Dead on Arrival

Selenna stood by her horse, its quiet nickering and snorting filling the calm morning as she fed it a handful of oats. The sturdy mare nuzzled at her hand eagerly, chewing away.

The settlement was yet to stir with activity, a few figures moving between the meagre houses, preparing for the day ahead. In early hours like these, it was mostly the cool wind, the faint creak of the wooden frames, and the background buzzing of animals that filled the air combined with the smell of damp earth.

Selenna ran her hand down the mare's neck, giving her a soft pat before striding towards the small patch of land behind her home. The farm was a scanty collection of vegetables, herbs, and fruits that was her main source of food. Her boots crunched softly into the dirt path as she made her way through the garden, reaching for the familiar stems of mint and rosemary that grew by the edge of the plot.

But as her fingers skimmed over the herbs, she paused. Something, or someone caught her eye.

At the far edge where the settlement met the dome, stood a lone figure. A woman stood, covered in a blanket that looked way too thin for the morning cold. Her back was turned on Selenna, her head facing the forest, as though watching it for some sign.

Selenna's heart fell as she recognized the woman. It was the mother. The one whose child had been stolen from her, taken by the demon. The woman stood firm, eyes filled with silent grief.

Selenna approached her slowly, walking through a plain field as she closed the space between them. As she got near, she cleared her throat.

"Did you manage to sleep at all?" Selenna asked. It felt awkward, a question too small for a misery so heavy.

The woman did not move at first. Her eyes remained fixed on whatever she was staring at on the horizon. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper, laden with sorrow. "I can't sleep," she said. "Not until I see him. Not until I know he's safe."

Selenna's heart broke but she stepped forward, placing her hand gently on the woman's shoulder. "Your son will be returned," she said, though there was a hint of doubt to it. "I promise you. He'll come back."

The woman's shoulders trembled under the blanket, but she did not look at Selenna, her eyes filled with desperation. "I'll wait here. I'll wait as long as it takes."

Selenna felt the need to say something more, to offer a solution or a plan, but there were no guarantees or assurances in this fractured world. She could not blame the woman for waiting, for hoping. But it was clear this was no place for rest, and definitely no place for Selenna to help.

With a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, Selenna stepped back, looking at her small farm again, then back to the woman. She sighed with resignation. "I'll be back soon. Please, try to rest."

The woman's only response was a slight nod, her eyes never leaving the distant forest. Selenna didn't wait around. She turned and walked away, her mind already on the small tasks awaiting her in the garden.

As Selenna knelt to harvest what she needed, her mind was clouded with the gloom she had just witnessed, although the sharpness of the leaves did little to ground her thoughts. The scent of the mint and rosemary stuck to her fingers as she moved through the small plot, collecting the ingredients for the breakfast she didn't have the heart to prepare.

By the time she finished, the sun had started to rise, its bright light diffused by the translucent dome. Selenna returned to the front of her home clutching the vegetables, her pace slower than before. She paused for a moment at the doorway, looking back over her shoulder, the woman still standing unwavered. Selenna watched her for a while wondering if there was anything else she'd have done or said to ease her pain.

Just as she pushed the door open to enter, the sound of hooves came from behind her. She paused and turned, her gaze lifting to see Edrik, riding up to her on horseback.

The moment his eyes met hers, the gloom look that had formed on her face slowly faded, quickly replaced by something more familiar, something like affection. His horse slowed to a stop in front of her, its hooves tapping against the ground as Edrik dismounted. His worn leather armor creaked, and the faint breeze ruffled his blonde hair, his handsome features in contrast to the expected look of a soldier who had spent years in the field.

"Selenna," he greeted, his voice low and his expression both stoic and familiar. "Just returning from patrol with the boys. Thought I'd stop by, check in on you."

Selenna nodded, a brief smile forming on her lips. "I'd be glad of the company." She gestured toward the door. "Come in, I was just about to make something for breakfast."

Edrik smiled back. "I don't think I'll be staying for breakfast today Sel," he said, quickly securing his horse nearby, effortlessly tying the reins to a protruding wooden frame before following her inside. Selenna moved to her small kitchen area and began to arrange the ingredients she'd gathered.

