Mythic (NaNoWriMo14)

Chapter 31 - Better than Walking

The next day passed quickly. 

Cayden and Kat took turns carrying Nazine, still a deadweight. Cayden had to constantly remind Kat not to step into the shadows as her form flickered under every tree. Though Rena offered to help, neither of them would let her. Through the newly formed bond between her and Cayden, she could guess why. 

She found herself becoming increasingly distracted by random things. Noises and scents that hinted at a threat. Trails of ley through the air that called to her. Despite her joke to Cayden about raw meat the night before, Rena found it hard to keep the grain-based food that was lunch down. The birds soaring overhead looked much more appetising. 

Rena didn't deny the reason behind the thoughts anymore, but that didn't mean she wouldn't fight it until Nazine was safe. She'd accepted her fate, that didn't mean it was going to distract her from the purpose she'd found. 

Night claimed the land before long. By the light of Rena's fire, they continued for a few additional hours before finally stopping. They made the usual arrangements--phoenix, fire, food of both the ley and physical kind--and it wasn't long until Rena's job was done and she was able to stretch her fingers towards the flame, soaking up their warmth.

"We'll be at Leristith by tomorrow, given everything goes smoothly," said Cayden. 

"So, give it another week then, shall we?" said Rena, putting her untouched food to the side when they looked away. 

"Sounds about right," murmured Cayden. 

Kat stood up from the fire and brushed herself off. "I'm going to go to Leristith tonight, make sure that everything's in place for your arrival tomorrow, maybe see if I can get an elemental to come pick you up." She glanced at Nazine, the corners of her mouth tilting down. "Might have to be a coach. He might not be strong enough for an elemental journey, but it'll be something. I feel like you've both done your share of walking in the last week or so." 

"Feet?" asked Cayden. "You mean those fleshy things permanently welded to the insides of my boots?" 

At the mention, Rena wriggled her toes. That was something else that'd been bothering her. Her boots didn't feel right anymore. She'd almost taken them off today out of sheer longing to feel the grass beneath her. 

Cayden glanced her way, the slightest frown on his face. Rena gave him a reassuring smile, though she was sure he didn't believe it for a second. 

Even after the emotional high from the bond's creation last night had died down, she was still aware of a presence at the side of her own mind, intermingled among her own thoughts. It seemed to pull at her in the strangest way, like it was enhancing certain traits towards him, only it couldn't figure out how. Like the bond had a key to her head, only to find out that her head no longer fit that mould, that it'd melted down to a completely different, unrecognisable shape. 

Cayden looked back to Kat. "If there's the possibility of not walking, I'd be eternally grateful. Pigeon boy isn't exactly light."

"Always fun to wake up a few cardinals and give them a sleepless night," said Kat with a grin. "Did you want me to bring back a ley guard or two so you can sleep through a night for once?"

"One more night won't kill me," said Cayden. He lowered his voice. "Besides, I'd rather them not know about Rena's condition until absolutely possible, and, well..."

Rena pretended she hadn't heard, relaxing her ears against her head and curling up on the ground inside her tails. She noticed the extra two--it was annoying to find a comfortable place for them, considering she'd just managed worked out the first five, but at least they gave extra cushioning. She didn't feel the cold anymore.