Chapter 26

Saras Pov

Morning comes all too soon and I cannot remember a single dream. My body still felt tired and heavy as I began to stretch, willing myself to wake for the day ahead. The smell of the ashes still burning hovered in the air, as a breeze came through the trees, putting my whole body on end as I shivered. Stretching out my arms, I pat around trying to feel for Alwyn's bag. Jumping up when I cannot look around but find I am alone. The mystery man is nowhere to be seen. Oh, shame sinks in - what a fool I've been. Sitting down, I am mentally kicking myself as I realise I have nothing but a cloak, still naked underneath. What am I going to do? Head in my hands I am praying for this to be a bad dream, you know, like the ones you get as a kid standing in front of everyone in just your underwear - somehow at this moment that feels like it would be a better option! A log gets tossed into the ashes, startling me as the wood immediately catches alight. The mystery man stared on in confusion, tossing the bag at me. "You took my bag?!" I stood up in disbelief, "how dare you! You had no right!" I was yelling now, getting more irate at the audacity of it with each word. He just stared at me and shrugged. Sitting on a log near the flames, he began to prepare breakfast. This got under my skin more than I cared to admit. "No. You don't get to just ignore me." I strode over to him. "Hey, Mr. Mysterio, I'm talking to you." He didn't look at me directly but I couldn't help but notice his stupid smirk. Pushing him hard on the shoulder to gain his attention, losing my cool more and more as he stays silent. That seemed to do the trick as he stood at full height, back straight and perfectly sculpted chest out. "Do not." There he went again with his commands. It enraged me. "I don't even know your name, you disappear and come back holding my bag and you think I don't have a right to know why you took it?" My face was burning with rage. His face suggested he was mulling over my comments, either that or he was deciding whether or not to kill me. Maybe I pushed it too far, putting my hands on him, but there was something so frustrating about him and his stupid smirk. "If you're finished..." my eyes widened at his patronising tone, I stared at him wishing I could do something to knock him down a peg or two - he could use it! "I took the bag to keep it safe. I also tried to put your now dry clothes in but, funnily enough, the bag wouldn't open. It's a strange little bag that is for a... Oh, that's right, you wouldn't tell me what you are, just what you're not. So can I finish making breakfast now or would you like to starve for today?" I glared at him. He's right, I haven't shared much with him either, so why should he trust me? Even so, I refused to let him have the upper hand. "Can you at least tell me your name?" I asked, somewhat more softly than before.

"That's not your concern," he said straight-faced. This set me off again, knowing fine well, he only said this as I did the previous night. "That's not your concern..." I repeated mockingly "Child." Taking a seat on the adjacent log, waiting patiently for whatever animal that was, to be cooked. I dare not ask what he is cooking for fear my brain would overpower my hunger and stop me from eating. Ignorance is bliss, after all. We sit in silence as he cooks, this hizzing of juices and fat hitting the open flames calms me. Once the meat is cooked, he removes it from the flame, carefully portioning it up, taking the slightly bigger portion for himself. He is much bigger than I am, but again this niggles at me. "Draven." He says aloud, in between mouthfuls of food.

"Huh?" What's a Draven?

"Draven. My name." This was unexpected, it managed to make me warm to him a little. Looking at him, I see a softer side to him, clearly, one he's not used to showing. He had chiselled features with short stubble, his mid-length short hair was tousled messily and his eyes were a mesmerizing blue-grey. In this light his hair seemed darker, edging on black, but the moonlight hit it, I had been certain it was silver. . He was like an artist's masterpiece. There was a darkness to him, yet something else too. It drew me in, piquing my interest. He had a thin scar down one side of his face, it was clearly quite old and hard to notice without staring. Strange, not many of the wolves I've come to know have scars. "I'm Sara... and thank you," I said after clearing my throat.

After finishing our food, we walked without speaking through the woods back to the main path. Thankfully, my clothes had dried overnight and I was able to wear them once again. When we come to the main path, I smile and say my thanks. Those darn forked paths. Which should I take left or right? Or perhaps I've been wrong this whole time and need to turn back. That's not a good option. I don't want to run back into super spidey. Uncertain, I looked at all my options and turned back and forth with indecision. Please don't leave me. I say a silent prayer - I don't want him to go and leave me.

"Do you know where you are?" His brow furrowed as he took in what must clearly be a sorry sight. Not wanting to admit defeat, I said nothing, trying to find the right words. When nothing comes, I reply with a sarcastic tone. "Does it look like it?" His face hardens and I regret my tone instantly. I don't know what's wrong with me at the minute. I never treat people like that. I never normally feel like this. This beautiful, bold man has done everything to help me, and yet something about him makes me prickly. He just looks at me like he's had enough of me, before storming past me up the right side path. Crossing my arms over my chest in a flutter of fury, surely he won't leave me - actually I think he will, but I'm hoping otherwise. "Stop. Please." He stops dead in his tracks but does not turn to face me. "I'm sorry. Please, I have no idea where I am." It took him a long time, but sure enough, he turned round. "Where are you meant to be?" Helplessly, I shook my head.

"I don't know."

