Seth felt warm; uncomfortably warm. He groaned a bit and slowly opened his eyes. The sky was pink, and red, with a touch of lavender – The sun was rising.

  What happened? he wondered wincing at the pain in his head and the ache in his body. Besides him, Seth heard a crackle and a snap. He slowly turned his head and saw that he was near a small campfire. Gloria sat on the other side asleep with her head on her knees.

  Seth blinked and stared at her. Why is she here? he frowned then looked around himself again. Where am I? Then everything came rushing back to him – the dance, the stench of burning flesh, the stabbing dagger… and the strange, frost glazed woman who promised him life. The memories were overwhelming; Seth shuddered and let out a shaky breath.

  Gloria’s head shot up at the sound. Seth looked over and met her gaze. They stared at each other with quivering eyes for a long time. The snaps from the campfire and the twittering of the birds filled the tense quiet between them.

  “Hi…” Seth said quietly.

  Gloria avoided his gaze, but she rose, stepped around the fire, and pulled Seth’s blanket over him. “You’ll catch cold,” she said before turning back to her seat.

  Seth reached out. “Wait,” he said, but Gloria flinched back. Seth pulled back and let his hand drop. He watched Gloria sit down on the other side of the campfire again.

  Why is she afraid? Seth wondered. He racked his brain to remember what happened after he died, but all he could remember was seeing Gloria on the ground staring at him...Then nothing. Did I hurt her? he vaguely wondered.

  The blanket felt like it was boiling Seth. He took the blanket off and slowly sat up. Something on his left arm caught his eye. Seth’s eyes widened – His arm was covered with scars made of glowing ice.

  Seth shook and stared in horror at the shimmering glow that seemed to pulse with life. His breathing quickened; his hand hovered over the scars, but he was too terrified to touch them. “What’s this?” he asked, trying to control the tremor in his voice.

  “They’re all over you,” Gloria murmured, curling up again. “Everywhere you were…hurt.”

  Seth’s gaze dropped to his shirt. Blood drained from his face when he saw the tattered blood-stained tunic, barely clinging to him. He gulped when he saw ice blue glowing through. What was going on? What happened?

  Panic rose in him “What did she do to me?” Seth cried. His breaths came in sharp gasps, and he looked up at Gloria who evaded eye contact again. “Gloria?” his voice shook. “What happened?”

  Gloria didn’t answer; she hugged her knees and looked away. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she whispered, her face paling.

  Seth’s heart pounded. “What happened?” he asked desperately. The assassin’s grin flashed into his mind and Seth whipped around him. “Where’s the assassin?”

  “Dead.”

  Seth’s panic vanished and he slowly looked back at Gloria who stared wide-eyed into the fire. “I buried him,” she whispered. “I know he tried to kill us, but it felt wrong to leave his bones out here in the wild.” Seth scanned around them again and noticed a freshly dug grave, a few flowers grew beside it.

  “Has she always been there?” Seth looked back at Gloria.

  He blinked and looked back at her. “What?”

  “The woman,” Gloria didn’t look up from the fire. “Has she always been…inside of you? Is that why you are hiding? Is that why that man tried to kill you?”

  “Gloria…” Seth trembled. “Please…Tell me what happened.”

  Gloria shook, then slowly looked up at him. “I-I saw you,” her voice began to crack. “You were gone. Dead! I saw you die!” she swallowed and looked back into the fire.

  “He was going to kill me too, but then…” she shuddered and held herself tight. “It was like you were a puppet at a village fair and someone else was wearing your face.” Gloria shook her head. “You…she…killed him. All that was left were… were…” Gloria's face grew pale. “Bones,” Gloria shook, then held her mouth and scrambled away from the campfire where she vomited.

  Seth sat numb, while Gloria retched in the grass. He looked down at his hands and swallowed back his own nausea. He felt used. Bones…? He didn’t have the power to do that! Who…is she?

