SONGS AND TRAILS (Book 1)

CHAPTER 11

The class was getting ready for a trip to the Hawk Eye's Order. It's a tradition that every first year goes to the Hawk Eye's Order, the order with the biggest population, and the Dragon Flame's Order, the order with the fewest number. Both these Orders are different in number but are the most thriving Orders and in 'Numbers in History' class, they are to go on that trip.

It was not just tradition, it was in the curriculum. It was the trip that every first year looked forward to. A few days outside the institute, brilliant.

Everyone was in their travelling attires and surprisingly even Arabella was there. It had been a full week after what happened and she was planning to just pack up and leave and in the process, her roommates had come in and caught her.

"Oh! I see you're excited about the coming trip." Mia had told her when she entered the room.

"Trip?" Bella had asked confused.

"Yeah. The one that every first year has to take. To the Hawk Eye's Order." Daya explained.

"It's soon?" Bella asked.

"It's this weekend." Daya said. "It's okay, I like to pack early too."

"Oh!" Bella pretended. "Yeah, I was packing for that."

"Great!" Mia said. "Let me join in too, right after I take a shower."

Marietta hadn't said a thing all the while as she just entered the bathroom for her shower and Mia followed behind with her towel. Bella just stood there not knowing what to do. She had planned to leave quietly without telling anyone.

"I won't tell them you were planning to leave." Daya said.

"What?" Bella asked.

Daya pointed at her bag. "Isn't that why you're packing?" Bella just looked at her. "You don't actually believe that I bought the fact that you like packing early?"

Bella just looked at her still.

"Give it a chance! Then leave with your head held high."

Daya had asked her not to leave like a runaway and instead, if she had to do it. She should do it with her dignity held high.

So there she was going on that trip with everyone and still with the people who put her in a cage. Daya had also convinced her to go on that trip and clear her head since she loved traveling so again, there she was with her little bag on the horse that was assigned to her.

Every student was given a horse and they were waiting for their instructor, Jenny to show up and give them instructions and lead the way.... until...

"Hello everyone."

Caldor.

Arabella's heart shuttered when she heard his voice. She hadn't seen him since the basement incident. She had avoided any contact, bumping, or any sort of accidental meeting with this man, and there he was.

"Hello Master Clint!" the girls drawled.

"Are you here to wish us farewell?" Mia pouted. "It's okay to miss me already."

"Actually Ms. Talari, I'm going to be your instructor on this trip." he said.

He was in his casual but fancy travel attire with his hair neatly tied back with a few stubborn strands teasing his forehead.

"I see you didn't want a chance to miss me." Mia teased.

"Ms. Talari, I'm your master." Caldor reminded.

"I know." she flirted.

Caldor groaned as Janine showed up with a grin. "You're doing a great job, Mia. Keep it up! Aurora will be so proud."