Book 1- The Ark of Time

Chapter 11

"Are you okay?" The noble knelt next to her, "Did I push you too far?"
"Kind of... I... my legs hurt right now."
Horatia tried to stand up, every muscle tightening as she did, "You should rest for the evening, you've done well today."
The woman helped her walk to the house, and sat her down on her bed, "Don't strain yourself, okay?"
"Okay..."
Cyra smiled, "Seriously, take a break, you deserve it. Rest and I will wake you when everything is ready." The woman patted both of their heads before leaving.
Horatia smiled, feeling a bit better, "Okay, goodnight." She felt at ease from Cyra's words, their weight comfortable on her shoulders. As she dozed, Horace's grip tightened around her arm," Hey, Horace... tell me about yourself."

The snake shifted its position, looking into Horatia's eyes, "Tell you about what?" The girl chuckled, "What you like, what annoys you. That kind of stuff."
Horace begun to curl around the girl's head, "I like reading, but I guess you wouldn't have any books around here that have a language I can understand."
"Too bad then" Horatia replied, closing her eyes, "What else?"
The snake began to curl around her neck again, "I'm not particularly fond of gifted spirits..."
Her eyebrows twitched as she drifted, "Gifted?"
"Spirits that have powers, like that wolf, Aurora." The brunette laughed, "What? Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?"
She shook her head weakly, "It's just that I feel the same way about nobles, but I guess the wolf's human is alright... I thought she was the same as the others, but she is really nice."
The snake lifted her head off her, "I see what you mean, the wolf isn't too bad either, she's a bit clingy but she's nice."
"I'm glad you're getting along with Aurora..." What was it that was slipping from her grasp? Was it reality? Maybe. It fragmented in her surroundings, it's very meaning reshaping into something else.
Horace was also beginning to feel slouchy, "You like the human?
"Yeah, I like Cyra, she's a good friend..." Horatia nodded off, her eyes giving in to sleep.

She did not dream that day and even if she did, she did not remember it, nor did Horace, "Hey wake up! Its dinnertime!" Horatia groaned, gently lifting the snake off her face before a wave of panic hit her, but she quickly realised that it was just her spirit. "Come on." Cyra helped the girl get out of bed, "Can you walk now?"
"Yeah, but I'm a little sore." Horatia felt a sting in her legs as she walked through the hallway with Horace at her feet. The noble brothers sat at the table, and when the girl walked in, the boy's eyes lit up, "Horatia!"
"Down." Cyra immediately intervened, "She is exhausted, so no jumping on her."
He pouted as the girl sat down next to him, "Sorry, Ruleum..."
Brandon exchanged glances with his sister, "Helios is leaving in a bit, so he won't be joining us." She quickly sat down.

A blue ball of fluff jumped over to the teen's shoulder and gently began to nibble at her hair, "Hey Azar." She tilted her head to look at the bird that towered over her when he sat on her shoulder. The bird shrieked at the lettuce that Ruleum offered him, "Come on you can't be eating fruit 24/7 get your veggies in!"
"Why don't you eat your veggies Ruleum?" He stopped talking, "Hey, answer me."
He shook his head, "I refuse to comment."
The woman looked at him in disappointment, "And you're the one trying to feed your spirit vegetables..."
Horace climbed up the wooden chair and looked at Azar for a few minutes before the bird decided to give her attention. The phoenix approached slowly before squawking into Horatia's ear, making her flinch, "This bird is strange..." Horace said, slowly slithering to Azar.
Leo ran around the table and watched as the spirits interacted with each other. He let out a loud roar, turning the two spirits' attention to him. Azar flew down and sat comfortably in the lion's mane while Horace thought about it before going down. Everybody was silent, watching the spirits play around the table, but Aurora seemed to keep a distance. Cyra looked down at the wolf who looked back at her in silence.

Once Horatia ate, she sat down at the couch and watched them play, "They're getting along well" The lion jumped around Azar playfully, "I'm almost surprised."