“Maeve!” Eager voices squealed in unison, and before she turned to them, Maeve found herself crushed between the girls. After a breathless group hug and a lot of incoherence, Mynte and Flyg let go and beamed at her.
“I’m so glad you’re back! I almost died when Hakken returned without you!” Mynte bounced with barely contained enthusiasm.
“Are you all right?” Flyg was just as excited. “I overheard some gibberish from Regn last night, so you need to tell me everything!”
Mynte took her hands. “Tell us about the Warlock!”
“And Astika’s palace!”
“And those brides!”
“Those were in the palace!” Flyg scolded her.
“Yes, yes! But I want details. Shut up, Flyg!” They both nudged each other while questioning Maeve. The playful banter of two utterly ridiculous and lovely girls.
She threw her arms around them, planting a kiss on each girl’s cheek. “I missed you!”
“You missed me more, right?” Mynte hugged her waist, sticking her tongue out to Flyg.
“I missed you longer! And thank you so much for taking care of my garden.” The three sat to share breakfast while Maeve gave them a full recollection of the story. She kept for herself the Warlock’s secret, Hakken’s wrongdoing, and Regn’s confession. Those secrets would remain with her.
“Your long-lost brother is in the Forest? And he is an apprentice healer?” Astounded, Mynte almost choked on her meat.
“Astika gave you the secret recipe for his sleeping potion?” Flyg’s eyes shone with hope.
As soon as they arrived, she and Regn handed the ‘sleeping froggy bombs’ to the elders and explained its use. These were a marvelous gift, a most needed advantage for the battle, so the warriors thank them sincerely. However, they unanimously agreed to change their name.
Many scouts departed with the dawn to gather enough sunshine seeds for everyone to join the battle. Their strategy was being changed to include this one advantage.
“You should see Hakken! The elders chose him to lead our forces, and he’s doing a magnificent job.” Mynte usually referred to Hakken with mild annoyance, but she appeared to be quite impressed now. “I don’t know what you did to him, but you changed him completely.”
“Oh... I think we can imagine what she did to him.” Flyg gave Maeve a playful jab. “I saw him earlier, and I doubt the smile on his face is there because they went to sleep early.”
They spent the rest of their breakfast making fun of Maeve’s red ears, and dragged her to the training grounds. ‘To witness your man in action,’ they said.
What an impressive sight! Hundreds of warriors roamed the open field, organized in groups, tackling marked half-breeds, and coordinating their movements with the mounted elves. Kniv joined the elders, watching from afar and deep in discussion. On the other side of the field, Tyst barked orders to the younger recruits, who bore the task of guarding the healers.
Right in the middle, Hakken showed a group of warriors the best way to avoid direct hits and tackle an opponent. He moved incredibly fast, and he quickly knocked out a bulky fighter. Since they couldn’t use blades, their hand on hand combat had to be on point. He was truly magnificent.
Her friends giggled, making her realize she stared at him wide-eyed. “Shouldn’t you be training, Flyg?” Maeve asked.
“I joined them yesterday, but since I’m the only mountain half-breed here, they are constantly asking me about our fighting techniques and the weapons we use. I couldn’t concentrate.”
“And she has a vital mission.” Mynte crossed her arms, staring and the mountain half-breed girl with a hint of respect. “She will be part of the group escorting you to Dröm.”
Maeve turned to Flyg, who gave her a tiny smile.
“I need to reach him,” she explained, “perhaps if he sees I’m free, he will able to fight the dust. It can’t be easy for them to keep going without hope.” Her shoulders slumped, and Mynte patted her back.
Hope would be an excellent start. Maeve sensed it from Flyg and the half-breed in the ravine, and that prevailing emotion helped them be free. Maeve turned to the warriors once more.
They could do this!
“Maeve!” A familiar voice roared in the field. Hakken discovered her and ran to meet her. Flirty whistles and witty remarks rose all over the place, Kniv the loudest of them all. The overwhelming attention embarrassed her, but when she tried to hide behind Mynte, her treacherous friend pushed her to the front.
Hakken laughed with glee, and as soon as he reached her, he lifted her in his arms and gave her a scandalous kiss, causing the ruckus in the field to grow louder.
As mortified as she was, Maeve couldn’t deny how elated she felt while being in Hakken’s arms. They belonged together, and Hakken was too happy to show it to the world. Without letting her go, he ended the kiss and flashed the brightest, most disarming smile.
“Did you come to see me?” His cocky grin would be the end of her.
“I should have stayed far from you!” Still abashed, Maeve hid her face from the prying eyes fixed on them. “I swear I’ll shave you while you sleep tonight!”
Hakken leaned to whisper in her ear. “Then I’ll make sure we don’t sleep.”
Regn
On the day of their arrival, the elders had ambushed them to learn as much as possible about the sleeping bombs and what knowledge the Warlock left them with. Regn graciously stayed to explain it all, allowing Maeve to leave and find Hakken.
He made his peace with her decision, but it was hard not to ruminate on his heartbreak.
So he tried his best to keep himself busy, joining the training grounds and enjoying the company of an old friend. After coming to live in the river’s village, and once he reached adulthood, Regn often visited the elf who had rescued him as a child. They had grown attached, and Hevonen’s wisdom never failed to help him in his darkest times.
“Your story is remarkable, young Regn. I kept seeing your improvements each time you visited us, but you have come as far as to befriend
