Page 48 of Memory of Ashes

Evening was falling when Casyl raised his arm to signal a halt. This would be their new campsite.

With the camp set up, the soldiers relaxed. They lit fires and drank, singing and playing instruments, joining in the general merriment, pleased with their victory, while a few remained sombre, perhaps mourning friends they’d lost.

Danae had brought Amelia some food and a goblet of wine before she left for the feast that was being held in the king’s royal tent. All the generals and senior officers would be there. The king would honour warriors who had fought heroically. Danae was one of those.

The sight of the mountain looming in the distance made her dizzy. This terrain was familiar. The hills, the trees. They weren’t too far from where she’d entered this world.

She should have been desperate to return home. Instead, the thought left a hollow ache in her chest. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t certain where home was.

She gazed up at the mountains for some time. How had this world existed on the other side without anyone knowing? How would she get back? Until now, she had barely allowed herself to consider what returning would truly mean.

Two guards approached from behind.

“The king wants to see you.”

She’d directly avoided him since his arrival.

She followed the guards to the king’s tent, holding her hands behind her back. The feast had ended, and the king sat waiting for her, Casyl standing to his left.

She stood, unsure of what to do as the king’s gaze burned into her.

“Tomorrow we’ll say goodbye and you will go back to your world. The mountain isn’t far,” he said.

She glanced at Casyl. He stiffened, but his expression remained blank as he looked down at the ground.

They were going to let her go, just like that? Why wasn’t she happy?

“In the morning, you will lead us there.”

Who did he mean by us?

“I’m not sure exactly where it was. Who am I leading?”

“No matter. We’ll find it. An armed escort will accompany you, unless you’ve forgotten what lurks in the forest,” he said.

That made sense, but something was off. She glanced again at Casyl, who avoided her gaze. The king noticed.

“You may go,” he said to Amelia, his eyes remaining fixed on Casyl’s face.

She walked back through the camp and found Danae sitting outside their tent.

“Everything alright?” Danae asked.

“I’m not sure. I think so.”

This could be her last night here. She wished she had her journal with her to record everything.

“Is there any paper and ink around here?” she asked.

“I’ll have a look.”

Amelia went into the tent and waited. Danae returned soon after.

“These are all I could find.”

“Thank you.” She took the pen, ink and scrolls, uncurling the first sheet.

Where did she begin?