Journey to Happiness

Shadows

h catching as she spotted Troi's dark figure moving down the road, fading into the moonlit shadows. A pan

to the empty room, her voice soft

the road, Zazriel wondered if th

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haustion settling in his bones but determination fueling his every move. As h

you alright?" the knight exclaimed, h

face remained serious. "I'm fine, but I need to know w

. "Commander, we were ambushed. It happened quickly, in the dead of night. The entire comp

of his blue gaze sharp beneath his fu

search for you. They've been combing the area since, but Second Comman

uation sink in. He'd been ambushed and separated

they know where I was last se

started near the last known area and ha

lized the lengths his men had gone to find him. "Good. Once they return,

d to have you back," the knigh

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their faces a mixture of astonishment and relief. His second-

you back," Alder said, clasping hi

ush. You did well, Alder, leading the men to the border."

're to secure this border-hold it, no matter the cost. The barbarians a

een what they're capable of, and I know what's at stake. We end this fight, Alder, not drag it out.

"And with you leading, I'd believe it. The men

and whispering quiet words of encouragement to one another. "Good. We'll need every bit of their strength-and mo

asked cautiously. "You just came back from.

I need to show them I'm back, that we're a unit

that's what you believe. But promise m

d patrols at dawn. I want us to know the terrain better than the land itself. If the barbarians

the corner of his mouth. "Understood, Comma

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phanage. He could still feel Zazriel's unwavering gaze, her quiet kindness haunting him ev

e younger soldiers, Marcus, fidget

led, striding over. "Wha

mander, I... I'm just worried. I've nev

're more ready than you think. You've trained

ze?" Marcus asked,

, Marcus. It's what you do with it that counts. You remember your training, you

ession remained uncertain. "I'

ng up. "That's all I ask. Now

, his brow furrowed. "You really think we can hold

off, Alder. If we falter here, everything we've fou

hat about the men? They've already faced so mu

y don't, they'll have me to answer to

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crackling of fires and the low murmur of soldiers preparing for the battle

his second-in-command appro

and the men are resting as much as they can. Ev

to be caught off guard again. I want reports every hour,

yes. "You've got it, Commander. And... abou

eyes fierce and unwavering. "We wil

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m into a restless sleep. But even in dreams, Zazriel's kind face l

those thoughts aside. Duty called, and there was no room

could not yet fathom, and he had