Edrik settled into one of the wooden chairs behind her, resting his arms on the table as he watched her work, his brow furrowing with inquisition. "That woman," he said, breaking the silence. "I saw her last night. She was standing there, at the edge of the settlement. What's going on with her?"

Selenna paused, picking up a knife, and she sighed. "It's because of her son. He was taken about two nights ago." Her voice felt distant, as she started chopping some vegetables. "A demon took him. No sign of him since."

Edrik's jaw tightened as realization hit him. He leaned back slightly as he processed her words. "Wait. She's the mother of the child Garrick and his team went out to rescue, isn't she?"

Selenna nodded somberly. "Yes. That's her. She won't leave the spot until she knows he's safe. Until she sees him again."

Edrik paused, his eyes distant for a moment, but he nodded, hardening himself. "We'll get him back," he said firmly. "Garrick and the others will make sure of it. I promise."

Selenna looked at him then nodded in appreciation. She didn't doubt his words, but that didn't mean the world around them was shifting in ways that couldn't be predicted.

"I hope so," she murmured. She continued preparing her meal, chopping and stirring, as a shared silence settled between them.

Edrik cleared his throat before shifting the conversation. "So, what about you? What's the plan for this rift season? I assume you've been preparing the settlement?"

Selenna's hands paused for a moment as she pondered. "We just started making preparations, I don't know how much time we have," she said, her frustration visible. "But we're still too few. Not enough to truly protect everyone." She met his eyes briefly. "But we'll manage. We always do."

Edrik's lips quirked slightly, although there was no trace of humor in the expression. "You've been managing for years, Selenna. But it's not right, you know. You should be in Dunmore with me. You've seen how they treat you out here." His voice soft and his tone persuasive. "I still don't understand why you won't come. You could have a better life, safety, food and even a chance to rest."

Selenna sighed weakly, she didn't look at him as she spoke. "I have a responsibility to my people. I can't abandon them, not when they need me most."

Edrik observed her for a while, then shrugged in defeat.

"You know, you'd make a hell of a Vanguard soldier. You've got the heart for it, the leadership." He said. "If only it wasn't strictly for Dunmorians."

Selenna took in his words, the compliment hanging heavily in the air, but she only gave a sllight, sad smile. "I'm no soldier, Edrik. Yet, I've got enough to worry about out here."

He grunted in response, standing up with a stretch, holding in a yawn. "I don't want to keep you from your work." He walked to the door, looking back over his shoulder. "I'll be heading back now, don't want to miss out on the morning tea."

Selenna forced a smile as she followed him to the door, watching as he got ready to mount his horse and for a short moment, she wished she could trade places with him, be part of something more, something less uncertain. But her duty lay here.

"Stay safe out there," she said.

Edrik flashed a brief, tight smile as he swung himself up onto his horse, steadying the animal. "You too, Sel. If anything goes awry, I'll be here. You have my word."

She nodded, returning the smile. "My people can handle themselves, Edrik. We've done so for years. But I'll keep your word in mind."

Edrik gave one final nod before he urged his horse forward, spurring the animal forward as he disappeared down the path towards Dunmore, the hooves of his horse fading into the distance.

Selenna stood at the doorway watching him go. The air felt heavy as though the very earth held its breath for what would happen next.

A new sound surged through the settlement, clamoring voices, hurried footsteps and the sharp gasp of someone who had spotted movement at the treeline beyond the dome.

Selenna turned, already feeling the shift in the atmosphere before she heard the words.

"The Vanguard! They're back!"

She didn't hesitate. Forfeiting breakfast, she walked toward the commotion. Other settlers moved urgently in the same direction, a growing crowd forming near the eastern edge of the settlement.

Through the morning mist, she saw them, Garrick and his team emerging from the treeline, their horses moving at a steady but relaxed pace. Their figures became visible against the crystalline glow of the dome, their faces grim.