  Gloria gasped, trying to regain breath, and shook Seth from his thoughts. Compassion took over, he rose and brought over his waterskin to Gloria. She wiped her mouth and gratefully took the waterskin from his hands.

  Seth sat beside her as she shakily took small sips. He watched her for a moment, then he spoke. “No. I don’t know who she is. That’s…new.”

  “Then why are there assassins after you?” Gloria demanded, her hands shaking as they clutched the waterskin. “Who is Lord Ember?”

  Seth pursed his lips and looked down. “Listen,” he said folding his hands. “I’m sorry you got wrapped up in this. I didn’t want you to be. I tried to warn you but…” he trailed off for a moment, then he sighed and shook his head. “I can’t tell you. It would be too dangerous – I don’t want to ruin your life,” his knuckles turned white. “It sounds like I’ve already done enough damage as is…I’m sorry,” he added quietly.

  The two sat quietly for a moment. Seth took the waterskin from Gloria’s hands. He stood and grabbed his leather bag from the fire. No sense in wasting more daylight and time. There was a slight tug in his chest that faintly pulled him east, but Seth ignored it and started walking towards the pass entrance again.

  Behind him, Gloria called out. “Where are you going?”

  Seth didn’t look back. “Away…Somewhere where hopefully no one can find me again.”

  There was a pause. Seth sighed and took another step when Gloria spoke again. “Come with me instead.”

  Seth stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. “What?”

  Gloria climbed to her feet and brushed her dress off. “Come with me to Westfjord.”

  He frowned and turned back. “Why?”

  Gloria met Seth’s eyes. “There’s a temple to Crim there,” she narrowed her eyes and gazed at the ice scars on his arm. “Something doesn’t feel right about this. We should find out who that woman is and a temple is the best place to get answers.”

  We? Fear ran through Seth, and he shook his head. “Oh, no, no! I’m not doing that! I don’t know how many more assassins are coming! I’m not going to you in that kind of danger!”

  Gloria’s eyes blazed. “I don’t care!”

  “Well, I do!” Seth snapped. “And I’m not doing that to you!”

  “And I don’t want you to be anyone’s puppet!” Gloria burst. “I care about-!” she stopped abruptly and looked away from him, tugging on her hair. Seth blinked; her abrupt stop surprised him. What was she going to say?

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  “No one deserves to be treated that way,” she finished quietly.

  Then she sighed and looked up at Seth. “I’ll make you a deal: Come with me to Westfjord. Then, if after you’ve seen a priest, you still want to go north alone, you can do that, and I…” Gloria paused. “I will go home…I promise.”

  Seth looked behind him at the pass and shifted uncomfortably. She was in danger every second she spent with him. This is my problem and mine alone, he thought. What right do I have to put her life at risk?

  Seth eyed one of his glowing scars. Something did seem off; he had been so desperate to live again that he didn’t think things through. Who was she? He had the feeling he had been chosen for something – But what? And Why? Why did she refuse to say her name? The ice woman flashed into Seth’s mind and smiled coyly at him, before disappearing into the depths of his mind. He shuddered. Getting answers might be a good idea.

  He glanced at Gloria; The rising sun began to halo around her fiery red curls and he stared into her eyes, conflicted. But she stayed with me all night. She could’ve gone home, and left me to fend for myself… but she didn’t. Something twisted in Seth’s gut, and he tore his eyes away. I’m not sure I would’ve stayed…

  “Alright,” Seth looked up at her again. “We can go to Westfjord together,” he pointed a stern finger at her. “But after we talk to a priest, I’m leaving,” he softened his voice. “It’s best for everyone that way.”

  Gloria swallowed and smiled sadly. She nodded. “Of course, I understand.”

  Images of the previous night burned in Gloria’s mind as she stamped out the fire. The sound of Seth’s final breath echoed in her mind, and the way those black eyes bored through her made her shudder. Who is she?

