Activity

Ferran

I hoped it was dark enough that Liorah couldn’t see me blushing. Why had I helped her up? What else should I have done? I didn’t like this at all. Why couldn’t things be different?

“Let’s get out of here,” Liorah said, rather brusquely.

She was mad, of course, she was mad. Was she? Was I supposed to apologize?

(Me: Someone help them, they’re clueless.)

Instead, I nodded and picked out the weakest spot in the wall and hit it with my staff as hard as I could. The impact vibrated through my hands and arms, shaking me down to my bones. I couldn’t suppress a mild exclamation of surprise.

Liorah took that as permission and cursed, loudly. It was a word I certainly wouldn’t have used.

The oddness of the situation struck me as immensely funny and I laughed. Who was the royal here?

Liorah tilted her head and gave me a quizzical smile. I instantly felt my face grow hot again as butterflies took over my stomach.

This was all a horrible mess. I should have known better than this. I did know better than this.

Liorah took my lack of action as a prompt and firmly planted one foot and rammed her other heel into one of the smaller boulders. She yelped and cursed again as she stumbled backward.

“Impressive,” I said, mockingly.

“Try it with your cane then,” Liorah said, spitefully. She had a tendency to lash out in spite whenever she felt criticized.

“It’s not a cane, but I’m sure I won’t be able to do better,” I said, trying to repair her ruffled temper.

Azar took it upon herself to get us out of this situation and began scratching at the rocks with great enthusiasm.

Liorah threw back her head, her loud laugh echoing off the boulders. I loved her laugh, even though it wasn’t particularly pretty. Nothing like silvery bells and rushing of water over rocks or whatever other poetic nonsense. It was occasionally inappropriately loud, but it was hers and it meant she was happy.

“That’s it! Clever girl!” she encouraged Azar, still grinning.

I chuckled but examined the stacked boulders more closely. We weren’t going to make any progress trying to dislodge them, we’d have to climb over. Liorah hated heights, this was going to be a nightmare.

Still, she’d climbed over the toppled building to reach me. It was far higher than she liked, but she’d still done it.

I shook my head, to drive out the unwelcome thoughts. Of course, she had, she was a decent person and she hadn’t wanted me to die. That was all.

“Liorah–”

“We’re going to have to climb, aren’t we?” The dread was thick in her voice.

“There’s no other way. I won’t let you fall, I promise,” I said, impulsively. It was a ridiculous promise but I intended to keep it.

“And Azar?” She peered around, searching, “Where– she was right here,”

I whistled, and Azar’s pointed face appeared beneath one of the boulders. Liorah fell to her knees.

“How’d you get there? It’s a passage!”

“She barely fits, we’ll still have to go over,” I said.

“We couldn’t try making it bigger?” Liorah asked, uncertainly.

“And have that entire pile of rocks fall on us? I’d rather not if you don’t mind.”

Liorah gave a deep sigh and jammed her first boot into the wall. I followed, slower. Despite her fear, she was a fast climber.

“Slow down,” I said.

Liorah didn’t look back.

“I’m just trying to get it over, try to keep up,” she said, hurriedly.

“Liorah, be careful, or you’ll–”

Her foot slipped on a loose boulder and slid down with a yelp. I reached out and caught her around the waist again.

“Thanks,” she said, breathlessly.

I looked away, shyly, as she climbed up, more carefully this time.

Finally, she reached the top and stopped. The light caught the loose strands of hair and made it glow like a halo. She looked down at me and reached out a hand to help me up.

I took her hand and she pulled me up. Her grip was calloused from her constant practice with swords and horses. I always forgot how strong she was. She smiled, and her eyes caught the light with the spark of that smile. I nearly lost my grip and mentally cursed myself.

The way down was easier, it was far more sloped. Before we went down again, I examined the area. It had died down a lot, the wolves and slime had diminished. Yet, there seemed to be a group near the middle. I caught a glimpse of swirling yellow and orange, like a dancing flame.

“Isn’t that–” I started.

Liorah laughed and called.

“Sahar!”

She swirled around, and certainly, it was Sahar. She grinned, as though she had just been handed the world.

“Hi, honey! You’re here!”

Liorah smiled and started to say something, but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Liorah, you stupid moron,” Someone said with heartfelt disgust and annoyance.

Acyn was here too. The announcement was like him. I hadn’t seen him past the group of others, including Lorcan and Misu.

“Hey, dumb nerd,” Liorah replied, without missing a beat.

Ah, the affection and appreciation between the two. I grinned.

“Oh, hello Ferran!” Sahar said, delightedly.

“You’re here too?” Acyn said, “Liorah dragged you into this, didn’t she?”

I laughed and nodded. Anything to encourage the flame of eternal sarcastic discourse between the two. It was highly amusing.

We slowly started on our way down and I mentally prepared myself for the playful argument between Acyn and Liorah and Sahar’s delighted gushing. Life as usual. Now I would have to take care of all three instead of just Liorah.