Mirae Walkers

Chapter VII

Keoni had trouble reading today.

Her eyes kept glancing around without her permission. She felt too tense to do much else.

Ryley was restocking shelves again. He'd gotten in trouble at home, but it was a minor punishment. He hadn't said anything to his mother about what happened. When Keoni asked why, his response was cryptic and sad. "My family could really use the reward for turning in a Mir-Cognate," he had said. They hadn't said much between them after that.

After another tense moment, Ryley returned to his desk and picked up his own book.

Keoni's mind kept flashing back to what had happened. Who opened that Mir-Gate? What was harmed in the explosion? Who died? Were Kaedin and Caste okay?

She zoned out, only stopping to hear Ryley's hooves coming towards her. She looked up at his brown eyes.

Without a word, Ryley handed Keoni a letter. She took it, opening it (since there was nothing written on the envelope) and pulling out the piece of parchment.

Meet me by the apple tree in the park by Moss Tavern.

"This was slipped inside one of our regular letters. I'm positive it's Caste."

Keoni smiled gently, her mind clearing. "Let's go."

They quickly traveled along the busy roads to reach Moss Tavern. From there, Ryley knew exactly which tree Caste was talking about.

They soon reached it, but no one was there.

"Look around," Ryley said, peering across the park at anybody who would look anything like Caste. Keoni did the same, only seeing young children playing on the field while their parents chatted away.

Keoni's ears moved to the branches of the tree before her head did. Someone was up there. She glanced up.

She'd entirely forgotten Caste had horns in the Physical World. He climbed down from the tree, shuddering. "You got my message."

Ryley asked before Keoni could. "Why were you in a tree?"

He stared at his hands. "I'm not entirely sure. I think it's a monkey thing. It's also a great place to hide from people."

"Sorry, we should catch up on everything else before asking stupid questions," Ryley said.

Caste didn't look up. "In a better hidden place if possible."

Before Keoni could remark that it was his idea to meet here in the first place, they were already moving across the street to one of the alleyways between homes.

"First things first: I have most of my memory back," Caste panted as he reached the hidden alley. "Everything suddenly ties together. I'd love to rant, but I'm afraid there's something much more important."

He itched the back of his head. "Qaye opened a portal to get both of you out of there. The Quuarks placed bombs around the runes in hopes of destroying them. That is the explosion that went off. Even though I was told not to use my magic, I did anyway to protect Qaye and myself, as we were in the middle. Everyone is fine, all the students are safe. But..." he trailed off. "Their plan succeeded." He leaned up against the walls around them and still didn't look up.

Ryley glanced at Keoni. She didn't exactly know what Caste meant either. Suddenly, it clicked.

They were attacking not the students, but the Runes of Trin. The place considered holy and magical. They succeeded... The runes were gone.

"I'm so sorry, Caste," Keoni whispered. It must have been horrible for him to witness.

Ryley seemed to piece it together too, as he nodded his sympathy towards the Cognate.