Nimer's pale hand held tightly to the small boy's hand as they ran through the crowded street. He wouldn't lose sight of him, not again. Cradled against his left shoulder, a sleeping baby girl wrapped in swaddling clothes and blankets slept soundly under his protection.
He turned to the boy, speaking sharply, "Jexel, keep moving. We are almost there." He kept checking over his shoulder, keeping an eye on the people they passed. He hadn't been followed this far, had he? His breath quickened with each step. The getaway carriage was only a block ahead.
The small, brown haired boy whimpered, trying to speak to Nimer. "Where is my mommy?" he asked.
Nimer tsked under his breath. "She isn't here, I'm sorry."
Tears bubbled up in the small boy's eyes. He tried pulling away from the man's grip and soon fell backwards on his rump, wailing.
Nimer let out an exasperated sigh, scooping the boy up in his arms and starting to run as fast as his feet could carry him. The carriage soon came into view. A man with a hood stood outside the door. Amber eyes urged Nimer closer.
"Hurry," the figure said, opening the door, and Nimer leaped up onto the step and settled inside. He sat Jex down on the seat and hushed the little girl as she woke from slumber. Wails exited her mouth, and tears streaked her cheeks.
The hooded man just closed the door when a group of guards rounded the corner, yelling for them to stop. Each one had purple eyes and shouted with rage. People moved, screaming or stumbling, startled, out of the way.
The driver slapped the reins, and the carriage lurched forward, merging onto the road. The city walls were in sight, and Nimer hoped more than anything that safety lay far beyond.
The man in the hood pulled off his cloak, his jutted jaw, and sharpened teeth showing in the low light of the evening. "They are the ones, no? You didn't just steal random children?"
Nimer vigorously patted the little girl's back, trying to calm her. "Yes, they are the ones. Jex, sit down!" He pulled on the little boy's shoulder to get him away from the window. The little boy sat reluctantly and crossed his arms.
"You have an uncanny way with children," the grotesque man commented with a chuckle.
Nimer dulled, his eyes rolling in his head. "There is a reason Katelina and I never had any. They are meanaces, a handful if you will." The small girl's screaming rattled in his ears. Shoving the small child into the other man's hands, he rubbed his hands over his face. "We need to get them somewhere safe, Canin. Somewhere very far from here. Where can you post your pack so I can contact you easily if things go awry?"
"A human town a few months' travel from here may work for the boy, though we may need to separate them," Canin answered, rocking the girl in his arms. She reached her arms up toward him, her toothless smile bringing joy to him. "Hello, little Raylena," he cooed softly.
"Are you speaking of Aldoak?" Nimer pulled a map from his black trench coat and tried to read it.
Jex leaned over, climbing all over the man to see the map. One hand in Nimer's face and one grimy finger on the parchment, he called out. "I want to go there!"
Nimer recoiled, trying to be gentle when he pushed the little boy back into his seat. He held out the map so he could see. "We are going here." He pointed to Aldoak on the map. "There are several trees there and many deer. Faelira blessed that town many, many years ago."
Jes's honey eyes grew wide. "The deer lady."
Nimer snorted through his nose. "That's right, the deer lady." His eyes reflected a hint of sadness then, and he rolled up the map. "We have a long way to go. You're going to meet your father there. You must be well behaved for him so you can grow big and strong."
Jex nodded, stuffing his thumb into his mouth. "What about mommy? Will she come back?"
Canin stared at Nimer from the other side of the carriage, making subtle eye contact with Nimer. He nodded toward Jex, a grave glint in his eyes.
"No…" Nimer said, sucking in a breath, pulling Jex close. "Your mother has done some bad things. And as far as you will remember…" The man slid his hand over the boy's forehead as a cyan light glowed on his hand. Jex's lids became heavy, closing, and he slumped into Nimer's lap. "She is gone."
