Hidden Pathways (BOOK 1)

Shadow Reckoning - Chapter 96

The sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the arrival of nightfall, the fishermen and hunters put the finishing touches on the boats they had been tirelessly constructing for what felt like an eternity.

"Finally!" exclaimed Lyra, her voice filled with relief and excitement. "It's been too long – nearly two and a half weeks of hard work. But now, we're ready to set sail!"

With a chorus of cheers and laughter, Seraphina, Lyra, and the rest of the group celebrated their accomplishment, their fatigue momentarily forgotten in the joy of the moment.

However, their jubilation was short-lived as dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead, and the gentle patter of rain soon turned into a downpour.

"Looks like sailing will have to wait," Seraphina remarked, her voice tinged with concern as she glanced up at the stormy sky.

Lyra nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Indeed. With the rain intensifying, it's too risky to venture out onto the open sea. We'll have to wait it out here on the shore."

Addressing the group, Lyra called out, "Everyone, hold off on sailing for now. We'll stay put and wait for the rain to pass. It's not safe to brave the rough waves and strong currents – especially with the added influence of the full moon."

Acknowledging the plan, Seraphina replied, "Got it."

With that, the group settled in for the night, seeking shelter from the rain as they patiently waited for dawn to break and the storm to subside, eager to embark on their long-awaited journey as soon as the weather permitted.

"Seems like the rain's coming down pretty hard, doesn't it, Yzavynne?" Kazaks remarked softly, settling beside her as they huddled beneath the shelter of a towel to shield themselves from the downpour.

"Yeah," Yzavynne replied, her voice barely above a whisper, the sound of raindrops pattering against the fabric surrounding them.

Kazaks turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, his thoughts drifting to their upcoming journey. "I'm hopeful that we'll make it to Ember Wind village without any trouble," he murmured, his tone infused with a quiet confidence.

"Me too," Yzavynne responded, her words filled with assurance, despite the uncertainty of their path ahead.

"Hey, Yzavynne," Kazaks began, breaking the peaceful silence that enveloped them.

"Hmm? What's on your mind?" Yzavynne responded, turning her attention to him.

"I was thinking about what Captain Zach mentioned before. What do you plan for the future?" Kazaks said, his voice gentle with curiosity.

Yzavynne paused, contemplating his question for a moment before replying, "Well, my plans for the future might sound simple, but they're deeply meaningful to me."

She continued, her tone soft and contemplative, "I hope to live as a decent woman, finding happiness in the simple joys of life. And eventually, I hope to find a man whom I can love and build a life with, someone I can share my dreams and aspirations with."

"And what dreams might those be?" Kazaks inquired, his interest piqued.

Yzavynne smiled, her eyes glimmering with hope as she spoke, "I dream of starting a family one day, of becoming a mother and experiencing the joy of raising children. In fact, I've always imagined having five children of my own."

"Five? That sounds like quite a handful," Kazaks remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"It may seem like a lot, but to me, it feels just right," Yzavynne replied, her expression earnest. "Growing up, my grandmother cared for me and five other orphaned children. She showed me that love knows no bounds and that with dedication and compassion, anything is possible."

Kazaks smiled warmly at her words, a sense of admiration evident in his gaze. "Your dream is truly beautiful, Yzavynne," he said softly. "I have no doubt that you'll make an incredible wife and mother one day."

Yzavynne replied, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "It's something I've held dear to my heart for as long as I can remember."

Kazaks's gaze drifted downward, a subtle shift that didn't escape Yzavynne's notice.

"What is it?" she inquired gently, her voice laced with concern.

"It's nothing, really," Kazaks replied, though his tone hinted at a deeper turmoil.

Yzavynne observed him for a brief moment, sensing the weight of unspoken thoughts lingering in the air. With a steadying breath, she made a decision.

"You know, Kazaks," she began, her voice soft yet resolute, "you're the one I envision my future with."

Kazaks's eyes widened in astonishment, caught off guard by her confession.

"M-me?" he stammered, his disbelief palpable.

"Yes, you," Yzavynne affirmed, her tone unwavering. "Don't you see? You're the man I want by my side, now and in the days to come."

A hint of uncertainty flickered across Kazaks's features, prompting Yzavynne to address his unspoken concerns.

"Is that something you want too, Kazaks?" she asked, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "Or do your dreams for the future exclude me from them?"

A smile played at the corners of Kazaks's lips, warmth flooding his expression as he found his voice.

"Yzavynne, of course I want it," he replied earnestly, his eyes meeting hers with unwavering sincerity. "I want nothing more than to build a future with you, to share my dreams and aspirations with the woman I love."

Kazaks, his gaze still fixed on the ground, felt a surge of emotion welling within him at Yzavynne's words.

"You have no idea how much that means to me, Yzavynne," he admitted, his voice laden with sincerity. "To know that you see a future with me, it's... it's everything I've ever wanted."

Yzavynne reached out, her hand finding his and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I've always admired your strength, Kazaks," she said softly. "You've been a pillar of support for everyone, even when you didn't realize it. And now, knowing that I have your support too, it's like... like finding the missing piece of a puzzle."

"Do you want to be the love of my life, Yzavynne?" Kazaks inquired softly, his heart pounding with anticipation.

He continued, his voice trembling slightly with emotion, "I know this might seem sudden, but I need to know."

Yzavynne's eyes widened in surprise, a blush creeping onto her cheeks at Kazaks' earnest question.

"Of course, silly," she replied, her voice filled with affection. "How else are we going to move from being lovers to husband and wife? You're such an idiot..."

Kazaks couldn't help but chuckle at her playful retort, feeling a surge of warmth flood his chest at her response.

"Promise me that we'll make it through this, Kazaks," Yzavynne whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of the wind.

She continued, her words filled with determination and hope, "Promise me that we'll survive together, along with Captain, Ruby, Leeani, Nert, and the others. Promise me that we'll turn our dreams into reality."

Kazaks nodded solemnly, his gaze meeting hers with unwavering resolve.

"I promise," he said, his voice steady despite the weight of their circumstances.