Coalesce: The Escape

“What do we have?” I ask as I walk back to Kylon who sat looking through what little we managed to grab in our haste.

“Not much food, about enough for the two of us to eat lunch. There’s some coins, a bit of cloth and string, then our weapons are all.” With a sigh he looks up at me, drumming his fingers against his thigh.

“Well that could be a problem,” I sit on the rock and cross my legs. “We may have to go into the next village we come by to get some more food and supplies, that and it’s almost Frost Fall. The last thing we need is to be caught out here without food during a storm.” Frost Fall in this region of the land was always the harshest, especially on travelers.

“Is it really that bad?” Luciack asks, being from Shadow Mountain he didn’t know how bad Valley Forge got in Frost Fall. It was similar to his homeland, but more dangerous and far, far colder.

“That’s true... If we’re going to a village, you need to look different, we can’t risk revealing you this early on now can we?” Kylon says, ignoring his question. He pulls out one of his shirts. “I think we can pass you off as a man if you wear this.”

I sigh. “A man? Honestly, Kylon... What are you thinking? I will not do it.”

“Alright, suit yourself,” He puts his shirt back and leans against the wall. “Why did you ask me to come anyway?”

“Because,” I remembered the strange conversation with the man and it seemed like forever ago now. I glance between him and Luciack. I couldn’t tell either of them.

“Why? Because isn’t a good answer,” He raises a suspicious eyebrow at me.

“Okay, fine. I trust you, more than any other member of the Brotherhood,” I say. It wasn’t completely a lie, I do trust him. I just don’t like him the way he likes me is all. At least he doesn’t push it too far.

“In a way, you do like me then,” He softly nudges me with his shoulder, smiling ridiculously. I roll my eyes and bat him away.

“I did not say that,” My face starts reddening and I cross my arms and turn away. Luciack just sits in confusion as we talk. Maybe I did feel a little bad for that, but he wouldn’t be with us long.

“Oh, Morgan. Poor thing doesn’t know when to say yes.”

“I find it unsettling.”

“What? That you can say yes to anything?”

“No, your wolfish grin, I find it unsettling,” I smirk at him and stand up.

“What have I told you about mentioning that?” He glares after me as I stride down towards the open chamber. Many times before he’s told me, and the whole Brotherhood, to keep quiet about him being part werewolf. He hated it.

“I’m sorry,” I stop and turn back to him and smile sweetly. I knew he couldn’t resist my smile. He sighs and smiles back, shaking his head.

“We should head out soon, before dusk. By now I’m sure the giants are gone,” Luciack shoulders his bag and stands up. We could tell this was his way of trying to get the two of us to stop talking. Some cruel part of me thought it was funny. How easy it was to irk him. Nevertheless, Kylon and I do the same and we gather in the caves’ sloping entrance.

“I guess we should get an early start, who knows how far away the next village is,” I glance back into the empty chamber and nod to myself.

“I hope there aren’t any soldiers or guards that would recognize you. The captain probably has them everywhere to find you two,” Kylon looks at the both of us. He has a point... Both my disappearance and Luciack’s will have the soldiers furious. Hopefully Edward is alright. What could have happened to him while I’ve been gone?

I look down at my feet. “Let’s just go, please.” Without checking to see if we were following him, Luciack starts back up to the surface.

My grip on my satchel tightens, knuckles going white and I swallow hard. Refusing to look up from the ground I trudge along. With a small sigh, Kylon takes my hand and lifts my face to look me in the eye.

“Morgan, I know you just want to be out of here and away from it all, but I want you to be safe. I care about you, I may have a funny way of showing my affection and a bad temper at times, not the point… Don’t wish your life away, there’s still so much to do,” He puts a hand on my cheek and gently kisses my forehead. This caught me off guard more than I thought it might, he had never been this open to anyone about his feelings. Something about the way he said it calmed me and almost made me want him to say more. His hand dropped from my cheek and I fought the urge to reach out and take his hand in my own. My unoccupied hand seemed to have the same desire and resulted in an absurd twitch. He seemed to have noticed this and smiled softly before turning and gently pulling me along with him to the surface where Luciack waited.

He really has seemed to have changed... I never would’ve thought he could be so... Kind and gentle. It’s not even been a whole day and I may have changed my mind about him... He just needs to be who he is, not who he thinks he should be. I sigh softly at this and look between my husband and my fellow Brotherhood member. I really didn’t have a choice in this though, did I? I’m already married and the only way I’d ever get out of that is if something happened to Luciack. Not that I would do something to get rid of him…