Bonus Chapter 01: Who I Cherish

The mysterious light in the sky faded shortly after appearing. It could have almost been a second sunset.

"F-Fab—?!"

"Outta my way!"

I knew the light had to have come from the ruins, and that I needed to get there immediately. They were about a half day’s journey away and supposed to be abandoned. If someone was up to no good out there, causing that odd light and who knows what else, I had to find out. They might head to Docheo next and bring danger along with them.

"Whoa! What’s going on? Why are you dressed like—? Are you expecting trouble? Let me help!"

I almost tripped over him. He was at my heels like a pup craving attention.

"Nysh, can’t ya see I’m in the middle of…? Sorry. I don't have time to chat. I know ya saw it, too."

"The light?"

"What else?" Anyone who caught sight of it seemed more confused than anything. Waves of awe and confusion radiated through Docheo as news of it spread.

"Ya don't understand. I need to go now!"

"Then, I'll come with—!"

"No!"

"But Fabri, I…"

"Listen, I have to deal with it alone, got it? Stay here. Protect Docheo. You're the commander of the guards, and if someone… I just… I have a bad feeling. Ya can't come." Intuition told me I already needed to be on the move, and danger was imminent. "That light… There was something about… I can’t be sure what kinds of nasties are causing trouble out there. Without daylight… No. I'm not risking ya. Stay. Do your job, aye?"

There was no telling how long I’d be gone for, or what I was heading into. I grabbed a pack and shoved any supplies I had lying around inside: a blanket, enough of my favorite jerky for a few days' rations, a canteen, and lots of bandage rolls. Stopping, or at least slowing, the bleeding quickly would help me keep on the move if I got injured. There was a reason I warned the residents of Docheo about heading into the forest, sharing terrible stories with them from a young age to kill any plans of fun and exploration they might consider, and that was just for excursions in the day. Now, I had to venture out during the night. I'd be lucky if I made it to the ruins unscathed.

"You don't need to worry about me." His confidence came through in full force, more than usual. He knew how to fight, a fast learner and the best of any I taught, but I knew he wasn’t truly prepared for the dangers I expected to face. I’d grown up with stories about all the different nasties just waiting to take advantage of someone like him. "I can handle myself—"

"I said no!" He was strong willed and thick headed. Then he gave me those eyes, the same ones he used back when he was just a wee one. "Yes, I know ya can handle yourself, but… I need stealth and… speed. Look at ya, a mountain of muscles and armor. Any trouble will hear ya coming long before we even know what to run from."

"Then I… I won’t run!"

"Don't ya be taking that tone with me, little man. I'm not arguing. Not this time, so please…"

"But… fine. I just haven't…" He must have sensed the fear I was actively trying to suppress. "You look so…"

"Brave? Big? Strong? Yeah, I know I'm your favorite, but enough with the flattery. You’re too young for me. Besides, I know ya have eyes for—"

"Shh! Not so loud!"

"Haha! Ya might stop me someday, maybe, but I still know a thing or—HEY!" The big brute surprised me with a hug that lifted me off the ground. "P-put… Put me down!" Always a big kid at heart, he finally lowered me back to my feet after an extra squeeze. "Some tough guy ya turned out to be. Nothing but a big ol' softy under all that, aren’t ya? And ya better tell your… second not to go breaking another spear. He’s too… rough. Ya best keep an eye on that one."

"But, he's …"

"My stock ain't for lending while I’m gone. Keep him out of my shop, or I'll break him."

Packing away the last of my supplies, I grabbed my cloak, a bow, and a quiver full of arrows. A sword might have been better, but attacking from a distance could give me the edge and work better against an unknown danger. Finally ready to leave, I hurried off to the southern gate and left him behind at my forge.

"Be safe!"

Nysh, that's what I was trying to tell you!

I gave him a quick wave without looking back.

Lingering confusion continued rolling through the village, growing more rampant and causing many folks to slip into panic. Seeing me rush off probably didn’t help ease them.

"Fabrienne!"

What now?!

"Etan, I can’t…" I’d known him since before he could talk. He knew better than to get in my way once I set my mind on something, so he’d never try to stop me if it wasn’t important. "Can it wait? I need to go." A young woman ran to his side and joined us. "L-Lottie? You too?"

"I had her run over to Asa and fetch these for you." Etan, Docheo's current Elder, nodded to the young woman. She handed me a small bag of cyruba berries to help with any potential injuries.

"Asa wanted me to wait so she could give you more, but… but I—"

"Thanks, but I shouldn't need…" A flicker of disappointment flashed through her. "Yeah, ya know what? They might come in handy."

"D-don't go." She threw herself at me and gave me a hug, nearly knocking me over. "Please, we can't—You can do more from here, can't you? I don't want to lose… not you, too." Lottie was always a bundle of emotions, and somehow better at sensing mine than most. "Elder Etan, he said—"

"Ahem!" Etan cleared his throat. He never liked others speaking for him, particularly if he was right there. "The light, its color… You should be wary."

"Wary? Why? What do ya know?" He owned an extensive collection of books and scrolls, plus I accidentally let a few things about the ruins slip in the past. His mind was so full of information I'd never known anyone wiser than him, except my mother, of course.

"Harbinger."

"Harbinger?"

Well practiced in keeping secrets, even from someone prying with resonance, it was impossible to know what else he was thinking. I envied him during times like this.

"What awaits you in the light may be more dangerous than even you can imagine, Fabrienne."

"I don't—I need to go. We'll talk when I return, aye?" He nodded in agreement.

"Look after the wee ones, Lottie." I patted her on the back. She finally let me go and wiped her eyes. "They'll be lookin' to ya while I'm away."

"O-okay. Nysharra, please protect…" She paused and tried to put on a brave face, but I saw right through it. "A-all of us… a chord?"

Nysh, that one, she might've actually convinced me not to go if she tried any harder.

"Always." I gave her shoulder a firm squeeze. "Don't worry. I can handle anything I run into, but… I really need to go, aye?" Blood no longer mattered to me like it once had long ago. If something dangerous waited in the ruins, I had no choice but to face it and protect Docheo, my family. "Etan, ya owe me that explanation later! Don’t forget!" I called back over my shoulder. He nodded once more, his face as unreadable as ever under those big bushy eyebrows and heavy beard.

Still buzzing with worry, especially after my abrupt departure, Docheo was soon far behind me.