She had been visiting family in the mortal realm, far from where the entrance to Elfhame was. she had left her husband, Cardan, by himself. never had she ever expected to come across the scene before her.

she had been out shooting a pistol with her grandfather by a small pond, seated on the back of the truckbed, tailgate open. her horse, Nightshade, stood tied to a branch nearby the truck. there was a storm rolling in on the horizon, but it was far off; the wind was calm, the branches of the three small trees around the pond swaying in it.

she hopped off the tailgate, going over to Nightshade. untying the reigns, she swung herself onto the saddle. “Im going to go check the gates ‘fore we head back.” with a nod from her grandfather, she headed off the check the gate of the pasture. thats when she saw something lying in the short grass. swinging off her horse, she walked over and realized it was Cardan.

kneeling down, to rolled him over, greeted with a groan. a deep gash cut his shoulder down to the top of his chest, bleeding through his shirt. a cut on his cheek almost looked like an extension of his lips, and it was the color of dark red wine. brushing back his curls, she examined him further for cuts “what the hell happened to you?”

his eyelids fluttered, struggling to keep his head up “i came to warn you, but they were already here.” she groaned as she shifted him in her arms “they’re not alive anymore.” he smirked, clearly proud of himself.

sighing, she carried him in her arms and got into the saddle, carrying him like a bride. she guided her horse to the truck, telling her grandfather she was heading back to the house.

the field was pretty spacious in acres, but she cut the ride short to get him inside the house. her grandmother gave her a look, but she pushed past into the bathroom and ran a bath, her grandmother following to help with Tylenol, bandages, and creams.