Nessa reached the barrier first, dismounting with ease. She lifted her hand, pressing her palm against the smooth, transparent surface of the dome. A faint light pulsed outward from her palm, and then a narrow, permeable gateway was formed. One by one, the soldiers passed through on their horses.

Nessa entered last, leading her own horse through before turning back. Once again, her palm touched the dome, this time from the inside and with another pulse of light, the gateway sealed shut.

The settlers had gathered along the path, lining the route that stretched from the eastern border of the settlement all the way to Dunmore's distant South gates. The Vanguard rode past the murmuring crowd, their silence louder than any battle cry.

Then, before anyone could stop her, the mother of the missing child broke through from the crowd.

"Where is he?!" she cried, her voice tinged with desperation. She stumbled toward the soldiers, her blanket slipping off her shoulders as she looked up at them. "Where is my son?!"

Garrick didn't even look at her. Neither did Caden, nor Finn, nor Lyra. None of them spoke. None of them slowed down. They pressed forward, eyes up ahead, as if her voice didn't exist, as if they didn't feel the agony in her voice.

But Aric stopped, gripping the reins tighter as his horse came to a halt.

The woman nearly collapsed before him, her hands reaching for something, anything at all. Her breath came in sobs, her sunken eyes searching his face for an answer.

Aric dismounted, his jaw tight.

In his arms, wrapped in a heavy, dark cloak, was the still form of what had once been a lively child. The cloth could barely conceal the withered husk within, an unmistakable limb protruding.

The moment she saw it, she knew.

The woman let out a wail so piercing it tore through the morning air, echoing as far as the gates of Dunmore as her body crumbled under the weight of grief. Her voice cracked as she collapsed onto the dirt, her fingers clawing into the earth as though she wanted to bury herself in it.

Aric didn't speak. He slowly crouched, setting the wrapped form gently onto the ground before stepping back.

The mother rolled onto her side, her body embracing the dirt, shaking so violently that her clothing started to slip from her shoulders.

Selenna rushed forward with another woman, hastening to cover her up again, hands pulling the fabric back around her convulsing figure.

But the woman only spoke out in-between sobs, "There's no need, what do I have to hide? My husband is gone. My son is gone. I am as good as naked before the world."

Selenna pressed a hand to the woman's back, offering the little comfort she could. She looked up, her eyes meeting Aric's.

Guilt was written all over his face but he said nothing. His fingers formed fists at his sides, his shoulders heavy with regret. Then, without uttering a word, he turned and mounted his horse once more.

His eyes shifted to Selenna again, just long enough for her to see the pain in them, before he pulled on his reins and rode ahead, leaving her to repair the wreckage grief had left behind.

Aric's horse neighed as it slowed, hooves kicking up damp earth as he caught up with the others. The group was still engulfed in grim silence that even Finn kept to. The only sounds were the steady clatter of hooves and the distant murmur of the settlement fading out behind them.

The path to Dunmore was ahead, twisting through scanty trees before leading to open land. The dome shone faintly over them, an invisible ceiling that separated them from the boundless sky above.

Soon, the towering southern gate of Dunmore came into view ahead, dark ironwood reinforced with plates of steel, standing at seven times the height of a man. Guards were already stationed at the top.

One of the soldiers called out, signaling others of their arrival, and with a loud groan, the gates began to part.

The world beyond the gates was a wave of life and color, voices calling, merchants shouting out their morning prices, the scent of freshly baked bread mixing with the sharper scents of tanning leather. The streets were bustling with movement, vendors setting up stalls, craftsmen hammering metal into shape, children running through alleys with laughter.

Stone buildings stood erect, adorned with banners bearing Dunmore's crest. Mounted patrols rode along the main streets, their polished armor glistening, in harsh contrast to the dust-covered soldiers who had just returned from the wilds beyond.

From the very heart of the city, a pillar of light beamed upward, piercing through the morning fog, extending all the way to the apex of the dome itself. That beam was the city's lifeblood. The very source of its protection.

The gates groaned again, the heavy doors closing with a final, echoing thud, sealing up Dunmore from the world outside.

The settlement, the grieving mother, the child's lifeless husk, all left behind, just another forgotten sorrowful story beyond the walls.