Page 52 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

T hey were saddled, equipped with supplies, and on their horses within an hour.

Ava rode her own after having practiced to overcome her nervousness.

Casimir had gifted her a beautiful white mare named Bella upon proving her confidence and ability to ride, and Ava leaned forward and stroked her mane, trying to ignore her nerves as they made their way out of the city.

In addition to their core group, they’d brought along a company of eighty soldiers and a group of healers.

Quinn and Raine led the party, with Ava and Casimir following. Jorrar, Kai and Thorne rode behind them with Aelerion and Thalia bringing up the rear, insisting on helping. The group was followed by the rest of the soldiers on their own horses, packed with tents, food and weapons.

They followed the road through town, passing shops, taverns and restaurants, before leaving through the tunnel under the mountains.

Ava hadn’t ventured here since she first arrived many months ago.

Dark stone walls encased the path, illuminated by glowing fungi and insects, providing subtle light as they passed.

The sound of horses’ hooves echoed in the passage, mixed with fearful whispers of what they may find.

“How long will it take to get there?” asked Ava as they emerged into the forest.

“Two days,” Casimir replied. “If we hurry and only stop to rest briefly.”

Two days? Would they make it in time?

Ava learned Casimir and his friends used to frequent Oakshire when they were younger and were close with the innkeeper there, a funny older orc named Sugha who always mothered and chastised them when they were too rowdy.

The animal companions darted in and out of the woods as they continued their journey. Aro occasionally emerged, checking on Casimir before disappearing again, Luna riding on his back. Titus remained at the castle, occupied with catching insects throughout the forest.

“Are you not capable of walking, Luna?” Ava asked, amused.

Oh I am. But this is much more comfortable and Aro doesn’t mind.

Raine’s white wolf, Sabriel, stayed close to Quinn’s black panther, Bastien, and dozens of other creatures who must have been companions to some of the other soldiers traveled through the woods. Large cats, hawks and other birds, wolves, even a giant snake.

Ava glanced at Casimir. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were tense on the reins as he led his horse next to her. “Are you alright?” she asked.

He turned toward her. “Yes. Just worried.”

“Me too.”

“And I’m terrified to have you with us. You just recovered from the ball and?—”

Ava reached between their horses and grabbed his hand. “Cas. I’ll be alright. We all will. We’re stronger together.”

He let out a breath, still obviously worried .

They continued for hours before stopping and making camp for the night. Ava dismounted her horse, legs aching from being stuck in the saddle for so long, and thanked the soldier who led her away. Casimir parted ways with her to direct the set-up of their camp.

Ava wandered through the soldiers erecting tents and lighting fires with efficiency.

They’d chosen a large clearing in the woods, surrounded by tall deciduous trees with yellow flowers glowing in the night.

As she passed a soldier preparing a pot of stew, herbs tickling her nose with the promise of a hearty meal, she scanned the group, searching for her brother.

He stood at the edge of camp, staring at the night sky with his arm around Quinn, a pensive look on his face. His giant eagle, Skye, had landed next to them and lowered her head. She gave her a scratch, ruffling her feathers, and Skye chirruped low in her throat, relishing the attention.

Ava stopped on the other side of Thorne. “Are you alright?”

He turned, a smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. “Not really.”

“He’s worrying about everything as always,” said Quinn, though she wasn’t sarcastic this time, voice laced with her own concern.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“There’s nothing anyone can do,” said Thorne. “Not until we win this war.”

She stood silent as the three of them watched the stars.

Thorne spoke again, “I fear this is only the beginning of horrific things to come. Death and destruction, hate and depravity.”

The cool breeze whipped Ava’s braid and she wrapped her arms around herself. “Do you think we will? Win this war?”

“We have to.”

Quinn let out a sigh and Thorne pulled her closer. Ava placed her hand on his shoulder and they stood in complete silence, worrying about their kingdom, their world.

After two days of travel, they were close to Oakshire and would arrive within the hour.

Most everyone was silent, preparing themselves for what they would find, though an air of anticipation and anxiety buzzed around the company.

Ava had barely slept last night, Casimir also restless, tossing and turning as they agonized over the fate of their citizens.

