Everly~
The carafe was heavy, but my arms were capable as I found myself in line with the rest of the nymphs. Much to my surprise Jade allowed us to leave the courtyard and exit the gates into the darkness of night.
The feast must be far away.
My adrenaline started to pump as my eyes surveyed the lack of supervision around the long line of nymphs.
I could run. But how far would I get before I was hunted down?
Kaes' face flashed within my mind and I heard another loud rattle of my mental gates. Someone or something was desperate to invade my thoughts, but I refused to let them in.
The night air was cool and my bare feet found nothing except gritty sand and dust.
Where are we going?
After several minutes of travel, I looked ahead to find only darkness in front of us, but started to hear the low hum of masculine voices. Cheers and howls of men and beast echoed from somewhere unknown and I searched for the source.
I looked to the nymph in front of me for answers, but as I looked ahead, I watched her vanish before my very eyes.
Frozen in place, I stared in disbelief at her foot prints that had been left behind. Had she been attacked?
My breathing picked up and I swallowed hard, but heard a voice echo from behind me.
"Keep walking." She snapped harshly.
Forcing my feet to move, I cautiously moved forward, searching the darkness for the nymph I had been following. It was only when I neared her last footprint that I noticed the night air had a slight purple tinge to it. Tilting my head in confusion, I surveyed the dark night air in front of me that seemed to bend and sway in an unnatural pattern for there was no wind.
A magical veil?
Holding my breath, I stepped through the strange figment and watched the scenery before my eyes change in an instant. Light from flame torches danced around me and I realized quickly that the feast and sacrament was cloaked in a magical barrier, similar to the one Talon and I had passed through.
My eyes surveyed the terrifying crowd that consisted of both man and monster. Thoracian warriors littered the pathway accompanied by large winged men and monstrous scaled creatures. Some were covered in fur with sharp claws and human facial features, others were scaled and reptilian. I had never seen such beasts and I tried to conceal the fear I felt as they watched me intently, licking their fangs and undressing me with their lifeless eyes.
Gripping the wine tightly with my hands, I tried to ignore the danger around me as I continued down the pathway toward large dining tables.
There was a sea of Thoracian warriors, but I quickly picked up on the significance of the leathers they wore. Certain braids and patterns seemed to symbolize a hierarchy which allowed me to identify the officers table quickly.
Maybe one of them will get drunk enough to leave their keys unattended.
It was a longshot and highly unlikely, not to mention dangerous, but I was willing to try.
Changing my course, I carried wine toward the warriors who held a higher rank, hoping to at least get a glimpse of a key. I was half way to the officer's table, when I felt a strong hand wrap around my arm and pull me in the opposite direction.
I spun to face a very angry Talon who stood over me fuming as he harshly guided me behind a large post.
"What are you doing here?" He growled. "I gave Jade orders to put you in the house."
