Broken Prince (The Broken Ones) (17 page)

"Explain," Prince said sharply.

"Another reason we believe a wave is coming. Our
birth rate has grown in the last twenty years and in the last five has more
than doubled. We have even been seeing more Fey young. Yet that is part of the
problem, we do not have them to fight alongside us as in the past. With their
fall, we have lost half of our forces."

"The Fey will rise again."

Rhee-En turned to regard Kei. "Unfortunately, it
is not likely. We know of your prophecy, young one, but it has been centuries
and not come to pass. To find the arrow from…" His voice trailed off as
his gaze shot to her. "Across the sea."

She raised her chin and met his gaze, though she
couldn’t keep the small, smug smile from twisting her lips.

“Surely not.” Rhee-En swung to face Prince. "Is
it her?"

The Elf shrugged. "I believe she is the arrow
mentioned. What part she will play, I do not know."

"So this is why the dragon has taken interest. This
could change everything." He stood abruptly. "I must go. Sleep well.
In the morning we will guide you across the ravine."

Aro stared after him. Her mind remained a chaotic mess
of thoughts. "Did that go well, or not?"

Bo snorted. "The question is whether he wants the
Fey to rise or not. It sounded like he did. If so, we may have a new ally."

After checking the bird and finding it done, if a bit
charred on one side, she pulled it off the fire to cool.

"About where we came from, was he just telling
stories?"

"No, child," Prince said quietly. "Our
histories say the same. He is much older than I. His father was one who came
over."

"Wither me," she whispered, shaking her
head. She had enough things to worry about. Monsters and Rifts and other worlds
were too much for her.

"Put it from your mind, Aro," Prince
offered. "It is of no concern to how we live. We are all here. We all
struggle to survive. That is the way of it."

She tried to take his advice, but while attempting to
sleep after they’d eaten, all she could think about was all of the differences
which suddenly made sense. Humans were the only ones without magic and
immortality. They were the only ones on the western continent. Her thoughts
spiraled about, keeping her awake for some time until weariness finally had
enough and pulled her down to sleep. Her last thought was wondering where,
exactly, she fit in.

Chapter 20:

The Ravine

Distant howling and snarling echoing down the ravine
woke Aro. The hard ground did nothing to help her get back to sleep once it
stopped. The stars showed it to be early in the morning. The sun wouldn’t rise
for some time yet. Bo’s snoring rumbled from across the fire. Beside her, Kei’s
even breaths proved he’d fallen back asleep as well. Sitting up quietly, she
found Prince’s curled up form.

He hadn’t tried to sleep next to her
that night, though she wasn’t sure if it was because
he finally understood how uncomfortable it made her, or if it had something to
do with the watching Were.

More than likely the latter, she decided. He’d been
different that night when Rhee-En had come. More…noble. She allowed a soft sigh
to escape. The way he acted with them certainly wasn’t how he interacted with
the nobles at home.

Putting a little more wood on the fire gave her
something to do. Once it burned low and soft, she moved beyond the ring of
sleeping bodies and paced along the ravine edge.

Her head pounded with too many thoughts. Pacing and
sorting them out helped to pass the time.

Humans being from another world? Not something she
really needed to care about. It was history, nothing more.

Monsters attacking from the mountains? More worrisome.
The little she knew didn’t provide her enough information to decide on any
course of action. They’d have to be careful on the rest of their journey. After
that…well since she had no idea what they would be doing it wasn’t something she
needed to worry about now either. What she did need to know was how to fight
them. She’d have to ask when everyone got up. Perhaps Garen or Prince knew.

As for Prince… Her steps faltered and she stopped. Though
it hurt to admit it, she’d have to let him go. Both physically and with her
heart. He wasn’t hers and he never would be. He could not survive in her world.
That much was obvious.

As for his…she would never know. He didn’t love her,
he would never ask her to go with him. She would only be a burden. One he didn’t
have time for, not with being a prince. After being gone so long surely he
would be immensely busy. Not to mention anything he might need to do in regard
to the monsters. War did not leave time for love.

"Did you swallow a bug?"

She jumped and blinked. She’d been staring right at
Prince, but her thoughts had taken her so far away she hadn’t noticed him wake
and sit up.

"The look on your face," he continued when she
didn’t answer.

