Rumpel's Redemption by Tamara Grantham

Author:Tamara Grantham [Grantham, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CTP Publishing

Although I’d slept the day away, I’d still managed to rest soundly through the night. My strength must’ve been drained more than I realized on top of Shigoshi’s summit. With the rest, my magic had returned, and its presence spread through my chest, filling the empty spaces.

Morning sunlight dappled our path as we rode down the mountain. Crooked Stripe snorted as she followed the other horses, and I patted her neck. She was ready to go, and so was I.

Rumpel and Orlane rode at the front, followed by Dex, then me, and Malleus stayed at the rear. With the birds chirping in the branches, and the air with the scent of spring, I felt more hope than I had in a long time.

We’d retrieved the first two items. We only had to get the third, defeat the Inshadov, and I would be free to return home.

Home.

Imagining being there without Rumpel tugged at my heart, and a feeling of loneliness crept inside.

I shook my head. No time to ponder such things now.

We reached the base of the mountain and took a trail leading west. The blue, cloudless sky spanned overhead, allowing the sunlight to shine on us unhindered. I closed my eyes, letting the sun soak into my skin. It reminded me of happier days I’d spent on the seashore gathering coconuts, my bare feet warm in the sand.

I’d stood on the beach, looking out toward the horizon, wishing I could cross the sea and start my adventures.

How foolish of me to have such naïve thoughts, when I’d had a home surrounded by people who loved me and wanted what was best for me.

I couldn’t say the same now. Not for anyone in our group. Rumpel may have shown me affection, yet I would never forget that he’d kidnapped me, nor that he’d failed to tell me that this journey could very well end in my death.

My stomach soured.

Despite the sunlight, I pulled my cloak around my shoulders.

When the sun reached its zenith, we rode over an open plain. Golden blades of grass reached the horse’s withers and brushed past my feet in the stirrups. A breeze gusted, stirring the stalks.

Crooked Stripe grabbed mouthfuls of grass, chewing loudly as we went. Orlane and Rumpel slowed their horse to ride beside me.

“How far to Vallderwydth?” I asked.

“We’ll be there tomorrow if all goes well. As long as this weather holds, we’ll make good time.”

“Noon-ing.” Orlane said.

“When we reach the forest, we’ll take our meal. You see the tree line just there?” Rumpel pointed ahead, and I craned my neck to see the shapes of shadowy trees on the horizon. “We can eat when we reach it.”

“Noon-ing,” Orlane repeated.

“Yes, brother. I know you’re hungry.”

Our horses trudged through the grass, and I took a moment to enjoy the sunlight and inhale the fresh air. I hadn’t spoken to Rumpel much. My emotions were too tied up. Making sense of them was impossible.

“You’ve been quieter than usual,” Rumpel said.

“I don’t have anything to say.”

He gave me a confused grin.

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