Seven Lost Lords: The Anomaly

Ch. 9: The Storm

A gentle breeze swept the countryside, gliding softly and swiftly over lush hills and flowing through the manes of the aetyrim around me.

The meadow was a bare yet peaceful terrain, and the only thing I could see beyond the ocean of green was the God's Headrest rising in the distance, looming ominously.

We had left the Capital far behind us, and since we were traveling uphill, it was out of view from where we were standing.

The land around us was bathed in a deep, fiery orange light as the sun neared the West Horizon, and I saw Illesior talking earnestly with Unydae before raising his paw to the air, signaling us to come to a halt.

"Do you see the sun before us, my fellow Aetyrim?" He said, pointing to the God's Headrest. "It is nearing night, and we need to decide whether or not we will trek on through the darkness. Although we are not in imminent danger as of now, there is still the chance that we will get attacked by a rogue Consumed."

While the others murmured around me, I sniffed the air. Off to the north, coming from the God's Headrest was a blanket of rolling clouds, and I could scent rain.

Shefaris finally answered, the elegant Sorcerer sweeping her black mane out of her noble velvet face. "It may not seem likely to you, my Lord, but a storm is coming from over the mountains." She pointed her nose to the northwest, then continued. "If we are caught in such terrible weather in an open space like this, then we'll catch a sickness- or worse. I say we head on until we reach the forest."

Before Illesior could answer, the other Sorcerer from Unydae's party, Iras, added, "Besides, the forest is only just over this hill. It wouldn't be wise to just camp here."

The prince nodded after a moment. "Very well. We'll head to the forest and camp there." He waved his paw. "Onward, now."

As we continued uphill, a cold breeze suddenly ruffled my fur, and I shivered as I turned to face the storm. Thunder rumbled off in the distance, echoing down to the plains we were trekking.

I fell back quietly until I was level with Arius and Strubin. They were talking with the two other warriors in Illesior's party, and Strubin gave me a welcome hello as I drew near.

I nodded to him. "How's it going?"

He shrugged. "It's alright." Then he nudged one of the warriors. "Guys, this is Aven. She's a magicless aetyr who came with us from Gatesborn, and she's also Arius' sister."

The two warriors, one being a fiery orange female and the other a slate-furred male, waved.

"Aven, the orange aetyr is Sophi, and the male is Kirune. They're from Rivermouth, and they came to the Capital about a few days before we did," Strubin added.

"It's nice to meet you, Aven," Sophi greeted me happily, shaking my paw. Kirune dipped his head respectfully.

"Hey," I returned the friendly gesture. "What are your positions? Outside of being warriors on this expedition, anyways."

"I'm a hunter." Sophi puffed out her chest proudly. "Lately I've been hunting wild boars in the forests around here. I've gotten to travel outside the Capital multiple times!"

"And I'm a Sorcerer apprentice," Kirune chimed in. "But since I don't know enough outside magic, I don't quite qualify yet as an official. So I got to come along on this quest so I can prove myself."

"Neat." I eyed them closely. "What's your birth magic?"

Sophi's eyes glittered. "I have pyrokinesis! Fire doesn't hurt me like it hurts other aetyrim. And I've gotten quite good at using it, I must say," She added smugly, rubbing her paw against her nose.