POV: Ravenna
We leave at dawn.
Solace and Havoc fly overhead. Circling. Watchful. Below, on the ground, our group travels together. Eleven of us total.
Me. Theron. Morgana. Saren. Seraphine. Lyris. Marcus. Kai. Sera. And three village warriors whose names I'm still learning—Joren, Elsa, and Tamsin.
Larger group than I've traveled with before. More people to protect. More people to coordinate. More people who could DIE if Eclipse attacks.
But also more strength. More gifts. More people who can FIGHT instead of just run.
Elder Mira watches from the village edge as we depart. Raises her hand in farewell. Promise that we'll return someday. That this isn't goodbye forever.
I raise my hand back. Promise accepted.
Then we're moving. Southwest toward Cindravale. Toward home. Toward the fight that's been building since the moment I discovered I had healing gift.
***
The first day passes without incident.
We travel carefully. Theron and Saren leading with military precision. Kai scouting ahead using shadows to stay hidden. Sera sensing weather patterns—watching for unnatural changes that might signal Eclipse manipulation.
Marcus maintains shield ready. Not active—that would drain him—but READY. Able to protect the group in seconds if needed.
We camp that night in forest clearing. Post watch rotations. Everyone has a shift. Even me, though Theron argues I should rest.
"I've done plenty of night watches," I tell him. "I'm not special just because I'm princess."
"You're special because Eclipse wants you dead most of all," he counters. "Protecting you protects the mission."
"The mission doesn't work if I hide behind everyone else." I'm firm. "I take my shift like everyone else."
He doesn't argue further. Just makes sure my shift is paired with his. Overprotective bastard.
I love him for it.
***
Day two brings rain. Cold. Miserable. We travel anyway. Can't stop just because weather is unpleasant.
Seraphine is quiet. Has been since we left. Processing everything. Grieving the family she destroyed by choosing justice. I try talking to her during breaks but she mostly just—stares. Lost in thoughts I can't access.
"Give her time," Lyris says. "Grief is its own journey. She'll find her way through."
"What if she doesn't?"
"Then we help her. Like people helped us." Lyris's smile is sad. "That's what family does."
Family. We're becoming family. This ragtag group of refugees and rebels and broken people choosing to fight.
***
Day three is when we see the first signs of pursuit.
Kai returns from scouting with grim face. "Riders. Maybe five. Following our trail. Could be Eclipse. Could be bandits. Can't tell."
"We assume Eclipse," Theron says immediately. "Adjust route. Increase pace. Watch for ambush."
We veer west. Into rougher terrain that slows pursuit. The riders follow but keep distance. Watching. Waiting. Planning.
"They're assessing us," Saren says. "Counting numbers. Identifying threats. They'll attack when they think they have advantage."
"Let them TRY," Marcus growls. His shield gift is active now. Shimmering barrier ready to deploy. "I can protect everyone if they attack."
"Don't get overconfident," I warn. "The Eclipse has shadow manipulators. Shield-breakers. They know how to kill gift-bearers. That's their specialty."
"Then we're ready." Morgana's hand rests on her sword. "We've survived Eclipse before. We'll survive them again."
The riders disappear that evening. Stop following. Melt back into forest.
"They're reporting," Theron says. "Telling Eclipse exactly where we are. What we have. How many warriors." He looks at me. "They'll send bigger force next time. Better equipped. More dangerous."
"Then we reach Cindravale before they organize." My voice is firm. "Fast travel. Minimal stops. We push through."
Everyone nods. Determined. Ready.
***
Day four and five blur together. Hard travel. Minimal rest. Pushing toward safety before Eclipse catches up.
But it's not all terrible. There are—moments. Good moments.
Lyris teaching me new healing technique during break. Showing how to repair nerve damage most healers consider impossible.
Marcus demonstrating shield variations. Different shapes. Different strengths. Showing how gift can adapt to situation.
Kai making shadows dance for entertainment. Creating shapes that make everyone laugh. Dragon. Castle. Warrior fighting imaginary enemy.
Morgana and Saren stealing kisses when they think no one's watching. Being obvious and oblivious simultaneously.
Seraphine slowly coming back to herself. Talking more. Smiling occasionally. Joining conversations instead of withdrawing.
Family. We're BECOMING family through this journey.
***
On the fifth night, we camp near river. Clear sky overhead. Stars bright enough to navigate by.
I find Theron sitting apart from the group. Watching water flow. Lost in thoughts.
"Can I join you?" I ask.
"Always."
I sit beside him. Lean against his shoulder. Just—exist together in comfortable silence.
"Thank you," I say eventually.
"For what?"
"For surviving. For staying. For—for everything." I look up at him. "For being the person I needed when I didn't know I needed anyone."
"You've thanked me for that before."
"I know. But I mean it more now." I take his hand. "I'm grateful, Theron. For the bond. For the love. For this JOURNEY. All of it. Even the terrible parts. Because it led HERE. To us. To this."
He's quiet for moment. Then: "We're not finished yet."
"I know."
"We still have Eclipse to fight. Evidence to present. Danger to face. War possibly." He pauses. "But when we ARE finished? When Eclipse is ended and peace is possible?" He looks at me. "We're having the wedding you deserve. Proper ceremony. Witnesses. Everything."
"I don't need proper ceremony—"
"I do." His voice is firm. "I need to stand before your father and the kingdoms and CLAIM you publicly. Properly. With vows and witnesses and NO question that we're choosing each other." He touches my face gently. "You deserve that. I deserve that. We've earned it."
My throat closes. "Okay. When this is over—proper wedding."
"And after wedding? Life without running. Home without danger. Future without constantly preparing for next attack." He smiles. "Boring domestic moments. Arguments about nothing important. Children who ask too many questions. Growing old together being annoying."
"That sounds perfect."
"It does." He kisses me. Soft. Sweet. Promise wrapped in touch. "That's what I'm fighting for. Not just survival. But life. Real life. With you."
"Me too." I kiss him back. "I'm fighting for boring and domestic and growing old being annoying. With you."
We sit there watching stars. Planning futures we might not live to see. Choosing hope over fear. Choosing together over alone.
Tomorrow we continue toward Cindravale. Toward Eclipse. Toward danger.
But tonight? Tonight we have peace. Have each other. Have moments of beauty between battles.
And that's enough. More than enough. It's everything.