Forest of Ruin (Age of Legends 3)

She scrambled to her feet without finishing. When he grabbed her arm, she tried to wrench away, but his grip tightened.

"Yes," he said as he fought to hold her still. "It is the children."

"How can you be so--?" She broke off with a sharp shake of her head. "Of course you can. You didn't care about anyone in that--"

"I care about you, Keeper," he said, his voice chilling. "I'll not let you run blindly into danger. Yes, I do not feel for the children of Edgewood as you do. They grew up with you, and you with them. They adored you, and you them, however much you pretended otherwise. That does not mean I fail to feel compassion for their situation. I want them free as soon as the safe opportunity presents itself. Safe to them and, moreover, safe to you."

He released her. "You have accused me of paying no attention to those in Edgewood. That is correct. I did not because I knew I must betray my post, and could not afford to form attachments. Which is why I rebuffed all attempts at friendship. Even yours." He adjusted his sword as he knelt to look out and then mumbled, "Especially yours. It was difficult to be cold toward people who were kind to me. If you condemn me for that, then I'd ask you do so once, thoroughly, and be done with the constant reminders."

"I do not mean--"

"You do not mean to be cruel. I know. But now we have another task. Rescuing your village's children."

"It is them."

An annoyed look. "Have we not ascertained that?"

"It's just . . ." Tears prickled. "I wanted to search for them. I always wanted to be searching, but then other things would arise, and I would feel so guilty, Gavril. So blasted guilty."

"Don't cry."

"I'm not--"

He moved closer and put an awkward arm around her. "You've found them, Moria. They will not wonder why you didn't come sooner--they will only be happy that you've come."

She leaned against his shoulder, letting the silent tears fall onto his tunic. He stiffened, and she was about to back away, but he tightened his arm around her, still awkward, mumbled equally awkward words of comfort until a voice said, "What happened?" and Gavril pulled back so fast that Moria would have tumbled face-first onto the ground if Tyrus hadn't caught her.

"Moria?" Tyrus said, his eyes widening as he saw her tears. She started to speak, but he pulled her against him, and she buried her face in his shoulder as he said, "Gavril? What happened?"

"She's upset. And happy, I think. But also upset. She . . . was . . . crying."

"I can see that. Again, what happened?"

Moria pulled back and wiped her eyes. "It isn't the shadow stalker camp. It's the children."

"Wh-what?"

She stepped away. "The children. Of Edgewood and perhaps Fairview and Northpond. I heard a boy I recognized and Gavril did, too. It's them. It's truly them."

Tyrus looked toward the camp, rising, his hand going to his sword pommel. Gavril grabbed and yanked him down.

"Apparently this is why you two need me here," Gavril said. "So you don't run headlong to your deaths. Yes, the children are there. Yes, we are obviously going to rescue them . . . if such a thing is possible. And if it is not, then we will return with aid."

Tyrus looked at Moria and broke into a broad grin. "It's the children. You found them."

"Yes," Gavril said impatiently. "I believe that has been acknowledged--"

Tyrus threw his arms around her neck and hugged her, whispering, "I'm so glad. For them and for you, Moria." He grinned down at her, and it was a breathtaking grin, as if the children were from his own village, as if it did not matter that he knew them not at all. What mattered was what they meant to her. And she loved him for that. She truly did, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as she could.

Behind them, Gavril sighed. "I thought you were in a hurry."

"Yes, yes," Tyrus said. "Stop grumbling and give us a heartbeat to enjoy the moment, Gavril." One last hug, then, "There. We're done. Now . . ."

"What did you see, Tyrus? From your position?"

"I couldn't get close enough to see or hear, but I did spot a wagon leaving. I was coming to suggest we waylay it to determine the exact nature of the camp, but now that we know it, clearly we must--"

Gavril grabbed Tyrus's arm when he started rising again.