On the right path....hopefully

Water rushed down from the steep, rocky cliff above into the crystal-clear river below. A thin layer of snow and ice covered the ground lining the riverbanks as Verlian and Ravynne walked around. "Are you sure it was here?" Ravynne asked as she used her foot to clear off some of the snow from a nearby rock."

"I'm sure. None of this looks familiar?" Verlian stood a bit aways from the bank, his arms crossed as he carefully watched Ravynne look around.

"Mmm…not really. Then again it was really dark." She leaned over to get a better look into the water, her soft features reflecting her image like a mirror. The night she was hunted by her village seemed so long ago now and the details surrounding that event were blurry. After all, it was traumatic for her.

"Careful Ravynne." Verlian warned as he noticed her inching closer and closer to the water. She quickly took a step back and looked up at the cliff in front of them. Had she really fallen from up there? She racked her brain for any details she could.

"I think it was up there that I fell….I'm sorry I really don't know for sure. I wish I had paid more attention now that we're here." Ravynne laughed awkwardly and turned to face Verlian, who was wearing a soft expression. She felt herself blush, not expecting him to have such a look.

Normally, this is something that would have frustrated him. Ravynne had no clue how to get back to Novenwell, her own hometown, their destination. The fact that someone native to that area, didn't know how to get there, and had zero bearings on what direction it was in nor any landmarks that could give them a clue was enough to make anyone upset. Especially Verlian, who liked to get things done efficiently.

However, when he remembered the state Ravynne had showed up in and the things she'd told him about her life in that village, he couldn't help but be upset. In fact, he pitied her for it.

"We'll figure it out. The first place we'll try is up there." He shielded his eyes from the bright sun as he looked up at the top of the cliff above, his midnight black locks brushing against his forehead as a slight breeze blew through the area. "How are you feeling? Do you think you can handle it?"

Ravynne nodded and patted her chest, "I'm feeling great! I can do it!"

Verlian raised his eyebrows, knowing she was still struggling with some of her injuries, "Are you sure? I'm not going to baby you if it gets too rough." That wasn't true, and he knew it. Ravynne wasn't going to let her injuries stop her and even if they did become too much for her, Verlian would handle it. He'd come to realize that he enjoyed taking care of her and he was honestly just thankful that she was still alive. Ravynne didn't know it, but from the moment she woke up, he had vowed to protect her.

"I'm sure. Don't worry about me so much okay?" How could he not? She was practically a walking disaster.

"Alright, but don't forget what you've said. We don't know how long we'll be traveling for," he bent down and picked up a large brown bag filled with supplies they would need for their journey, "I'll follow behind you, go that way." He nodded to a rocky path next to the waterfall to their right.

Ravynne didn't hesitate to begin and Verlian followed a foot behind her, continually scanning the area and keeping alert. The path led into more thick forest and they stayed as close to the cliff as possible, looking for the best way up.

"Verlian! I just realized, you're MY shadow now." Ravynne giggled as she carefully stepped over obstacles hidden by snow.

"If the sun is behind me, my shadow will be in front. You're still my shadow." He smiled and chuckled to himself. While he couldn't see Ravynne's face he did hear her huff and could feel her playful annoyance.

Even though they were embarking on this journey for painful reasons, the two of them enjoyed having this time alone together. If only they knew that they both had a smile plastered across their faces.

They traveled onward, their feet crunching on the snow and occasionally slipping on some hidden ice. The trees were bare and the animals were silent. It was ominous, but it was also very relaxing at the same time. Finally, Verlian noticed a portion of the cliff that seemed like it would be easy to climb. The two of them agreed to stop for the day and instead tackle the climb in the morning.

Verlian built a small makeshift shelter out of branches he stood together, making a typical A-line shape structure. Ravynne gathered rocks and sticks for a firepit and carefully brushed away the snow in the area she decided to place it. Verlian watched cautiously as she started the fire and was at the ready to handle any mishaps. Luckily it went smoothly and he smiled proudly to himself as she celebrated.

The temperature dropped as night set in, Ravynne sat shivering by the fire clutching her white pelt tightly around herself. Verlian returned from gathering more firewood and saw Ravynne continuing to shiver. The cold didn't bother him too much, definitely not as much as it was bothering Ravynne. He broke a few of the branches and tossed them into the crackling red and orange flames before sitting down next to Ravynne. Her eyes were closed now and her teeth were chatting, he could see that her jaw was clenched as if she was trying to stop them from doing so.

He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, rubbing her shoulder to try and stimulate warmth. She snuggled against him, shivering away and he held her tight. He felt embarrassed by their closeness and he was thankful she didn't look at him. The two stayed that way until they somehow, at some point, managed to crawl into the small shelter Verlian had constructed earlier.

Ravynne awoke the following morning, her eyelids feeling equivalent to the weight of lead. She didn't get much sleep that night due to the cold, but waking up she felt much warmer. Her vision was blurred and she blinked a few times to regain focus. Right in front of her face was brown fur. Her body did a little jump in surprise and she came to the realization that Verlian had his arms wrapped tightly around her and were holding her tight against his chest.

Her face flushed and she felt like her temperature had increased by at least 50 degrees. She didn't even remember coming into the shelter last night. The last thing she remembered was sitting by the fire waiting for Verlian to return from gathering wood. She tried to carefully slide out of his arms but it was no use. He groaned quietly and instead pulled her tighter. She had to stifle a scream, but then she heard him quietly begin to speak, "Ravynne....don't go….."

For a moment, she had thought he'd awoken, but no, he was still in a deep sleep. She smiled knowing he was dreaming about her, but at the same time her heart broke. Had her death really caused him to be so distraught? She knew he'd been more attentive to her and more protective, but it was the first time she'd realized just how badly he wanted her to be by his side. What was a few more minutes?

She snuggled back into his chest and the two slept for a while longer, until it was Verlian's turn to wake up. He was surprised at himself to see Ravynne held tightly in his grasp. This was a moment a didn't realize he had been craving and he so wanted for it to last forever. Unfortunately, it would have to cease. The day wasn't getting any younger and they still had a long ways to go.

He released her and sat up, composing himself, before gently shaking her awake. She rubbed her eyes again and found herself a bit cranky. She had just fallen back asleep not too long ago. "Let's get going." He said as he exited the structure. Ravynne pouted while his back was turned. "Why is he acting so cold now, when he was practically suffocating me earlier?" She thought.

However, Verlian wasn't truly being cold. His tone was softer than it normally would have been and had it been anyone else, he would've been thoroughly annoyed and woken them up with a jolt. Not her though, she was his beloved shadow that he wanted to take care of.

After eating a small meal the two stared at the cliffside they needed to tackle. "I've never climbed before." She said nervously. Verlian sighed, "Well with your track record, the whole cliff will come down." Ravynne smiled, "Yeah but maybe it will make a nice ramp for us to walk up." Verlian put his hand on his forehead and rubbed it gently while sighing again, "Can you hold onto me?"