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Xavier's POV
The argument between Elisha and Nathan had dragged on far longer than I thought it would. Sparks of hostility flew between them with every word — Nathan with his cold arrogance, Elisha with his sharp tongue that refused to bow. If Paige hadn't stepped in, we might still be standing in the middle of those gloomy woods, bickering until the moon rose.
Even after she managed to quiet them, the silence that followed was thick and heavy. The forest pressed in on us from all sides. The branches above knitted so tightly together that the last fingers of sunlight barely slipped through. I hadn't been exaggerating when I said we hadn't even crossed half the woods yet. By now, it was nearly dusk — that strange hour where the world balances between light and shadow, and every sound seems sharper than it should be.
I cleared my throat, trying to break the silence that was beginning to feel like another enemy walking beside us.
"Uh, guys," I began, forcing a smile. "Why don't we just stay here tonight? Look around — it's already getting really dark."
Paige's voice rose from behind me, practical as always.
"I agree. Elisha and Xavier, you two should go get firewood. I'll set up the stones for the fire."
Of course, it had to be me. There was no way she'd send Darcelle, who was leaning lazily against a tree, arms crossed like she had nothing to do with this journey. Nathan, on the other hand, had already wandered to the far side of the clearing, sitting down as though our little group didn't matter to him at all.
I turned to Elisha, who had long since pulled his arm from my shoulder after the earlier quarrel.
"Hey, Elisha, come on. Let's get firewood."
He looked at me as if I had just announced the death of his favorite horse.
"Did Paige not say both of us?" His voice dripped sarcasm. "Or was I the only one who heard that?"
I groaned inwardly. "Why can't you just go?"
He folded his arms and looked ready to sit, but I leaned close and whispered quickly, "I don't even know what counts as proper firewood. For all I know, I'd bring back wet leaves or a poisonous root. You obviously do. Please, come on."
He sighed — that long, defeated sigh that says what am I supposed to do with you? It made me grin like an idiot. Without another word, he stood up and strode into the trees, and I hurried after him.
The forest was unnervingly quiet as we walked. Dry leaves crackled under our boots, and somewhere far off an owl called. I couldn't stand silence for long; it always made my thoughts race.
"So," I said, watching him bend to pick up a length of dried wood, "how'd you end up here?"
He paused, his hand brushing bark before he spoke. "The king had someone spread word — a reward for a courageous man willing to stand before him. It sounded tempting, so I went. But…" his lips twisted bitterly, "he blackmailed me with things from my past. And here I am, carrying firewood for strangers."
I laughed, maybe too loudly. "Well, at least you're good at it."
He cocked his head toward me with a smirk. "Since you're so good at laughing, why don't you hold these?"
Before I could argue, he shoved the bundle of wood into my arms. I staggered back, nearly toppling over.
"Wait— Elisha!"
But he was already walking ahead, hands in his pockets as if this had been his plan all along.
---
When we returned, I was the one carrying the heavy load while Elisha strolled behind me looking utterly unbothered. I grinned anyway, announcing proudly, "Hey guys, we're back! With some dried wood, no less."
Paige gave us a suspicious look — or maybe it was just at me, wondering why I was the only one carrying anything. I dropped the pile beside her and went to sit next to Elisha, who leaned against a fallen log like he had carried the weight of the world instead of, well, nothing.
Here's the thing about Elisha: he's sarcastic, pessimistic, and has no respect for anyone. Yet somehow, I still prefer his company. Maybe because he's not pretending — unlike Nathan with his cold detachment. And I'll admit, I like his hair. White as moonlight, messy but beautiful. His sea-blue eyes carry storms in them, but they're the kind of storms you'd willingly watch from the safety of a window.
Lucas once told me to notice good things about people. Well, Elisha has plenty, even if he doesn't believe it.
I must've been smiling to myself because Elisha nudged me, frowning.
"What the hell are you grinning about?"
Impulsively, I blurted out, "I like seeing you and Nathan argue."
His eyebrow shot up. "...Why?"
I shrugged. "Because Nathan is the most powerful man in the kingdom — maybe even more powerful than the king. Rich, untouchable, untamed. No one dares talk back to him. But then there's you. You don't care about his power, or his influence, or his perfect face. You just stand up to him. And honestly? It's really fun to watch."
Elisha chuckled, shaking his head. But for a brief second, I saw something flicker across his face — pain, maybe? Regret? Whatever it was, it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Friends," I said softly, offering the word like a bridge.
He smirked, looking away. "You really are pampered, aren't you?"
I pouted, and he just laughed to himself.
---
The night passed with Paige instructing us to rise at dawn. Darcelle gave nothing more than a nod before curling up beneath a tree. Nathan, who had been quiet all evening, had already drifted off in his corner. Paige herself soon stretched out near the fire, giving me a pointed look.
"Xavier, get some rest. You too, Elisha."
Elisha only smirked at her before lying down. I murmured goodnight and soon drifted into sleep, lulled by the crackle of fire and the whisper of leaves.
---
Dawn came too quickly. Paige and Darcelle were already awake, moving efficiently. Nathan adjusted his dark cloak in silence. I yawned, splashing cold water from my skin bag on my face to wake myself.
I glanced around. No Elisha. Typical.
I found him still sprawled on the ground, hair mussed, cloak tangled around him. With a sigh, I bent and tapped his head. "Get up."
He groaned, slapped my hand away, and muttered something incoherent. I tapped him again, grinning. "Elisha. Wake up."
With a scowl, he finally sat up, dusting off his hair. I handed him my water bag, which he used without thanks, passing it back with a half-hearted grunt. Paige shouted, "Hurry up, Elisha!" He gave her a look — the kind of look that could peel paint off wood — but grabbed his bag.
Something slipped out.
I moved before he could, bending down to pick it up. My breath caught. A green raider's cloak.
I froze, holding it between my hands. Elisha snatched it back, his face unreadable, but the damage was done. Paige, Darcelle, and even Nathan had seen it.
For a long moment, silence weighed heavier than the forest itself. Nathan's lips curled into a faint smirk, while the others' faces darkened with realization.
Had Elisha been a raider? The raider who had been expelled?
He stuffed the cloak back into his bag without a word and walked away first, shoulders stiff with unspoken shame.
I swallowed the knot in my throat and forced a smile. "Well… see? He's already leaving. No point standing around."
But Nathan was already gone, cloak sweeping behind him. I sighed. This was going to be a long journey.
---
By evening, we finally stumbled out of the suffocating woods. Before us rose the gates of another town, tall and fortified, lanterns already glowing along the walls. My heart quickened.
"Welcome to Ardenfel," I whispered to myself.
Two guards barred our path, demanding our purpose. Before anyone could speak, Nathan pulled out his black raider's badge. The guards paled, instantly stepping aside. The gates groaned open, revealing a town far busier, brighter, and louder than our own.
Even from the gates, I could smell roasted meat, hear merchants shouting, and see children running barefoot through the streets. Lanterns swung from every post, casting golden light across cobblestones. The air thrummed with life.
It would take hours to find an inn in a place like this. But for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of excitement.
This was just the beginning.
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