The Anomalies

Chapter 21

My eyes open to find someone's shadow fallen over me. Blinking a few times, my eyes are able to focus on who is standing above me, Mateo. His eyes linger on me and the grass around me. 

"Interesting" 

He turns away and returns to the others. I furrow my brows in confusion and prop myself up on two hands. I search the on either side of me, trying to figure out what Mateo saw. Thats when I see it, I'm surrounded by hundreds of small blue flowers that weren't there before. I quickly jump up and brush myself off. Not wanting to think about how my previous incident might be connected. 

The group focuses their attention on me as I make my way over to them. 

"You hungry?" Casper smirks at me and tosses me a small, leather sack. His brown eyes follow mine as he runs a hand through his black hair. It must be a Cordovian trait as they all shared the same beautiful, flowing black hair. 

I open it and examine the contents, an assortment of nuts and dried fruit. Feeling my hunger rise to the surface, I shovel some into my mouth. My back straightens when I realize they are still watching me. 

"Yes?" 

Lady Avalon looks between the two men and smiles, "You know, Mateo has never offered alliance for some Aequalian girl before." 

I shuffle uncomfortably not knowing what to say. But Mateo speaks for me, 

"Leave poor Iris alone, Dambry put her through enough already." 

Although I'm still furious with him, I silently thank him. I was beginning to wonder how many more dreadful days I'd have to spend riding alongside him. Or even what he would do with me after we arrived.

"How many more days until we reach Cordova?"

"Anxious to get away from us, Iris?"

I glare at the King and cross my arms in front of my chest, "No, only anxious to get away from you Mateo"

Casper snorts, causing Mateo to give him a shove. Lady Avalon chuckles and places a hand on my shoulder, "You're starting to grow on me." 

Almost letting a smile creep onto my lips, I stop myself. I'm not their friends, I'm not even apart of this group, just a hostage along for the ride. 

Lady Avalon seems to notice and brings her hand back down to her side. She gives Casper and Mateo a look before answering my question,

"It's a challenging ride from here on out. These forest are thick with Aequalians soldiers and spies. We should be there in approximately three days time but it could take longer." 

Casper joins in, "Speaking of which, shouldn't we be heading out here soon?"

"You're right, we have about nine hours of daylight left to make it to the safe space."

Mateo and the others begin grabbing their packs and tying them onto their horses. I face my horse determined to get on without any assistance. After a few attempts, I finally am on the saddle. I look over to see the other three already mounted and waiting on me. Mateo smirks and all I can do is shoot him a glare.  

As we ride the day grows hotter and I am covered in a layer of sweat and dirt. All I want at the moment is a nice warm shower.  Or any sort of modern technology whatsoever. Which brings me to my next question, 

"Why are we using horses when there are faster modes of transportation?" 

The three Cordovians look between each other and Casper speaks up, 

"Does she not know?" 

"She's Aequalian, so probably not nimrod." 

Lady Avalon takes the the core of her apple she had been eating for the past half hour and hurls it at him. Casper ducks, narrowly missing a blow to the head by an apple. Almost falling off his horse by doing so. 

Mateo rolls his eyes, "It's because it interferes with our, abilities." 

"What do you mean by abilities?" 

He extends his arm out and electricity crackles between his fingers, "Like this." 

My level of distrust just rose several levels as I thought about all the ways he could use that against me. After all the things that have happened that last several days, I'm only moderately surprised. 

"What else can you do? Can you guys do that too?" 

"So far, that we know of, everyones powers are related to the elements. Some have several or just one, but they always include excessive strength." Mateo explains. 

"Except if you're me and get the short end of the stick." Lady Avalon sighs. 

"You doesn't give herself enough credit," Casper throws back, "She still has the strength but she also got the ability to heal. Not to mention she could kick anyones ass with any weapon of her choice." 

"Casper wha-" Before I can finish my words a splash of water hits me in the face. 

I'm now soaked with water, Mateo chuckles at my predicament. I only know who the culprit is when I see an orb of water hovering in Caspers hand. 

We continue to ride in silence for awhile and I ponder the newfound information about the people I am with. Realizing just how sheltered I was inside the walls of Aequalis. When suddenly something goes flying past my head. 

"They're here!"