Page 54 of Aryn

“He’s kind of cute,” Lillith says with a shrug.

Taryn makes a quiet, panicked sound in the back of her throat. “Honey, please don’t try to pet it.”

“Are they dangerous?” Cato asks.

The creature bares its teeth in warning, revealing a mouth full of needle-like teeth capable of slicing straight to the bone. My injured shoulder twinges at the memory of similar teeth chewing through muscle. “Everything here is dangerous in some way,” I answer. “But they aren’t aggressive. Leave them alone and they’ll do the same.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Cato mutters.

We put more distance between ourselves and the village before stopping to eat. It hasn’t escaped any of us that our supplies are steadily dwindling, though the impromptu khraelyx roast yesterday helped ease some of that pressure. A few of the plants we’ve passed are producing berries or melon-like fruit, but I’m not familiar enough with these newer variations to risk eating them.

Clomping footsteps sound from the road, followed by the unmistakable murmur of voices. “Pull your hats low,” I hiss to the humans. “Cover your faces.”

Three sylvaren trot into view, with deep navy-skinned riders. Aidresh, from the look of them, though their complexions look darker under the orange sky.

“Whoa,” one of them murmurs. The lead sylvaren halts and tosses its head, exposing the elegant length of its neck as its long mane swishes. They are taller and more slender than Earth horses, with long, powerful legs and split hooves built for these rocky mountain trails. Velvet-covered antlers branch from their skulls, growing longer and more intricate as they age. This one appears to be younger, and is covered in white markings that form patterns that almost look like ice across its body.

The riders survey our group, taking in the unusual mix of races traveling together. Back in my time in Elyra, it wasn’t unheard of for our people to mingle in villages and towns, but here in the wilds we may stand out. Ronan, Lillith, and I already make an odd trio, and if they spot the varying shades of beige and deeper tan among the humans, it could draw attention.

Instinctively, I shift to better cover Cato and tilt my chin toward the riders. “Good day,” I call out in our language, the words rolling off my tongue as if they had never left it.

They tilt their chins back warily. “Good day. We don’t see many travelers in these parts anymore.”

“We are merely passing through,” I answer.

“There’s not much around here worth passing through to,” they reply, gesturing at the dead space around us.

I nod, exchanging a quick glance with Ronan. “Indeed. We travel to Maelithryne.”

Their eyes move across my face before their shoulders loosen. “You are a long way from home, Dreven. And on foot.”

My pulse spikes at the response. There was no flinch at the name, no immediate argument that Maelithryne no longer stands. It’s indirect confirmation that the walls remain and the village still lives, even if I have no idea who inhabits my former home now.

“We are,” I agree. “It has been many years since I last traveled this path. Are there any trading posts along the way where we might replenish our supplies?”

They hesitate, their eyes lingering on the three humans with their heads bowed. For a tense few seconds, I worry they’ll demand to see who we travel with, but the desire to avoid trouble ultimately wins over curiosity.

“There’s a village called Thralune a couple days’ ride from here—more, since you’re on foot. Follow the road and it will lead you straight to it.”

“We thank you for the information, friend,” I say. “Safe travels and clear skies to you and yours.”

They stare a moment longer before raising a hand in farewell, then tug the reins of their mounts and continue down the road.

“Well, that’s… promising,” Ronan says as he stands and shrugs his pack over his shoulders.

“It is,” I agree, then recap the conversation with the others.

“Yeah, but there’s only one problem,” Cameron adds, folding his arms over his chest. “We can’t exactly hide the three of us forever. We’re going to be seen eventually, especially once we reach civilization.”

I purse my lips, glancing between him, Cato, and Taryn. “We need to stop at the trading post. Bypassing the opportunity to replenish supplies would be foolish. Two of us could go in while the rest stay hidden—”

“Not a chance,” Ronan cuts in.

“You could stay with Cameron—”

“And have two other humans to distract me from keeping him safe? It’s not happening, Aryn.”

Cato plants his hands on his hips, fingers toying with the blade at his side. “Thanks, big guy, but I don’t need you to hold my hand. Protection is the whole reason I’m here. I can take care of myself.”