by Jenny McKane
He looked back. He could see a plume of black smoke reaching high into the air, and flames still burning. They cast a strange orange glow into the darkening light.
Ored was frowning. “There are patrols everywhere,” he whispered. “I don’t know how we will be able to get into the village.”
They kept watching. It was true. Avalon could see guardians running down the roads, kicking open doors. Some dragged people out of their huts, pushing them onto their knees.
Skyresh sighed. “I think there will have to be a change of plan.”
Ored nodded. “I was thinking the same. It is too dangerous to go into the village. You will all have to leave this area immediately.”
“There will be road blocks everywhere,” said Audun, his eyes narrowing. “Into the Far North, as well. They have been made fools of twice in as many days. First, the execution. And now this.”
“They will realize by now that I have not reported,” said Everard slowly. “I was supposed to be travelling to a mission.”
Ored sighed. “They will have made all the connections,” he said. “They will be looking for all three of you, and they know what you look like. There will be posters of your faces pinned up in every village before sunrise. I wager there will be a high price on all your heads.”
They were all silent for a moment, thinking.
“You will have to leave the realm,” said Ored.
They all turned to stare at him.
“It is the only way,” he said. “Just until things have died down a bit, and they are not actively hunting you.”
“It is true,” said Audun. “There is nowhere to hide here.”
Avalon blinked. “Do you mean…go into the Outlying Zone?”
Ored nodded. “It surrounds us on all sides,” he said. “They patrol it, of course, but not as vigilantly. I know a place you can go to, within it, but it is a dangerous journey.”
Skyresh closed his eyes. “I do not wish to leave my people,” he said.
Audun stared at him. “You have no choice,” he said. “It is exile, but only for a while. You can plan to return later. Your people will understand, Skyresh. We have gone to a great deal of trouble to keep you alive. No one wants you captured or killed.”
“It seems like defeat,” said Skyresh.
Ored shook his head. “No. It is not defeat. It is surviving to fight another day. You will return.” He stared at them. “You will all return.”
Skyresh nodded. He stood up.
“We should go then,” he said. He turned to Everard. “Will you come with us, or will you take your chances here?”
Everard stared at Avalon. “I will go where you go.”
Avalon paused, thinking deeply. “Let us all go then.” She stood up.
Everard stood up slowly. “Lead the way.”
Skyresh turned to Ored. “I cannot thank you enough, my friend,” he said. “We are all forever in your debt.”
Ored smiled. “I do only as the Goddess instructs,” he said. “And I know that she is guiding you all. You have all come together for a higher purpose. I cannot wait to see what that is.”
Skyresh turned to Audun. “What about you? Are you coming with us?”
Audun grinned. “I think not, Gwalen,” he said. “I have a family, who I must return to. Young children, who need their father.”
“Well,” said Skyresh. “This is goodbye then.”
They all embraced. Tears fell down Avalon’s face. She would never forget these people.
And then, the three of them slid back into the woods. They had to get to the boundary, as quickly as possible.
***
They ran silently through the woods, weaving around trees and shrubs. The only sound that Avalon could hear was her own heart, beating loudly in her chest.
Skyresh led the way. It had become dark, but they were lucky—a full moon hung low in the sky, lighting their journey. It seemed to follow them, up hills and down, over crevasses and rocks. As they got closer, she suddenly heard running water. There must be a stream up ahead.
Suddenly, Skyresh stopped, gesturing for them to stop also. They crouched down behind a large rock. Avalon strained her eyes, but she couldn’t see anything ahead.
Skyresh turned to them. “This is it,” he said. “The boundary is just ahead.” He pointed into the darkness.
“How do you know?” whispered Everard. “I can’t see anything.”
Skyresh pointed to the sky. “See?” he said. “The color is different.”
Avalon looked, where he indicated. It was subtle in the darkness; she could barely see it. But then, she did. The sky over the Outlying Zone was lighter somehow.
Skyresh stared at Everard. “You must be prepared,” he said. “There will be pain when we cross over. You must brace yourself for it. Do not stop, whatever you do. We must keep running.”
Everard nodded.
“I am not going to lie,” said Skyresh quietly. “The Outlying Zone is not patrolled as well as the realm, but we might be unlucky and encounter a guard. They will be alerted, as soon as the boundary is breached. That is why we must keep running, as soon as we cross.”
Avalon took a deep breath. “I am ready.”
Everard nodded again. “I am ready, too.”
Avalon reached out with both hands, taking theirs in her own. “Whatever happens, I want you both to know how grateful I am. For coming for me.” She took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Skyresh, without you I would have stayed blind. You opened my eyes, and now I can never close them again.”
Skyresh squeezed her hand. “Your eyes were opened for a reason,” he said softly. “You were meant to go on that mission to the Far North. Your destiny is powerful, Avalon.”
Avalon stared at him. “I feel it,” she whispered. “The women, who have come to me in my dreams, they are guiding me.” She turned to Everard. “I know how hard this is for you, Everard. I hope that we can show you that you have made the right choice.”
Everard sighed. “The choice is made now. Let us do it.”
Skyresh turned back, looking at the boundary. “Now.”
They all started running, as fast as they could. Avalon could see the moon hovering just over the boundary, seeming to beckon her. Into her future. Everard was right. The choice was made now, and they had to embrace it.
They leapt through the boundary—into the unknown.
~~~
