Page 67 of The Dark Mage

T he plan came together after lunch the next day. Relya stayed with the empath, who finally told them his name was Ohn. The group shared a drink before Esrin b egan.

“It’s time to change things. You all know I want to go to Anduan to propose the rebellion and ask for support. Now, I feel safe sharing that I’ve felt a call as well. Something is pulling me toward Riva and Anduan—something deep in my spirit and p ower.”

At his words, Ren’wyn felt a distinct pull from the Void.

It wasn’t the usual call to release her magic.

Esrin’s declaration stirred something primal in her, a hum resonating along her spine, setting her nerves alight.

She rubbed her fingertips together instinctively.

Beside her, Fael shifted, and sparks flickered in his eyes like embers stirred by the wind.

Wilerut broke the silence. “I won’t go to Anduan, Esrin. I won’t sail.” His awkward laugh betrayed a hint of embarrass ment.

Leta nodded in agreement. “Neither will I. In fact, I’m going to propose something that anyone is free to disagree with.

” She gestured toward Fael, Ren’wyn, Esrin, and Zev.

“There’s something unusual about the four of you.

I think you’re meant to take this part of the journey alone.

The rest of us can head to Kareht and meet you once you’ve accomplished your goals on the is land. ”

The group murmured in agreement, and Ren’wyn noticed Lia and Avonlee exchanging quiet gla nces.

Avonlee’s gentle voice broke through the conversation, trembling slightly as she spoke. “We’re going to say goodbye here in Lure mala.”

The announcement startled everyone, and heads turned toward the two w omen.

Avonlee continued, squeezing Lia’s hand tightly.

“Lia and I want to make a home together. This fight means so much to us, but we don’t have the energy for constant travel and conflict.

We want to settle here in Luremala, distribute supplies you send us, and.

.. we want to raise Ohn. He’s been through so much, and we think we can give him love and support as he h eals. ”

Lia and Avonlee shared a brief, affectionate kiss. The display of devotion touched something deep within Ren’wyn, making her chest tig hten.

Esrin leaned back, massaging his brow, his expression one of quiet contemplation. This felt right. Luremala offered a haven, a place where the two women could create something beautiful from the pain they had end ured.

After a pause, Esrin turned to Fael. “What do you think? Is there a way to settle them safely? And can we send them funds and supplies cove rtly?”

Fael stayed relaxed, taking Esrin’s trust in stride, even though Ren’wyn found herself still tensing for an argu ment.

“Yes,” he replied simply. “And more than that, they deserve the chance to build this life for themselves.” He smiled warmly at Lia and Avonlee.

“I think you both know your situation won’t be without risk.

Are you certain you’re ready for that? If you want anonymity—freedom from any obligation to our work—we’d unders tand. ”

“We’re ready,” Lia said with conviction. “It’s terrifying, but together, we can be strong. We want to write a new story for ourse lves.”

The group voiced their support, and the camp came alive with purposeful activity. Zev retrieved a map of Luremala, and those interested in route planning gathered around the travel desk.

Ren’wyn left them to it. She trusted her friends to take care of the det ails.

Instead, she went to check on Ohn and found Relya reading softly to him. The boy looked pale, but his bright eyes and stronger aura gave Ren’wyn hope.

“He ate all his lunch,” Relya told her, grinning as she ruffled Ohn’s hair affectionately. “This afternoon, we’re going to take a walk together through the t rees.”

When Ren’wyn exited the tent, Fael was waiting for her, his hands reaching for hers.

“How’s he doing?” he asked, his voice warm.

“Better,” she replied with a small smile. “I think he’s ready to move around again. Relya’s going to take him for a walk l ater.”

Fael leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “We’ve charted a course, and Esrin’s ready to move. He’s anxious, and I understand why. His vision, his knowledge—I felt it in my bones too. Someone’s waiting for us, Ren’wyn. For you, for all o f us.”

Ren’wyn considered the vibration of her magic during Esrin’s revelation. “I hope it’s a woman,” she sighed dramatically. “I’m getting tired of adding men to this strange little collection of ma gics.”

That made Fael laugh, and he gave her a quick squeeze. “Walk with me?” he asked, glancing at the tent.

“Yes, I’m done here.”

Looping her arm through his, they wandered down a forest path until they found a peaceful spot by the stream.

They removed their shoes and socks, dipping their feet into the warm, bubbling water.

