The Phoenix King #1 Bed of Ashes

Chapter 6 Roar of Thunder

As they walked along the overgrown dirt path, Rhea couldn't help but notice the way the branches of the trees above seemed to intertwine, creating a beautiful canopy of greenery. The prickly bushes and tall grasses brushed against her bare arms, leaving small scratches and welts in their wake. She let out an exasperated sigh and rummaged through her pack, the sound of rustling fabric and jingling trinkets filling the air. Her heart sank as she pulled out her ruined gowns, the once-vibrant fabrics now limp and waterlogged. Shaking her head in frustration, she knew it would take hours of painstaking work to restore them to their former glory. Her jewelry was mostly fine, but she knew anything not gilded would start to rust. She had to dry them quickly before the damage became irreparable.

The boys ahead of her seemed completely oblivious to her struggles, chattering away as they walked. Rhea trailed behind, taking in the sights and sounds of the forest around them. She heard the rustle of leaves as small animals scurried by and the distant sound of a woodpecker. "That fish ruined everything in my pack," she grumbled under her breath, her annoyance growing with each passing moment. She couldn't help but wonder if they even cared about her struggles.

Lost in her thoughts, Rhea almost didn't notice when Űnin and Vaelon stopped ahead of her. She looked up to see them standing in front of a dense wooded area. Űnin was pointing towards it, and Vaelon was listening intently.

"What's the hold-up?" she asked, her voice breaking the quiet of the forest.

Vaelon turned to her, gesturing toward a small grove of trees to their right. "Seems like if we cut through these trees, it'll be quicker," he explained. "Also, it may provide some shade for us as we travel." Rhea glanced up at the sun, which was high in the sky and beating down on them relentlessly.

Both Rhea and Űnin nodded. The heat of the day hadn't bothered them much yet, but they could see the sweat forming on Vaelon's brow, knowing it would get to them eventually too. So, the trio turned off the path and headed into the trees.

The trees overhead provided some relief from the hot sun, but the thick undergrowth made it difficult to move quickly. After a while, Űnin and Vaelon had all but disappeared from view, so Rhea quickened her pace, trying to catch up to them.

As she walked, she pulled out a small, leather-bound book that she had tucked away in her pack. The cover was worn and water-damaged, and most of the ink on the pages had run together, making it nearly impossible to read.

Rhea sighed, closing the book and holding it to her chest. She missed her father's library, with its shelves upon shelves of books, but she knew it was a luxury she couldn't afford on this journey.

Still distracted, Rhea didn't notice the sound of rustling leaves until it was nearly on top of her. The crisp rustling grew louder, mingling with the distant calls of birds and the gentle whisper of the wind through the trees. Suddenly, a loud snort echoed through the trees, startling her and sending a shiver down her spine. The snort was followed by the sound of crashing bushes, as if something massive was bulldozing through the underbrush.

The sharp scent of pine needles mixed with the earthy aroma of damp soil filled the air. Űnin whipped around, brandishing a large tree branch he had been using as a walking stick, just in time to see a massive, furry creature charging towards them. Its fur bristled with static electricity, crackling and popping as it moved.

"It's a Thunderboar!" Vaelon shouted, his voice cutting through the cacophony. His hand went to his side, and the metallic sound of a small dagger being unsheathed rang out. Rhea's eyes widened, the sight of the hidden weapon sending a jolt of adrenaline through her. The boar's beady eyes gleamed with menace, and the pungent smell of its musky fur reached her nose, making her stomach churn.