Page 101 of The Hawkes

A crowd stood at the side of a field, all grinning. Sage recognized many of the faces as people from the town as they stepped aside to let her and Marcus pass.

“Hold your hand up,” Raven’s voice instructed.

Sage and Marcus halted beside Landyn. He stood with his hands on his hips in silent appraisal. Sage studied the field where a group of children lined up before Raven, each gripping a tree branch.

“Place your foot before you, so you don’t lose your balance,” Raven instructed.

For an instant, Sage was transported back to her childhood. She recalled her father giving her the exact same instruction and a lump formed in her throat.

“When I strike your stick, you’ll see why.” Raven struck the first boy’s stick with her own. The child teetered sideways. Raven steadied him with a hand on his shoulder. “You see?”

Just like their father.

“Hit mine!” the children roared. “Hit mine!”

Unlike Sage and Willow, Raven had always been the only one who wanted to master sword fighting. She had always been entranced by the perfect balance of strength and agility needed to defeat an adversary.

Sage tilted her head as the crowd about her laughed and slowly disbursed. They had become trusted members of the village. A small smile emerged on her lips as she watched Raven instruct the children, feeling a warmth rise in her chest.

Raven had finally found her place. They all had.

Marcus put an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss against her temple. This was the place they had all been searching for, their perfect paradise. She shifted her gaze to the horizon, above the long weeds, over the tops of the tall trees, and smiled secretively. But she would never discount the allure of another adventure.

The End