Fuse by E.L. Todd

Fifteen

“So, what are we doing?”Bridge stood with his arms across his chest in the entryway.

“You and I are going to the coast.” Flare was dressed for the journey. His typical black clothes fit him to a T, and his dark cloak covered his shoulders and chest. He pulled up his hood and obscured his face. “Cora is going to Eden Star.”

“I don’t know how much help I will be,” Bridge said. “If there are beautiful women bathing in the sea, I’ll be too distracted to be of much assistance.”

Flare chuckled. “I’ll make you focus.”

“We don’t know where this island is,” Bridge said. “You want to figure it out when we get there? Sounds reckless.”

“We can’t hide here forever.” Flare’s black sword hung at his side. “And we shouldn’t waste unnecessary time. I can’t stay in one place for too long. They’ll track me down eventually.”

“Who?” Bridge asked.

Flare shrugged. “Everybody.” He pulled a map from his pocket then stared at Cora. “Are you sure you’re up for this? Maybe we should escort you there.”

“That’ll take a whole month out of your journey.” He might be a dragon, but that trip would still be exhausting. “And it’s unnecessary. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m not worried about you being fine,” Flare said. “I’m just worried you might get lost.”

Cora took the map and examined it. “It’s pretty straightforward. It’s almost a straight shot to the hills.”

“Not really.” Flare snatched the map then pointed to the left side of a riverbed. “There’s an orc clan here. Stay away from them. They may be mindless, but they’re strong. They could crush your skull with a simple squeeze.”

“Good to know.” Cora marked the spot with her pen.

“And don’t forget about the poisonous frogs.” Bridge pointed farther up the stream to a small pond. “That stuff can kill you instantly.”

She wasn’t afraid of frogs; that was certain. “Thanks for the heads-up.”

“If they come your way, just run.” Flare marked the map even though it wasn’t necessary. “Even if you stab them with your sword, you risk contracting their poison.”

Would she need to stab a tiny frog? “I think there are far more dangerous creatures than a poisonous frog.”

“Have you seen them?” Bridge gave her an incredulous look. “They’re as big as us. A frog may be a frog, but a gigantic frog is terrifying in my book.”

“As big as us?” She didn’t know that was possible.

“And they jump high,” Flare said. “And I mean, high. If you had to pick an enemy, you’re better off with the orcs than these guys.” He turned back to the map. “Avoid the sandpits here. They’ll pull you under and suffocate you.”

“That sounds like a terrible death.” It was just like drowning.

Flare sucked his inner lip as he moved his gaze to her face. Hesitation shone brighter than the sun. “Maybe I should just come with you. A lot can go wrong on your journey.”

“I’ll be fine. Really.” She could handle herself.

“You almost died last time you went somewhere alone.” Flare would never let her live that down.

“I made a mistake, and I won’t do it again.” How many times did she have to admit he was right? “I’ll keep my head down and just focus on getting there. You have my word.”

“She seems strong enough,” Bridge said. “She’ll be alright.”

Cora gave him a grateful look. “Thank you.”

Flare was still hesitant. “I can’t afford to lose you. You’re one of the few allies I have.”

“You’re overthinking it. You’re just as likely to come to a terrifying death as I am.” He was a dragon after all. The Shamans wanted him more than her.

“I don’t know about that…” He closed the map and folded it. “After the sandpits, it should be an easy road.”

“How will I know if I’ve reached their land?” Cora asked.

“They’ll see you before you see them,” Bridge said. “And they’ll approach you or shoot you down where you stand.”

That was a little terrifying. “Should I hold up a white flag or something?”

“No,” Flare answered. “Just look harmless. Sheath your sword and stash away your bow. It’s important not to alarm them.”

On the surface, she looked like easy prey, so that shouldn’t be hard to accomplish.

“And finally,” Flare said, “stay hidden at all times. Don’t go into any villages or towns. You understand?”

She hated it when people spoke to her like she was an idiot. “Yes, I understand, asshole.”

Bridge chuckled. “Don’t use that language with the elves. They won’t like it much.”

“Well, they aren’t going to like me much either.” It didn’t matter who she was speaking to. If they were rude to her, she’d be rude back. “Where do we meet when we’re finished?” They couldn’t return to this house.

Flare rubbed his chin as he searched his mind for a good place. “Do you remember the place by the river? Where you healed my wing?”

“Yes.” It was close to home.

“Do you know how to get there?”

“Yes.” She grabbed the map from his hands. “I can figure it out.”

“That will be the rendezvous point,” Flare said. “And hopefully, there will be others among us when we do meet.”

Dragons, specifically. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Alright.” Flare watched her with concern in his eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this? If the road gets difficult, you won’t be able to change your mind.”

“I’m sure.” A little danger didn’t scare her.

Flare was silent for a few moments, giving her the opportunity to really think it over.

She rolled her eyes. “Let’s hit the road. The sun is about to come up.”

* * *

They snuck out of the city and entered the wilderness. Once they were a league away from unfriendly eyes, they stopped.

Cora pulled out her map. “Alright. I’m headed this way.” Her journey would take much longer than Flare’s since they were already near the coast. But then again, if he had to sail across the sea, he might be gone for a long time. She folded the map and stuck it in her pocket. “I guess I’ll see you guys later.” She kept the farewell light because it was too difficult to say how she really felt. Despite his harsh demeanor, Flare had become a close friend. She couldn’t return to her village and see her friends and family again, so he was the only comfort she had. Even though she hadn’t known Bridge as long, she felt the same way toward him. The possibility of never seeing them again saddened her heart.

“Yes.” Bridge gripped both of her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. “Later.” He embraced her with a pat on the back. “You better bring us some elven treats when you do.”

He was attempting to cheer her up, and she smiled in gratitude. “I’ll try.”

He gave her another pat before he stepped back.

Flare stared at her without moving, his arms hanging by his sides.

She knew he wouldn’t hug her. It simply wasn’t something he did. The kiss they’d shared the other night was random and full of lust. She wasn’t interested in that. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah.” He gave a slight nod, his face barely visible behind his hood. “I’m sure you will.”

Now that she was about to turn around and walk the opposite way, fear gripped her by the throat. She tried to combat it and keep her head held high, but it was a struggle.

Flare was the first one to step back. “Good luck, Cora.” He turned around and walked off, Bridge following him a moment later. Their backs receded into the distance, their powerful shoulders slowly disappearing from sight as they departed. When their outlines were no longer visible, she knew they were really gone.

She turned around and stared at the terrain before her feet. The whole world was out there, waiting for her to pass through. The month would be long without any companionship, and the road would be difficult, pushing Cora to her limit.

But that didn’t stop her from taking the first step.