Sisters of Tevinter

Blighted

    The horses were tired. Perspiration dripped down their craning necks as their hooves skiffed in the sand, swishing their tails with the occasional petulant snort. The sun beat down in heavy gold ringlets over the Denizen's heads. 

     Kaisen brushed her forearm across her brow, the skin came away damp and sticky with sweat. "I hate the desert." 

    Argus, on the mare beside her and clinging to Spook for dear life, only shuddered. The thief hated riding on horseback. He'd insisted on walking beside the company, but Max wouldn't have it. They couldn't afford to slow down here. They had to leave the Approach and return to Skyhold. Spook laid a gentle palm across the hands that gripped his shirt, smiling patiently. "We're almost out." 

    "How many miles left?" the rogue whispered hoarsely, the thin red kerchief over his eyes caked in dust and crinkled by wind. 

    Spook frowned. At least six. It would take them all day to escape the desert at their current pace. The horses could only take so much. Mercifully, he didn't voice this aloud. 

  Kaisen felt a stab of pity for the thief, coupled quickly by a brief curiosity. "Hey, what makes you hate horses so much?"

   Spook cast her a warning glance. The horse he rode tossed its head with a whinny, causing Argus to shiver and bury his face in the mage's shoulder. "Remind me to tell you some other time," he mumbled, his voice strained.

    Max looked up from his black stallion and tugged the reins, slowing down so the others would fall in beside him. "Any sign of pursuit?" 

     Lazily, Kaisen rolled her eyes and let her head loll to look over her shoulder. "Oh look-- none whatsoever. Just like the last twelve times you asked me." 

     Max's mouth became a grim slit. "When we hit thirteen, there's bound to be something. Can the attitude, little sister. I'm trying to keep us all alive." 

   "I don't think attitude would taste very good canned," the Crow drawled. "I'd suggest a low broil." 

   Spook let a soft huff of amusement escape his nose as he looked ahead, negotiating his mare's reins with gentle skill. Argus stiffened. "Stop the horses."

   "What?" Max turned to look at him. 

   "Stop," Argus hissed, slipping from his mount's haunches to land in the sand. Spook gave a start and jerked the mare to a halt. Kaisen and Max slowly did the same. 

    The blind thief lifted his head, cocked slightly to one side. Kaisen held her breath, wondering what he heard. Max laid a hand on the hilt of their father's sword. Argus gave a soft whistle that skidded over the dunes like a stone skipped across a lake. Again, he cocked his head, clicking his tongue. 

     "Are we being followed?" Max murmured. 

     "No. Ahead of us. Five. No, six. Shapes. One... big. Horse size, but bipedal. They... they don't breathe." Argus' brow furrowed, blood draining from his face. 

     "Say again?" Kaisen scowled, laying hands on the daggers at her thighs. 

     "Shh. They're coming." Argus' expression contorted as he grabbed Spook's arm, hauling himself up onto the horse that shuffled its hooves skittishly. The other mounts did the same, whinnying. Kaisen's stallion huffed a breath from his mouth and kicked his back legs up slightly, shying to one side. 

     "Woah," the Crow soothed softly, her heart beating faster in her chest, tugging the reins to steady the beast. 

     "Go. Go now," Argus spat, digging his heels into his mare's sides. Spook made a hasty snatch for the reins as the animal whinnied and bucked, sensing its rider's panic. Max's mount chuffed and snorted, shaking its head violently.