The rogue knight

The horizon remained shrouded in obsidian hues, stars just began to cast their dim glimmers.

The forest was dark, but vibrant streams of light began to follow us.

They swirled and pirouted like playful spirits, illuminating the trees and dark corners of the forest.

I was no stranger to this display, yet it never failed to evoke a sense of wonder.

"Ignore it, Lira." Mother chided.

"Why are they here?"

"Just don't touch them, and they will disappear." she cautioned, echoing the same words spoken each time the lights appeared.

Yet, contrary to the promise, they persisted, even as the biting cold seeped through our clothes.

Even as we arrived at an inn outside the fort, and mother fell asleep in the sanctuary of ivy-colored walls, the lights stood as silent companions beyond the windows, casting a glow that seemed to shine brighter each second.

As I lay, they sat outside as distant orbs, dancing just beyond my reach.

Back in Heatherglenn, the lights had always maintained a respectful distance. There were nights when, from my bedroom window, I would see them shimmer beyond the treetops. Or on days that I would stroll the gardens, they would float over flowers yet refrain from approaching too closely.

I never understood why, and I didn't have the courage to ask mother.

This time they defied their previous tendencies.

They flew so close that I could reach them if I tried.

Unable to sleep, I rested my chin on the windowsill, finally voicing the question that lingered in my thoughts:

"What are you?"

I fixated on them, yearning to feel their warmth. A wild urge gripped me then. Curiosity, perhaps.

But before my fingertips could graze them, they scattered, forming a beckoning trail that seemed to guide me somewhere.

"Wait! Where are you going?" I cried out.

Beside me, mother stirred in her sleep. She never spun tales about myself. Or our kind. Everything I learned came from stolen moments in her study, where hidden volumes held cryptic truths I yearned to comprehend.

The last time I attempted to catch the lights, she punished me severely for it.

What if they never come back?

If I return before she awakened, she would never know I left.

I wouldn't be long.

***

Tables were full of patrons, laughing through pints of ale. Their noises mingled with the group of musicians playing in tbe corner. As I descended, the barmaid's eyes flickered briefly towards me, but made no comment. The memory of how mother slipped extra coins for her secrecy played in my mind. I shouldn't make eye contact.

Pulling the cloak tighter to my face, I followed the direction of the lights.

They led my eyes to a distant path—the very forest we came from. I hesitated on the threshold of the inn. What am I doing? Yet, something resonated deep within me. Its weight beckoned me forward.

"Where are you taking me?" I whispered.

I slipped between towering fir trees. The stillness of the forest broken by the scrunch of dried leaves against my feet. Inhaling deeply, a rich earthy scent lingered in the air, that of damp earth and cool mist.

Once the lights had come to a standstill near a river, they piroueted below my feet, tracing intricate designs along the forest floor, illuminating the moss and fallen leaves with radiance.

As I tried to grasp them, the lights soared skyward, teasingly out of reach. I laughed.

I don't think it would allow me to get close, so for a moment, I only watched. The lights urged me to catch them.

When it perhaps realized I wouldn't fall for its antics, it finally drew near like curious spirits. Their glow casted a halo of radiance. I opened my palms then, and I was surprised to see them nestle gently between my trembling fingers. Their warmth pulsated against my skin. Heart racing, I closed my eyes.

A surge of energy jolted me awake.

A current of electricity passed through my body, igniting every nerve ending with pulsating energy.

The wind grew stronger, blowing my hair across my cheek. Clusters of trees rustled harshly.

I didn't have to see myself to know that something was different. Still, I sat by the river. In the water's gentle current, something bright flickered in my reflection.

What was that?

Only then did I realize it was me.

I was glowing.

My breath quickened.

A soft glow glided across my skin, casting a radiant light that lit me up like the stars in the night sky.

Is this why my mother warned me about them?

I should be guilty for going against her orders. Yet, something else coiled within my chest. As if the lights had woven themselves into the fiber of my being and I couldn't wait to do it again.

The thrill was intoxicating and ended a few moments before a voice echoed in the expanse:

"Who are you?"

Startled, my gaze swiftly shifted, and there by the river's edge, stood a young man. His azure eyes, like slivers of the sky, reflected curiosity as they met mine. Why did I not see him? How much did he see?

He wore a simple tunic, the fabric a muted color—chestnut, the same hue as his tousled hair.

As I observed him, relief washed over me—he must be a rogue knight. But he wasn't carrying any weapons. Yet, I dared not to bring my guard down. After all, many harbored ambitions to have a Luminae's blood, fueled by the allure of gold coins.

"How did you get in here?" It wasn't a direct inquiry to me. He drew closer and I stepped back. "I won't hurt you."

A lie sprung to my tongue, but it was quick to die under his suspicious gaze.

"I followed the lights—fireflies." I said, truthfully, knowing he might dismiss me as a naive wanderer.

A brief pause. "Lights?"

"Yes, sir," I admitted. "I didn't mean to deviate from my path, but I was curious and wanted to see them closely."

A pause lingered, and I became aware of his silence, his unbroken gaze piercing through me. His eyes, as intense as the night, held a depth that demanded my attention.

He turned serious, caution evident in his expression. "Wolves frequent these areas, you must return home."

Suddenly, footsteps disturbed the forest quiet, followed by a commanding voice, "Who? Who broke through the wards?"

"I don't know, General..." Another man spoke. "I fell asleep and I saw something bright in the forest."

"Asleep?" There was a snarl in his voice. "Would you like to sleep forever, Lieutenant? I can arrange that for you."

My heartbeat spiked as I glanced at the rogue knight. That must be their leader. He could choose to turn me in—

"You have to go," he whispered instead.

I scanned my surroundings, the forest stretched with endless trees. I struggled to remember the way back to the inn. How? There is a possibility that I might stumble upon more rogue knights, or worse, Silver Guards.

I turned to him. "I need help out of the forest, please!"

"I don—

"Just show me the way and you won't see me again."

I saw his hesitation, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and began walking away. When I looked back, the man had vanished, leaving my heart heavy with uncertainty.

I have to find my way back before they see me.

I didn't know much about rogue knights, but tales of their disturbances haunted the kingdom. They can kill me if they wanted, they take orders from no one—let alone from someone like me.

Cold sweat slid on my spine as I faced the rows of trees, lost and without a clear direction. If I die here today, my mother will never find out. Why did I have to follow the lights? I wanted to cry. What a foolish girl I had been!

The distant sound of hooves spurred me to hide behind a tree. Did they see me? Oh, heavens! What if they did?

In that moment, an arm encircled my waist, swiftly lifting me up. Panic set in, but before I could scream, I found myself face-to-face with the same azure eyes—the knight from before!

He hoisted me onto his horse, his hands withdrawing almost immediately. My heartbeat slowed from relief and unshed tears caught in my lashes.

Perched atop the steed, I didn't know what to say or do. All I knew was how grateful I was to leave the forest and get back to my mother.

"T-Thank you for helping me," I finally whispered in a small voice as he navigated the horse quietly.

His face remained stony, and his eyes looked strangely into mine again. "I better not see you lurking around these parts of the forest again or the consequences will be dire for you, understand?"

I clutched the saddle harder. "I understand."

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