"You don't know?" he queries with disbelief. I shook my head. "Where are you going?"

"I'm not sure." Not believing me, he started to walk away again and I'm feeling desperate now. "Please, it's true I'm not from round here, I need to find a plant. A flower. I can't say much more." I can tell he's listening, but again, he says nothing. "Draven, please." Saying his name makes me shiver as I see him cringe as I do, a low growl coming from him. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him so hard. I hardly know the guy and what he's capable of, but honestly, the thought of being alone right now is scarier than what he could do. Gulping loudly, I stood still, giving up on his aid. "Hurry up then. I'm heading into the town. It's a long walk. You can tell me about this flower." My heart sank. How much can I really say without risking the pack? But if I say nothing, that will not be accepted by Draven. Deciding to worry about that later, I begin to jog to catch up, kicking little stones everywhere as I do.

"Thank you..." I said sheepishly. He grunts in my direction and slows down slightly, which I am sure is frustrating for him.

"What's this plant you're looking for?" I was hoping he wouldn't ask or at least give me some time to come up with an answer to his questions. "The blue narcissus." I stared at him waiting for his response.

"Never heard of it." This confused me. Everyone I've spoken to so far knew what it was. How would he not?

This was my chance to change the subject. "So where are we heading?"

I could sense he was unsure of me, but he answered anyway, "Melius. Once we get there, we part ways, but be careful. You may wish you were back where I found you." What have I done? Draven saying this made me regret ever leaving Domilia, at least there I felt safe.

We walked for hours without stopping when finally I could see a town in the distance. As we got closer, the normal earthy ground transformed into cobbled streets and buildings made with grey rocks. There were various horse-type creatures with carts attached to their backs, each filled with different goods to transport - it was like a scene from the past and I couldn't look away. It was midday when we arrived, yet the place still looked dark, there was a shadow cast over the town even though the sun stood high in the sky. There was a smell in the air too. It wasn't the worst thing I've smelled nor was it pleasant. It was like burning flesh, it almost smelled like food, but there was something I couldn't put my finger on, there was a musty smell mixed in.

Draven walked a few steps behind me as we entered the town. We had spoken briefly on our journey but nothing substantial and only when he deemed my questions were worthy of an answer - nor did he care much for my answers, he never attempted to dig deeper and just accepted what I said. I was grateful for this - really. It's just infuriating. I've never met someone who didn't care to delve deeper. Often I would turn back to check I wasn't alone and each time he was there. As we walked further into the town we passed people of all shapes and sizes. They didn't seem to be wolves. There was something different about them. "They aren't wolves are they, Drave..." Spinning as I spoke, I then realised for the first time my fears were real. He had left me. A lump in my throat threatened to choke me, but I knew I could not show weakness. Where could he have gone? Taking a number of steps back in the direction I came from, I looked around for clues. He was nowhere to be seen. There was a herbal cart across the street where an older, unclean woman in a tattered black cape was purchasing goods - I noticed the dirty bronze coins in her hand. I had seen a pouch of these in my bag. Oh Arius, if you were here I'd kiss you. As if my brain and stomach both noticed we could eat, my stomach grumbled, now just to find somewhere to eat. A bell across the street near the cart brought my attention to a pub. Noticing everyone going in had their cloak hoods up, I did the same, while mustering up the courage to enter. The velvet hood brushed my cheek as I turned to see who was around. I don't want to seem out of place and if I don't go in soon people are going to notice my hovering. My feet began to take deliberate strides and although my body wanted to turn and run, I pushed through the feeling, entering the building. Quickly I took in my surroundings. It was quite busy, almost every table was taken. Making my way over to the bar, I looked around for an indication of prices. "Welcome to the Inn. What can I getcha?" The man that stood in front of me was huge, tall as well as fat. He had a head of fuzzy brown hair that stuck up as though he had recently been electrocuted. His face was rough and his features were large. He wore a dirty brown shirt that had large wet patches under his armpits and his scent left a lot to be desired. All in all, he was not an attractive man, and the sooner I could move the better I would feel, but even this didn't put me off my mission - food. "I would..." The words came out of me far too sweetly. No, that won't do, not here. I cleared my throat before continuing in a deeper tone. "Some food please... and a drink." He pulled his face for a second as though he knew I was not from around here. It was the look my father used to pull whenever there were visitors in town, "bloody tourists" he would say. I can hear that man saying those words in my father's voice just by looking at him. "3 coins."

Keeping my bag inside my robe, I carefully feel out 3 bronze coins before closing the bag - no need to draw any attention to myself. "Mind if I find a table?" I ask as casually as I can but it's hard to turn off my manners, they've been drilled into me for so long. "Suit ya self, we'll find ya." I nod acknowledging him then head towards an empty table I had spied, in the far corner.

