#valedrokos

  Cupped in her palm was a miniature rose carved of wax, a wick extended from its center. After another moment of consideration and a deep breath, Canerae struck a match, the candle lighting its way through various destinations until finally settling on a balmy beach, the smell of ocean air surrounding her.

  The setting no doubt surprised her, thinking she would end up in a beautiful forest somewhere at the very least. But, the only other person occupying this retreat brought forth a loud squeak from the huntress as she backed away, her eyes wide with shock.

   A loud squeak ripped the pirate from his daydream. Slowly turning toward its source he was shocked to see the blonde huntress standing some meters away from him. How had she ended up on this beach? For a moment he could only stare, paralyzed. After several long minutes of heavy silence, Vale broke into a run to meet her where she stood.

  “Canerae?..Gods..you’re not a product of my imagination, are you..? It’s really you?” He peered at her, struggling to keep his cool, “How did you get here? I wasn’t expecting you anytime soon…I was going to look for you…” He reached for her cheek, brushing the soft skin with a rough thumb as if to reassure himself she wasn’t an illusion. “I know I scared you away, I didn’t mean to frighten you I just…it felt right. You should’ve told me you weren’t ready for such a leap..” Words failed him and his voice broke, his knees threatening to give out under his weight,  “I should’ve run after you the moment I realized you left, but I didn’t want to break my promise to you. Remember? The one where I said I’d wait for you if anything happened. Forgive me if I failed you, luv.”

  The huntress took two steps back, the rush of words and emotions overwhelming her. “Please, I don’t — I shouldn’t be here! Not like this, maybe not ever.” A rueful gaze fell to the wax rose still cupped within her palm, “Vale, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. And you weren’t, not with me.” Tears brimmed behind her eyes as she looked at the monk, her lips parting to speak once more, “I wish that I could have told you one last time that—” And just before she had the chance to finish a gust of wind whipped around the two, the candle’s flame winking out and propelling her back to the safety of her tree house.

  Once more he found himself alone on that beach, silence threatening to engulf what little sanity remained within the monk. She’d vanished before his eyes, this time utterly powerless to prevent it from happening. He’d never know what truth the huntress meant to share with him or if there was a slim chance he did, it wouldn’t be for some time. Shaking, he ran a hand through his still tied hair only to rip the leather band holding his mane. Falling to his knees, a loud cry of anguish rose from his chest, cursing whatever gods and goddesses who’d bother listening.