Elysara awoke to the soothing sound of whispers and the soft touch of healing balms being applied to Aureth's wounds. The Protectors were tending to her grandmother with a tenderness that made Elysara's heart ache. The balm's healing properties shimmered under their skilled hands, and Aureth's burns were slowly healing, though the older woman remained unconscious.
As the Protectors finished their work, they turned to Elysara. One of them, a tall woman with eyes like polished onyx, stepped forward. "We've prepared supplies for your journey. These will aid you in your travel," she said, nodding to a large pack by the door.
Elysara moved to inspect the supplies. Inside, she found food, water, and various magical artifacts meant to shield them from harm. Her gaze landed on two mighty black grivolths, beasts of power and speed that would quicken their journey. They were magnificent creatures, their fur a dark, shimmering hue, their eyes filled with quiet intelligence. Without a word, Elysara approached one and gently stroked its neck, feeling its warmth beneath her fingers.
The Protectors gave them a moment to adjust to their new companions before they explained the creatures' importance. "These will allow you to travel quickly, but you must be careful," the Protector warned. "They are powerful, and their bond with you will be one of mutual respect."
Elysara nodded, her heart still heavy from the ordeal. She felt grateful but knew they couldn't waste any more time. They needed answers.
With the grivolths prepared, Elysara hurried to search for more information in her mother's diary. She hoped to find something that would guide them to Vanessa. Flicking through the pages, she came across an entry that caught her eye.
It was about a journey her mother and Vanessa had taken together—a journey to find a secret spot.
Diary Entry – Lyanna Dreven
The journey to the cave has been longer than I anticipated, but there is something about the land that makes the fatigue bearable. Vanessa and I had never traveled together, so this was kind of special for me.
We passed a tree today—one that looks oddly familiar. Vanessa and I took a moment to mark it, our initials carved into the bark: L + V. I know it's silly, but there's a part of me that wants to believe we'll always come back here, to this tree, to this moment. It's our secret, our mark on the world that will remain long after we're gone.
Not long after, we reached a mountain that's hard to miss. It looks like a giant squatting, hunched low against the sky. I swear, it almost looked like a sleeping person at first—like the mountain was alive. Vanessa thought it was funny, so we took a short break there. I caught her looking at me, her eyes soft in the way only hers can be. For a second, I thought she might say something, but then she just smiled and took my hand, as if words weren't needed.
We continued, traveling through the forest where the trees became dense, their leaves whispering in a language we couldn't quite understand. There was a stream we came upon, a little babbling thing, but what made it special were the fairies that danced in the air. I swear I saw them twinkle, their voices lilting in song, carrying a melody that soothed my soul. I wanted to sit there forever, but Vanessa tugged my arm, her laughter like a breeze, and we moved onward.
Just ahead of the stream, we found the cave. It's hidden well, tucked behind a curtain of ivy and moss. The entrance is small, almost humble, but I know what it holds within. Vanessa seemed to feel the same. When I turned to her, our eyes locked for just a heartbeat longer than they should have, and for a moment, I felt a lot of things I shouldn't have. She smiled—soft, tender—and I couldn't help myself. I kissed her cheek, just a peck, but it felt like the world stopped for an instant.
Inside the cave, the air is cool and smells of earth, but there's something comforting about it. As we set up camp here, it feels like we've finally found a place where we can truly rest. No one can touch us here. And for a little while, at least, it's just the two of us, together.
I don't know how long we can stay here, but I know that when we leave, I'll carry these moments with me—etched in my heart, where no one can take them away. I think, for the first time, I've found something truly worth holding on to. Vanessa… she's become more than a companion in this world.
And Kretner was our safe haven.
I just hope that the world doesn't come for us before we've had the chance to truly live.
Elysara blinked as she read the last line of the entry. A sudden wave of emotion swelled inside her chest. Could it be possible? She'd always heard stories of her mother's deep love for her father, but this was something different—something that she hadn't expected to find in her mother's secret diary.
She pushed that aside and focused on the matter at hand. Kretner… She glanced at Aureth, still unconscious, and then back at the diary. The words were clear—this secret place could hold the answers they sought. And it seemed likely that Vanessa had taken refuge there to avoid the assassins hunting her.
With a newfound strength, Elysara closed the diary and gathered their supplies. It was time to move forward, to follow in her mother's footsteps, and find the answers they so desperately needed. They would head toward Kretner.
Vanessa, we're coming for you.