The thundering explosion and searing flames slowed the advance of the guard to merely a volley of cautious and probing glances. Heads again peered over the top of the walls, before quickly ducking back down, like animals retreating to their burrows. With the approach of the guards temporarily halted, the phrenics were quick to relinquish their watch over the palisade and Pining Gate. It was only a matter of moments before they’d rejoined the caravan as it moved past the edge of Cadsae.
The bulk of the group had already abandoned the village, moving quickly up The Stocks’ single main road. A small contingent remained patiently waiting, and Ryl’s heart skipped a beat as he recognized all the faces. They were his closest friends and confidants. They were truly the closest thing he had to family. Nearly all were armed with some variation of crude bludgeon, salvaged from anything they could find.
Kaep looked at Ryl offering a compassionate smile, leaning in close.
“Go to them,” she whispered. “We’ll watch the rear. We’ll call if there’s any trouble.”
Ryl mouthed his thanks though the words failed to make a sound. The events had occurred in such rapid succession since they’d entered the boundaries of Cadsae Proper, that he’d had only a moment to greet his friends. He found himself immediately overwhelmed by the raw emotion that surged through his body. He worked feverishly to hide the tears that threatened to pour from his eyes as he padded forward ahead of the phrenics.
Again, it was Aelin who ran free from the group, throwing himself around Ryl’s waist.
“I told you I’d return,” Ryl whispered to the boy as he began whimpering quietly. “Come, let’s join the others. We can talk while we walk.”
Ryl separated the boy from him, placing his hand gently on his back guiding him to the others. Sarial stood at the front of the group. Her smile was as infectious as he remembered. To her left stood the towering frame of Zed. His massive body dwarfing Odus, Rikel and Quinlen who remained to his side. The twins stood to Sarial’s right. Sandwiched protectively between them was the compassionate young Elora and Luan. He’d failed to note earlier the sleeping babe that she cradled carefully to her chest, supported by a cloth sling hung over her shoulder.
There was not an eye among them that was free from the evidence of recently shed tears. The wet streaks traced a light clean trail through the dust that had settled over their skin.
“I’ve missed you, my friends,” Ryl choked out the words as his voice broke.
The round of embraces and handshakes was brief yet utterly heartfelt. All had their moment of private greeting before Ryl urged them onward. The need to spread the distance between themselves and Cadsae was great. The phrenics remained several meters behind, politely granting them space as Ryl was reunited with his friends. Their introductions would wait until a later time.
Luan was the last to greet him. The tears were streaming down her cheeks as she stepped forward to embrace him. The hug was light owing to the silent, peaceful child resting against her chest. A thick mop of black hair poked out from under the crude hood pulled over its head.
Intimate relationships between the tributes were expressly forbidden within The Stocks as having children was considered an abnormally cruel punishment for the child. The circumstances surrounding her unplanned pregnancy were severe. The nameless and unwarranted father was unknown, though it was likely he was executed at the hands of Captain Le’Dral when the truth of the atrocities occurring at Tabenville first came to light.
Ryl stepped back, admiring the peaceful face of the child in her arms. Luan was glowing with the beauty of motherhood. The joy he felt beaming from her stood out like a blazing beacon in the darkness of The Stocks.
“His name is Rylan,” she cooed as she looked down at the sleeping child in her arms. “He was born early. The rigors of life here are too stressful. The mender didn’t hold much hope. I knew in my heart that he was bound to be wrong. The first time he opened his eyes, I saw a glimpse of that fire, the terrifying swell of determination the likes of which I’d only seen in your eyes. I thought the name would be fitting.”
Ryl reached out, gently stroking the babe’s cheek with the back of his finger. His tiny face reacted with a twitch; his body squirmed slightly. His lips puckered and released as he scrunched himself into the warmth of his mother’s breast. It was with difficulty that he removed his eyes from the child raising them to meet Luan’s gaze.
“He’s perfect,” Ryl whispered with a smile. “Though I hope he’s less prone to injury than his namesake.”
Luan snorted a quiet laugh, before her face turned deadly serious.
“I’ll not have you corrupt him with your foolhardy ways,” she said in jest. “I hope you’ve at least learned your lesson by now.”
“I’m afraid it’s a lesson I’ve yet to accept,” Ryl admitted as he urged his friends onward. They’d lingered too long. The bulk of the group ahead had just disappeared beyond the first corner of the road in the distance. He cast a final glance back over his head at the wall that separated them from the city, and from the growing thousands who likely amassed behind. There was still no
