Born Into Radiance

The morning came in with strong winds and cold rain. I jumped to my feet and wrapped my cloak tightly around me. Gathering up my blankets, I placed them inside Lick’s saddlebags and came out to check on everyone else. Grey and Nyk were following my lead as they woke up in turn, but something was wrong. I looked around and saw that the Deilyd was gone! I ran to the spot where we laid him last night. The ropes that we used to bind him were coiled up nicely at the base of one of the nearby trees. It was as if someone removed them and took the time to neatly place them down. I grabbed the loosened ropes and noticed that they were not cut, nor were they torn in any way. Could someone have freed him during the night or was the Deilyd simply that dexterous? If someone had saved him, why had they not tried to harm us? Why had they not stolen anything or sabotaged us in anyway? Something was amiss. “Hey guys,” I said to Grey and Nyk, “do either of you know what happened to the archer?” Unblinking eyes returned my question with nothing, as if I my question did not make any sense. They shook their heads and told me that they had no idea as to what happened to our captive. Then, quietly, Grey began to speak. He kept his voice low to keep it between us. “Rumor has it,” he whispered, “that the Arbor, along with the Deilyds, host beings from the spirit world. They have been described as angels of the twilight, lending aid to those in trouble. Maybe the Deilyd was rescued by one last night; perhaps the spirits knew that he was in trouble.” “Deilyd?” Nyk asked. “You mean the guy that shot me?” “Yes, Nyk.” I said. “After you dozed off, Grey and I were tying him up. We saw his pointed ears and figured it all out.” “Deilyd or not,” Nyk spat, “all of that spirit talk sounds like a bunch of rubbish.” “That’s because you’re more used to nightmares than fairytales Nyk.” Grey said sternly. “Now I’m not saying that this is what happened, but it could be a possibility.” The rain was dying down now and after we had packed up the camp, we all stood around waiting for Symon. None of us said it, but we were all worried because he had not yet returned. I know he said that we had nothing to worry about but he had been gone for quite some time. Just as I thought it, we heard a rustling in the trees from behind us. We turned to see what the commotion was about and we were relieved to see that it was Symon. He wasn’t alone, however, and emerging from the trees behind was the Deilyd from the night before!