It had been three days since Fia sent up a smoke signal; she wasn’t sure if anyone had seen it in these remote parts. The Trench Forests were thick, difficult to navigate, and the wildlife was no easy prey. Most people never came here. She’d thought she’d left the worst behind, but there was still no sign of civilization.
She examined her throbbing ankle, splinted with sticks and a strip of black cloth from her scarf. The swelling had eased, but she still couldn’t stand on it. If help didn’t come before sunset, she’d have to wait another day. The thought of spending another night in the forest made her shiver.
She pulled the last seedchurn from her muddy robe, broke it in half and tucked the rest away. Each bite was dry and bitter, but she forced it down, then leaned against the tree that had sheltered her since the night before. The hollow behind her was shallow—too small to hide in, enough to pretend she could.
She didn’t know how long she’d slept before her eyes flew open. A twig had snapped nearby. Her hand flew to her sabre.
Footsteps.
More than one.
She pressed herself deeper into the hollow, breath thin.
“She should be here.” A woman’s voice sounded from nearby.
“I see no sign of her.” another replied. “Are you sure we’re headed in the right direction?”
“Yes. I think so.” It was a man’s voice—one that Fia recognized. “It’s been three days. Maybe she moved on. I hope she’s okay.” Artyom from the Logistics Guild. He’d given them the maps to the Trench Forests.
Fia scrambled. “I’m here!” Her voice was hoarse and weak from the days of silence and weeping. “I’m here!” She tried again, stronger.
The footsteps broke into a run and three figures emerged from the trees. She stumbled and fell face forward.
Someone knelt beside her. “She has a broken ankle.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t think she can walk on her own.”
“We need to treat her here. She can’t travel like this.”
Fia closed her eyes and fainted, or perhaps slept, for the first time in a week.
When she woke, she was in a bed. The air was smoky and humid from drying linen. Voices murmured close to her.
“She’s awake.” Pekka’s voice—the blond savior from her first day in this world. He stood in a group huddled by the fireplace. In the past seven years, Fia had crossed paths with him twice, once when she arrived and then at the Initiator training. Both times he was accompanied by Dara. She searched the room for him. Pekka was always distant. Dara, on the other hand, had always been the opposite. His bronze circlet caught the light as he stepped forward.
Worry flashed in his composed eyes. “Are you okay?”
Fia nodded.
“I told them you wouldn’t be alone. We’ll go again at first light.” His gaze lingered when she didn’t answer. “Pekka and I can head out now. Can you tell me anything that might help?”
”You don’t need to go at first light.” Fia turned her head away. ”There’s no one there we need to hurry for.”
Hot tears pooled in her eyes.
Dara said nothing. She felt a hand on her shoulder as she continued to cry in silence.
© 2021–2026 Sabri Jadugar. All Rights Reserved.
Message from the Author
You made it till here. No new chapter tomorrow and day after. Leave in the comments if you prefer a chapter a day or would rather have a bulk release of chapters every week to binge.
Live long and prosper.
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