Moonbound Fate
chapter 1
The sun slowly sank toward the horizon, its light thinning between the trees until the forest grew deeper, quieter, as though holding its breath.
At last, the leg gave out.
The great beast tried once more, then stilled, a soft, pained huff escaping him.
A warm hand came down on his neck, steady and gentle.
Maynard Valemont
That’s enough.
Maynard Valemont
You’ve done well. Let’s rest.
He stood tall beside the wounded beast, broad shoulders outlined by the dying sun, a sword resting at his hip as though it belonged there.
He spoke to his horse as if he were another man, disbelief softening his voice as he muttered that he still could not understand how they had managed to lose their way in this forest.
The horse huffed again, indignant, as if to say "This is your fault."
Maynard laughed knowingly.
Maynard Valemont
Alright, alright. I’m sorry.
He said, lifting his hands in surrender.
Maynard Valemont
But I swear the deer ran this way.
When he crouched to inspect the injury, his expression darkened.
The leg was swollen beneath his fingers. He pressed his palm there gently, then straightened, resolve settling into his bones.
Maynard Valemont
Stay here. *quietly* I’ll find us somewhere safe.
He moved through the trees, boots soundless against the earth, until a soft murmur reached his ears.
A narrow stream revealed itself ahead, clear and shimmering, winding through the forest like a silver thread.
The air around it felt different—cooler, almost unreal.
Without realizing it, Maynard followed the stream deeper into the woods.
chapter 2
Salvius adjusted his grip on the wooden basket, his fingers still dusted with earth.
Inside lay a modest gathering—herbs, strips of bark, a handful of seeds—each carefully chosen, each with a purpose he knew by heart.
He peered into it for a moment, then let out a slow breath.
He murmured to himself, a faint smile touching his lips.
Enough was something he had learned to be grateful for.
The forest stretched around him, familiar and welcoming.
For the past few years, it had been his quiet companion, his refuge, his playground.
He knew its paths as one knew the lines of one’s own palm—every bend, every hidden turn, every place where the light filtered just right through the leaves.
Salvius
That will be all for today.
As he turned toward home, his gaze dropped to his feet.
Dirt clung to his boots, warmth rising uncomfortably from the long hours spent walking.
With a small sigh, he altered his path toward the nearby stream.
Reaching the water’s edge, Salvius set the basket down with care.
He removed his boots and knelt, first rinsing the dirt from his hands, then cupping the clear water to splash lightly against his face.
He said under his breath, eyes closing for a brief moment.
He stepped down to the stream, lowering himself onto a smooth stone, and let his feet sink into the cool current.
The ache eased at once, tension draining from his body as the water flowed around his ankles.
Salvius breathed out, slow and content, unaware that the forest was no longer as empty as it had been moments before.
YaoiLover(Author)
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YaoiLover(Author)
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chapter 3
Maynard continued along the stream, its quiet murmur guiding his steps.
Leaves gathered thick upon the path; he brushed them aside as he went—then halted.
There, upon a smooth stone at the water’s edge, sat a boy.
His feet were submerged in the stream, pale against the clear current.
Drops of water slid down from his face, catching briefly at the tips of his lashes before falling.
His dark bangs were damp, clinging softly to his forehead, and the last light of the setting sun bathed him in gold.
He was certain of it—during all his wandering through the forest with Gabriel, he had seen no sign of another soul. No tracks. No smoke. No shelter.
Maynard Valemont
💭A fairy.💭
The thought rose unbidden.
Maynard Valemont
💭Perhaps one of the forest itself.💭
The boy had not yet noticed him.
Maynard found himself moving closer, careful, unhurried—until his boot brushed against a fallen twig. It snapped, sharp in the quiet.
At once, the boy’s head snapped up.
In a heartbeat, he drew his feet from the water, seized his boots and basket, and turned to flee.
He reached out and caught the boy by the arm, fingers closing firmly around slender flesh before he could escape.
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