Chapter 10

Astria woke suddenly in the dim candlelight, something had forcefully ripped her from the sweet bliss of dreaming, though she wasn’t able to recall the cause.

The room was eerie silent as she stretched in the oversized feather bed, moaning softly as if to fill void she felt within the air.

Normally she would hear the soft snoring that came with the rise and fall of her mother’s chest as she slept, and yet as she slowly began to open her eyes, the only sound that enchanted the room was her own breathing and the soft hiss of the wind as it seeped through the slightly ajar window.

“mother?” She called, her eyes scanning the darkness as her heart began to race; her fear of being left alone now prominent and alive within her mind.

Astria crawled out of her bed, quickly tugging on her boots and rushing towards the window. Briefly catching a glimpse of her mother as she turned right into a small ally beside two vast taverns, accompanied by a stranger that the young girl didn’t recognise.

Slamming her hand against the window, she swore under her breath; had her mother been found by an informant?

Or was their something that she was still hiding from her daughter?

And who was the man that escorted her into the darkness?

Hastily coming to the conclusion that her mother was in grave danger, astria pulled the knife from under her pillow and carefully tucked it into her boot, knowing that she may need it to save herself or the only person in this world that didn’t want her dead.

She flung her cloak over her shoulders and bolted towards the door, her heavy leather boots thundering against the wood as she ran down the small corridor and leaped down the stairs that lead back into the bar; drunken men noisily snoring as they slept where they had fallen.

Astria found no evidence of someone breaking into noah's inn or the owner himself as she rushed towards the entrance, knowing that if she didn’t move swiftly her mother could lose her life, something that the girl couldn’t allow.

She needed her mother, otherwise she would die alone and scared. It was her that made her strong, forced her to hide her fear behind a mask of bravery and determination. she forced herself to move faster, fearing that she was already too late as tears slipped from eyes, blurring the dark and empty streets that rushed by her.

She glanced at every ally and dark corner of the seemingly large village, each turn guiding her further into the maze. But their was still no sign of her mother, or the strange figure that had escorted her out of sight.

Where had they gone? How could they just disappear?

She came to a brisk stop at the end of a street named talen road, unable to run any longer as every muscle in her legs strained and cried out for a rest; her chest heaving as it fought for breath.

The street led into a sort of cross road, with three different turnings, but which one should she take? If she walked down the wrong road she would get lost in the sea of wooden buildings and she would never find her mother in time. So how would she choose?

Left?

Right?

Straight ahead?

what was the correct answer?

Which route would save her mother?

Her mind swam with possibilities and horrors, each one making the choice more of a burden, one that she had to overcome, and soon.

She gently pushed the hood from over her face, biting her lip as she glanced down each street, hoping that she would catch a glimpse of her mother or some clue that she was headed in the right doirection.

Yet the streets remained barren and silent and her questions were left unanswered; the cool breeze lifting her hair from her shoulders and exposing her secret, the glistening amber of her eyes glowing alongside the moon.

Astria turned, the feeling of defeat swelling in her core as she decided to make her way back to the inn and wait for her mother there, praying that she was safe. All she could do now was hope that the stranger who accompanied her into the night was a friend. Her eyes lowered towards the ground as she felt like a small child who had gotten lost in the wilderness, alone and terrified; with no one around that she could trust.

She finally sighed, the tears ceasing as she turned her head back down the route that she had taken, hoping that she would be able to find the inn in the river of wooden structures, knowing that it was the only safe place away from home

Astria screamed and took a sharp step back, deep purple eyes watching her every move as she pulled the small knife from her boot, ready to defend herself. Taking another step away from the new threat, she realised that it was the man who had been watching her and her mother earlier that night.

He was the one who had stared at her, preparing to draw his sword. Did he intend to kill her now, strike her down in the centre of a vacant street?

The stranger laughed, taking a menacing step towards her as he pulled his sword from its sheath; his shoulder length muddy brown hair fighting against the wind. “and what are you expecting to do with that little knife, girl?”

The man stood tall, his shoulders locked in position as he took another step, carefully positioning his weapon by his side; waiting for the girl to make her move.

Gasping for breath, astria dropped the small knife and defensively hugged her shaking form, knowing that she had no chance of facing to man before her in combat and walking away alive. Hoping that he would show her mercy should she surrender.

“who are you?” He asked after a long pause, threatening her life as he raised the sword.

Astria jumped back, tucking her hair behind her ears as she spoke; her voice low and gentle. “you do not know?”

“if i did i would not have asked.” He replied sharply, one again demanding that she answer his question.

She slowly lowered her head, “i am a half-breed.”

“your name?”

“astria.”

The man sheathed his sword, “i see astria. Now tell me, why were you staring at me back at the tavern, and who have you rushed out to tell in the dead of night? Who are you meeting?”

The girl frowned, “i didn’t come out here to meet anyone, i’m searching for my mother.”

“do not lie to me!” He bellowed, “who were you meeting!”

Astria dove into the ground to retrieve her knife and tackled the man into the stone, pressing the blade against his throat. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear as she realised what she had done, the figure beneath her still and silent; as though waiting for her to kill him.

But that’s neither what she wanted nor intended on doing, she didn’t want to hurt the stranger, only make him understand that she wasn’t the enemy.

“i came out here because my mother is missing from her bed and i saw her following a strange figure into the darkness. She is all that i have and i need to find her.” She whispered harshly, “i don’t expect you to believe me, but that is the truth.”

The man bellowed with laughter, the gritty and sudden sound filling the abandoned village with sound. “if you intend on killing me you will need more than that little blade.”

Astria sighed, wondering if the man only heard what he wished and not what she said. She carefully removed the knife from his throat and tucked it back into her boot, knowing that she had to show him that she wasn’t who he had thought she was. And that she had no idea who he

believed her to be, or who she was supposed to be meeting.

“i don’t wish to hurt you; i only want you to understand that i am not your enemy. But instead the enemy may have my mother.” She explained with a heavy heart, praying once more that she would find her mother alone and well; with an explanation for her actions.

How could she just leave her daughter alone? Especially when she knew what lurked in the shadows waiting to kill them at a seconds notice.

Did she truly believe that splitting up was the best option that they had? Or had she given up on astria completely?

The girl stumbled back to her feet and pulled the cloak tighter around her shoulders as the wind hissed, plunging the streets into a river of sound.

The stranger watched her silently for a moment before dragging himself from the cold stone and moving to stand before her; his tone rough and unsure. “alright, say that i do believe you. Why would your mother leave you alone? Especially if you are a half-breed as you said.”

She shook her head, once again asking herself the same question as she spoke. “that is what i am trying to find out, she knows that the streets aren’t safe, yet she ventured out on her own regardless.”

“then we better begin the search to find her.” The man smiled warmly, taking a hold of astria's hand.