The night wrapped the hill in darkness. The only light came from the moon, but it was faint. In a few days, the new moon would arrive. The sounds of cicadas and footsteps were the only noises in the quiet, lonely place.
Aria smiled wide when she saw a firefly flying near her. It was so beautiful.
She had never been on the hill at night before. She didn't know how peaceful and lovely it could be.
Rayan glanced at her now and then.
He walked behind her, while Tristan went ahead.
"Careful, Aria!" Rayan whispered when he saw the uneven ground ahead.
Aria stopped and looked at him with questioning eyes.
Without saying a word, Rayan took her hand and helped her walk carefully across the rough path.
It was cold. Before letting go, Rayan looked at her to make sure she wasn't too cold.
Tristan saw this and quickly looked away. Watching his master care for someone like that gave him chills.
He had been against Aria coming with them. But his master thought it was not safe to leave her alone in the hut.
When they reached the top of the hill, Tristan found two rocks while Rayan picked up a dry wooden branch.
Aria watched them quietly, curious.
Tristan lit the fire first, then Rayan used it to light the dry branch.
Tristan climbed to the highest point and waved the burning branch in the air as high as he could.
He kept waving for almost half an hour before finally stopping.
As he put down the branch, Tristan sighed deeply, full of worry.
There was no way to know if the other knights had seen the signal.
Lenn was their only hope. If Lenn saw the fire, he would tell the others, and they could slowly gather.
They needed to come together before continuing their journey.
"If this doesn't work, we'll find another way," Rayan said calmly.
Tristan smiled. With his master by his side, there was no need to fear.
Suddenly, Rayan shouted, "Aria!"
Tristan's hand flew to his sword. He saw a wolf growling at them.
Rayan pushed Aria behind him, his eyes cold and deadly as he stared down the fierce animal.
Slowly, he drew a dagger from his sleeve.
The wolf lunged.
"Rayan!"
"My Lord!"
Two voices shouted at once. Aria, confused by the sudden fight, and Tristan, afraid for his master.
Rayan struggled with the wolf. When it scratched his chest, Tristan stepped forward—but then stepped back as Rayan twisted the fight and stabbed the wolf's paw.
Aria shouted sharply, "Na!" (No!)
Surprisingly, the wolf stopped.
Rayan was on the ground, dagger just inches from the wolf's eye.
The wolf slowly stepped back and turned toward Aria.
Rayan looked confused. Tristan was shocked.
The wolf whimpered at Aria.
She looked angry and said sharply, "Jao!" (Go!)
The wolf turned and walked away.
Tristan stared at her, amazed. Had he heard right? The wolf listened to her!
Rayan was surprised for a moment but quickly calmed.
He remembered how Aria had talked to birds on the hill before. Maybe it was because she had lived here so long.
Still, deep down, he knew he was avoiding the real truth.
How long could he run from it?
He hissed sharply, trying to stand.
Aria and Tristan hurried to him, worry in their eyes.
"My Lord!" Tristan said, seeing blood stain Rayan's clothes.
"I'm fine," Rayan said, but Tristan looked angry.
"I should have killed it."
"Rayan!" Aria whispered, stepping closer.
She looked at the wound and then at his face, growing pale by the second.
He was bleeding.
Maybe an old injury had opened again.
Tristan took charge. He helped Rayan put his arm around his shoulder and began walking down the hill.
Aria followed closely, checking the path ahead.
Tristan glanced at her, unsure what to say.
Rayan's eyes barely stayed open.
Everything was blurry, but the sight of Aria's soft blue dress kept him awake.
By the time they reached the hut, he lost consciousness.
Aria showed Tristan her room.
Tristan carried Rayan inside and laid him on her bed.
Meanwhile, Aria warmed some water.
Tristan carefully cut open Rayan's clothes. His face clouded with worry when he saw the deep wound on his chest.
Aria came in with a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth.
She moved to clean the wound, but Tristan took the cloth from her.
She watched him silently, then left the room.
When she returned, she had a bowl of medicinal paste.
She waited patiently for Tristan to finish cleaning.
Then, as she reached out to apply the paste, Tristan suddenly pushed her hand away.
The bowl fell from her hands onto the floor.