Chapter 24

Ysabel gripped the reins tightly, her knuckles white against the leather. Fear gnawed at her; one wrong move, one loss of balance, and she'd be sprawled on the ground. Despite her best efforts, her hips remained stubbornly out of sync with the mare's rhythmic walk. Her back felt rigid, like a wooden plank protesting against the unfamiliar strain, and her thighs burned with a dull ache. The mare, a creature of elegant power, kept casting it's head back, dark eyes seeming to mock Ysabel's clumsy attempts, perhaps even pleading for a merciful end to the ordeal.

"By the end of the day, you'll be a good rider, Ysabel,"

Lilah's voice drifted back from a distance, calm and confident. Lilah, astride a magnificent steed far larger than Ysabel's own, sat tall and graceful in the saddle. Her mount snorted, a sound like a mischievous chuckle, its front hooves stamping the ground with a resounding thud. Lilah laughed, a bright, melodious sound that carried on the wind. She reined in her horse, turning to face Ysabel, her silver hair flowing like a silken river in the breeze.

Ysabel, mesmerized, could only stare. In that moment, Lilah seemed less a fellow rider and more a radiant goddess, bathed in the bright light of the sun. Her beauty was breathtaking, a captivating blend of strength and ethereal grace.

With a flick of her wrist, Lilah sent a silent command. Ysabel's mare, responding instantly to the unseen signal, sank to her knees, then gracefully lowered herself to the ground. Ysabel gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment. Carefully, she dismounted, her legs trembling slightly.

"Is that magic? That's amazing!" Ysabel's voice was filled with wonder, her excitement bubbling over.

Lilah smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "No, my dear. It's just a simple trick I learned from Aleric. You know, that brute is an animal whisperer."

Ysabel's eyebrows shot up. "He is?"

"Well, I guess it's a natural trait," Lilah replied, her tone laced with amusement. "He gets along with animals, commands them, understands them without a word. A lot of people seek him out for that skill. There are even rumors that he can tame a beast." She emphasized the word "beast," a hint of mystery coloring her voice. Ysabel felt a shiver run down her spine; the word conjured images of monstrous creatures, far removed from the gentle mare she'd been struggling to ride.

"Anyway,"

Lilah continued, breaking the spell, "can you help me put this thing in there?"

She gestured towards a gnarled, ancient tree beside the path.

"Of course," Ysabel replied, taking the bag Lilah offered. Inside, she felt the rough texture of dried bark, the coolness of smooth stones, and the surprising weight of bone fragments.

"Can you also put four pieces of the bark in the cracks of the tree, and a bone and a crystal in the root?" Lilah instructed, pointing to specific locations on the tree.

Ysabel's curiosity finally overwhelmed her. "What are these for, Lilah?"

Lilah explained as they worked, placing similar offerings at several trees forming a circle around the edge of the village – their final stop for the day.

"A divine protection of sorts," she said, her voice low and serious.

"A magical ward against intruders. Those pieces of dried bark are from the Tree of the Lair of the Fallen, the bones are from a dragon, and the crystals are imbued with concealing magic."

Ysabel stared, speechless. Did she just say dragon bones?

Lilah chuckled, a soft, understanding sound. "You really are naive, Ysabel. I envy you."

Ysabel's cheeks flushed. "N-no, I uhm, I'm sorry Lilah, if I've come off… I mean, I didn't mean to be rude—" She desperately wanted to convey her admiration, not her awkwardness. She genuinely found Lilah's abilities fascinating, something she herself couldn't even begin to comprehend.

"I know what you're trying to say, and I don't mind," Lilah reassured her gently. "I know you're just fascinated. What I'm trying to say is, you're lucky you haven't had to see the darker side of this world, and I truly hope it stays that way."

Ysabel's heart warmed at Lilah's kindness. Gathering the remaining items, she handed the bag back to Lilah.

"I'm not so sheltered, Lilah," she said, her voice low.

"I've had my share of hardships, perhaps not as… complicated as these." She looked at the remnants of the ritual in her hand, a shadow crossing her face. "I just wish I could find my worth, just as everyone else I've met seems to have found theirs." A deep sadness resonated in her voice, a yearning for something that echoed the quiet strength she showed while facing her fears with the horse.