Hounds Rising
Coming Down

The two sisters reached the tower before everyone else, but to not raise suspicion, they waited outside for the rest of them to return. The rain had stopped, but the streets were filled with small puddles and mud that pulled up from the cobblestones. Though they naturally acted like they were waiting, they spoke quickly to each other mentally.

Why did we leave so fast? Lyla asked.

Did you not hear him? He said the Popplewell family!

Shit… I didn’t catch it. Do you think they noticed?

Probably not, but I didn’t want to stay around and replace out.

Soon after, the rest of the party returned. As Leaf approached the front door, it opened for him, and everyone rushed in. The torches were already lit, and Myla could see Darion sitting next to the fireplace. It looked like he was writing in a journal. He looked excitedly at the group as they came in, but his face turned to concern quickly as he saw the cuts, blood, and tears in their clothing.

“My Gods! What happened?”

“We’re okay. Some illegal trading was happening at one of the taverns, and we got caught up in the middle of it,” Leaf answered.

“Oh my! Even on off days, you all seem to be taking down crime wherever you go. That’s quite impressive!”

“I think I’m going to make some late-night muffins. Does anyone want any?” Ana asked.

“A late-night treat as well! Yes, please, dear. If that is okay?” Darion piped up. “I also have good news. I found a buyer for your dragon heart!”

“Yeah?” Mr. Muffins questioned. “Who is this buyer?”

“He’s an esteemed friend from Berkton Academy. He’s well known for the progression of transmutation magic. If you’d like, he has a few days off and would like to come see it.”

“Let’s try tomorrow, Dean Walker. If he can come as quickly as you can, of course.”

“Of course. I’ll send a message, and we’ll know more then.”

Myla looked at Lyla, and both of them headed to their bedroom. Lyla walked over to the water basin and washed her face, trying to get the dirt, rain, and blood off. Myla sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the ground. She tried to replace a way to speak, but it kept getting caught in her throat. Before too long, Lyla turned and noticed.

You okay?

“I… Not really.”

“What’s wrong, Myla?”

I’m trying to think of the right way to say it.

Myla stared at her hands for a minute. She could feel her sister move across from her and hear the creaking as Lyla sat on the edge of her bed and waited. The tower granted quiet in her mind, yet Myla could still not gather her thoughts. Her hands shook slightly, like a tremor starting to form, making her nauseous. She closed her eyes, breathed in slowly, then exhaled. One breath, two… Finally, she opened her eyes and looked at her sister, who was waiting, a look of worry on her face. Myla gathered one thought and let the rest follow.

“I’ve been thinking of home and VerdantKnoll a lot lately. We have moved from place to place quietly, and it’s exhausting to remember every place we’ve been since,” Myla started.

She looked down and felt a tear leave her eye and fall into her hands.

“There’s so much we don’t know. Yla’s command, The Dark Order, that damn book… But I came anyway. I listened and came to you, then we left. I’m not saying that I regret any of it, but lately… Lately, I’ve missed what we had before all of this.”

“Myla?”

“I’m not good with people, Lyla. Everything goes into my head, and the headaches are terrible. We left, and thankfully, we were taken in by the carnival. No more late nights, stealing for food, and sleeping against trees unless we wanted to. Even more, Shaynth has done so much for me when it came to learning how to block the thoughts of others.”

“What are you trying to say?” Lyla asked, her worried expression growing deeper into her face.

“I… I don’t know. Everything keeps changing and changing. I’m tired, Lyla. I’m exhausted from constantly moving around, afraid of being found. Moreover, we don’t even know if we’re being followed! Now… Now we’re here, in the middle of the Archmage’s Tower, and I feel more alone than I have in a long time. You’ve been so distant lately. Even your voice in my head has been quieter.”

Myla stood up and started to pace the room. Her heart was racing, and her breath seemed to catch in her lungs before exhaling it. Her vision was still blurred from the drinking, making it hard to grasp anything and keep on track.

“Then, we get into fights! We were so careful before, but now we are stuck in something every other day. We fought at a library, watched Leaf’s mentor die, and then discovered that someone we trusted was manipulating us! We thought we had the upper hand, but even then, she tricked us. She tricked me. Nix…”

Myla dropped to her knees and crumpled into herself. Her tears started to fall more, and it became hard to look past them, so she closed her eyes and wrapped her hands around her arms.

“I killed Nix. I know that I didn’t know, but that’s on me. That blood will forever be on my hands…”

Lyla knelt next to her sister and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Myla could feel her sister’s hands around her and leaned in. Myla let her emotions wave out from her mind, knowing Lyla would pick them up. She ran out of words. She couldn’t express herself more than she had, and the exhaustion took her before she could say more.

She felt Lyla stand up, scooping her hands under her, and picked Myla up. Carefully, she was carried to the bed and placed under the blankets. Lyla sat beside her as Myla let her tears flow out, soaking her pillow. Time passed, and they stayed there, unmoving for hours. When she finally calmed, her tears stopped, and she looked up at her sister, who she knew was staying strong for her.

I’m sorry. I just don’t know what would happen if I lost you.

I know, Myla. I know this has been hard, but I’m glad it’s been with you.

Me too…

She moved Myla’s hair away from her face, then gently stroked her hair back slowly. Over and over, she comforted her sister. Myla closed her eyes, and in minutes, she was fast asleep.