Page 80 of Forged in Fading

An entire village. Homes and shops, large and small, built from a mix of wood and stone, people going about their daily business like they would anywhere else. And no one passing by seemed the slightest bit concerned that Alvara and Boden had appeared out of nowhere.

“Valonian illusions,” Boden said as she dismounted and tied their horses to a nearby post. “They use their magic day and night to keep it hidden. It’s a small enough settlement that it’s possible.”

Alvara opened her mouth to respond when a shriek rang out, and a small blur slammed into Boden. “You’re alive,” Lilja said, her voice quavering. She pulled back, and her red-rimmed eyes settled on Alvara. “Thank you.” Lilja pressed Alvara’s dagger and coins into her hands.

“Thank you for what?” Boden looked to Alvara, who shrugged. “Lilja…”

Her cheeks reddened, and she twisted her hands behind her back. “I may have left the farm. And I may have tried to help in the battle. And Alvara may have saved me.”

“WHAT?” Boden shouted. The dirt shifted under Alvara’s feet, and she quickly grabbed his shoulders to steer him past his sister, who averted her gaze and flitted off the way she came.

“She’s fine. That’s all that matters.” She did her best to soothe him with her words, something that didn’t exactly come naturally. Comforting others had never been one of her strengths.

Boden looked like he had seen the rotting, reanimated corpse of an araug. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“With the escape from King Einar, my back…it slipped my mind.”

“Thank you. Elamara knows what I would have done if…” His words trailed off as a group of elves, or more likely demi-elves, approached them from the village with Aurilena in tow. She appeared unscathed, and one more knot in Alvara’s chest relaxed.

Boden slowed to a stop in front of a female who appeared to be their leader, if the high angle at which she held her chin was any indication. “Bryn. How have your people fared since the barrier fell?”

“The refugees from Malva have been pouring in,” Bryn said, shaking her auburn head, “and we’re not equipped to handle them. Not for long. We also need to send a messenger to the humans, not only to warn them, but to ask for shelter. With the king moving in on the human realm, we’re not safe here anymore.”

Aurilena joined Bryn, looking Alvara up and down. The hard edge in her golden eyes softened. “Good to see you’re both safe.” She turned her attention to Boden. “I know you just arrived, but I told them you would be the best representative to send to the human town.”

What was Boden not in charge of?

“I will head out first thing in the morning. We need rest.” He tipped his head in Alvara’s direction. “She needs a healer.”

Alvara was about to protest that she was perfectly fine, despite her back barking at her, but Bryn spoke. “With the elves coming in from Malva, the healers have been busy treating injuries for days. If it’s not life threatening, we can’t spare it. Aurilena and I have much to discuss. Liv will take you to your accommodations.”

Her curt tone didn’t sit well with Alvara, who wanted to scream that Boden had done nothing but sacrifice for them, and she should be damn grateful. But Alvara doubted that would leave her with somewhere to sleep, so she held her tongue and followed their escort into the village.

“Kat and Rav?” Boden’s gaze scoured the faces of each person they passed. He glanced back at Alvara. “And Pyry?” He grumbled the name like it tasted foul on his tongue.

“All alive. I can take you to them, if you’d like.” The way the demi-elf said alive pricked at Alvara. She hadn’t said they were safe or healthy.

Boden seemed not to notice. “Once I’m able to get Alvara settled⁠—”

Alvara ignored him and hurried forward. “That would be great. Thank you.” She would rest easier seeing them all for herself.

“This way.”

They wove through bands of elves and demi-elves, some identifiable by their rounded ears, and others like Boden, with features almost indistinguishable from full-blooded elves. Sobs and raised voices littered the air, and many of them—too many—were still covered in blood and dirt, their clothes soiled and their faces weary.

If the humans didn’t let them in, she wasn’t sure what they would do.

“Boden, you bastard. You’re alive.” Ravanel rushed forward from the crowd and wrapped an arm around Boden.

One arm.

Oh gods.

Boden stiffened. Kat peered over Ravanel’s shoulder and lifted a finger to her lips.

She wanted them not to mention that he was missing an entire limb? That was beyond Alvara’s skillset, so she skirted around the two males to speak to her friend.

“I’m glad you’re all right. I’m sorry about…” Alvara nodded to Ravanel, and Kat bit her lip. “And Pyry’s here?” Honestly, he was about the last thing on Alvara’s mind, but she was the only one here to ask after him.