Arakim's Legacy(#Wattys2015)

Chapter 9

In the mountains, the cold-early morning air was brisk with the chill winds retaining their bites this far from the Training Valley. The sky was thinly overcast, with the sun's first light creeping over the hills and mountains, casting shadows on the trail. The trail on which seven hooded figures were presently walking briskly and silently along. All around them was white as far as eyes could see, difficult to separate land from water as the lakes were frozen and covered in snow. Only the presence of trees and shrubs put a bit of colour to the pristine sight. All were silent, lost in their own thoughts except for Gnar, who was humming softly under his breath.

Sighing in frustration, Myra turned toward Gnar saying. 'Will you stop that noise? You sound like a beehive.'' Face expressionless, Gnar barely glanced at her and continued humming.

'Who are you again?'' Myra asked, nose wrinkled in disgust. 'Why are you here?''

'Leave the boy alone, Myra,'' Mena snapped. 'Go, join Izumi if the humming bothers you that much.''

Izumi was presently ahead of the company, not using the trail but traipsing swiftly and lithely over hills, barely visible up there.

'Uuh.'' snorted Myra. 'The crazy hybrid. I don't understand why you surround yourself with all these freaks.''

Other than glancing at her, Mena didn't bother to respond. Mena still wondered why Tyr insisted she came with them. She could still remember the conversation she had with him a couple of days ago. Mena sitting at the table in her chambers when Tyr knocked, and walked in.

'Knew I would find you here.'' he said. 'How is the list coming?''

'It's not.'' Mena answered. 'Other than Edum and Ren, there is no else I can choose.'' Frustrated. 'Unless I choose from my scouts.'' Looking at him hopefully.

Tyr was already shaking his head.

"Why not? They are already well-trained for this kind of job.'' Mena said, rolling her eyes. "If not them, then who?

Leaning against her table, fingers entwined together, pursing his lips while looking quietly at her.

'No. No, don't do this to me.'' Mena said, panic in hr voice, for she knew what he wanted her to say.

'I can't take her with me.'' Still protesting. Tyr gently smiled at her.

'I will kill her and then mother will kill me.'' She cried, banging her head on the table and leaving it there.

'Why can't I take Tsare instead?'' voice muffled into the table. Tsare was Myra's brother.

'You know why.'' Tyr said, ruffling her hair.

'What of Djou?'' Mena raised her head from the table to look up at Tyr and when she saw his expression, her jaw dropped open in shock.

'Both of them?'' she gasped, horrified. 'What did I do to you?''

And Tyr laughed, which dissolved into chuckles when he saw no answering smile on Mena's face.

'I am sorry you feel the way you do.'' Obviously not sorry at all. 'But you will need them before the end.'' Tyr said in a cryptic voice.

'Whatever.'' Dismissed Mena. 'I still think it's a bad idea.''

'What of Gnar? And what I told you about.''

'What do you think?''

Mena shrugged. 'If I am taking the heifer and the big-headed cat, I might as well take him. My problem is his youth''

Tyr chuckled, straightening up. "Don't worry about it. It will come in handy.''

'So you're going with Myra, Djou, Edum, Ren, Gnar, Talor and who else?'' he asked, ticking them off his fingers.