Feeling deeply out of place, I decided it was best to keep my head down and draw as little attention to myself as possible. Unfortunately, this meant I could not look around, so I found myself examining the table and floor like they were the most interesting things I had ever laid eyes on. The floor was large grey flagstone pavers - they were filthy from muck and covered in splashes of what could be food or vomit. The table was handmade from wood, it was dark in colour but it was hard to say if that was through choice or lack of cleaning. There were countless holes in the table's surface, ranging from tiny dots to larger straight lines. I wondered what caused them, as I clicked them with my fingernail repeatedly. The thump of a metal tankard being haphazardly put on the table gave me something else to focus on. Dragging the tankard close, I sip the burnt orange liquid, my body feels warm as the liquid flows down my throat. The taste, however, leads me to believe the splashes were not from food. With nothing else to do, while I waited for my meal, I sat back drinking. The pub was filled with conversation from all the tables. Earwigging is not something I do, it's not something I had meant to do now, but I couldn't help it.

"I'll trade you 5 coins and a goat's toe for it..."

"If ye can find it, ye can keep i'..."

"One more wench!"

"The Vampyres have declared war..." a feminine voice broke through the crowd. It was the one that caught my attention. I listened in further - let's face it, the last thing I need right now is to walk myself into a war zone. Another female with a croaking voice replied irately, "Those bloodsuckers. They should crawl back to where they came from." the sound that followed makes me believe she spat on the floor. This turned my tummy, making me feel nauseous. "Those wolves deserve it though, I hear they attacked royalty. Ha! Those fools, don't they know, the vamps can't die! They were asking for all this." Each voice that spoke was different, I had decided there were 3 women behind me until a 4th voice chimed in. "Those false mages, believing they have some sort of gift. But let's face it, I will still be there for a front row view of the war, the power that we would be able to generate from something like that excites me to my core!" they all giggled in chorus, before moving on to ingredients for some special elixir. Lost in my own world as I waited for my food, I was cut off from everything around me. Occasionally hearing about new blood, prophecies, and destruction, I rolled my eyes and dug into a mediocre sized bowl of meat stew when it arrived. It was served with bread that could have been more likely been used as a brick. Still, starvation sang to me, causing me to shove the loaf into the juices to help it soften it. Leaving it for a minute to soak, I stuffed the bread into my mouth, biting down to tear off a chunk while the stew juices dripped down my face. I am certain this stew is average at best and yet, right now, I would have fought anyone who tried to take it from me. Once the growling stopped from my now full stomach, I tried listening in on the conversations again, but they had moved on to some other topic I couldn't make sense of. The bowl was empty as I scraped at the bottom of the bowl. I had had enough of procrastinating. Time to leave. To go where? I had no idea, but I needed to keep moving. Brushing down my cape as I stood up, I made my way to the exit. I was practically out of the building when I bumped carelessly into the last table. With my eyes on the ground, I stop in my tracks, not wanting to make a scene as a man's soft hands grip tightly around my wrist. Licking my lips as I push them together, cursing myself, I mutter my apologies to the man, hoping that would be enough, though the fear in my chest tells me to know better. Gingerly, I make eye contact with the man, whose smile makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. He grins at me and asks with his faux concern "Are you quite alright there, dear?". Feeling surrounded by hungry beasts, I did my best to keep my eyes on the man holding my wrist. He was old, much older than I probably first realised. He sat in a long, black cloak, the pointed hood hung down near his shoulders- he emanated power. Gently, I pulled back my wrist but he did not release me, instead, he casually dug his nails in to keep hold, like a bear holding on to its next meal. "My apologies sir..." a brief look around the table showed men grinning at me, smirking as though they were waiting for their part of the meal. I felt helpless. Each man had the same ghastly look on their faces until my eyes landed on him. My stomach swirled with unease as I made eye contact, his face dropped slightly as he recognized me. Draven. He was with these men - I guess spending one night with a man does not mean you know who they are. This left me feeling sad. I just wanted to stare at him and search for the answer. Forcing my attention back to the older gent, holding my arm, I did what anyone would do. I told him what he wanted to hear. "Just a silly girl who lost her footing. I beg you to forgive me. Luckily for me, you were here to catch me. I hate to see what could have been if I had been left to fall. So thank you." The food I had just eaten swirled dangerously in my stomach at my words, yet I followed it through with a nod of my head as a show of respect and this seemed to please the man greatly. He loosened his grip slightly, removing his nails from my arm. "Of course..." He said, nodding back to show his satisfaction, "... Caraway is nothing if not a gentleman. Please stay and let me buy you a drink to discuss your thanks over." Forcing a smile across my face, so at least he thought I was pleased with his offer. "I thank you for your kind offer sir, Caraway, but I am afraid I really must be getting off." His eyes seemed to change as I insisted to leave, a sinister look bore into me. "Let the girl go Caraway, I have places to be as I'm sure you know. Watch your footing in future, you never know who you may bump into." Draven's voice broke through the crowd as he stared at me with a hardness in his eyes that matched his tone - that stung. Caraway looked between the two of us before letting go quickly, clapping his hands together. "Yes, yes. Another time then, Miss. I am sure I will be seeing you around." Was that a threat? It sounded like a threat. Nodding my head and smiling, I took my opportunity to leave swiftly, letting the doors slam shut as I exited. Letting out a sigh of relief at managing to leave, well I was until the door slammed behind me...