The Prophecy ( The Replacement Trials #1)

Chapter 5

Aura's POV

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Oh okay..... what about now?"

"No."

"How long is this going to take?"

"Well, unless you want to get on my back, probably another three days."

"Are you offering to give me a piggyback?!"

This kid was making me regret inviting her along. She has been asking the same question for the past two hours. If she didn't shut up soon, I was going to stab her in her sleep tonight. Feeling a poke in my back, I turned to see Catarina behind me with an apology written all over her face.

"I'm sorry I'm being annoying. I haven't left the forest in years and it's going to be so great to see other people." I softened slightly and gave her a reassuring nod. Giving me a grin, she hopped over to Nimue and got on her back.

"Let's pick up the pace so that we can get there faster and Catarina can give us the prophecy spiel." She smirks at me and takes off at a run. It was obvious she wanted to race, and I knew I was going to win so I let her have a head start. Glancing at my watch, I count down from ten and take off. Passing her by I wave a little and she gapes at me. Swinging around a tree branch I launch myself even farther forward and land just outside the forest border. I knew that we would have to walk a day's time outside the forest, and I was surprised we moved that fast. It's been a while since I got to really run. Lifting my arms above my head to open up my lungs, I wait for Nimue to make an appearance.

"It's about time. I thought you said you were fast." I hollered from my place in the biggest tree I could find that lined the border between the pavement and the forest.

"How did you do that? I'm fast but you're lightning. There's no way you could do that without your magic burning out." She wheezes back.

"It's been a while since I let out my power and that was just all the excess. I feel so much lighter now. Do we need a break, or can we keep going?"

"Let's just get to Foriux and then we'll find food."

Continuing on our trek to the next town over, Nimue and I fought all the way along.

"You can't just pick up a sword and swing it!" I shout at her.

"Well, what do you do then?"

"You have to make sure that your stance is right and your grasp on the hilt is stable, the swing has to be at the right angle and the attacks have to be planned. It's imperative that your ability to think quickly and to adapt are well trained because close up fighting leaves no room for mistakes. Sword fighting isn't just about the weapon, it's about the preparation."

"With a bow you have to have enough strength to pull back the string and wait for the right moment. I'd say that's harder than swinging metal." I was going to kill her. Launching at her, I wrap my hands around her arms and throw her to the ground. She grasps my shoulders and pulls back slightly.

"Damn your shoulders are muscular," she mutters under her breath.

"What, do you like them?"

"No! I don't like your shoulders." Flipping us over she straddles my hips and holds my hands above my head.

"Well, this is awkward." Catarina skips over to us and tilts her head slowly in confusion. "Why are you on top of Aura? I thought you hated each other."