Chapter 16 : The Ashes of Vallombre

The sun dipped slowly on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and purple. Claude led the way, his navy-blue hair catching the last rays of light, almost like a glimmer of the ocean itself. Behind him, his eight companions followed.

Eryndel, the tallest, had a mane of shimmering silver hair that cascaded down to his waist. His eyes were sharp, almost severe, as if he could see beyond appearances. Beside him walked Lysariel, an elf with fiery red hair that contrasted with her gentle and composed demeanor. She carried a small lyre at her belt, her fingers occasionally brushing the strings to produce soothing melodies.

A little further back, two brothers, Faelar and Thaelion, bickered in hushed tones. Their golden hair and mischievous smiles made them seem like rays of sunshine, and their camaraderie was evident despite their constant squabbles. Their opposite was Tylwen, a taciturn elf with jet-black hair that fell over her dark eyes. She walked silently, her steps barely audible on the rocky ground.

Ryndiel, on the other hand, was a formidable warrior despite her slender frame. Her brown hair was braided into countless plaits, and she carried a massive bow on her back, a weapon few elves could wield with such ease.

The group moved forward with determination, their footsteps softly echoing along the cliffside path. The sea breeze carried with it the scents of salt and freedom, reminding them of their destination.

Claude walked alongside Eryndel, slightly ahead of the rest of the group. The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below rhythmically accompanied their steps. They hadn't exchanged a word for several minutes, but Claude finally broke the silence.

"I keep thinking about it… Just you and me. It doesn't happen often. Do you think we should have done things differently?"

Eryndel shrugged slightly, his silver eyes fixed straight ahead.

"No. What needed to be done was done. We followed the plan, even if the results weren't ideal. Do you have regrets?"

Claude narrowed his eyes slightly, searching for the right words.

"It's not regrets… Just a feeling that we could have avoided some of the damage. But maybe I'm overthinking it."

Eryndel turned slightly toward him, his expression grave.

"Claude, plans are never perfect. We can't always control everything, not even you."

Claude nodded silently, but a shadow of doubt seemed to linger in his gaze. After a moment, he changed the subject.

"By the way, after we finished that mission, I heard you talking to someone. Who was it?"

Eryndel slowed his pace slightly, thoughtful.

"A child. He had snuck into the manor while we were finishing up. He was covered in grime, clearly a vagabond or a petty thief."

"And you let him go?"

"Yes," Eryndel replied simply. "He was just a kid. He had nothing to do with what we were doing there. Probably an opportunist who thought he could find something valuable in the chaos."

Claude frowned, his tone hardening slightly.

"And what if he wasn't just a thief? What if someone sent him to spy on us?"

"I made my decision," Eryndel retorted, his tone sharp. "If he had been a threat, I would have dealt with him."

Silence fell again, this time heavier. The two elves continued walking, but a subtle tension seemed to have settled between them.

The harbor finally appeared on the horizon, its white sails dancing in the breeze. The smell of salt grew stronger, mingling with the scent of fresh fish from the market stalls. The rest of the group caught up without asking questions, and despite the apparent calm, Claude and Eryndel exchanged no further words.

The docks were bustling with sailors, merchants, and travelers. The sound of ropes slapping against masts, crates being carefully stacked, and orders shouted across the harbor filled the air. Claude and his companions made their way through the crowd, drawing a few curious glances.

At the end of the main dock, a ship with a dark hull and sails adorned with a wave pattern awaited them. It was elegant, fast by design, and its captain, a well-dressed elf, greeted them with a calculated smile.

"You're the travelers heading to the mainland?" he asked, his eyes scanning each member of the group.

Claude nodded.

"Yes. Is everything ready?"

"Everything's ready," the captain confirmed, gesturing toward the gangway leading aboard. "My crew will ensure you arrive safely."

The companions boarded one by one. Ryndiel paused briefly to inspect the cargo, making sure nothing unexpected was in the hold, while Lysariel seemed fascinated by the seagulls crying above them. Faelar and Thaelion whispered to each other, no doubt planning another prank, while Tylwen, ever silent, examined the sails with a wary gaze.

Claude lingered for a moment on the dock, taking one last look at the island they were leaving. Its steep cliffs and dense forests suddenly felt more familiar than he would have thought.

"Claude," Eryndel called from the deck.

He turned his head, meeting his companion's gaze. Eryndel said nothing more, but his expression said it all: it was time to go.

Claude boarded, and the ship cast off with a creak of ropes. As they moved away from the harbor, the wind filled the sails, and the island slowly faded on the horizon.

"Next stop, the mainland," Lysariel said dreamily, her eyes fixed on the shimmering expanse of water ahead.

The journey across the sea was calmer than expected. The sky remained clear, offering an endless view of the horizon. The waves, though occasionally capricious, carried the ship without ever striking it violently. Claude often stayed on deck, his hands resting on the railing, scanning the expanse of water with a mix of apprehension and hope.

"You seem tense," Lysariel observed, leaning beside him.

"Maybe," he replied without looking away. "Crossing the sea, leaving the islands… it's irreversible."

"That's exactly why it's important," she added softly. "It's the kind of moment where we truly move forward."

Claude didn't respond immediately, but he felt some of his nervousness ease.

Further on the deck, the twins Faelar and Thaelion watched the sailors with fascination, mimicking their movements like curious children. This drew a rare smile from Tylwen, who, though distant, seemed to appreciate their quiet enthusiasm.

Ryndiel spent her time inspecting their weapons and supplies, repeating that they needed to be ready for anything once they reached the mainland.

"You could enjoy the calm instead of worrying about what hasn't happened yet," Eryndel told her, his expression enigmatic.

"Calm is precisely the best time to prepare," she retorted without looking up from her arrows.

The journey lasted three days. Each evening, the group gathered on deck to share a simple meal. Conversations often revolved around their expectations, their worries, or their memories of the islands they had left behind.

Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, a shape appeared on the horizon: the mainland.

"Land ho!" shouted a sailor from the crow's nest.

Everyone gathered at the bow, watching the new land slowly reveal itself. Tall mountains rose in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. Closer, lush green plains stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with dense forests. A harbor, larger than the one they had left, came into view as they approached, bustling with even greater activity.

Claude took a deep breath.

"Here we are," he said quietly.

The ship docked slowly, and the seven companions stepped onto the dock. The ground of the mainland felt solid beneath their feet.

"Ready?" Claude asked, turning to them.