Thaloryn Continent
Outside Of The Endless Forest
The moon hung like a pale lantern above the land, casting frost blue light over the Endless Forest. Its glow slid across the dark treetops and stretched over the wild plains leading to the forest edge. The silence of the night hid many things, but it could not hide the two hooded figures sprinting across the rugged ground.
They moved swiftly, leaping over stones slick with dew, splashing through shallow ponds without hesitation. The tall figure carried a small bundle pressed firmly against her chest, guarding it with both arms. Her cloak snapped behind her in the wind as she ran. The shorter figure kept pace beside her, breathing heavily yet refusing to slow. Their steps echoed like frantic heartbeats across the quiet land.
They were running from something. Or someone. The fear in their movements spoke loudly, even when their voices did not.
When they reached the shadow of the Endless Forest, the trees welcomed them with a curtain of darkness. Every trunk was thick and ancient, and every branch seemed to stretch toward the sky like skeletal fingers. The forest was quiet but not peaceful. It waited.
The two figures entered the treeline at full speed, weaving their way deeper. The night wind brushed their cloaks. Moonlight tried to follow them but was swallowed almost immediately by the thick foliage overhead.
After several minutes of pushing forward, their path opened into a small clearing. The tall figure stopped abruptly. Her breath misted in the air as she faced the dense wall of trees ahead. From that point onward, the forest grew thicker, darker, and far more unforgiving.
The shorter figure nearly stumbled when forced to stop so suddenly.
"Why did you stop, Vaelmira?" she said between heavy breaths. "Hurry. They are close. If we reach the city, we will be safe. Do not stop now."
Vaelmira did not answer immediately. She stared at the ancient trees as if they formed an invisible barrier she could not pass. When she finally turned to the smaller woman, her voice trembled with sadness.
"I cannot continue, Cynthia," she whispered.
Cynthia blinked in confusion, still panting. "What do you mean you cannot? You know the elven city is just ahead. What reason could you possibly have for not going back? Are you scared?"
With a deliberate motion, Vaelmira reached up and pulled back her black hood. Moonlight spilled across her features, revealing a woman of breathtaking beauty. Her eyes were a piercing blue, like sapphires forged in the depths of ancient oceans. Her neck was long and elegant, her skin pale and flawless, framed by cascading waves of white hair that shimmered like fresh snow under starlight. Her eyelashes were long and delicate, fluttering like the wings of a moth. Men who beheld her would gasp, struck dumb by her perfection. But what truly marked her as otherworldly were her ears: long, pointed, and graceful, the unmistakable sign of an elf. She was Vaelmira, a daughter of the ancient woods, her heritage etched into every line of her form.
"The slave mark," Vaelmira said softly. "I felt it tightening the farther we ran. It will not let me go beyond this point. It has been pulsing ever since we reached the plains. If I force myself any further, it will tear through my soul. Even if some miracle let me pass, I do not want to go back. I will not let that bastard lay his hands on my people."
Cynthia stared at her friend in horrified silence.
"The slave mark cannot control where you walk," Cynthia said desperately. "It should not be able to stop you from reaching your home. We ran for days without stopping. You fought through so much. Do not tell me that after all this, you cannot take just a few more steps."
Vaelmira looked down at the bundle in her arms. Her expression softened in an instant. She loosened the covering around the child and revealed a sleeping infant nestled inside.
A tiny elven boy lay quietly against her chest. His hair was as white as snowfall, soft and wispy. His eyes fluttered open in the moonlight, revealing irises of pale ice blue. They glowed faintly, reflecting the starlight above.
Vaelmira's voice broke into a warm whisper.
"Oh, my son is awake. Such a good child. You did not make a single sound." Tears shimmered beneath her lashes as she leaned down to kiss his small forehead.
Cynthia's breath caught in her throat. She had seen the child many times over the past few days, but in moments like this he seemed to glow with something pure and fragile.
Vaelmira traced her fingers across the boy's cheek and whispered again.
"My beautiful Aegon."
Then she refastened the blanket and held him out toward Cynthia.
"Take him with you and go inside the forest without me." Vaelmira said.
Everything in Cynthia's body froze.
"What the fuck are you talking about? Cynthia asked, her voice rising sharply. "Do not say something so foolish. We did not cross half of Thaloryn just for you to stop now and hand him to me like this. Do not even consider giving up, Vaelmira. We will go together. We can fix the slave mark. Someone must know how."
Vaelmira shook her head with a sad smile.
"The slave mark is on the soul. It cannot be removed. People have died trying to tear it out. The moment I reach beyond its limit, it will drag me back. And even if it did not, he would find me."
The moment she spoke of him, Cynthia felt a deep chill crawl up her spine.
