Kage did her best to avoid the others after the previous night.
Shole had made a couple light conversation attemps, but she gave a short response and kept to herself.
It played in her head over and over again, no matter how much she tried to steer her thoughts in another direction.
Now, Artlem and Shole rode ahead, chatting about something or other, and Bard rode not far behind her.
The sun was beginning to lower on the plains, and Kage reflexively began to scan the empty hills for a place to spend the night.
The cave from before had been a welcome surprise, as most of the landscape was the same this close to the Dust.
Shole said something to Artlem, who turned his head to look at Kage. She averted her eyes, and prepared to dissolve a conversation as Shole slowed his horse to move alongside her.
"Hey Kage." She met his eyes, but didn't respond, so he continued. "We should be reaching the Tobryn outskirts, the current home of the Kavalix before nightfall. We'll stock up, talk to Achrom and Myriessa -Art's family," he corrected, realizing she wouldn't know them by name, "and if all goes well, be on the way to Mainspring soon. That is, if you're still up for it."
Kage grimaced. "I did say I would. Even if I didn't know the exact details at the time, I'm still on board."
Shole smiled. "I'm glad. Art and I are worried about you, so we wanted to make sure you had an 'out'. You know, before we get too far."
"Artlem, worried?" She smirked. "Seems a but uncharacteristic."
"He's not that bad!" Shole defended. "He gets that from his father's side. That family has some...issues from what I understand. But he has a real good side, too, you can see it if you pay attention."
Kage sighed. "I sounded pretty rude just then, didn't I."
"Maybe a little." Shole smiled.
"Sorry. About the last little while, too. I just have some stuff going around in my head, and once it starts, it won't stop."
Artlem slowed to move alongside them.
"So? You sticking around, Kage?"
"Yeah, I'm staying."
"Great! And-" He paused, "if you need something, tell us. If we're all functioning properly, this whole thing should be a breeze. Got it?"
"Right, thanks." Kage gave a reassuring smile.
"Right! We'll reach the Kavalix soon and-"
"Look!" Bard's voice came from behind them. Their heads swiveled to back to him as he rode up to reach them, then followed his finger to the sky in the distance in front of them.
Smoke, black smoke billowing into the sky.
"Yah!" Artlem shouted, charging his horse forward.
"Artlem!" Shole called, galloping after him, followed by Bard and Kage.
The wind blew in her face as she trailed behind, dread growing in her stomach.
The smoke grew closer and closer, until the source was finally visible.
The remains of a torn banner signaled their entry into the camp, or at least, its remains.
The nomad's tents and temporary buildings lay as charred remains and piles of ash, and on the blackened ground lay the scattered bodies of men, women, and children.
Among Artlem's people were the bodies of men in full armour. Kage noticed an insignia on the chestplate that she didn't recognize, but could tell the others did.
She looked up to Artlem. His face switched between rage and despair as his eyes swept the remains of his home.
Bard was shocked, but immidiately began scanning the scenery, no doubt looking around for any remaining attackers.
Shole was the first to move. He jumped down and began moving between bodies, visually checking for any signs of life.
Artlem woke from his daze and spurred his horse forward.
"I'm going to search the area. Watch him!" Bard commanded Kage. She gave a curt nod and chased after Artlem, fighting the urge to vomit against the smell of burnt corpses.
Artlem followed a path he knew well even among the ruins, right up to the remains of a larger tent than the rest, burnt banners at the entrance and formerly decorated with bright blue.
He jumped from his horse and swung his head around as he stepped unsteady, searching for something.
"Mom!" Artlem shouted. "Dad!"
Kage felt a chill run down her spine.
Artlem frantically began to dig around the remains of the tent, Kage jumped down from her horse and helped him pull the tent around to search for any sign of survivors.
"Right, they must have got away." Kage heard Artlem mutter as their efforts proved fruitless. "There's no sign of them. Must have escaped. They must have."
He began to move, seeming unsure of his steps. Kage followed quietly, keeping her eyes open for any signs of survivors. It wasn't looking good. The bodies they passed didn't move, and from the state of the burned remains, at least a day had passed since they were attacked.
Suddenly, she bumped into Artlem. She jumped back, but he stood immobile. Poking her head around him, her eyes shifted between Artlem's face and the scene ahead.
Back propped up against an unburned stack of crates lay a man's body, covered in blood that came from the base of his missing head. His clothes were a mess of cuts and blood, mixing blue that appeared on the Kavalix's banners into a dark purple. In his hand lay a crimson-covered sword, still gripped tightly in his hand.
Kage didn't need to see the man's head to know who he was. Artlem's reaction was more than enough. He fell down to his knees, body shaking as he tried to control himself.
Achrom, chieftain of the Kavalix and potential heir to the throne of Rhoringdal, but most importantly, Artlem's father, lay dead in the burned ruins of his home.
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