When Fael splashed her, dampening the hem of her skirt, she made a face of mock severity that only made him grin.

“Riva is exceptionally dangerous,” Fael began, scratching his stubbled chin as he grew thoughtful. Ren’wyn nodded, already aware of the r isks.

“I know you know,” he continued, “but it still makes my skin crawl to think of taking you there. You’ll need to tighten your hold on the Void. Many there wouldn’t hesitate to trap or sell you. Every instinct I have is telling me to keep you as far away from those criminals as poss ible.”

Ren’wyn watched as his long fingers traced his lips and jawline in concentration, and her smile softened. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she snuggled into him, the sun warming her ch eeks.

“Esrin said he’d be fine if you and I traveled separately to Riva,” Fael said haltingly. “Would you like that? Time alone together, I mean?”

His hopeful, nervous expression made her heart leap.

“Very much, yes,” she replied, dancing her fingers over his chest as she leaned toward him. “Though... what do you plan to do with so much time alone wit h me?”

The look in his eyes pierced her, curling desire tight in her core. His hands settled on her hip and thigh, the heat of his touch spreading through her body.

“Ren’wyn,” he growled, his lips grazing her neck.

Every inch of her was alive, her toes curling in the soft grass. A cool breeze swept over them, balancing the heat radiating from his body.

“When we’re alone,” he whispered, his voice low and rough, “I’m going to have you everywhere, all the time.”

She squealed as he nibbled her shoulder, his smirk making her cheeks f lush.

“Now, behave,” he ordered playfully, though his tone carried undeniable heat, and he couldn’t hide the shimmer of flames on his hands. Her magic responded, and he laughed as he touched frost-tipped g rass.

For a while longer, they sat on the bank holding hands, enjoying a quiet companionship that felt as natural as breathing. Eventually, they returned to camp, ready to face the day’s work toge ther.

It took a full week to coordinate what would go with whom, settle on a meeting location for the rest of the group, and pack things up. Ren’wyn felt strange striking the tents, knowing she would be staying in and out of inns along the road.

Ohn was calm—remarkably so for a child who had endured such horrors.

Ren’wyn believed he would heal, both inside and out, in the care of Avonlee and Lia.

She spent long hours walking the two women through treatments for coughs, stomach ailments, headaches, contraception, pain, and anxiety, ensuring they could care for each other and Ohn well.

They listened attentively, reading over her instructions and asking questions until they were confident in their understan ding.

Teaching them filled her with purpose, anchoring her amid the whirlwind of ch ange.

Later, finding herself idle, Ren’wyn wandered to the stream.

The gentle babble of water and the cool breeze played with her hair as she contemplated her future.

What had begun as a desperate flight to freedom had shifted into something far heavier—a path of responsibility and purpose.

She was healing, yes, but she still struggled to reconcile itself with the growing sense that her life might be tied to a destiny larger and more significant than she had ever wa nted.

When she shared her thoughts with Fael, he reassured her with his words, his touch, and the steady warmth of his presence. She could feel his love and trust in every glance and emb race.

Zev, too, noticed her unease. The last afternoon all together, he invited her to play with their powers, transforming his features with his strange magic while she wove dappled shadows over him along the edge of the forest. His emptiness swallowed the fringes of her shadows, fracturing and spreading them, creating a mesmerizing mixture that blended perfectly with the forest f loor.

Fael found them after sparring and laughed delightedly as he realized their combined magic could render him nearly invisible under the shimmering, fractured cloak they cre ated.

Esrin joined when he passed by, and the four of them experimented with their powers together, building on one another’s strengths.

Ren’wyn soon realized she was the cornerstone of their magical synergy.

None of the others could blend their powers without her, a realization that sent a pang of unease through her c hest.

As the afternoon faded, Sorya and Relya joined in as well, collaborating with Esrin to create a dazzling display of spinning leaves, water-formed animals, and intricate cracks patterned through the earth.

It was breathtaking and bittersweet—a last shared moment of creativity and connection before the group splintered to pursue different p aths.

That night, Ren’wyn sat between Fael and Leta at the fire, a bowl of food in her hands and a deep ache in her chest. This would be their final night together like this, and she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Leta noticed and leaned over, grinning as she nudged Ren’wyn’s shou lder.

“I can’t wait to see what you think of the desert and the cold wild of the Steppes,” Leta teased lightly. “Promise me you won’t get lost?”

Ren’wyn smiled, tucking into her supper as she answered, “Pro mise.”