Rhylen

I find myself in the stable, readying my horse, tightened the straps and adjusting the saddle. The familiar smell of leather and hay mixed with the cool evening air, grounding me in the moment. It was always a bit of a ritual before a journey, gathering my thoughts, making sure everything was in place. I was enjoying the silence until a sharp voice interrupted it.

"I don't like that we're going to Arion," Thorin muttered, his silhouette framed in the doorway of the stable. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and his gaze was dark, lingering with that same protectiveness he wore for all of us, but it was clear this concern was solely for Harper.

I didn’t look up, focusing instead on securing the last strap of the saddle. "The decision's already been made. We made promises to Ravenhold, and Harper seems fine with it." I couldn’t help but add a bit of edge to my tone, as if to dismiss the conversation altogether.

Thorin scoffed, stepping further into the stall. "She has no idea what he’s capable of. She’s soft, Rhylen. You can tell she’s not built for this."

I couldn’t argue with that, Harper was not the kind of person who could hold her own in a fight. But then again, none of us were born for this life. We were forged by it, in ways we often wished we weren’t.

I pulled on the final strap with a grunt, giving it a satisfying tug. "I know you’ve taken a liking to her," I said, finally looking up at him, "but we barely know her. And I recall telling you not to get attached."

That was the truth. I had seen the way Thorin had started to look at Harper differently, almost protectively. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand, it was in his nature to care, especially for those he considered part of the group, but we didn’t have the luxury of getting distracted.

Before I could say more, Thorin shoved open the stall door and grabbed me by the collar, yanking me up against the wooden wall of the stable. His face was inches from mine, his breath heavy. "I didn’t have such thoughts until you and Arandur put them there," he growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "But I’m also not a monster… I can see she’s a good person."

I smirked, not many get to see Thorin's temper, this was a side of him he likes to keep to himself. "And do you think it wise to assault me? You know I could destroy you."

He held my gaze for a long moment, his jaw clenched. Then, with a grunt, he released me and took a step back, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had come. "Sometimes… you can be a real ass."

I straightened my tunic, brushing off the dust with a sharp exhale. "Tomorrow, I’ll take over Harper’s training," I said, the words slipping out before I’d fully considered them. "That way, you can keep a healthy distance from her until you’ve rid yourself of these… thoughts."

Thorin burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the stable. "I can’t wait to see that," he said, shaking his head. "She’s weak, and you’re impatient. Should be a great time."

Before I could retort, the sound of footsteps approached. Maisie and Harper entered the stable. Harper looked… out of place. Her shoulders were tense, her posture stiff, and the bow slung over her shoulder looked almost too large for her small frame.

Maisie, on the other hand, was her usual self, lively and full of energy. "Hey, boys. You ready for us?" she called, her voice light as she slapped Thorin’s shoulder. He grinned and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

"I’m always ready for you, dear," he said with a grin that softened his features.

Maisie playfully shoved him back, her smile wide. "I did not permit you to place your beard on my beautiful face," she teased.

Their laughter filled the space, but I kept my focus on Harper. She was still fidgeting with the strap of her quiver, her eyes darting nervously as though she wasn’t quite sure where to place herself in all of this. I moved toward her.

"I picked a horse for you," I said, my tone softer now, offering her a break from whatever storm had been brewing in her head. "She’s gentle."

Harper’s eyes widened, and for a moment, the unease in her face softened. "Really?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper. It was as if I had just offered her something she wasn’t sure she could deserve.

I nodded, leading her to the light brown mare standing patiently by the stall. "Wow, she’s beautiful," Harper said, her voice filled with awe. Then, her expression faltered, and she glanced down at the ground. "But… I have to be honest with you, I’ve only ridden a horse once, and it was like a slow walk… on a vacation excursion."

I sighed, already knowing where this was headed. I wasn’t surprised, most people weren’t familiar with horses unless they had a reason to be. But I wasn’t about to leave her to struggle. "Do you need help mounting as well?" I asked, my voice steady.

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she looked up at me with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "Um… yes," she murmured.

I moved closer, securing her belongings and then stepping beside her. "I’m going to lift you up now," I said, my hands settling on her waist. She tensed at first, but I made sure my grip was steady, lifting her effortlessly up onto the saddle. She scrambled slightly to swing her leg over, her fingers clutching the reins with a nervous determination.

"I think I’m okay now," she said, her voice small but steady. I stepped back and looked up at her, making sure she was secure.

"Good," I said, nodding once. "Let’s get going."

As I climbed into my own saddle, the familiar weight of the journey settled over me. Hopefully going to Arion will give us the clues we need to find the man from Earth.