's no more traces of wolves that can be seen around, not even faint howls that have vanished in a sudden. Stellan take hold of my trembling hands with the reins. "It's over", he uttered with his cold lips brushing the back of my ear. Eventually, he finally decided to kindle the light of the lamps hanging on the horses' saddles one at a time, as the night grow deeper. It was then we found ourselves surrounded by beautiful trees topped with a thick blanket of snow.

We took it slow. And the snow have stopped, as the wintry winds continue to send a off bone-chilling zephyr. As we go along, I thought I heard a breaking sound interrupting the stillness of my mind… and somehow, the horses seemed to tread on slippery ground.

"What is it?", Stellan asked, as if he could sense what bothers me.

"I thought I heard something", I searched around looking for where the sound could be coming from.

"What did you hear?", he asked.

It's as if some glass is breaking. Biting my dry lips as I shrug it off, I leaned back on Stellan hoping nothing more terrible would take place in our night that seemed very long. Then it came to me, as I look down and squinted my eyes. I could barely see the hooves on frozen water that have started cracking. "Move!! The ice is breaking!!", we all dashed up ahead as we tread on thin ice.