The men who walked into the cottage did not look like soldiers.
They were really quiet.
Soldiers usually make a lot of noise when they arrive. These men were different. They moved slowly and carefully like they did not want to be heard. Their cloaks were a color, not quite black and not quite grey. It was a color that seemed to soak up the light in the room. Under their cloaks you could see hints of metal that caught the light from the lantern. It looked like they were wearing armor. It was not shiny like you would expect.
Royal Reapers.
Elara had heard people talk about the Royal Reapers before. They always spoke in hushed tones. Stopped talking when someone else came near. People did not talk about the Royal Reapers like they were people. More like something that was going to happen like a storm or a drought.
The man at the front of the group stepped forward enough to get inside the cottage. His face was still partially hidden by his hood. You could see his eyes. They were calm. Did not seem to be in a hurry.
"So " he said, his voice calm and steady "this is the girl."
Brom did not say anything away. He stood off to the side now not blocking the door anymore. His body was stiff like he was waiting for something to happen. It was not like he was trying to be brave or anything it was more like he had already given up.
Elara noticed some things. Broms hands were still at his sides. He was not looking at her. It was like he had already made up his mind about what was going to happen.
Elspeth on the hand was really nervous. She was fidgeting with her dress. Her eyes kept going back and forth between Elara and the men at the door. It was like she was looking for a way to stop what was happening.
The Royal Reapers eyes looked at Elara.
He did not seem surprised or curious. He just looked at her like he was checking to see if she was the person.
"Show me your wrist " he said.
It was a request but it sounded really serious.
Elara did not move.
For a moment it felt like the whole room was waiting for her to do something. The air felt thick like it was hard to breathe.
She could feel Brom watching her. He was not trying to tell her what to do. It was more like he was warning her to be careful.
Elara looked down at her sleeve.
The Mark on her wrist was warm like it was alive. She could feel it clearly now like it was trying to tell her something.
Slowly she lifted her hand.
Not because she was trying to obey the Royal Reaper. Because she wanted to.
She pushed her sleeve back enough to show the Mark. It looked like it was moving, like it was alive under her skin.
The Royal Reaper stepped closer.
He did not touch her he just looked.
For a moment the room was silent.
Then he nodded, once.
"Genuine " he said.
The word hung in the air like it was important.
Behind him one of the men moved slightly like he was getting ready for something.. He did not say anything.
Elspeth let out a breath. "You see she's what you need."
Elara looked at her. She did not say anything.
The Royal Reaper was still looking at the Mark. "You've kept her hidden for a time " he said. "Most people would have turned her in by now."
Broms voice was tight. "Things changed."
The Royal Reaper thought about that for a moment.
" Course they did " he said finally.
He looked up at Elaras face.
"You know what you are?" he asked.
It was not like he was really asking, it was more like he was stating a fact.
Elara looked him in the eye.
"I know enough " she said.
The Royal Reaper seemed to accept that.
"That will have to be enough " he said.
The men behind him moved slightly like they were getting ready to do something. The space in the doorway got a little bigger like they were waiting for something to happen.
Elara felt a change inside her.
This was it the moment when everything would change.
She looked at Brom and Elspeth. They did not say anything.
They did not try to stop what was happening.
Something inside Elara felt clear like she knew what she had to do.
Not because she was angry or sad. Because she was ready.
The Mark on her wrist started burning stronger this time.
The voice came back.
> "Now."
It was not like the voice was suggesting something it was more like it was telling her what to do.
Elara took a breath and the air felt sharp in her lungs.
She looked at the space behind the Royal Reaper, the gap between the men, at the door.
She could see the grey light from outside. She knew what she had to do.
The Royal Reaper seemed to sense that she was going to do something.
His eyes narrowed slightly. He did not move yet.
"Come " he said, his voice still calm. "There's no reason to make this difficult."
Elara looked at him. For a moment she almost smiled.
Not because she was happy. Because she was sure of what she was going to do.
"I know " she said quietly.
Elara moved toward the lantern.
Her hand hit it in one motion knocking it to the floor before anyone could react. The glass. The flame spread fast catching the dry scraps on the floor. The fire moved quickly burning the wood with an intensity.
For a moment nobody moved.
Then the room erupted into chaos.
One of the Reapers stepped forward his eyes fixed on the flames as they climbed the wall. Another Reaper blocked the door stopping anyone from leaving of going after Elara.
This pause was all Elara needed.
She slipped past the table moving quickly but staying in control and made her way to the space beside the door. The Reaper closest to her reached out. She dodged him easily.
The heat in the room rose fast making it hard to breathe and the smell of burning herbs and old wood filled the air. Smoke curled up making it hard to see.
Elspeth shouted Elaras name, her voice sharp with fear and regret.
Elara did not look back.
She was already at the door.
The Reaper in front of her tried to stop her. Elara was ready. She dropped down low. Slipped past him the rough wood scraping her skin.
For a moment his cold cloak touched her arm.
It was unnaturally cold.
Then she was outside.
The cold air hit her like a slap.
It was sharp and alive a change from the hot air she left behind.
Elara did not stop moving.
The ground beneath her feet crumbled as she ran and ash flew everywhere. The forest was in front of her its bare trees stretching out into the grey distance quiet and waiting.
Behind her the Reapers gave orders.
"Secure the area " they said.
"Do not let her get to the line."
They were not shouting.
They did not need to.
Their calm voices were scarier.
Elara kept running, her breath steady.
She did not waste energy on panic.
Every step was on purpose and she never moved in a line.
The Mark on her wrist burned stronger now almost guiding her.
A voice spoke to her quiet and beneath her thoughts.
"They are faster than you " it said.
"I know " Elara replied.
The voice asked, "Then why run?"
Elara looked ahead scanning the trees and the land.
She knew this place better than anyone.
"They do not " she said quietly.
Behind her she heard the Reapers coming.
Their footsteps were. Getting closer.
The forest got denser as Elara moved deeper the air getting colder.
She slowed down. Not because she was tired.
She stopped for a moment long enough.
The ground beneath her feet felt thin and fragile.
The Mark on her wrist pulsed, bright and eager.
The voice did not speak this time.
It did not need to.
Elara turned, enough to see the first Reaper coming between the trees.
He moved without hesitation his eyes fixed on her.
Elara exhaled slowly.
Then she put her palm on the ground.
The world responded, not loudly, but definitely.
The ground beneath the Reapers feet gave way. He staggered.
Elara pulled her hand back standing up smoothly as the ground settled again.
Her heart beat now not from fear but from anticipation.
She looked at the Reaper and, for the time she understood something clearly.
They were hunting her. They were not the only ones who could take.