Calantha huddled closer to the fire, her eyes momentarily fleeting to Ryder's silhouette across from her. The flickering flames danced across his features. His eyes remained downcast, lost in thought as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
The forest was quiet, except for the occasional hooting owl or rustling leaves. They couldn't make it to the town for shelter after the incident with the mountain bandits. Ryder suggested they take the shield under a tree until the next morning.
Calantha's mind wandered back to the event of the day. She had ended up with the mountain bandits she had been warned against. Their rough hands and menacing grins had seemed to take pleasure in her fear. A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled the way they treated her. Ryder had arrived just in time to save her.
She still didn't believe the man would defeat that giant bandit leader. Each move and blow had been made with so much precision that she was sure it left an everlasting impression on the Lance.
Once again, her eyes flew to the man. He hadn't spoken a word to her since they left the bandit camp. He didn't chastise her or even ask how she ended up with the cutthroats. It was better that way because how on earth was she supposed to explain to the man she had been following a rabbit?
Calantha felt a pang of guilt. Because of her, the man had to challenge that big oaf, not that Ryder wasn't a big oaf himself, but he was more... tolerable.
Had she been reckless or just unlucky? The question swirled in her mind like the smoke in the fire as she fought the urge to apologize or thank him for saving her. Her pride rebelled against the notion, insisting she didn't owe him anything. It was the price he paid for forcing her to embark on the journey against her wish.
The memory of those cutthroats made her skin crawl for the hundredth time that evening. What would have happened if Ryder had decided to continue the journey without bothering to look for her? Would she have been able to escape? She doubted it.
Ryder's eyes remained fixed on the ground, his jaw clenched. Calantha's disobedience weighed heavily on his mind. Had the witch deliberately disobeyed him? The possibility gnawed at him, fuelling his frustration. He had clearly given her an order to stay put, not like he didn't give her a good reason to do so. Perhaps she thought he had been bluffing.
Upon remembering the situation he saw her in, his anger and frustration dissipated a little bit. She had looked utterly frightened. Whether she had done it on purpose or not, he was still glad he was able to save her. He wouldn't have lived with himself if something had happened to her. He remembered the bandits and a new surge of anger overtook him. He should have strangled the bandit Leader.
As the night wore on, the silence between them grew thicker than the forest darkness. The fire crackled, casting shadows on their faces. Calantha's thoughts swirled, a mixture of gratitude and resentment.
"Are you alright?" Ryder's low voice broke the silence, his eyes still downcast.
"Yes."Calantha hesitated before nodding, her voice barely above a whisper. "What about you?" She asked. She had seen Lance throw in a few heavy punches at Ryder during the fight.
"I am fine." He touched his bruised lips and shrugged. He had been through worse. "They didn't do anything before I could get there…"
Calantha's brows drew together. She understood he was trying to make sure she was alright. "No, they didn't do anything to me."
Ryder nodded curtly, his gaze never meeting hers. "We will move at dawn. Get some rest."
The command was clear. The conversation was over. Calantha nodded, feeling a twinge of disappointment for an unknown reason. She wrapped her cloak tighter around her, the warmth of the fire barely penetrating the chill within.
Days blended together as Calantha and Ryder traversed the vast expanse, heading east. Their silence became a constant companion, punctuated only by the rhythmic clip-clop of their horses' hooves.
Calantha grew accustomed to Ryder's new reserved nature, but the tension between them remained. She came to believe he was indeed angry at her for disobeying his order. She wondered if he would ever forgive her for almost getting him killed.
Their daily routine was predictable: rise before dawn, leave the inn, and ride. Ryder led the way and Calantha followed behind. They stopped only to replenish supplies.
On the sixth day, they crested a rolling hill, revealing a secluded valley below. A meandering stream bisected the landscape, flanked by ancient willows.
In the distance, an old house nestled among the trees. Its wooden facade had weathered to a soft silver, with ivy crawling up the walls lke delicate fingers. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney, carrying the scent of baking bread.
As they got close enough, Calantha couldn't help but admire the small garden by the side of the house buzzing with vibrant flowers and herbs.
Ryder dismounted, and without waiting for Calantha's approval he helped her down from the horse. "We are here," He said, his voice low.
Calantha looked around and frowned. The beautiful garden was a deep contrast to the old house beside it. Apart from being old, the house seemed to be in good shape. It was not threatening to take her life like Ryder's farmhouse.
When she turned towards Ryder she was surprised by the blinding smile on the man's face as he watched the house. There was an uncharacteristic enthusiasm in the man's features. She said, "You haven't told me the reason why we travelled from south to east."
Ryder threw her a glance before replying, "The business has nothing to do with you."
Calantha glared at him. The least he could do for her was to give an explanation for the whole stress. "So, why am I here?"
Ryder was about to reply when the wooden door creaked open and an elderly woman emerged. Her silver hair which was braided and wrapped around her head like a crown shined in the sunlight as she rushed to meet Ryder with arms wide open. "Ryder!" She exclaimed.
Ryder's lips pulled up into the brightest smile as he swept the woman into his arms, lifting her off the ground. With a joyful laugh, he twirled her around, her skirts fluttering wildly. "Elara!" Ryder called out amidst his laughter. His stern demeanour had vanished.
Elara's laughter and tears echoed, mingling with Ryder's deep chuckle. "Still a crybaby?" Ryder asked teasingly as he carefully placed her back down.
"Oh shush! It's been too long, don't blame me for getting lost in my emotions." She wiped the tears off her face, the smile more dominant. "I have missed you terribly."
Ryder's face softened, "I have missed you too, Elara. More than words can say."
Elara cradled Ryder's face. "It is really you. How did my little squirt get so big and tall?"
"Magic." His laughter doubled when Elara gave him a light tap on the chest.
"Welcome home, my child."
Calantha's gaze shifted between Ryder and Elara. What connection did they share? Was she his mother? She doubted that. There was no similarity between them. How could she know when she hadn't seen much of the man's face because of his outrageous facial hair?
Elara's gaze turned to Calantha. "You've brought a guest with you."
"Yes. Elara, this is Calantha, my wife."
Elara's eyes widened, "Your wife? How could you not have invited me to the wedding?"
"There wasn't a wedding." "We are not married." They chorused.
Elara's eyes glossed with confusion, but she decided to push it aside. "I bet you are both tired from the long journey. I have prepared something, all I have to do is to heat it up."
"Ah, that sounds great because I am famished." Ryder chimed in, already heading towards the house. As he reached the door handle, a little girl not more than eight years old blocked his path, her big brown eyes that looked just like Elara's gazed up at him with curiosity that was also reflected in his eyes.
"Ryder's brows furrowed, "Who are you?" He asked, his frown still in place.
The little girl's smile faltered, and she took a step back.
"Elara!" Ryder called out, seeking clarification. "Whose child is this? Haven't you reached menopause?"
Elara rushed to the door followed by Calantha. Elara's eyes lit up. "Ah, Ryder child, this is my granddaughter, Sophia. She is a ray of sunshine. Stop scaring her."
"Your granddaughter?" One of his brow's shot up in confusion.
"Elara, are you saying this is Gloria's daughter?" Ryder's question was met with a vibrant nod.