17 Chapter 17: Yona

The next morning, Veretta awoke feeling strangely comfortable and warmer than usual. Her eyes opened and she saw Errik lying beside her. Her cheeks turned bright red and she at once looked away embarrassed. She had forgotten the night before, she had fallen asleep in his arms.

She glanced over at him timidly. He was still asleep breathing softly. As the light hit the camp and bathed the forest in light, the events of the night before seemed like a terrible nightmare. Casting an eye over his cheek, it looked so soft Veretta almost reached out and touched him but her instinct kicked in. She recalled that Tomas was only a few yards away and briskly pulled herself out of from under his arms.

She wouldn't have known how to explain it if he discovered her. The events of last night began to regurgitate as Veretta stared apprehensively. If it wasn't for Errik, something terrible might have happened because of her. She had to find a way to take control again.

She set off into the surrounding woods to clear her mind. However, her thoughts kept returning to the sight of Errik's olive skin and the slight freckles on his nose. She had never noticed that before...no, Veretta chastised herself inwardly. They had already established there was line not to be crossed. She should focus on the task at hand.

Veretta took a seat under the shade of a large and broad tree. She summoned her magic to her hand. She could feel the energy drawing to her fingertips. She tried to only focus on the flow of energy without drawing it into magic. Perhaps, if she had better control, the dark magic wouldn't seep out again. For an hour or two, she meditated under the soft sun and brisk wind trying to discipline her magic.

In the college, they had spent hours in mediation and Veretta had been one of the best students. Now, she could barely contain her mind for a matter of minutes. And even though she preserved for some time, she felt increasingly frustrated. Why couldn't she do something so simple?

"Meditating?" came a voice.

Veretta opened her eyes with a smile, "trying to,"

Tomas was leaning back on one of the trees across from her, "I've been trying to as well but...well you know," he sighed.

"I used to be so good at it," Veretta leant back with a long exhale.

"I wasn't," Tomas smiled, "but maybe when we get the colleges in the south they can help us?"

"Maybe," Veretta rose quietly.

"Breakfast is ready," Tomas gestured and they started back toward the camp.

As they were walking, he glanced over at her quietly, "are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Veretta smiled weakly.

She hoped Tomas wouldn't ask anymore. Luckily, they reached the camp quickly. The food was already made and everyone say down without saying a word. Veretta glanced at Errik but he had his usual air of indifference as if the night before had never happened at all.

Tomas extended him a bowl with a frown. Errik took a sip and looked up at him with a blank expression.

"It's good," he stated as if it was a matter of fact.

Tomas returned to his seat with a look of satisfaction and Veretta turned to Errik with a grateful smile. He gave a nod and continued with his meal. Veretta felt strangely pleased he had decided to listen.

By afternoon they were back on the road again. The midlands were a vast expanse of a half a dozen or more countries divided up sporadically. The land was flatter than Sorren and the terrain was densely covered in forest. The sun was warm but the breeze was still quite cold. They continued under the cool shade of trees walking without saying much.

Veretta was considering what to say to Errik, but didn't know how to approach him. He seemed unaware or indifferent to the fact as he marched on as usual with Tomas at his side. Every now and then Tomas would go ahead and scout for soldiers. His wind magic gave him a good vantage point above the trees and it had prevented them from running into any trouble thus far.

As he went ahead this time, Veretta turned to Errik quickly.

"About last night," she started.

He glanced over at her with a blank expression, "what about it?"

"Thank you and I won't let it happen again," Veretta said flustered.

"Thank you?" his eyes hazel eyes glimmered in the light, "for what?"

"You.." Veretta dropped her voice, "you know..you helped me,"

"It was you who stopped the magic," Errik replied indifferently, "I didn't do anything,"

"Right," Veretta said slowly.

He had felt so warm last night yet the coldness seemed to have return and Veretta felt quite foolish for saying anything at all. She followed a pace behind him with a mixture of disappointment and annoyance. Not at him but in herself.

Tomas flew back down a bit and collided with an undergrowth of leaves as he landed.

"I don't see anyone," he announced breathlessly.

Errik's eyes narrowed and he unsheathed his sword. Tomas met his gaze apprehensive.

"You..." Errik uttered, "are you sure you looked properly?"

"Of course I d..."Tomas stopped suddenly. He turned around slowly as a cold chill went down his spine.

Directly behind him a girl was standing very still. Her short white hair fluttered in the wind as he met her deep red eyes. Tomas almost fell back from shock but he steady himself and reached for his sword.

"That won't be necessary," the girl said with an expression utterly devoid of emotion.

"You're the one from before," Errik said reaching Tomas' side with his blade drawn. "What do you want?"

"My master thought you would go looking for Silthus so he wanted to give you a message," the girl said. Her voice was high but she said the words in a monotonous tone. The look in her eyes never changed despite Errik's blade at her throat.

"What message?" Veretta asked joining them.

"He said," the girl answered, "Silthus is coming to the midlands. He's stopping in the most southerly college. If you want to find him, you should go there,"

Tomas glanced at Veretta, "It looks like we won't have to go to the south after all,"

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Errik demanded in a low voice.

The girl tilted her head to one side, "If I'm lying, the master says you should kill me,"

"Perhaps we should just in case," Errik returned flatly.