  Gloria glanced over her shoulder at Seth who folded his blanket and put it into his bag. Her gaze rested on the pulsing glowing scars. She bit her lip; she had so many questions. Who was Lord Ember? Why did he want a humble locksmith dead? What is Seth hiding?

  Seth looked up and met her gaze for a moment. Gloria stared into his brilliant blue eyes and swallowed back a lump. She couldn’t believe she’d suggested they go to Westfjord. She’d never left home before! But she’d been so desperate to stop Seth from leaving, that the words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them.

  If I leave, I’ll never be able to go home again…she shuddered. Father’s punishment would be vicious… Seth looked away and continued collecting his things. Gloria watched him a moment longer. But I don’t want to lose him….

  Then that old, damned proverb sprang to her mind. If you love something, set it free. Gloria pursed her lips and kicked the ashes hard. That was stupid; She of all people knew that wasn’t true. Once someone leaves, Gloria thought bitterly. They don’t come back; No matter how long you wait.

  She looked out over the plains – The rising sun made the tall grass look like gold. No, I can’t take that chance. A chilled breeze rippled the golden grass and Gloria shivered; It was cold for a spring morning.

  Gloria heard Seth sigh. She turned back to him; Seth slung his bag over his shoulder and an ordinary grey shirt replaced his tattered tunic. “I’m ready,” he said. “I assume we need to head back so you can grab some things from home?”

  Gloria’s heart froze. She’d been out all night! Father and Shreen were going to be furious. They would demand answers, and there would be swift punishment. Gloria held herself anxiously and looked east. We could just leave now! she thought. I could avoid the whole thing!

  “Gloria?” Gloria jumped a little and whipped her head back to Seth who furrowed his brows at her. “Are you alright?”

  Gloria quickly nodded. “Sorry, just lost in thought.” She looked down at her torn dress and gulped. As tempting as it was, she couldn’t leave this unprepared, it would be unwise. She needed clothes, food, water…

  I have to go back, she bit her lip and glanced back towards Northhorn. Maybe they’ll still be asleep. They usually stay late at the dances… she clenched her dress nervously. Oh Crim, I hope so.

  She slowly looked back at Seth and forced a smile. “We probably should go back, unless you want to share clothes.” Seth gave a hint of a smile and chuckled a little. A little twinkle sparkled in his eye and Gloria’s smile became genuine. The air between them became a little less strained.

  Gloria looked at the scars on his arm and grimaced. “You may want to hide those scars.”

  Seth looked at his arm. “You’re right,” he agreed. “I don’t want anyone to freak out.” He pulled off his bag and rummaged through it. “Damn it,” he sighed. “I forgot my coat and I don’t have anything long-sleeved.”

  “Do we need to swing by the Twin Hammers?”

  Seth’s face paled and he shook his head. “No, it would be too complicated to go back.”

  Gloria wracked her brain, and then an idea came to her: “Rip up the tunic you wore last night. You can’t wear it anyway, and if anyone asks, you could say that you got hurt.”

  “Good idea,” Seth pulled the ragged tunic out of his bag and ripped it into strips. He took a strip and struggled to tie it around his arm.

  Gloria watched him for a moment, then stepped forward. “Here, let me help you,” she reached out to the fabric from his hand. Seth hesitated and gripped the fabric tight. Gloria looked up at him. His eyes shook anxiously. “Please,” Gloria gently insisted.

  Seth held back a moment longer, then he relented and handed Gloria the fabric strip. She took it and tied it around a scar, then held her hand out for another strip. Seth handed her another and she tied it around another glowing scar. Together, they covered the glowing scars under the navy-blue fabric.

  Gloria sighed and stood back looking at their work. “There!” she smiled at Seth. “Now I think we’re ready to head back to town.”

  Seth rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “Do you know how to get there? My memory of last night is a little fuzzy. I don’t remember how to get back.”

