Safe Haven

Dunwick

"Alright! Wakey wakey! Up, princess. It's time to get up and shine! It's almost noon."

Thalira heard the voice as she stirred from her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a bronze-skinned lady with curly hair, a uniquely beautiful face, and bright blue eyes staring back at her. She tried to sit up, but her body ached all over from the events of the previous day.

Everything came rushing back—the Riders of Death, the fall, the sharp pain when that piece of wood was pulled from her thigh, and the terrifying moment when it all seemed like it was over… until that small group of strangers showed up and saved them.

She tried to climb down from the bed, but was quickly stopped by the intense, stabbing pain in her left leg.

"Careful, lady," the woman said. "The healer did her best, but that'll take a while to heal. The injury was deep and infected by the time we treated it. Luckily, it didn't spread, you might've woken up with only one leg."

The thought alone made Thalira shiver. She sat still on the bed, silent and unsure of what to say.

After a short pause, the lady spoke again.

"Oh, pardon my manners. I'm Ardynne," she said, extending a hand.

Thalira just stared, confused, and didn't take the hand.

"Where are my dad and mum? What did you do to them? Why aren't Elena and Ryker here?" Thalira finally asked.

"Oh, that's perfectly normal," Ardynne said, pulling back her hand. "I think you meant to say, 'Thank you for saving our lives.' You're welcome."

"Where am I?"

"You're in Dunwick, one of the small villages that hasn't fallen yet. This isn't the main village though, just a hideout. But you'll be safe here... for now."

Thalira looked around, taking in the room where she'd spent the night. It was a small, roughly built wooden room. A candle sat beside the hard bed she lay on. Her belongings were neatly placed on the floor. The space was cramped and creaky, but warm enough to offer shelter. Tiny pebbles covered the wooden floor, and smoke drifted out of the fireplace that had kept her warm through the night.

"Clean up and join us soon. I'm sure you don't want to keep your family waiting," Ardynne said, pulling Thalira from her thoughts. "I'll send Elandra to help you."

With that, Ardynne stepped out.

A few minutes later, Elandra came in to help Thalira bathe and get dressed. Afterward, her wound was cleaned again by Alira—the healer. She was a young woman, with beautiful, soft and flawless skin. Her beauty and perfection only second to Ardynne's.

She marvelled when she stepped out of her small room. The whole place was surrounded by clean, shiny rocks. Rooms like hers were built atop different rocks, except one larger and more luxurious than the rest which she guessed belonged to Ardynne.

There was clean, flowing water trickling from the rock into a little river where women were washing clothes. The place was small, but full of life. People chatted and went about their day like it was a normal routine.

She followed Elandra as she led her to an open area with a tree. Under the tree sat a table and several chairs. From a distance, Thalira saw that one of the chairs was occupied by Ardynne. The others were filled by four people—two to her left, one to her right, and one directly opposite her, back facing Thalira.

It didn't take long before Thalira recognized them. Her heart leapt—it was her father, mother, and her siblings. She limped her way toward them, ignoring Elandra's warnings to take it slow.

The moment her mother saw her limping over, she jumped to her feet and ran to embrace her. Elena and Ryker followed immediately, then her father. They all hugged tightly, holding on to each other for a long moment before returning to their seats. Thalira took the empty one.

"Such a lovely moment," Ardynne said softly. "Sometimes, we wish it would never end... that we could stay in their arms and live in that moment forever."

She turned to Elandra. "Please, serve our guests. Let's not keep them waiting. I'm sure they must be famished."

"I didn't see any of the men who were with you yesterday," Thalira said. "Where did they go?"

"Quite observant, I see," Ardynne replied. "The men go out hunting, looking for food and meat to keep us going. Some also stay at their posts to watch for any signs of danger and sound the alarm if anything comes too close. It was thanks to them that we reached you in time. They saw the dark figures moving, though they weren't coming for us, just heading elsewhere in hot pursuit. If we'd been a second late, who knows what would have happened."

She stood and filled their cups with water from a large wine cellar nearby.

"Sorry, that's all we have to offer here," Ardynne added. "Under better circumstances, we would've served you the best wine you've ever tasted."

"No, it's fine," Thalira's mother said. "We truly appreciate your generosity. We owe you our lives. Thank you."

"It's not entirely free, though," Ardynne said.

Everyone looked up at her, surprised and a little afraid.

"Don't worry," she continued with a small smile. "I only hope you'll be able to repay the kindness one day, if the need ever arises."

"We hope so too," Thalira's father said.

Soon enough, the meal was served. It was cooked deer meat with rice and spices.

"Please, go ahead. This meal cost us a lot," Ardynne said.

"Thank you," Torren replied as the children immediately began to gulp it down. They hadn't eaten since noon the previous day, before reaching Ardenvale.

"While you eat, how about a proper introduction?" Ardynne asked. "I am Ardynne Kaelen, from Dunwick. And you are?" she said, gesturing to the father.

"Torren Rowlan, from Gryndhall."

"Lady Torren."

"Elena."

"Ryker."

"Thalira."

They all introduced themselves in turn.

"And where were you headed?" Ardynne asked.

"Cyradorn," Torren answered.

"From Gryndhall? Why didn't you just head north for Thalorwyn?"

"We actually planned to," Torren explained, "but we got word that Grimhold was attacked that same day—some hunters who were near the walls of Grimhold brought the report. We had three options: go north through Grimhold to Thalorwyn, head east to Ardenvale and from there to Cyradorn, or remain in Gryndhall. Grimhold was attacked that same day, and Ardenvale had already been hit six days earlier. Heading north through Grimhold would've been too risky, and staying in Gryndhall meant waiting to be the next target. If only we had left earlier with the others… I'm sure they must have made it to Eryndral or one of the other cities by now."

"Or they may be dead," Ardynne added bluntly. "You're lucky to be alive."

She paused, then continued, "Well, you're in luck. I'm quite acquainted with the King of Eryndral. I could ask him to offer protection for your family."

"We would forever be in your debt," Torren said. "But… do you think he'll agree?"

"He won't," Ardynne replied. "But since it's me sending the letter, I'm sure he will."

They all exchanged glances, wondering who she really was—and what gave her so much confidence.

"What were those things?" Ryker asked.

"Monsters," Ardynne answered. "More dangerous than anything your mother told you in bedtime stories."

"Mother never told me any scary bedtime story," Ryker said.

Ardynne threw a quick glance at Lady Torren, then looked back at Ryker.

"Must be one loving and protective mother you've got. You're really lucky," she said.

"Those things… they disappeared the moment you all came. As if they were scared of you," Torren said with a puzzled look. "How is that possible? It makes no sense."

"We're not the only ones scared of death," Ardynne replied. "Fortunately, they are too. And we know how to make their fear come true."