However, Veretta came between them, "No," she interceeded, "we should find out if what she says is true first. We needed go as far as the college to know anyway. Silthus always send word in advance of his coming. It won't take long. for us to find out,"

"Why would one of Silthus' generals tell us where he's going to be?" Errik replied, "It's a trap,"

Veretta and Tomas exchanged anxious glances. It could be a trap as Errik said. However, something in Veretta's gut didn't sit right with killing this strange girl. She wanted revenge on Silthus, not to become him.

"Her master could have killed us before but he didn't," Veretta said thoughtfully, "I don't know why he's helping us but I don't think what she says is a lie. Even if it is a trap, if Silthus is going to be there we have to go,"

"I agree," Tomas nodded.

Errik's eyes remained fixed suspiciously on the girl but he lowered his sword. "As you wish," he said flatly.

"Tell your master we have received his message," Tomas frowned glancing waywardly at the girl. He couldn't help but feel ill at ease under her startling red eyes.

"Tell him yourself," the girl replied, "he will join you there as well,"

"What for?" Veretta interrogated.

The girl didn't reply this time. She remained very still without a shred of emotion on her face. The groups decided to go regardless. They hadn't gone far when once more they found themselves with company. To their surprise, the strange young woman had followed them. She trailed behind them a pace behind without saying a word.

"What should we do?" Veretta glanced back nervously. Was it a mistake to let her live?

Tomas turned swiftly and pointed at her accusingly, "What's your problem?!" he exclaimed, "You delivered the message, what are you hanging around for?"

The girl didn't respond but continued to follow.

"Hey!" Tomas yelled growing more irate,"Why are you following us?"

The girl met his gaze unmoved. Tomas spared forward aggressively but once more Veretta interceded.

"What was your name?" Veretta asked.

"Yona," the girl replied.

"Okay, Yona,"Veretta said pensively, "did your master tell you to follow us as well?"

Yona shook her head.

"Are you joining your master in the college?" Veretta questioned.

Yona nodded.

"Okay, then Yona, "Veretta let out a laugh, " then instead of following us why don't you just come along with us?"

"Veretta!" Tomas protested. " You can't be serious!"

"Isn't it better she's where we can see her then trailing behind?" Veretta responded.

She glanced at Errik . So far he had been against her as well. She expected him to argue but he kept quiet. Veretta wasn't sure whether to be relieved or not. In spite of the girl's glaring red eyes, she seemed harmless enough. However, the truth was Veretta needed some respite from the killing. Harming such a young girl just seemed wrong.

Yona joined them as quietly as she had come. She said nothing throughout the day and even at night, she sat very still and expressionless as they settled for dinner.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" Tomas inspected her coldly as she sat alone.

Her blank red eyes panned up," What do you want me to do?"

Tomas recoiled surprised, " well... you can help me cook,"

Yona rose quietly and did as Tomas asked. Yet, by the time it was all prepared, the strange atmosphere had returned. Yona was glaring at Errik and he was meeting her gaze with equal disdain but neither said a word.

" Aren't you hungry?" Tomas asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

He looked down at Yona's full bowl of food.

"Don't tell me you're a picky eater too," he sighed.

"I can't say," Yona replied, "I don't usually eat, "

"Don't usually eat?" Tomas's brow furrowed.

"Because she's a demon," Errik said viciously.

Tomas's eyes widened and his bowl dropped from his hand," What... "

Veretta turned to Errik then back to Yona. Yona didn't break her gaze from him.

"It seems like you have something to say to me,"Errik glared darkly.

"You are mistaken,"Yona said flatly, "I have nothing to say to you,"

"Oh no? Perhaps you should correct that look in your eye then," Errik replied severely, "You look as if you plan to kill me in my sleep,"

" I won't kill you until the master commands it,"

Veretta turned to Errik apprehensively. Had she made a mistake in allowing this girl to join them? Nevertheless, Errik appeared strangely calm, almost amused.

"So you do want to kill me but you won't because your master doesn't allow it?" He gave a grin, " What have I done to warrant such ire?"

"you already know what you have done," Yona dismissed.

" I told you and your master that I don't remember,"

"Yes, master seems to believe that, " Yona answered.

"But you don't? "Errik tilted his head back.

"It doesn't matter whether I believe it or not," Yona replied categorically.

"Why would I lie?"

"I don't know the reason yet but I will discover it. Then I will tell the master and he will punish you,"

"If I have done the action, what does It matter if I remember or not? If your master wants me dead, he should kill me now. I think it will be far more difficult to kill me once I remember everything,"

"I agree but the master does not so we will wait and see what you do,"

"I see," Errik smiled.

"You should be grateful," Yona frowned, "the master is a just person,"

"A just demon?"Errik scoffed, " well this world is big enough for all types, I suppose,"

"You don't believe it?"Yona replied tempestuously.

"It's not a matter of whether I believe it or not,"Errik mocked.

"Perhaps we should turn in for the night?" Veretta suggested.

"I'm not tired,"Errik returned

"Neither am I," Yona said flatly.

"Ah," Tomas yawned, " then I guess you guys can pack up. I'm exhausted,"

Veretta and Tomas turned in for the night leaving Errik and Yona staring off.