  Gloria smiled. “Don’t worry, I know the way back. Follow me!” She stepped into the grass and reached out. Please guide me home. The grass rustled quietly in response and Gloria followed their subtle path. Seth followed behind her and the two hurried back to Northhorn.

  Gloria’s heart pounded with each step that brought her closer to home. Please be asleep! she prayed fervently.

  She swallowed and wiped sweaty palms on her dirty, ripped dress. What if he was awake? What if Father was waiting for her when she got home? Dozens of scenarios played out in Gloria’s mind, each one more horrible than the last.

  Oh Crim… Gloria begged. Please!

  Seth followed Gloria through the grass back to Northhorn. She didn’t stop until she reached an alley. She shook nervously and pointed. “My father’s house is just through there,” she glanced from side to side, then darted from the grass into the alley. Seth did the same and followed her down the quiet alley.

  Seth frowned as he watched Gloria. Her steps seemed to get shakier, the further down the alley they went. Something didn’t feel right. He jogged to catch up to her and peered at her face. “Are you okay?”

  Gloria ignored him and continued down the alley until she stopped at the back of a white house, her face was pale, and her eyes were glassy. Seth looked from the house to Gloria. “Is this where you live?”

  She didn’t look at him, she just nodded and swallowed. Then she blinked and shook her head. “Wait here,” she said climbing the steps, “I should only be a few minutes.” she snagged a key from the top ledge of the door, unlocked it, then crept inside, closing the door softly behind her.

  Seth stood awkwardly in the alley. He glanced around him, then walked over to sit on Gloria’s steps. He folded his arms and glimpsed the fabric bandages Gloria had tied on him. Seth smiled a little, the gesture was kind, and he felt…cared for. There was a slight warmth in his chest, but Seth quickly shook his head. Don’t get attached, he told himself. You’re parting ways as soon as you get answers in Westfjord.

  Seth sat back and waited patiently, then through the gap between the houses, Seth heard two voices passing by on the street. He recognized them – Bhaldran and Frenda.

  “When I find that boy, I’m gonna to hang him in the village square!” Bhaldran swore. Seth slid away and inch on the back step, as though it would hide him from Bhaldran’s wrath.

  “Now Bhaldran, we don’t know what happened,” Frenda answered. “Seth’s not the kinda boy to get into trouble.”

  “Are ya sure about that?” Bhaldran retorted. “There’s a dead man in our guest room and he almost burned down The Twin Hammers!”

  Guilt punched Seth in the gut and he looked towards the gap. I did? I didn’t mean to do that! Then he stared at the ground trying to remember. How did I do that?

  “I mean, how much do we really know about him?” Bhaldran raged on. “He comes from nowhere, calls nowhere home. He doesn’t talk about his family or life before Northhorn,” Bhaldran growled. “The boy’s always so damned guarded! At the time I didn’t care – he did his job and did it well, but now I wonder if he was running from some kind of trouble.”

  “If he was,” Frenda replied, softly. “I’m sure Seth has his reasons.”

  “Ya baby him too much, Frenda!” Bhaldran burst. “He’s not yer son; Hundar was, not Seth. Don’t forget that.”

  Seth stopped eavesdropping and looked at the ground in shame. He never should’ve gone to the maydance. But if he had, then that assassin in his room, probably would’ve gotten him. I’m sorry Frenda… he thought. I wish I could tell you…but I can’t. Especially not now. Bhaldran and Frenda passed on and the alley was quiet once more.

  Seth tapped his foot on the step and glanced behind him at the kitchen door. He furrowed his brows. Gloria’s taking a long time to get her things. What could be keeping her? Then he shook his head at himself. She has family here, you idiot. She’s probably saying goodbye.

  Seth laid his head back and looked up at the morning sky. I wish I could’ve said goodbye to my family… He sighed and watched the clouds. Just then, he heard a loud smack, Seth started and looked around. What was that? Then, Seth heard shouting from inside Gloria’s house.