Free Origin by Samantha Smith

and I plan to leave today, and take you and Rhys across the border into Urafiki, where you will be safe from King Stefan.”
    “Today!” Clayre cried, her face turning pale.
    “I realize this whole situation is unsettling, and will continue to be that way for a while, but I am asking you to put aside your fears and cooperate with my efforts to save your life and the lives of the two people you love the most. I would not ask you to leave immediately unless I believed every word I’ve said to you in the past few minutes. I want you to know though, that I will not force to you do anything or go anywhere against your will. It must be your decision to accompany us. I will, however, be leaving with Rhys as soon as the litter is finished and I have completed making arrangements for Elwyn’s safety”
    “What do you mean?” She cried. “Isn’t she coming with us? I will not consider being separated from her. Nor, I know, will Rhys.”
    “I would like you to accompany me while I talk with Rhys about the situation. I will keep it as brief as possible, but he has the right to decide what is best for himself, and for Elwyn.” Ayron said, as he turned and walked toward the hut, with Clayre following close behind. As he walked, he projected the need for a bit more time to Thane, through Keroc, hoping fervently that Elwyn would be patient for a little while longer. The last thing he needed right now was for her to be running around the village searching for her uncle, or arriving here and burdening this man, who was in a fight for his life, with an emotional appeal to stay with him.
    As Ayron entered the hut, he became aware of the smell of herbs as they mingled with that of clean linen. It was obvious that the woman living here took pride in her home. The main living area was spotless. There were sheer lacy curtains at the windows, tied back with bright yellow ribbons. There was also a vase of yellow wild flowers sitting on a table. The floor was swept free of dirt and was covered with a braided rug that he was certain had been handmade by the women herself. It was a collaboration of bright and soft shades of yellow, brown, and green. On one wall were several frames containing pressed dried flowers that formed a collage of color that complimented the colors in the rug. Handmade quilts in cheerful colors decorated two of the other walls. His men had moved most of the furnishings from the center of the room and put them up against the walls. Rhys was lying on a cot that had been placed in the middle of the room to give the healers access to him from all sides.
    As Ayron approached, he noticed that Rhys’ eyes were closed and hoped the injured man wasn’t unconscious. If that was the case and they had to wait to speak with him, he would have no choice but to bring Elwyn here as well. For some reason, that option didn’t feel right to him. He was sure, if she saw Rhys, she would fight even harder to remain here with him and he felt in his gut that would be wrong. However, as he drew closer to the bed, Rhys opened eyes that were cold, filled with anger, and just radiating hostility in his direction. Ayron knew that, for some reason, he was on trial. The question was, for what?
    Clayre warned Ayron that Rhys was very weak while they were speaking outside the hut. Ayron, trying to spare Rhys as much exertion as possible, jumped right in and began to speak, hoping to share his plan with the two of them. First though, he wanted to be sure that Rhys knew who he was. “Do you know who I am, Rhys”, he asked as quietly as he could.
    Rhys shook his head and said in a soft whisper, “I recognize you now, Ayron. I mistook you for your brother Azavon at first glance.”
    Ayron could sense stress coming from the strong emotions churning within Rhys and wanted to calm him, so that he didn’t weaken himself further.
    “Rhys, I know that you must have many questions, as do I, about what occurred so long ago. But, for the sake of Clayre and