Roads Don't Wait for the Wretch

A rhythmic thud filled the silence of the waystation yard. Kaelan’s fist had turned white. His knuckles had scraped and bled, yet he continually slammed it against the cobblestone underneath. The pain wasn’t nearly as bad as the frustration.

Maria was gone. And neither Thomas, nor Celeste, nor he was enough when it mattered most. It was far too quiet; had the other two left? It wouldn’t be surprising when such failure warranted it. Maybe he could do the same.

Kaelan’s eyes glazed over as he faced the pooling blood beneath his fist. A certain realization intruded his mind.

She made it to the Holy Capital.

Was this not what Maria wanted? What they had agreed? …His debt was paid. The foolish young nun chose to turn herself in. She remained blind in compassion, despite all his warnings. Warnings that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. His journey alongside her, growing close to others, shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

Kaelan had learned that lesson long ago. Back when his heart still opened to others, and ended closed in pain.

He snickered. I should just walk away…

Maria was far too trusting. Keeping faith that something lay beyond the cruel realities of the world. But Kaelan knew not to believe in such lies.

He experienced it firsthand when he arrived one day at the old cellar the young street kids and himself used as a dwelling. Growing up in the slums, nothing was guaranteed, but he didn’t expect such a devastating sight.

There was no point thinking of it now, just like there was no longer any point sticking around.

Kaelan stood with his head hung. He released his fist. Warm blood trickled down his fingertips, dripping.

“Time to go…” he muttered.

Before he disappeared for good, a certain sound caught his attention. A slow and steady hiss and scrape. It came from the clearing beyond the edge of the waystation, where the cobblestone yard gave way to an untamed field.

Kaelan mindlessly followed it. Past the neighing Aetherblood Coursers and the gifted carriage that wasn’t even worth a glance. Once he reached the source of the sound, his eyes went wide.

“What are you two…?”

Thomas shoveled heaps of dark dirt with a small spade, tossing it over a mound. Celeste patted it down, dirt encrusted in her nails.

She glanced at his presence. “Are you done wrecking your own fist?”

Kaelan remained silent.

Celeste returned to the task at hand. “I’m going after Maria… as soon as I’m finished with this.”

Graves for their fallen enemies. The sight reminded Kaelan of the morning he faced the assassin’s own, which he turned his back on.

Deep down, he knew the truth. The foolish one was himself. The only foolish thing Maria ever did was taking heavy burdens upon herself and not sharing it with others. Yet she left with a pained smile and took along the words he muttered to her.

She had given him a gentle nod of trust to a promise he was on the verge of breaking.

Kaelan got onto his knees and helped lay dirt. His companions smiled softly as the three finished burying the dead.

Once the graves settled, and the three held quiet reflections, Kaelan faced the two. Their determined expressions ‌fought against hopelessness.

“Celeste, you say you’re going after Maria… do you expect to waltz right in?” he asked.

“N-No… I…”

“I know you mean well,” Kaelan said. “But if we want to avoid another failure, we need a plan.” He turned to Thomas.

The ex-court mage nodded before gazing off in thought. What Kaelan had suspected but had no means of explaining, Thomas quickly made clear. He turned back and put it into words. The power dynamic in the capital had surely shifted heavily toward Vane. They couldn’t just rush through the gates. Even if they somehow made it through, countless enemies would await them.

“We’ll have to split up,” Thomas said. “We need a way in, any ally we can convince,” his eyes lingered on Kaelan, “and we need to protect what’s most dear to Maria.”

The chapel. Mother Martha… The children.

Kaelan nodded. “I’ll take a steed and ride to Maria’s chapel. I know the fastest way there.” I just hope it won’t be too late…

“Right,” Thomas said. He took the reins off the two Aetherbloods and led one to Kaelan. “You take the other, Celeste. Ride far and wide and gather anyone who can wield a sword.”

“But… I don’t know if I can convince anyone. Wouldn’t you be best?”

Thomas shook his head. “You’re the only one who could paint a grand picture of ‘Saint Maria’ to others. Show them she’s worth fighting for.”

Celeste seemed hesitant, but Thomas gave her the reins of the second Aetherblood. She smiled faintly and looked up at the great beast, petting its majestic obsidian-colored coat.

“And don’t be afraid of using your noble name,” Thomas told her. “Show them—show House Aurelian—how their own true hero brings unrivaled honor.”

Her sapphire eyes came aglow. “Right!”

Thomas rummaged through the carriage. He grabbed a familiar pack. The hefty one, full of dragonscale and ‌swung it over his back.

“I’ll find us a way through the gates,” he said.

Kaelan and Celeste glanced at one another. The young knight needn’t say a word to him for Kaelan to understand. Thomas’ determined eyes said all that was needed, and so did hers.

They hopped onto their steeds. Though Celeste, not without some help. Kaelan tried his best to hold back teasing as he lifted her up. In the end, he couldn’t help himself.

“Ride safe, shrimp.”

Celeste pouted, but she soon chuckled it off.

“You as well, Kaelan. Don’t be brooding all the way there! And when you save the chapel,” she pulled on the corners of her lips, “be sure to give the children your biggest smile!”

The three went their separate ways, but they’d meet again at the edge of the outskirts, the planned meeting spot that Thomas noted. This time, they would be the ones to save Maria.

Kaelan’s dark cloak waved in the heavy wind as the Aetherblood Courser galloped with unrivalled strength and speed. Such a beast could ride a full day without rest; Kaelan intended to do the same. Even so, he remained unsure of how long it’d take to reach the Bellmere.

He scratched the steed’s head. 

“Let’s try our best, boy.” 

It neighed as it kicked the dirt road behind it.

They raced toward the place Kaelan once considered nothing more than a target’s location. Now he raced toward it with a promise to protect the loved ones within.