We were in the lower city of Reytor looking for Twill and Sasha without much luck. Where was she? Her usual quarters had been left in disarray (which was normal for my she wolf friend), but were covered in months of dust.
"Eve," said Alistor worriedly. "You may want to look at this."
I walked over to him, looking at where he was pointing and my hands began to shake. Blood. It was faded and pretty old, but it definitely was blood. I didn't realize I was crying until Alistor pulled me into his arms, brushing my hair out of my face.
"Hey," he cooed. "Blood means nothing. You know that, Eve."
I looked at the door directly behind his shoulder and saw etched into the wood the Keltcher's symbol. They carved their symbol for every person they killed and there was only one. My fists closed and my sadness was replaced with rage. The Keltcher were the worst of the guardian's- Maverick was one. They had tried recruiting Alistor and I, but we had both declined. If Maverick had killed either Twill or Sasha, he would pay. He would pay with his life.
"Eve?" he asked worriedly, noticing I tensed.
"They killed one of them," I whispered. "I don't know which one is alive."
He let go of me and went over and touched the door. I crossed the floor to Sasha's bed and hoped to find something- a note. Anything. My hand touched a piece of folded parchment and I grabbed it, sitting on the floor, and hastily opened it. It read:
Eveline and Alistor
I knew you would return at some point! I hope your quest was a success. I'm sorry if I have made you worry. I obviously have if you have wandered here to my sad shack. You two are resourceful.
They killed him, Eve. The Keltcher. I fled the city in anger and also, well, and also to search for my mate. I have no idea where I'm heading other than my first destination, which is to the Crystilian Mountain range. I want to see if there are any Halfling dragons or even a dragon.
I hope our paths will cross again,
Sasha Thorn
The handwriting was shaky and in some places ran together- tear marks I realized. I sat there rereading it several times. Alistor finally took it after it fell from my hands. After a moment, he crouched down next to me, cupping my chin lightly in his hand, wiping my tears away with the other. I didn't know how to feel. Happy that Sasha was alive? Angry Twill was dead? Relived? All three mixed together making my stomach clench.
"Eve?" he asked.
"I'm… I'm fine," I said shakily.
He looked at me skeptically, but let the lie go. "How about a drink?" he asked.
I got up. "Aye, a drink."
As we left, I looked back one last time and took in Sasha's small shack.