"He is obsessed," Vaelmira continued. "He will chase me until the end of the earth. If I run to any kingdom, he will follow. If I flee across every sea, he will hunt me. I cannot let him reach Eldhaven. I will not let him have this satisfaction."
The forest seemed to grow even darker as she spoke.
Cynthia's hands curled into fists. "Then we go somewhere else. The Khareshar Kingdom is far in the desert. The sands will bury his soldiers before they even reach us. We can circle the mountains. We can hide among the dunes. There are people there who owe me favors. We can find a solution."
Vaelmira stroked her child's white hair, then shook her head once more.
"I am grateful for your hope, Cynthia. But I am too tired. And I cannot risk him claiming my people again." Her voice lowered. "I will not let him reach Eldhaven. I will not lead him to my queen and my people."
She lifted the baby again and held him out.
"Please. Take Aegon. Take him to Eldhaven. Tell the queen my name. She will help you both. She must. She was my closest friend since childhood."
Cynthia tried to push the baby back, her voice cracking with emotion.
"No. Stop this. You are not thinking clearly. You cannot do this. If you stay behind, you will die. I refuse to let you throw your life away."
Vaelmira brushed a tear from Cynthia's cheek with her free hand.
"There is no life left for me if he catches me. Cynthia, listen to me. I would rather die on my own terms than return to him." Her voice darkened. "I would rather die than let him lay his fealty hands on me again."
Cynthia stared at her friend, trembling. She had known Vaelmira for four years, ever since fate had thrown them together in the shadowed halls of captivity. They had shared whispers in the dead of night, dreams of escape, she had seen her laugh, cry, fight, bleed, and survive things no one else could endure. She had always admired her strength.
But now she saw a different expression. One that was resigned. One that was final.
Cynthia's tears fell freely and still not convinced of her friend's resolve. "When will I see you again? Tell me where you will go. I will find help. The queen will help you. If you just tell me where to meet you, I swear I will come."
Vaelmira lifted the baby and kissed him again. She inhaled the scent of his hair, as if trying to memorize everything about him in these last precious moments.
Then she looked at Cynthia.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry, my friend. But this is goodbye."
Cynthia's eyes widened with panic.
"No. You idiot. Do not say that. What about Aegon? Do you want him to grow up without a mother? Is that what you want?"
Vaelmira did not answer. Her gaze remained on her son. Her chest tightened painfully at the thought of all she would miss: watching him grow tall and strong, witnessing his first steps into the world, hearing his laughter echo through the trees, seeing his achievements unfold like blooming flowers. The tears fell like a river now, unchecked and relentless. She bent down, kissing his cheeks, his nose, whispering words meant only for him.
"I am sorry I cannot watch you grow, my little Aegon. I am sorry I will never hear you speak or laugh. My beautiful son, be strong for me. Be mighty. Be kind. Live a long life filled with joy."
The baby blinked up at her, unaware or aware of the sorrow surrounding him.
Vaelmira stood and placed the child carefully into Cynthia's arms. Cynthia held him tightly, sobbing into the blanket.
"Do not make me do this," she pleaded. "Please, Vaelmira. Please."
Vaelmira gently rubbed her head in a comforting gesture.
"Give him love, Cynthia. Enough love for two mothers. Make sure he never feels alone."
"I will," Cynthia choked out. "I promise. I will protect him. I will tell him everything about you. I will make sure he knows how much you loved him."
Aegon suddenly began to cry, sensing the grief around him. The sound pierced both women's hearts.
Before Cynthia could respond, a shrill whistle echoed across the plains.
Then a voice shouted in the distance.
"The crying came from that direction. Hurry. They are close."
Another voice followed.
"Catch her. If she gets away, the count will take our heads and hang them from the walls."
Dogs barked violently in the distance, closing in.
Vaelmira did not flinch. Her expression shifted from sorrow to cold determination.
"Go," she said.
"No," Cynthia whispered.
"Go," Vaelmira repeated more firmly. "They are after me. Not you. Follow the trees marked with glowing green. They will lead you to Eldhaven. Do not look back. Not even once."
She pulled Cynthia into a tight embrace. Cynthia clung to her, trembling.
"I will never forget you," Cynthia whispered through her tears. "I will protect Aegon. I swear it."
Vaelmira stepped back. She gave Cynthia a final smile.
Then she pushed her gently toward the dark depths of the Endless Forest.
"Run."
Cynthia took one last breath and sprinted into the shadows. Her figure disappeared between the trees, carrying Aegon with her.
Vaelmira watched until both were swallowed by the forest.
Her tears fell silently. Then the sound of barking dogs grew louder, and she turned to face the open plains where the pursuers approached.
Her expression turned to stone.
She reached beneath her cloak and pulled out a dagger. Its blade glimmered in the moonlight.
Her breath stilled.
Her fear disappeared.
Her sorrow was replaced with fury.
She had nothing left to lose now.