Hope Sundered

Another morning came with renewed hope as the sun burst out of the east, climbing to take its lofty seat among the heavens. There were few clouds to obscure the warming rays of light, which invigorated the exhausted refugees as the threat of winter drew closer.

They hadn’t found water in their last three attempts, and what they carried was almost exhausted. They were tired and hungry, but none of that mattered anymore. The rolling hills sheltering the lakeside village of Ob’Riant were in view. One more day would have them in the village itself.

Many came forward to congratulate Keila on her plan, thanking her for guiding them all to safety. The pace quickened as morale soared and excitement of rejoining civilization washed the fatigue from the refugees’ spent bodies.

By nightfall they’d be camping atop one of the subtle rounded peaks in the distance, looking down upon their destination. The remaining survivors imagined what Ob’Riant would look like at night from such a close vantage. Variations of Chastin were conjured, and hopeful enthusiasm began to blossom.

“You did it,” Ekard congratulated Keila, joining her to watch the procession pass. “You got us to Ob’Riant, just as you promised.”

“We’re not there yet,” she replied with her usual pragmatism.

“We’re close enough to claim it, and we never would’ve made it this far without your determination. You’ve been so strong for all of us.”

“Don’t underestimate the resiliency of Chastin folk,” she said with a wry smile. “We’re a sturdy lot. We’ve helped each other.”

“But it was your plan to march for Ob’Riant. And now it lies before us, just over those hills.”

“I took a gamble on a long shot that paid off, that’s all.”

He stopped in his tracks, causing her to stop and face him. “You don’t need to be so modest. You’re a hero, Keila. Just like your father.”

“I’m no hero, Ekard,” she moaned, in no mood to deal with his flattery.

“You make it sound like it’s a crime to be one.”

“We did what had to be done! If it hadn’t been me, it would’ve been you, or Talise, or someone else!”

“It’s not wrong for you to receive recognition for your efforts, and doing so will take nothing away from your father’s.”

The two looked long and hard at each other. He sustained his attempt to penetrate the emotional wall she continued to fortify. His unrelenting compassion burrowed through her defenses, despite her best efforts.

Once again, she released a mixture of sadness and relief in her tears. He said nothing, knowing it best to let her vent the emotions determined to devour her.

Eventually her eyes ran dry. She looked up to meet his caring gaze. She was grateful for his friendship and support, offering strength when she’d exhausted her own. He leaned in to kiss her, but she jerked back. “What are you doing?”

“I apologize!” he exclaimed, recoiling. “I was out of line!”

She hugged herself tightly and looked away, trying to determine when she’d blurred the boundaries, how she’d sent the wrong signals. But had she?

The crunch of coarse grass beneath the boots of those ambling by was deafening in their tense silence. She forced a chuckle to release the burgeoning discomfort. “It’s…alright. We’ve been through a lot. I do appreciate your encouragement, though. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

“When we reach Ob’Riant we can start over,” he said in an attempt to change the topic. “Hopefully they have need for a few more hunters. If not, I’ll learn to fish. And once we all settle down, perhaps—”

She stepped back as if alarmed, which stopped him in mid-sentence. He stood there, wide-eyed, wondering what he’d done wrong this time. She shook her head slowly, searching for the right words.

“I’ll never have a normal life after what the Azrahterans took from me—from us! To settle down would be like pretending the attack never happened, and I won’t insult those who died to get us here. The only way to honor their sacrifice is to drive the Azrahterans back over the mountains.”

“That’s insane,” he countered, abandoning his tender veneer. “How do you expect to fight an army?”

Her brow furrowed, hurt by his sudden change of demeanor. Lark would’ve understood, would’ve charged off with her into the unknown, using the justice of their cause as their only heading.

“By any means possible,” she answered, her tone daring him to do better or get out of her way. “I’ll start by gathering volunteers in Ob’Riant, and then I’ll ride to the capital and tell the patriarch what happened. I’ll convince him to send every able-bodied man in the realm to fight the Azrahterans, and if he won’t listen, I’ll go to Seagate and Dioria!”

Ekard took a deep breath. “You’re absolutely right. I lost sight of the bigger picture for a moment, forgive me. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

Keila looked down. Empathy had returned to his tone but not his eyes. Perhaps she’d gone a bit too far. He wasn’t the enemy.

She turned her attention to the caravan continuing on without them and motioned for them to rejoin. They hurried to catch up, embracing the reprieve from a conversation neither of them wanted to continue.

Keila spent the silence pondering how to navigate the slippery slope upon which she found herself. She didn’t want to alienate one of the last friends she had left in the world, and knew she’d need all the help she could get. She couldn’t avenge Chastin alone.

Despite her bravado, she didn’t have a solid plan. Ekard was a far better strategist, but how would she convince him to campaign with her? How could she convey her need for him in every way but the one he wanted?

She longed to scream until her voice failed, but knew it would accomplish nothing. Hers was just a tiny, lonely voice in a world gone mad.