They’d be split into pairs, with a group of soldiers to accompany them as they entered town and assessed the situation.

Casimir approached. “You’ll be with Raine.” He cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers. Pulling away, he said, “Please be safe, love.”

She brushed a strand of hair behind his shoulder. “You too.”

Casimir walked away to address the group as Ava paced, stomach in knots. Raine stayed next to her, watching her walk back and forth, trying to hide his own worry.

Making his way to the front, Casimir began his speech.

“We leave the horses and healers here, guarded by a small group of soldiers and make the rest of the way on foot. It’s about a half hour walk.

Remember your positions and watch for my signal to split up when we get within range.

Remain on the edge of town until you hear my whistle,” he instructed as he stood before the army, hands clasped in front of him.

Ava had never seen him addressing his army before, not even on the ship. That had happened too quickly for speeches and this kind of preparation. His face was grave and determined, raw power radiating from him and sensed from where she was standing in the back.

This is why they called him The Bear.

“Leave none of our enemies alive. Do what you must to end them. Do not let them overwhelm you, and stay with your team.”

They began their walk to town, Ava staying close to Raine. The group was silent, save for a few whispers here and there, ensuring the element of surprise and avoiding as many casualties as possible.

Casimir raised his hand, halting their company. He waved and pointed his fingers, indicating it was time to split up. The animals had come along—Sabriel and Luna stayed with Ava and Raine while the others accompanied their respective fae companions.

“Luna, you’re too small to fight,” said Ava.

I’ll hide in the forest but I’m here if you need to communicate something with the rest of the group.

Ava sighed, relieved her feline companion would not be putting herself in danger. Not everyone had a giant wolf or bear who could rip the arms off their enemies, though the smaller animals were used for communication and sending messages.

The dense woods were still, their group cautiously stepping over logs and through the underbrush. They took their place and paused, waiting for the signal to leave the cover of the forest. Ava’s hands shook and sweat dripped down her neck, as uneasiness churned in her gut.

Casimir’s whistle sounded, indicating it was time to enter Oakshire. She followed Raine to the north entrance, near the farmers’ fields.

All was silent. There were no screams, no clinking of armor or yells of daemon soldiers. They heard no citizens or movement at all. It was eerily quiet.

Too quiet.

They broke through the tree line, archers at the ready, reaching what appeared to be a former farmhouse. It was now a pile of ash, cinders smoldering as white smoke carried death to the sky .

A tree sat in the yard, stripped bare of its leaves and branches, now a lone pole in the middle of the grass. And attached to the tree, was a body. A female orc, vacant eyes staring into the distance.

Raine gasped. Ava covered her mouth at the sight as they got closer. The body had been flayed. Skin peeled off and nailed to her sides along the tree. Ava took a deep breath, stomach curdling with breakfast, and closed her eyes, trying to stave off the nausea.

“Sugha,” Raine whispered.

She turned to him. His blue-gray eyes filled with tears as his face was overcome with rage. Sugha was the innkeeper; their friend who had known them for decades. And now she was dead. Brutalized by Andras and his soldiers.

“Check for survivors,” he ordered the team as he stood there, unable to take his eyes off the body of his friend.

They searched the remains of the farmhouse, but returned moments later, shaking their heads. Raine turned away and led the group closer to town. They didn’t see any soldiers. No Andras, no indication anyone was here, other than the destruction left in their wake.

Gravel crunched under Ava’s boots as they entered town. It was decimated. Almost every building and shop was either a pile of ash or still burning. The trees were stripped of their leaves, trunks black and scorched from fire. No survivors were found. Everyone was dead.

They were too late.

Ava’s hands shook as they continued their exploration, fruitlessly searching for bodies. For anything. Raine grasped her trembling hand and squeezed as they paused and stood before a large building, only half standing now.

“Something’s not right,” said Raine.

“Yeah, everyone’s dead,” Ava said through her tears .

He shook his head. “I sense something else. I have a bad feeling.”

“Bad feeling about what?” she whispered, fear taking root.

He whipped his head to her, eyes wide. “We need to leave. Now ,” he said, as dark figures emerged from the remains of the buildings surrounding them.

It was a trap.