The thunderstorm moved on and the wet earth filled with puddles was left behind. The sky even cleared enough for a beautiful sunset to settle behind the trees. Dripping wet, Declan and Marwynn arrived at the small cottage of the healer. Marwynn rapt on the door with urgency calling out “Cala! It’s Farrell! He’s been struck by an arrow!”

  The door opened to a peculiar women with piercing hawk-like eyes. Her hair was covered by a cap and her stiff manner made her appear uncomfortable. Even possibly more unsettling was the giant white bird that sat atop her shoulders. Its stare was even more startling than the woman, piercing to the very soul. She summoned them into her dwelling.

  “Can you heal him?” Marwynn implored.

  Cala pointed to the straw bed in the corner of the room by the fireplace. After shuffling Farrell over and laying him on the bed, Cala pointed to the door. Marwynn looked towards Declan, “There is nothing more that we can do, she wants us to leave.”

  Looking around, Declan saw a small little village with a stream winding it’s way through. The little flickers of light from inside the dwellings looked like the fireflies that were dancing across the water. The storm had left a cool clear night, the stars were twinkling and reflecting off of the stream. After a moment, Declan realized that Marwynn was no longer with him. Spinning around, he saw the silhouette of a man sitting on the small bridge that crossed over the stream. Not knowing what else to do, he wandered over to the bridge and sat next to Marwynn.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Why did you help me?” questioned Marwynn.

  Declan responded, “Why would I not?”

  “From what I understand, members of the royal family... forgive me… are not known for their decency” Marwynn ventured.

  Declan looked down into the water, “yes, they can be cruel.”

  Marwynn turned to face Declan, “you say that as though you are not one of them.”

  “I don’t feel as though I am. My father sent me away when I was born. He didn’t want me to interfere with my older brother Kelvan’s ascension to the throne. I am just the spare son.” Declan divulged.

  “I for one am glad that you were sent away” murmured Marwynn.

  Declan looked out towards the village with a small smile. “Thank you.”

  Changing the subject Marwynn asked, “so who was that archer that was trying to kill you?”

  Remembering Duster’s words he responded, “I don’t know, I am on my way to the Gorge to find out.”

  Marwynn looked off towards the healer’s cottage, “That is a three days journey from here.”

  Overhead a large white bird gracefully flew. The light of the moon caught it’s feathers creating an ethereal glow on the bird as it landed on the bridge. Marwynn watching the bird land cried out, “Farrell!” before sprinting to the cottage.