The Other Ones

Chapter 10

  I lay in bed, Dustin sleeping soundly beside me. I stared up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. That voice in the forest earlier echoed in my mind. 'Heroine of Theirone.... Ride on....' What had those words meant? Surely it wasn't talking about me? And what was Theirone? I sighed slightly and roll over onto my side, now staring into the darkness. I suppose I'd ask Dustin what Theirone was.... I yawn slightly and close my eyes, hoping for sleep. Though the same voice came for me, shouting that I find Swiftarrow.... Whoever that was. I jumped slightly and sat up, looking around. Dustin just shifted in his sleep, oblivious to the voice that was shouting at me. I shake my head and slip out of bed.
I had a nightgown on and I walked to the closet and opened it silently. I grabbed my clothes that I had worn when I left my parents home, soon stripping of the nightgown and dressing into the clothes. I left the room quickly, first grabbing my boots in hand before closing the door quietly. I slipped my boots on and snuck down the hall and soon out of the cottage, Jinx lifted his head as I went out. "Hush now as you go in, be sure Dustin doesn't hear you." I informed the dog quietly, motioning him in. Jinx just wagged his tail and trotted inside, soon curling up on the couch. I shut the door and jogged towards the forest, the moon still high in the sky.
I slowed down to a walk and soon stopped, the only light available to me were a few rays of moonlight. I shake my head and continue on a little, going deeper into the forest. After a few yards I stop and bring my hands up to my mouth. I cup my hands and place them beside my mouth before shouting suddenly into the darkness. "Swiftarrow!!!" My voice echoed through the darkness, though I had no reply. I swallow before shouting the name again. I bring down my hands to my side as I hear Jinx barking in reply as he was let out. I was about to go back when I heard a neigh replied to my call. I stop and listen for the sound again, though I only heard Jinx's barking getting closer. I put my hands to my mouth again to shout once more. "Swiftarrow!!" As soon as I shouted that I got a whicker in reply. I hear my name being called, though I turn to see the same unicorn I had saved standing between the trees. The whiteness of its coat seemed to make it glow majestically.
Almost as if I were in a dream I approached Swiftarrow, the stallion nickered to me in reply. Just as I put a hand on his muzzle to stroke it, a voice rang in my head to ride on, though as I was fixing on deciding on whether or not to ride the unicorn. Swiftarrow bolted with a snort at the sound of Jinx's barking. I step back with surprise and blink, falling back over a root. I hit the ground with a grunt and push myself up.
I heard Dustin hurry over to me and then feel him kneel beside me. He grabbed me, making me face him even though it was dark. "Roe, what in the nine hells do you think you're doing out here this late?!" He demanded, shaking me a little. I closed my eyes and put my hand on his shoulder to make him stop. I was suddenly very exhausted..... I wonder why.... I opened my eyes once more and yawned. "I found...." I trailed off, yawning.
Dustin picked me up and I rested my head against his chest. He carried me out of the forest as I closed my eyes, slowly sinking into sleep. "I found Swiftarrow....." I managed to say before falling asleep.
I awoke in bed again, my clothes on and my boots by the door. The birds chirped to one another and there was an occasional bark from Jinx outside. I blink a few times and sit up, sunlight streaming in. I rub my eyes, wondering what all that had happened last night was a dream but I knew better.... I slipped out of bed and walk to the door and opened it, completely ignoring my boots. I walked down the hall and head to the kitchen just as Dustin walked into the cottage, a troubled look upon his face. I just glance at him before stopping by the counter and looking at him as he comes over.
He removed his troubled look and gave me a kiss on the cheek, moving some hair out of my face as he did so. I smile as I look up into his face, he returns my smile with affection. "Hungry?" He asked as he walked past me. I thought for a quick moment before replying yes to him. He nodded and walked to a fridge that I had not noticed before. I walked to the wooden table a few feet away and take a seat at the table as he prepared something for us to eat.
As I sat at the table I leaned my head against my hand as I looked out the window, I could see Jinx running after a rabbit away from a garden. I smiled a little as I watched, wondering how it would be if I were still in the mortal world. I sighed as Dustin sat down across from me, setting down a plate before me and a plate before himself. "Something on your mind, Roe?" Dustin asked, looking at me. I blinked and looked at him, taking my hand away. "Nothing much.... I was just thinking on how my life would be if I were still in the mortal world." I replied, looking down at the food and poking it with a fork. I rested my chin against a hand as I did so, I could feel Dustin's gaze on me as I did this. "I see..." He said after a few moments. He took a bite from the food he had made before speaking again. "Well, if you were still in the mortal world I think you'd be in a very uncomfortable spot..." He replied, lifting a brow. I took a bite and thought about that as I ate, thinking on which uncomfortable spot I would be in.
I shrugged and looked at Dustin once more. I opened my mouth to say something when he cut me off. "I read the letter.... Were you really going to be stupid enough to go to that thing after getting money for god knows what?" He said, just looking at me with a calm look. I look back at him, eating again as I thought of what to say. I then shrugged again before speaking. "Maybe... But now that I think about it.... Why would they want to invite assassins yet pay them to come?" I replied, blinking once. He continued to eat, not replying to that. I move my gaze back to my food and continue to eat as well in silence, the birds still chirping and Jinx barking still at random moments.
After a few minutes we both finished eating he got up and took away the plates and forks before I could do anything about it. He took them to the sink and then came back walking around the table to stand behind me. He placed a hand on the table beside me and leaned close to me. He lowered his voice a little. "Well.... Since you decided to go to the castle.... I'll go with since I know you'll just run into trouble." He said. I put my hand down and turn my head to look at him. "Not trusting this?" I replied, lifting a brow. He just shrugged and then moved away and went to the door at the screech of a hawk. I got up and followed him.
The hawk was now perched on his arm, a note in its talons.