by W.O. Cassity
***
Talia had always been strong. Since her mother passed, she had mastered controlling her emotions. She had prepared herself for combat and the brutality faced and opposed by the Order on a daily basis. She was ready to be a soldier and to perform her duty. Yet, she had no defense when she saw Adam’s eyes fill with heartache. Adam was most likely the heir of the Blood King. Tears broke free from her eyes and rolled down her face for without Adam’s bravery and kindness, the three of them would not have survived together.
“Adam, you saved me from being eaten,” Donadeir said with a plea in his tone. “No matter what, I will never forget what you have done for us. We are in this together. It doesn’t matter what your destiny is supposed to be. I refuse to believe it.”
Talia knew the Order was never wrong, but Adam, her friend, had not shown any sign of being an evil person to her. It may be what he was intended to become, but it wasn’t who he was right now. In her mind, she knew they could be jumping to conclusions. Nevertheless, a tone of undeniable truth rang through her.
“He’s right, Adam. We are just guessing here. There have been no signs—no proof you are the heir. Sometimes the Order will intentionally change small details of their recorded prophecies in order to create subterfuge, to protect those surrounding the prophecies. For all we know, the heir could be a she, not a he,” Talia said, attempting to ease Adam’s mind as much as her own.
Talia felt Dona involuntarily move closer to her as he continued cooking the fish. None of the companions had bothered to resume eating at this point. They were lost in their own thoughts, trying to wrap their heads around the situation. Adam sat by himself in isolation, looking down at his feet. She imagined he never expected his future could be so bleak.
“How many do you think survived Riverside?” Donadeir asked.
“From what little was left in the village and how many wanderers were picking over the remains,” Talia said, “perhaps no one.”
“That would mean—I am an orphan too,” Donadeir said.