"Oh. No. I was just…thinking." She forced a
polite smile, hoping he wasn’t irritated she’d been standing there watching him
sleep.

He tilted his head to look up at the stars. "The
sun will rise soon. How long have you been awake?"

"For a while," she admitted ruefully.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared down at him. "You should go
back to sleep. You need it."

"You are not my mother, Arowyn."

She snorted.

He grimaced. "She would never do that, for one."

Somehow she managed to keep her sudden laughter quiet
enough she didn’t wake Bo or Kei.

He patted the ground beside him. "Come, sit with
me."

Hesitation warred with the desire to be closer to him.
Desire won, though her steps were slow and once seated she kept her distance,
close, yet not touching him. Staring down at her fingers, she picked at her
dirty nails. The silence was uncomfortable and uneasiness began to twist in her
stomach.

"We should talk," he said finally, his voice
quiet and strained.

"About what?"

"Whatever pleases you? I believe…it would help."

She bit her lip, wondering what they could talk about.
Certainly not them, the nonexistent them. "Tell me about your home," she
said suddenly. "What it’s like there."

A light laugh spilled out of him and she looked up to
see him smiling at her warmly.

"That I can do, with pleasure. However," He
held out his hand. "I can show you much easier. If you will allow it."

She stared at his hand for a moment before slipping
hers into it.

"Go into yourself, I will join you there."

She closed her eyes and pictured her inner spot. When she
opened them again she stood on the barren land before her fortress.

Prince appeared a moment later and she forced a
wavering smile. He walked up to stand beside her and turned her to face away
from her towering walls.

Now watch.
He spread his arms and the bleak landscape suddenly shimmered to be replaced by
an image from his mind.

Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened at
the beautiful scene of forests and lakes, rivers and meadows and in the
distance the largest and most beautiful city she’d ever seen.

She barely noticed his arm slip over her shoulders as
the scene changed from one beautiful view to another. With his other hand he
pointed out special features; a waterfall, a massive tree, gardens. He took her
into his city and showed her the beauty there. Towering buildings of fantastic
architecture, monuments and fountains, and more gardens.

The people were even more startling in their beauty.
They wore clothes she didn’t even know how to describe, precious metals and jewels
draped from necks and hair. She glanced over at him. What would he look like
when he was healed and as he once had been? She thought him beautiful now, even
pale and thin and dirty. Dark rings smeared beneath his sparkling blue eyes. He
looked so tired. Was doing this a strain on him?

Thank you,
she
whispered. She noticed his arm around her then and heat crept into her face.
Quickly, she lowered her head.

Aro.
A
finger lifted her chin. Gentle fingers brushed hair from her face and he
smiled, looking into her eyes.

She stiffened, her breath catching in throat.

His eyes searched hers for a moment. She hoped he
didn’t see the pain still lingering in her heart. He sighed and looked away, yet
tightened his arm around her, pulling her close to his side.

She didn’t understand those strange looks, not at all.
With a shaky breath she raised her chin and put an arm around his waist.
Leaning against him, she stared out at the last image he’d shown her. Things were
as they were. Perhaps, he gave her what he could. She would take that, and
cherish it.

He gave her a brief squeeze and she looked up. Though
staring out at the image, he was smiling.

* * *

She opened her eyes to the sound of quiet voices. The
dim light of dawn turned the sky pale pink as the last stars faded away. Had she
fallen asleep? Blinking rapidly to wake up, she suddenly stiffened. She’d
somehow gotten close to Prince and fallen asleep against his chest.

Scrambling to her feet, she fought back embarrassment.
It was no one’s concern who she used for a pillow. She headed toward the trees
to relieve herself.

Bo walked past, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Be
careful, pup."

Her cheeks flamed but she nodded. "I am." She’d
barely gone two steps before Kei caught her eye. He didn’t say anything, but
his tight jaw and drawn together brows spoke volumes. He wasn’t happy with her.

She hurried into the shadows of the trees. "Wither
me." She couldn’t do anything right.

Returning to the fire, she sat down next to Kei as Bo
handed out their portions of last night’s leftovers. The cold meat sat heavily
in her stomach. They only had four or five days left until they reached the
gates to Rivenward. She could do this.

