New Plans

After the grueling trials Darius and Elara need a new plan. Daily Flash Fiction Entry

The midday sun bled through the clouds like bruised gold as Elara knelt beside a muddy trail just outside the ruins. Her fingers brushed over a crushed compass emblem; another one of their crew’s, its face cracked, needle long stilled. Behind her, Darius scanned the perimeter, his eyes sharp, jaw clenched.

Kale emerged from the treeline, his cloak soaked and torn, Rockford at his side. The dog bounded toward Elara with a soft whine, tail wagging nervously.

“They were ready for us,” Kale said breathlessly. “Drakon soldiers surrounded the tavern before dawn. I...I managed to slip out through the cellar. Took Rockford with me. The others… they weren’t so lucky.”

Darius swore under his breath, kicking a loose stone that clattered down the path.

Elara stood slowly, her eyes dark. “They did it again.”

Kale looked up at her. “What?”

“Ambush. The same pattern. We move, they follow. Like they already know where we’re going before we do.”

Rockford barked once, pacing in a tight circle before stopping beside a scorched patch of earth. There, half buried beneath the leaves, was the twisted remains of a listening rune; a device used by Drakon spies to track movement and overhear conversations. Elara picked it up and crushed it beneath her boot.

“Someone’s feeding them information,” Darius said grimly. “No way they find us this quickly otherwise.”

“We need a new plan,” Kale said.

Elara nodded. “First, we get our crew back.”

She glanced toward the road, where distant wagon ruts led north; toward another outpost.

“Mountains are rough,” Darius said. “And their prisons are worse.”

Elara smirked, unsheathing her daggers. “Good thing we don’t plan on staying long.”

They moved out, silent shadows beneath a wounded sky; ready to start the fight that would bring their people home.