Chapter 56

Cat

I stared as Sara leaned her head against Silvi’s frail body. She closed her eyes, staying motionless as Silvi sang her song. Aicha stood huddled at the edge of our group, staring wildly at the scene. I glanced down the road. It was still empty, but Sara was right, who knew what Almerious had planned?

“Kim, keep watch!”, I called to her.

The girl stumbled as she rushed forward and placed herself between our packhorse and the road. I turned back to Sara and Silvi. The song faded, and moments later, Silvi collapsed on the ground. I rushed forward, taking her in my arms.

“She needs to rest”, Sara said.

She was lying still in my arms, her eyes closed and her breathing weak. I stared at Sara.

“Do something!”

The Unicorn watched her, studying her as if seeing her for the first time.

“The elves have always been in harmony with their forest. Now, she tries to bring the same balance to our group. It is taking a toll on her.”

“So do something!”

“I do not…”

She didn’t finish the sentence and instead kept watching her. I stared at her. I had never once seen her give in to Silvi’s healing, let alone stay close for anything but practical reasons. I’d even thought I'd heard her say she regretted taking Silvi with her, but it was such a surprising thing to say that I didn’t know if I’d heard it right.

“Hold her,” Sara said in the end.

She moved closer, putting her head again against Silvi, and closed her eyes. The air grew still, and a gentle calmness filled me. Maybe we were fine. Everything would be alright. I glanced at Aicha. She was watching Sara serenely, her body relaxed and her face soft. I shook my head. What was happening? Was this the Unicorn’s doing?

I didn’t have time to ponder it because at that moment, Silvi groaned. I looked at her. Her eyes were open, peering at me in a daze.

“Thank… you,” she murmured.

“We need to leave and find somewhere safe to stay,” Sara said.

“Take Kim. I’ll take Aicha again.”

She nodded, and Kim ran over and helped Silvi up on Sara’s back before climbing up. I gestured at Aicha, and she hesitantly came over.

“We’ll be safe soon”, I said.

She climbed up on the horse, and I cast one last glance down the road before setting off again.