Troglodyte

Corvin made good on his words and as soon as everyone had, had a respite, they set foot on the ground once again, leaving Dreissen territories behind, treading into Whitsun lands, where Ironstone lay, along with what once was Gaerwen. A flourishing townlet that was wiped out of existence in less than one moon.

All the while, all those thoughts floated through her mind, at the back of her head, Nobos's words slowly began to take life, and the idea that she and Ian were nothing more than ancient history spurred a spree of commiserating thoughts, sending her mind spiralling out of control. Abiding in the Seven Sea had become her only choice, there was nowhere else to go. Ellora was a wasteland and without Ian, she saw no point in pursuing other endeavours. He'd been the only one that had been able to give her hope for a future, a better life, a peaceful life. But all of that had turned to nothing more than a fool's hope, in the blink of an eye. Feeling her eyes prick, and the knot in her throat tighten, to take her mind off things. Iris began to sing her pain away. It was the only way to let it out. Crying and wallowing in self-pity hadn't helped so far. What's your name?

It doesn't matter.

Tomorrow you won't remember it, anyway

Moving on, passing by

I'll be gone before the sun.

Goes down

The past is behind

Who knows what tomorrow will bring along

One step forward, two steps back

I don't remember where I was at

I'm really bad at keeping track

Where I've been, and where I'm going

I guess the is no way of knowing.

It is time to leave

This is not what I really need

A sweet embrace, a heartfelt goodbye

A fading memory of me

Passing by

Tomorrow is here

Do you remember me ever being here?

A sorrowful song meant to wash away all the unspoken pain that she'd lived through, as a small tear stained her cheek, caught by Corvin.

" That's sad" he pointed out and Iris sighed that the muscle-head was capable of compassion. It was hard to believe, but it seemed that Covin was capable of some empathy.

" There was a lot of grief in that song. Perhaps, you should try and make it a bit more cheerful next time you decide to grace us with your wonderful voice." Corvin looked over his shoulder at the people following them who had turned quiet. And with those words, Iris finally concluded that man was nothing more than a just pile of muscle with no regard for others.

" I don't want them to die of a broken heart before we reach Ironstone. Dakran will have my head on a spike." Corvin added as the lake she had used once to cross into Ellora began emerging before them.

" I'll try" Iris grumbled, hugging herself, feeling the sharp breeze seeping through the thin fabric. No point fighting with him, it was a waste of time. She was better than that.

" Whitsun is bordering the white lands. During the cold season, the air is sharp and prickly" Corvin explained looking at the lake in front of them. Iris raised her eyes but the cold was numbing everything.

" I know. I've been here before" Iris muttered under her breath, as she hugged herself tighter, trying to stave off the cold that was slowly taking over her body.

Corvin slung his sack to the front, and pulled a blanket out of it " Here" he shoved the folded blanket into her arms " This should help. You're weak, you wouldn't survive the cold" he added throwing the sack on his back " Not for long anyway. You'll die before we reach Ironstone." he reprised his gazing ahead, grating the last of her nerves.

Iris looked at him, confused that his words didn't match his gestures, at all. He was brash and brusque with words but his gestures said otherwise. A troglodyte capable of emotions. Well, that was a first.

With that thought in mind, Iris unfolded the blanket and wrapped herself in it. Shrouded in the thick fur blanket, the cold that brushed her skin, freezing the blood coursing through her body stood no chance.

" Thank you" she mumbled, but Corvin heard her and turned his head to look at her and nodded.

" You know for a queen, you are quite humble but stiff, as a plank" Corvin added catching her by surprise. The troglodyte was sharp as a tack, but the last remark didn't go down well.

But nonetheless, she still tried to deny " I'm not a queen. And what do you mean stiff? I'm not stiff. You're no better than me, just so you know" Iris glared, looking ahead and attempting to avoid his gaze.

" Well, look at that" Corvin exclaimed as they walked to the edge of the lake, catching Iris's attention who followed his line of sight.

The gate between Ellora and Sevens Seas was no longer there, and she didn't know whether she should be happy or upset. How that did even happen? It was not possible? Only the Guardian had the power to seal a gate. Azra? Was he still alive? It couldn't be. It had been so long since he'd entered the source that by now he would have been consumed and become part of it. There was not a single doubt in her mind about that fact.

" It seems that things are looking up" Corvin piped up, a bit more cheerful as the murmur of voices behind them grew, increasingly becoming louder.

" Yes. It seems that way" Iris absently replied with her gaze fixed on the lake. Was Azra responsible for any of this? No. Iris reassured herself once more.

" Yes" Corvin burst out, cheerful " Indeed, a reason to celebrate" Corvin buoyantly laughed and picked his gait, walking faster ahead as she and the other struggled to keep up with the long-legged mountain of a man.

Iris picked up her own pace but injured, running on the last fumes, she resigned and stopped, huffing " Stop" she panted and looked behind her at the people who were bearly keeping up.

Corvin halted his steps and waited as they slugged their feet across the charred ground until they reached him. With wondrous eyes, and a grin stretching from ear to ear, something she thought she would never live long enough to see. Iris slumped on the floor, drained of every drop of strength, and out of breath. Corvin rolled his eyes " Weak like a newborn calf" he chuckled, chucking the sack on the ground, and picked her up instead, lugging her on his back.

" I thought you didn't want to carry me" Iris pointed out as he wrapped her legs around his waist " I don't. I want to get home. And you are dragging your feet. At this rate, we won't make it before the season changes" Corving picked up his sack and reprised his steps, purposely. To reach Irostone as fast as he could.

" I'm injured. I'm not the only one that struggles to keep with you" Iris glared at the back of his head, furious that he kept picking on her.

" Weaklings. Nowadays, it is so easy to ruffle someone's feathers" Corvin chuckled as he looked ahead, and Ironstone began emerging at the horizon. Last she and Ian, walked the same path, it seemed like an eternity had passed before they reached the lake.