Chapter 103: The void, act I
As they left the village the next morning, the air turned colder. Atilla led the way, his horse moving steadily, as if it, too, understood the seriousness of the mission ahead. They rode through rugged terrain—rolling hills, dense forests, and small frozen streams. The farther they ventured, the harsher the landscape became.
By nightfall, they had entered a mountainous region where the ground grew uneven, and the wind howled through the crags as if its sole purpose was to slow them down, to keep them from reaching their destination. Ceremus pointed out several caves along the cliff sides. "We should make camp here for the night," he suggested. "It's safer than pushing forward in these conditions."
Atilla agreed, and soon they huddled around a fire, finding temporary reprieve from the bitter cold in its warmth.
As the flames flickered, Ceremus couldn't help but wonder what awaited them at the end of this perilous journey. Tiresias was elusive, and even though Atilla had knowledge of the northern lands, there was still so much unknown.
"You said Sir Hael is someone you care for, but in what sense?" the boy asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
"You are quite the curious boy," Ceremus remarked.
Atilla's cheeks heated as he felt Ceremus' gaze on him.
His own actions surprised him. He'd always been the kind of person who kept to himself, choosing not to get into other people's business and expecting the same in return. Perhaps it was because of the closeness they had developed during their journey, or because it pertained to Hael, someone he deeply admired and respected. He couldn't help but be curious.
"...I look at him the same way a man would look at a woman," Ceremus answered.
Atilla froze. For a moment, he thought he'd misheard. His gaze darted to Ceremus, searching for any sign that the man was joking. But the soft smile tugging at the king's lips told him otherwise.
"W-What?" His voice cracked slightly, betraying his surprise.