Jex and Ray's mouths hung agape as their other traveling companions were just ushered away with the cult and Nimer stood there doing nothing about it. Knowing who Rin was, why was Nimer letting them go?
Ray turned to Nimer, a savage look in her eyes as she grabbed his coat and shook him like a child's plaything. "How could you let this happen?! He's going to awaken into Ravathor and destroy the kingdom before we even get there. Was this part of your intentions? Traitor! You've led us here just to give it all up!" she yelled at him.
Nimer stood there silently. He didn't react to Ray's insults toward him and just held a tight grasp on the bell. He appeared numb and forlorn. He had every answer yet they did not leave his mouth. Now was not the time, or so he thought.
"Answer me!" Ray screamed at him louder. "Nimer! Are you listening-"
Jex placed a hand on Ray's shoulder, drawing her attention away from the disassociating man. "Ray, stop," he pleaded. "I don't think he did it on purpose, right Nimer?" he asked him.
Nimer snapped out of it quickly, pocketing the small bell. "No, I didn't do it on purpose. I had my reasons. And thanks once again for deafening me," he remarked coldly toward Ray, turning away from both of them and back toward the woods. "We should go find our horses." He would not admit the guilt that ate away at his very core. Ray was right. Ravathor would awaken before he could be stopped. And it meant they would have to kill Rin. He did what he had to even if, at the moment, it was for his own selfish reasoning.
Ray puffed her cheeks angrily and mumbled her frustrations. "I still don't agree with it. I can't trust you! You made a decision you're bound to regret. I still can't believe that you let them just go," she pouted and crossed her arms.
Jex sighed and responded, "Let's not make a great deal of it. As long as we agree to go after them, I don't see the problem with it."
"Of course, we're going after them," Nimer said in response, as he placed both his fingers in the corners of his mouth and let out a loud whistle. A loud whinny from his horse could be heard not far away. "We have other things to worry about right now. We need to be steps ahead of the cult if Rin does awaken and the more shards we have before then, the better. We need to keep going. Canin will make sure to stop the awakening or delay it as long as he can."
"It just sounds like you're using him to buy time," Ray said.
"Time is valuable. The more time we can get the better," Nimer commented grumpily.
"I can't say that I agree with this plan," Jex chimed in. "But if you say it's going to buy us time, then I'll believe you."
"They have no real way to force the awakening if they cannot manipulate the gem correctly," Nimer pointed out. "They are more likely to kill Rin than awaken him if they force the shard on him. So I'm going to take that chance."
"That's just cruel to allow someone to just die like that," Ray spat in bitter disgust.
Nimer's horse emerged from the woods, its tail swaying back and forth as it nudged the guide in the shoulder. Nimer gave him a friendly pat on the nose and it snorted in response. Climbing back into his saddle, he continued.
"If you don't think I don't feel bad about it, you're wrong," Nimer informed while grooming his beard with his fingertips. "I'd much rather save Rin. But once a god has picked a host, it's impossible to pry that god from them. I've seen the consequences of trying to do so and it isn't good."
"Well," Jex spoke up. "He did use the shard on me and I didn't die. What makes you so sure that Rin will die if the shard is used on him?"
"I'm not sure," Nimer answered. "I said I'm a gambler and this is the biggest gamble I've taken in years. If it doesn't work out, I'll have to live with my consequences and the poor choice I made. I can't see into the future, but I just have a feeling things may work out in our favor."
Ray's expression stayed angry and bitter, and she turned away, starting to walk away from the two men into the frigid snow and trees. "Both of you are unbelievable."
Jex rubbed his chin, "Ray, don't drag me into this. I disagree just as much as you do. But we should have faith too."
"Then what? Make this all for nothing?" she said, turning sharply and glowering at them both. "Life is precious, Jex. Please, just once, let me be angry about this. I wanted to save Rin, not trade him for some bell."
"It is not some bell," Nimer admitted. "It was Myrkatha's collar and it contains the soul of someone I care for."
Ray crossed her arms and said, "Well, who is it? Do we care for this person?"
