The Narrow Road

The sun had yet to rise over the trees. Evangeline watched as the Genesi slept arms folded across his chest, seemingly unaware of his precarious position sleeping in the chair. She pulled a pack out from by her bed and went to packing what few things she thought she might need.

In the list was the two healing potions that her namesake had left on the shelf, her set of 20 throwing daggers, an extra set of bolts for her crossbow, and the little bit of coin she had been left with. She set the pack down quietly beside the door with her scimitar and crossbow. She pushed open the door and stepped out into the brisk morning air.

Evangeline took a deep breath soaking in the memories. As she turned to gaze at the river she found that it had all but receded as the day and night had passed. The stone where she laid her namesake to rest was wet with morning dew but still standing untouched by the events of the day before. She made her way over to it and knelt beside her for a moment.

"You could have warned me." She chastised.

A crow answered off in the trees, swooped down and landed on the stone. It stared at Evangeline with its little black eyes, studying her for a moment.

"It is time isn't it?" she asked the crow.

It seemed to nod a bit before calling out one more time. When it took to the sky it swooped down the path and disappeared in the shadow of the trees.

"Good-bye my friend" she spoke placing her lips to the rock. "I will not fail you."

When Evangeline turned back toward the house she could see Duinhir leaning on the rail. He had watched her silently for some time. She shot him a dirty look and pushed past him reaching for her things.

"We go as the crow flies." She spoke harshly slipping her arms into her jacket.

"The road is long, are you sure you're up for it?" He asked raising his eyebrow slightly.

"Do not seek to belittle me, water demon." She said picking up her pack.

Duinhir chuckled, handing Evangeline her scimitar. As she strapped it to her back she turned and looked across the interior of her home one last time. She turned away and with a quick pace picked up the trail that the crow had shown her. Duinhir on her heels, watching and listening to the sounds of the forest, their feet leaving no trace behind them as they pressed forward.

***