The Forsaken Hero

The Last Light Company marched on for several more days before Bethiv finally ordered a rest. As the company settled into camp, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the hills. A small squad of young soldiers was assigned to prepare my tent, naturally under the watchful supervision of the Star Guard.

I dismissed them shortly after, claiming I needed to sleep. Luxxa protested, of course, but after a little convincing, she allowed Jenna to drag her away. Gith just stared at me a moment longer, his eyes narrowed, until, reluctantly, he followed.

It wasn’t a lie, either. The Last Light Company had stopped for a single night only, and I wished for nothing more than to collapse and fall asleep snuggled up in Fable’s fur. Even with my new enchantment, the constant pain of the sunpurge was wearying. That, along with my ever-increasing stress and anxiety about arriving at Brithlite, left me exhausted.

But I couldn’t rest now, not when everyone was counting on me. Even if they didn’t know it.

A few muted shockwaves rippled through the camp, causing a breeze that lifted the ends of my hair. They carried the distinct traces of Korra and Gayron’s mana, and I could only shake my head in amusement. Why was I still so surprised by their closeness, again?

"My Lady, you called?"

Kahlen’s voice cut through my thoughts, startling me. I hadn’t even noticed his approach. "K-Kahlen, you, um, startled me," I stammered.

He offered a faint smile, more a smirk of satisfaction than bemusement. "What is it you would ask of me?"

I looked around and, finding us relatively alone, met his silver eyes. As always, they were cold and metallic, devoid of the warmth I’d come to see in the eyes of my friends. It was unsettling, of course, a constant reminder of his infernal nature, but also exactly why I had called him.