Kei reached out a hand, his greasy fingers twining
into hers.
Will you leave me for him?

Her eyes widened in surprise.
Kei…

The pain on his face, in the tone of his mind voice,
tore her heart apart. She squeezed his fingers.
Things haven’t changed. You
don’t need to worry.

He nodded and looked away, his look of pain turning to
annoyance as he glared over at Prince.

Despite being surrounded by them, she didn’t
understand men at all.

Rhee-En arrived as they loaded the packs onto the
horses. "Follow me. The way down is not far."

Prince and Bo mounted, the rest of them following on
foot. They reached the trail down as the sun peeked through the mountains.

Aro stepped up to the ravine edge and peered down. "Is
it safe?"

"For the most part," Rhee-En answered. "You
will have to lead the horses and go slowly. Single file."

The narrow trail didn’t look safe. The steep slope was
littered with debris and rocks. At least she didn’t have a problem with
heights.

"We’ll go first and clear the path as much as
possible for the horses. Remember, don’t rush." Before anyone could answer
at least a dozen giant wolves bounded past them and began the descent. The
clatter of falling rocks and branches quickly met their ears.

Aro peered over again, watching the Were swipe the
debris off the trail as they made their way down. They didn’t seem to have any
worries.

Garen headed down the trail as Bo and Prince
dismounted. Kei walked past her. "Me next." He flashed her a grin. "I’ll
catch you if you fall."

"I better not fall," she muttered.

Bo followed Kei, moving very slowly with his reluctant
mount.

Aro turned and Prince motioned her to go next. "Do
you want me to take the horse?"

"I am fine. Go on."

She frowned. He seemed paler than he had the day
before. Maybe he just hadn’t gotten enough sleep. Heading down the slope she
kept looking back to check on him. He seemed to be doing well enough, watching
his step, with one hand on the rock for balance.

They all made it down safely and waited while Bo
checked the horses’ hooves for stones. The Were circled restlessly around them
until they started on their way again. They set a fast pace and Aro wondered if
they worried about more monsters attacking them in the ravine. She wished they
weren’t moving so quickly, she still needed to ask someone how to fight them.

A large black wolf fell in beside her.
You run well
for a human.

I run with a Fey.

Rhee-En’s deep laughter echoed in her mind. Though
still beautiful, she found it wasn’t quite as distracting as it had been. Maybe
she was getting used to his lovely voice.

The route up is not far. But come ahead with me. I
wish to show you something.

She increased her pace, passing Kei and Garen. When
they finally stopped ahead of the others her breath came in quick gasps. She
needed to run more. Her nose wrinkled at the sudden rotten smell. "What is
that?"

One of the Vor. Not too large. But troublesome enough.

Stepping forward, she found the carcass in the
shadows. What it had looked like while living she had no idea. "Do they
smell like that alive?"

No. They have very little scent. Which makes them more
dangerous.
Rhee-En sat back on his
haunches.
Vor is a general term for a large number of creatures. They have
little in common, except for being dark in nature and appearance, and want for
destruction and death. Some have the minds of animals, others are more
intelligent. Some work together, others do not.

"How do you kill them?"

The usual ways; vital organs, cut off heads. Luckily
none carry poisons. The problem has always been in their numbers. They tend to
come in groups of various species. The ones to watch out for are the Vor-ai.

"What are they?"

I doubt you will ever see one. They are the minds
behind the continued attacks, the most intelligent of them all. Also the most
deadly, at least for us. They can take incorporeal form. Do you know what that
means?

She shook her head.

Turn into…something like a fog. They kill in that form,
but we cannot harm them. We can only kill them when they are solid. The Fey
could bind them. Only the Elves can destroy them.

"Why won’t I see one? Not that I want to," she
added quickly.

They only come out of the mountains for the major
assaults. We call those waves, when thousands come down. It does not happen
often. They throw everything at us, we destroy most of them, they go back into
hiding to gather their ranks again.

The thought turned her stomach and she swallowed
quickly. "And you think one of these waves is coming? Why? What do they
want?"

There has not been a wave since before the Queens
fell. We are long due for one. As for what they want, the Elves guard the Rift that
brought us here. It could not be closed. They want to go home.

Aro nodded in understanding. She wanted to go home,
too.