Cynraede plucked the golden arrow from the goblins head, letting it fall to the sandy ground with a wet squish. Several of their corpses had been scattered across the hill, the golden arrows sticking out from their little stumpy bodies. He had realized that Fairlain was skilled with a bow, but never truly understood how much so.
He placed the arrow in the bundle that lay cradled in his arm, moving to the rest of the mangled bodies, noting the rather large gashes across their bodies. It was clear that she had to resort to getting close, a rather deadly mistake.
The sandy dirt blew across the hill, dusting the few clumps of living grass that spotted the other wise desert land. The hunter paused for but a moment as he listened to the soft footsteps that crunched upon the dry earth, turning and looking to the man who stood before him.
He was an older man, clad in a dark cloak and simple clothes, but the look in his eyes seemed familiar, he had seen this man before.
"Can I help you my friend?"
Cynraede asked as he plunked another arrow from the body of a limp goblin, looking curiously to the man. The two stared at each other for a moment before the stranger spoke up.
"I've stood here for several moments and you have yet to wonder about how I even knew you were up here. You're father would have been disapointed, you've gotten soft."
Cynraede scoffed and looked to the man, raising a brow at him as he looked him over.
"You know not my father, so I advise you to not speak of him."
Within the blink of an eye, the man had rushed the hunter, flinging him to the ground as a short bow, nocked with a razor sharp head stood not even two feet from his head as the man looked to him.
"Soft, and weak. Is it that woman Adunabel told me about? The half elf woman?"
Cynraede raised his hands to his side, palms facing upwards as he tried to show the man he meant no harm.
"I do not wish to hurt you, old man. How do you know so much of me? Where did you learn these skills, and more importantly how do you know of Fairlain?"
The man lowered the bow and offered the hunter a hand as he looked up to him, a smile beaming across his face.
"My handsome grandson, do you not remember my face? Do you not recognize my voice? Long,has it been since I have seen you. I'm Aedicus, father of Aeden, I am your grandfather on your mothers side. You do not have time for questions, the half elf, she rode away but I did not hear where to. I will find you again my dear child, fear not. Go now, and know you're not alone."
Cynraede looked to this man, his mouth agape as he grabbed him in a tight bear hug, tears of joy rolling down his face as the two stood there for several moments. The hunter nodded and looked back to the man as he started down the hill before he ran to his horse, sending a questioning look to the stable hand as he muttered quickly.
"Arrowhaven! She went to arrowhaven!"
With a kiss and a gentle nudge, his horse bolted across the dry plains, eager to return home. Hooves pounding the ground hard, echoing along the hills as the two rode out.
Thoughts filled his mind, joy overwhelming him that he was not alone! One of his kin, had survived! He had so many questions, so many things that he wanted to be answered, but he knew it was not the time now. Things had to be said, he could not help but smile as they rode. He stopped and wondered for a moment, thinking of Alkawen. Could she have known, that this man who called himself his grandfather was alive? For many mysteries lie ahead, any only few answers would be found.
He pushed the thoughts away from his mind, still beaming from seeing her. Even covered in mud, her beauty shone through. The cuts and scrapes on her arms would heal, and she had seemed not to have any greater injuries, a good thing for all of goblin kind, genocide would stay its hand this day. He could still feel her arms around him, as if she was still riding behind him, homeward bound.
Much had changed, darkness did not even taint his mind. His heart felt clean, whole and solid. His promise remained true, he made the enemies of the light, fear the dawn once more. He was her messanger, and her words were death to those whom oppose the Order.
