Magic in the Mist

Chapter Nine

     Morning light seeped into Hazel's room window as she opened her eyes. She didn't know what time it was, but looking out the window at the beautiful sunrise, she suspected that it was around five, maybe six in the morning. Hazel got out of her bed, stretching and walking into the small bathroom that accompanied her room. She washed her face with cold water and brushed her hair, restoring it to the normal frizzy style that it usually had. Hazel walked back into her room, opening the drawer and pulling out a pair of green leggings, black shirt and a black cloak, followed by a brown belt.

She put on the clothing, which fit perfectly, and went over to her bed and put on her boots that were lying at the edge of it. Hazel then walked out of the room, following the hallway to where the main throne room was. Seeing nobody was there, Hazel walked out of the castle and down the deserted town road that was made out of dirt, following it to the stables where Thalia worked. Hazel walked into the stables to see Thalia lying down on a pile of hay, asleep. Hazel smiled, walking towards her.

She looked cute when she slept. Choosing not to bother her, Hazel picked up a pale of oats that was next to Thalia and went around feeding the pegasi and pouring the rest in a feeding cylinder. Before she could turn around, she felt someone hugging her from behind.

'Thanks for doing that,' Thalia's soft voice came behind her as she laid her head on Hazel's shoulder, her arms wrapped around Hazel's torso. Hazel felt butterflies in her chest as her cheeks flushed red.

'N-no problem,' Hazel said, feeling heavily embarrassed.

'Yeah, no problem.' Thalia said, letting go and turning Hazel around. Her cheeks were also bright red, contrasting on her dark skin. 'I, uh, made the sheath for your sword,' Thalia said, turning around and picking up a leather sheath with a belt made into it.

'Thanks, Thalia.' Hazel said, smiling at her before grabbing the sheath and buckling it around her waist.

'Here's the sword,' Thalia said, handing Hazel her sword. Hazel took it from her hands, sliding it perfectly into the sheath.

'Thalia,' Iphe said, walking into the stables with Sirin and Kay. All three of them were suited up and ready, swords in sheaths around their waists. 'If you're coming, hurry up.'

'Wait, you're coming?' Hazel said, a rush of happiness flooding over her.

'We figured you might need help with Orian. No one knows him better than her.' Iphe said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

'Well, I'm ready,' Thalia said, picking up a sword next to her and sliding it into her own sheath.

'Okay, let's go.' Iphe said, pulling Stone, a gray male pegasus with snowflake markings from his stable and mounting him.

Sirin mounted Astro, and Kay mounted Lightning. Hazel grabbed Echo and Orian, leading them out to the fields behind the stables. She helped Hazel mount Orian then mounted Echo, and the group lifted off, falling into a V-formation as they soared above the land.

* * *

Soon the group touched down in the BlossomTribe camp and were welcomed by a few warriors.

'Thank you for coming,' one of them said, leading them to the center of the village where the castle lay, looking more like a fancy olden-day mansion than an actual castle.

In front of the castle in the town square, was a huge blossom tree that looked like it was dying. But before Hazel could ask any questions, the leader walked out of the castle, his deputy following closely behind.