Nimer kept a hand on the little boy's forehead, working silently with his magic. It was a matter of minutes before a gurgling cough escaped his throat. He buried his face in his sleeve, pulling back only to see dark red splotches on the leather. Curling his hand, he let the boy sleep while he leaned back, melding into the seat.
"I don't know if I'm even going to live to see them find the kingdom, Canin. It's only getting worse," Nimer uttered, staring out the window as the moon rose from the horizon.
"Then don't use your magic," Canin urged and rested the now sleeping babe in his lap. "These two will need you when they are older, even if it's nearly thirty years from now. You need to take care of yourself."
"Stay near Aldoak then, to the mountains north of Chathing. The instructions need to be clear; these two are to meet in Aldoak and hopefully become friends, if not more," Nimer instructed. "I will be traveling the kingdom and wait till they come of mature age so that they can handle the journey to Zaniah. It's to remain a myth till then."
"You can't force people to fall in love, Nimer," Canin growled.
"No, but I can try," Nimer said, determined. "I need to ward off Ravathor till then. His cult is small, but who knows where it will be in years to come."
"Where am I to take the girl?" Canin asked, watching Raylena sleep soundly.
"Further south to Cisas. You will find an older couple there who foster children. They are to teach her the bow from a young age and raise her on hard work. The boy as well. Araziah is an old friend of mine and will take in the boy to raise him without a mother."
Canin gave a firm nod, then pried again, "How will we know the time is right to go looking for them again? They are the reincarnation of the true king and queen. If something were to happen to them, Ravathor is undoubtedly going to take over Zaniah."
Nimer spoke, "The magic of Albranis and Mirkatha is fading. Souls will begin to awaken into their proper forms, and the gods of the hells will seek out new hosts. They cannot stay sealed forever. Gods must walk the mortal plains again. Each kingdom must be found."
"You know my pack serves Lucine. Lunareth will be our priority," Canin said, his voice firm.
"I understand. But I need a favor, from you specifically," Nimer said, leaning on his knees and looking the lycan in the eyes. "When I tell you to, you must find a boy named Rin Darkwell. Kill him or lead him astray. His bloodline is the only one compatible to awaken Ravathor. And that must never happen. If Temptation destroys the kingdoms again, all the lands will be bound by his power." Nimer curled his hands into fists. "We must prevent that from happening at all costs."
+++
The bustle of Aldoak was quiet for the night. The dark windows of the shops reflected the torchlight from the few buildings in the small town. The carriage stopped, and Nimer pushed open the door, holding Jex's small hand. He descended the steps, and Jex bounded after, soon hitting the gravel with his small boots.
Nimer turned one last time to Canin inside the carriage. "Till we meet again?"
"Till then, Nimer." The door then swung closed, and the carriage wheels creaked down the road, soon leaving silence and a gentle wind in its wake.
Jex yawned, and his tired eyes glimpsed at the man. "Is daddy here?"
"Yes, Jex, your father is waiting for you." Nimer scooped up the small boy in his arms, letting Jex rest his head against his shoulder. Walking through the sleeping town, he checked the doors till he stopped in front of one and knocked on it with a gentle hand.
Footsteps approached the door from the other side till it opened. Soon, a gruff-looking man with a vicious persona stood in the doorway. "Nimer," the man grumbled, half asleep. "You're bothering me at this time of night?"
"Like you weren't expecting me," Nimer said, pushing forward. Araziah stepped out of the doorway. Nimer slipped inside with little hesitation. The two men walked down the hallway, and Nimer soon found a bed set up for Jex in the back of the rickety old house. He took one last look at the boy before shutting the door.
"You swear on your grave he will be safe here?" Nimer asked, making his way back out to the door. He jabbed the man in the chest. "Swear on it."
Araziah raised both hands. "He will be raised like any boy in a butcher's shop; tough and easy going."
"Good," Nimer smirked, walking out the door. "Now lend me a horse, a black one. I have a long way to ride."