BENEATH THE ASHES

g with embarrassment. "Come in," she

vaguely towards the living room, and Mal's gaze followed the motion. His eyes landed on t

ngs. Mal's large frame looked out of place amidst the chaos, and he felt a pang of discomfort. He shifted, trying to find a c

s future depended on how silently he could sit there, how still he could remain. It was a ridiculous feeling, but he co

s the kitchen before returning to Mal's face. "Would

his mouth to speak, he caught sight of her hands folding nervously in her lap. Something about th

o the kitchen. Mal watched her go, feeling a pa

a bread. The aroma wafting from the bread was incredible, and Mal's stomach growled in response. She set the t

se of awkwardness. She stood beside him, silent and still, and Mal found himself wondering

"Please," he said, his voice a littl

he window, staring outside

ng a little...stuffy." He smiled as he asked her, even as he

ds up and walks toward the door as he fol

ided that the best thing to do was just say some

s she took the plate from him. For a moment, she dared to take a peek at him, but soon enough she went ba

uestions. What was going on with her? She was always quie

, he saw something there that gave him pause. Was she still sick? Was that

sual, as he broke off a piece of bread and popped it

er something and starts coug

she wasn't sick and Ness had lied to

od to hear...um, do you happen to know where Nessa is? It's j

n like a deer

I'm sick." She says as she starts to cough again. He felt tempted to laugh but tha

e she stops abruptly. "I wouldn't want to leave you alone when you're so sick." This time around, she seeme

at

's

s a jumble of agony and regret. Why, oh why, had he eaten that entire roast by himself

his voice muffled by the ground. "Don't let me fain

nth time. His muscles screamed in protest

d onto the floor, his limbs splayed out in every direction.

is gear from a nearby bench. As he stood up, he caught sight of his knuckles, which were no longer their usu

?" he thought, before bursting out laughing. Who was he kidding? He was a terrible

General Thompson approaching him un

pproving. "I'll admit, I was skeptical at first, but

shoulders squaring. "Thank you, sir," he said, trying to

n on his shoulder, making him jump. He quickly composed himself, nodd

n said over his shoulder

. He didn't have much time to waste; he had to get moving. He quickly

akable sound of jeering voices. Vyn's instincts pr

Thane's voice drawled, ec

strap of his gear bag. He turned to face the speak

th an air of menace. Vyn's eyes flicked between them, his mind ra

cophony of ridicule. "Sneaking around like a little mo

hink you're so clever, don't you, Vyn? But you're just a

Vyn's gear bag, wrenching it from his shoulder.

im down as Matt began to rummage through his

ot here?" he said, pulling out item after item. "A book, a pocket knife, a slingshot... arrows?" H

again to grab his bag, but their grip were like a vice. Maybe he'd be better

wing more and more amused. "Trinkets... and what's this?" He pu

ery. Matt's grin grew wider, his voice dripping with r

"It...um, it belongs to my sister. I think she forgot it there, this morning

es. "Would you tell her to embroider a little something for me too?" He asks, Vyn can on

planation, he hears an unmistakable voice from behin

im alone

as he recognizes the voice.

fore he regained his composure. "Or what, Ar

's, his jaw clenched. "I'm not gonna say it aga

their eyes locked in a silent challenge. The only sound was the heavy

Then, with a sudden motion, Matt threw Vyn's bag to th

ping with venom. "We'll leave you

who released Vyn from their grasp. Vyn stumbled forward

eer twisting his lips. "This isn't

keys following close behind. Vyn watched them g

is eyes searching for any signs of injury.

ath. When he opened them again, they looked distraught. "Are you o

to his feet. "Thank you," Vyn said quie

"We should get going. General Thompson has an an

ath in the freezing river tonight was not exactly what he was looking forward to. Bu