Shadow

Idonia Torbet

"You will always have my sword."

Those were the words he said to me before I left the room. I gathered my bow, quiver, dagger, and cloak before dashing out of the room. It wasn't the words, per-say, that made me flee. Rather it was the way he said it. His voice was full of understanding like he knew exactly what it meant to say those words to me.

Then there way the underlying meaning. I will always have his sword. To a warrior, to a Viker, and especially to a Khanel their sword is an extension of their body. Even a hired assassin will tell you their weapon is them. When Rae told me I have his sword, he told me that I have him, in every way.

And in many ways, I am already his.

Then his hand lands on my shoulder. I hadn't even heard him come outside of the inn, let alone approach me.

"Idonia," he coos at me before I turn to face him. His face softens for the first time since we reached the edge of the world. This could be from the tears that stream silently down my face. Without another word, his arms surround me and bring me close to him. "We need to leave soon."

"I know," a few sniffles fall out of me. His calm warmth helps me stop my tears. I wipe my eyes before pulling away from him. "We should go."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," I nod and try to give him a light smile. He gives me a firm look before turning back to the inn. "Wait, Rae."

"Yes?"

"You'll always have my sword too."

With this, we walk back to the inn in silence. Packing doesn't take long. Danal and Rikki had finished sharpening their swords. Miss Osmund had prepared more food for us to take. In a grand effort to keep my mind occupied, I counted and check my arrows three times. Thirty arrows, one bow, and three daggers. My ceremony dagger, the one I hold close to my heart, was left at my homestead for safekeeping. The three before me are a matching set. All three make of silver ore with willow hilts.

This is the first time I've worn britches in a while. It is easier to move without a skirt on. The britches will keep me warmer and add mobility while in the darkness. Plus, propriety may be damned in the part of the world where no light shines.

Before I know it, I'm standing before the blinding darkness with Rae at my side and the two Viker behind me. Then a memory strikes me.

"Scared, kid?" Viker Criciro looked down at me as we stood before the wall of pitch blackness. I hadn't slept much the night before due to the horrid noises that had come from the sightless shadowbeasts.

"No," I trembled as I lied to him. This man was trusted greatly by my father, his best Viker. The only one he would trust to bring me up to the dark north.

The large man knelt down in front of me, "Don't lie."

"I- I'm not lying. Fear is for cowardly males and dainty females. I am neither."

"No," he shook his head. "I guess yer not. Howev'r it's a'right to be scared. The best Viker can a'mit their fear."

"What if I have no fear?" I looked into the big man's eyes.

"Then yer lying to yerself and me."

"Are you afraid?" I asked Rae, looking up into his dark eyes. For a moment, he does nothing but look down at me. His gaze makes me trembled as I had so many years ago. As if he can see my fear as easily as Criciro could.

"I have no need to be afraid," he states before looking back into the darkness. His gaze is so fierce I swear I can see the darkness wavier slightly in the fear of him. I can't tell if his confidence is true or not. If it is real, then he is a fool. The same fool I was.

However, if it is fake. If he is just as fearful as I was the first time I face it all, then he is good at hiding it.

"Rikki," I turn to face the Viker that has been lent to me for a time. "You are at my command, correct?"

"Of course, my Khanelea."

"Then you will wait here. Stay at the inn and keep watch for us."

"What?" his voice goes high as his face shows his disappointment and horror. "Have I displeased you?"

"No," I turn fully and lift one of my hands to place on his cheek. "You are to be a father very soon. And while there is much honor in killing a shadowbeast, there is more in being there with your mate to hold your pup. If we have not returned in five sunrises, you are to return to Bethlianna with news of our deaths."

"Khanelea, please let me come with you," Rikki begged. "I can help protect you."

I shake my head, but before I can speak Rae's voice comes from behind me. "Idonia is your charge and you will listen to her."

Rikki's eyes dart from Rae to me, then back to Rae before landing on me once more. "I will wait for you, my lady." He takes my hand that had rested on his cheek. Once a gentle kiss is laid on my knuckles before he steps back. I return to Rae's side before looking up at him once more. My attention trails over his body before landing on his hand, which rested on the hilt of his sword.

It shook.