WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 40

Cleo

The horses were restless. The two dragons who accompanied them were to blame. Fiete had taken the form of a pony and carefully carried Finn on his back. Marko walked beside him and kept an eye on the younger wolf. From time to time, he held him as soon as Finn began to struggle.

Cleo and Charlotte's horses carried the luggage, but gradually Cleo got the feeling that this was a bad idea. What would they do if the horses ran away in fright?

The other dragon, Josefine, sat on Julia's shoulders as a black cat and stared fatally at Cleo. Leopold and Peter went ahead and discussed the way. Peter hoped for a shortcut, but Leopold insisted on simply following the river. He would lead them to the desert. So Peter asked Fiete for a shortcut. The pony snorted, rolled its eyes, and shook its head. Finn and Marko laughed and teased Peter with it.

Peter's choice of clothing for this adventure was very spectacular. He was wearing pants, yes. And also a simple shirt. So far so good. But he wore a fancy, colorful coat of shimmering fabric and more jewelry than Cleo had ever seen him wear. His shoes were also shiny. Pearls and a shimmering ribbon adorned his now-long hair.

Of all of them, Peter had most of the luggage with him. All the things he desperately needed, he had assured them.

And something else caught Cleo's eye: Julia was wearing the same ribbon as Peter. But her clothes were otherwise very modest and of a practical nature. Bright colors suited her well and were appropriate for the desert. Unlike the dazzling Peter.

Marko, Finn, and Leopold ignored Cleo for the most part. They only talked to her when it was necessary. They were a little more open toward Charlotte. Cleo wanted to ask the elf what he had been thinking when he kidnapped Julia... But Cleo had kidnapped him. Was she allowed to ask him that? His parents called her a thief and murderer when Cleo had been alone with them for a moment. Those were not pleasant memories.

The tall grass of the steppe swayed back and forth in the wind and it smelled of dry earth. They followed the river, but Peter was wondering if it wouldn't be better to move away from the river to avoid the centaurs. Not everyone was friendly. So far, they had not encountered any other centaurs. Cleo was happy about it.

They made them almost as nervous as the dragons. One of them had forced Charlotte to empty her pockets after they crossed the border. Just before Julia ran to them. The manipulative abilities of the centaurs were intimidating. Cleo didn't want them as an opponent.

Julia petted the black cat and yawned tiredly. So far, she had said very little. She left the decision to Leopold and Peter.

"Julia?" Cleo wanted to stroke her hair, but Josef hissed. She flinched.

"Yes?", asked Julia, pulling the cat off her shoulders to hug him.

"What exactly are you planning? You want to ask the harpies to fight Mother?"

"Yes. I want to bring all the surrounding people together to dethrone our Mother. I want to put together an army. Even if I basically have no idea about it. I've talked to two harpies in kind of a vision, so I know they're going to help."

"What? In a vision? Is that possible?" Cleo had never heard of anything like it.

Charlotte also seemed confused. "And surely that wasn't a dream?", she asked.

Julia shook her head. "It wasn't a dream. It was magic. Charlotte? You are a healer. Can you practice with me? And Cleo? Can you practice manipulative magic with me, please? I lack practice. I would like to use the way to the dragons to get better."

"Of course." Cleo nodded. "But that won't be enough. If you want to lead an army, you need to know strategies. And be able to handle a sword."

Julia groaned. "I don't like swords!"