UNDER SIEGE |COMPLETED|

⚔️Chapter Five⚔️

Chpt. 5.)
TOO GOOD FOR MINGOLD

At dawn, they were on their way.

Astoria seemed to have renewed energy, keeping up quite well with only a slight limp from sore feet. Kyah hated riding her sore, but the mare was the same eager and calm steed she always rode as.

They traveled under the cover of the thick trees, doing their best to keep from being spotted in the skies above. November had warned them Feather-Born weren't particularly friendly to visitors.

The sun rose slowly, like a deeply rooted flower tenderly plucked from the ground- fighting the pull of a mesmerized child until its last twist of root uncurled from the rich soil.

Golden sun rays stretched through leaves and broad branches of countless deep green trees, managing to paint patches of grass secured to the forest floor.

The prince admired the grass, morning dew still decorating its blades and waxy surface, glistening in the golden rays' soft light.

The scenery and slight breeze provided a sense of tranquility and warmth. Astoria sniffed the lavish grass, taking a few nibbles before lifting her head. She seemed happy and that made Kyah's creased brow smoothen.

If she was happy, she was feeling better. "I can't remember the last time I was up this early," Ari noted, taking in the beauty only nature could procreate. Kyah chuckled, "not since we watched the sunrise all those years ago."

The black haired boy smiled joyfully, "what were we? Like ten?" Kyah shrugged, a childlike smile on his dashing face. He could easily recall that night. Ari wanted to see if a sunset was any different from a sunrise, so, the boys stayed up all night and watched the sunrise the next morning... before falling asleep for the rest of the afternoon.

"Can't say I've seen one that often either," Pennsworth concluded, knowing he spent most early mornings passed out from a nightlong of drinking.

"I see one every morning."

Ari's attention snapped to November, "you are up this early every morning?" She shrugged, looking aimlessly at the average sunrise peaking through the trees, "when you are a busy person, daylight is scarce."

They traveled well into the day, only stopping near a creek so the horses could cool off.

Astoria laid down in the shallow water, rolling over on her back to soak her other side. She nodded her head in the water, purposely splashing it around like she was a young filly.

Kyah smiled, her immaturity was a side she rarely expressed. Lightning was scared of the water, in fact, he stretched his neck as far as he could to drink it without it touching his hooves.

Pennsworth's mule laid on the bay, drinking water after rolling in mud- much to the knight's dismay. November's roan kept to his own, replenishing his thirst farther from the group. He seemed to be a loner just like her, if not a little less.

"First lesson, keep your feet shoulder-width apart."

Ari and Kyah were quick to do as Pennsworth said, fixing their feet. "Your dominant foot needs to be slightly ahead of your other. It'll help you when you're having to shift your weight to pursue an attack, but if your foot is too far in front you'll lose your balance when you need to dodge."

They mimicked his stance, both with a determined look. They held a long stick in their hands, a 'representation' of a sword.

"Your least dominant needs to point outward 40 to 90 degrees away. A little more Kyah- there you go. Back straight and slightly bend your knees, never lock them."