"I would hope so. She nursed both of you back to life," he answered. "It is Annabelle's soul. She was my sister, Ray. She deserves to be put to rest."
"The only thing wrong I find with the situation is that you traded a living being for her dead soul and you didn't tell us what happened in the woods," Ray said pointedly.
"A soul for a soul is a fair trade," Nimer said defensively.
"Not a dead one for a live one!" Ray fought back. Her values were being greatly challenged and she was not happy with it.
"Technically, Rin did become undead," Jex pointed out, trying to ease the situation with a little humor of his own.
"You're not helping, Jex," Ray said, pointing her finger at him in a scolding way.
"Did I not agree to go look for them?" Nimer asked with a frown.
"You did, but-"
"But nothing," Nimer said, putting the argument to rest. "We will find them. I prefer you stop squabbling. Remember what happened last time."
Ray went red in the face. After Jex placed a gentle hand on her shoulders, she only sighed. "I will never understand what it is you do, Nimer. Just tell us more about what is going on, please. I beg you."
"I can't, not yet at least," Nimer said, a little defeat in his voice. "I promise on my life, Ray. I'm trying to protect you both. I swear it."
Ray wanted to argue and say more, but she couldn't. She too was in a state of defeat. "If you say so."
Ray followed both Jex and Nimer into the woods to round up their horses. Their efforts proved favorable. The steeds were skittish from the fight and it took gentle hands and luring to get them to cooperate with them. Once saddled and ready, the three continued on their way toward the next town.
For three long days, the three of them trekked through the mud, deep snow, and thick woods trying to make their way toward Locgres. Not much more was said or discussed about the situation that had happened. Most of their journey was made in silence while Ray tried to muffle the mind to forgive Nimer's choice. They made camp where they could and ate the fresh supplies they had received from Dalharst.
The normal conversation slowly returned to the group despite the tensions. Nimer and Jex would spar in the evenings while Ray watched, running to Jex's aid when Nimer pummeled him to the ground. Nimer only told him it made him stronger than before.
"We fall, then we rise, then continue to fight no matter the cost," Nimer said as both he and Jex took a seat on rocks by the fireside with Ray.
Their hearts pounded in their chests from the exercise and they took long draws of their canteens to soil parched lips.
"The question is, what am I fighting for?" Jex asked, wrapping his blanket around both himself and Ray's shoulders.
Nimer caught his gaze and nodded toward Ray. "You two are fighting for each other." His gaze turned toward the fire. "Even more so, we are all fighting for each other. And more importantly, we fight for ourselves. Where I warned you at the beginning that this journey would not be easy, you two have taken it quite well despite the hardships we have faced."
Ray then asked, "Are we living up to your intentions or meeting your expectations?"
Nimer smirked, "I'd say yes. I needed to know that I could trust you mostly. You two are genuine. We have our days, but I'm happy to be at both of your services." He took out his brass flask and took a long swig before pocketing it again.
Jex glanced up toward the sky. It was the second clear night in a long while, free of the large clouds that had smothered the sky most of their journey. The air was still bitterly cold, but with the light of the fire flickering, casting dancing shadows across their tired faces and blankets around their shoulders, they stayed warm for the time being.
He broke the peaceful silence as a melodic hum streamed from his throat. The melody was happy and light but long and drawn out. Ray recognized it instantly and smiled. She knew the tune from the harvest fests back in Adolk. They sang it to honor the gods and goddesses of the seasons. It told the story of autumn turning into winter and how all seemed dead and lost, but also how they would be blessed with spring and the growth of their farms in the heat of the summer as the cycle of life took its place over each passing year. Both were taken back as Nimer started to sing the words quietly in response.
"Towering trees topped in fiery reds,
We plow our fields and rest in our beds.
Till Winterwane comes, we celebrate,
through death and cold, our souls do wait,
for buds and flowers in the spring,
life, and laughter, does it bring,
till summer heat, growth shall rise,
from labored work, our crops our prize,
till once again the leaves will fall,
may the circle of life bless us all."