Meanwhile, Ean and Cecealye had slowly made it up the stairs, standing outside their doors. Ean wrapped his strong arms around her shoulders and she seemed to melt in them. He kissed her on the cheek and looked down at her.
"You know how much love you?"
She smiled a loving smile. "I believe I have a good idea. You know how much I love you?"
"Well, you know, you could remind me."
And just as Ean was going in for a romantic kiss with his woman Blaizen walked out of the girls' room, causing Cecealye to pull away.
'Dang it, Blaizen!'
Blaizen knew instantly what had just happened and so he quickly made his way to the guys' room, but it was too late; the moment had been lost. She did, however, give him a quick peck on the cheek after.
"Well, we really should go on to sleep now," she suggested.
"Yeah, I'll see you in the morning, beautiful." He ran his fingers through her hair and down to her chin. "Good night."
"Good night."
He watched her go into her room and shut the door. Ean entered his room to find Orckle over by the washstand and Blaizen lying in his bed with a smirk on his face.
"Man, you've got the worst timing ever."
"Sorry, but once I realized what was going on it was too late. I couldn't just walk back into Supreany and CC's room."
Ean sat down on his bed and kicked off his shoes. "And what were you doing in the girls' room anyway?"
"Just talking."
"Yeah, right, just talking. Everyone can see you're sweet on Supreany."
"Well, you know, she's cute, smart, got a good sense of humor, not already taken. All good qualities."
Ean smiled followed by a yawn. "That reminds me; I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."
-
-
They rose the next morning only to find themselves wanting to stay another day. However, Cecealye would not have it. She wanted to press on to their destination, deep into the mountains toward the cliffs by the sea, a dangerous and untamed land. They would have to stock up really well and be careful with their provisions.
Really, that was not what they were all worried about. If the stories were to be believed, it was right where they were going that the Ice Witch had been heard the most, her shrieks and wails off in the distance. The truth was there wasn't enough money you could pay anyone to go in that direction. But that was not enough to stop the young, headstrong queen. So, deep into the mountains, where no one else would dare venture, was where they were going.
People whispered of them as they stared and watched the five exit through the East Gate. The large wooden doors quickly closed behind them. The small group became quieter and quieter as the city disappeared behind them.
Conversations were only carried on a whisper for only a second before the silence resettled. Everything about this place was enough to drive a person mad. It was so quiet. The wind rustling through the trees was the only noise to be had. It was unnatural; there was no sound of bird or beast. It was as though all of such had fled from this place.
Ean's eyes were sharp, taking in everything. 'This silence is so taunting.' He glanced back at Cecealye. 'One thing's for sure; we will see no sleep while we are here. We should have stayed another day to be sure we were well rested.'
But there was no point of thinking of that now. They had already made almost a day's journey, and they would not be turning back now. They stopped well before sundown and began to set up camp.
"Isn't it a bit early to be stopping?" Cecealye asked Ean.
"Generally, yes, but I want this fire out by sunset. We need not draw any unwanted attention by lighting a beacon for any and all to see in the darkness. I would like to pass through here without being noticed. To compensate for time lost by turning in earlier, we will leave just before dawn. This will be the norm until this forsaken part of the forest is behind us. And until we're safely out of this area we'll be trading off on doing night watch. I don't want anything sneaking up on us in the middle of the night."
"Sounds good to me. I'll take the first shift," Blaizen volunteered.
"I guess I'll take the next one after him," Supreany offered.
"If you'd like, I will take the third shift," inserted Orckle.
Ean looked down at Cecealye. "So that leaves you and me."
"I'll take the fourth shift and wake you for the fifth," Cecealye answered.
"All right, then, it's settled. We'll keep the same shifts from here on out. Now, let's hurry up and get that fire going before sundown," Ean commanded.
That night would prove to be uneventful as would the days and nights to follow. However, that did not help calm their nerves. Supreany kept a good eye on the rear day after day, but there was no sign of their new friend.
It had reached mid-day when Ean paused at their lead. Everyone froze in their steps. They were all beginning to feel quite fatigued from their new sleeping schedule. Cecealye leaned forward toward Ean.
"What is it?" she whispered.
"We're getting close."
A great sigh came over everyone. 'Yes. We're finally almost there.'
But just then, a loud rustling in the trees before them stopped them cold in their tracks. A bitter chill came over the air. There was nothing but utter silence, and yet there was something not right. Another sound wisped past them on the breeze. Their eyes were darting everywhere and their breath began to create little fog clouds in front of their faces.
A sudden chill caused the hair on the back of Supreany's neck to stand on end. She shivered as she felt an icy cold hand take a strong grip on her left shoulder followed by a sharp, agonizing stab in her right lower back. Her scream echoed off into the distance as her head dropped to see a long, blood-covered ice sword protruding out of her stomach.