They started out once more as soon as the sky was light. Valanandir’s ankle was stiff, but considerably better than it had been the day before. Although he was still curious about what had happened during the dark hours, he waited for Iadrawyn to bring it up. He didn’t have long to wait.
“One of the searchers last night was my brother, Eranalfia.” Valanandir nodded. The male speaker had named her as his sister.
She took a deep breath and continued. “He was the one who helped me escape. He came to me and warned me what would happen to us if I waited. My father is a councilor. He is always concerned with the opinions of others. I have been an embarrassment for too long with my solitary ways.” Her words were bitter.
“He was the one who interrogated me,” Valanandir said as he made the connection.
“Who, Eranalfia?”
“No, your father.”
Iadrawyn sighed. “At any rate, my father wasn’t going to do anything to help me. He was too concerned with saving his reputation. My other brother, Linlevni, is no better. He wants to follow in my father’s footsteps. My mother does whatever my father asks. She would never do anything against his wishes.”
“And now your other brother is also hunting us. Why would he do that if he helped you escape?”
Iadrawyn shook her head as she walked. “No, he wasn’t hunting us. He was trying to help us.” Iadrawyn saw Valanandir’s look of confusion and continued. “Of all my family, Eranalfia is the only person I have ever allowed near any of my hidden shelters. When we were younger, we would play together here. It’s how I found this place. He knows we’re fleeing the forest, and his tracking skill is only second to my own. He probably got himself assigned to this area on purpose. Didn’t you notice how he was convincing the other elf to give up the search? And the way he was letting us know what was happening back at the village?”
Valanandir thought back to the night before. “You’re right.” He considered the situation further. “Wait. If he is helping us, why didn’t he escape with us?”
“Eranalfia loves the village. As much as he is against what is happening, he didn’t want to leave. He doesn’t understand the allure of being alone and free. He’s not like me. No one is.” Iadrawyn spoke the last statement softly, as if to herself.
Valanandir wished he knew what to say to banish her sorrow. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He knew the words fell short, but they were all he had to offer.
Iadrawyn gave him a small smile. “This is not your fault. It would have happened eventually one way or the other. Keep moving eastward. I’m going to cover our tracks.” She disappeared into the trees, leaving him to continue alone.
Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0) Page 15