Hallor Chronicles

CHAPTER XXII. - A CROW AND A FOX

            The Sgaard elites are standing behind the guy who looks a bit like me, all waiting for my response. They don't seem hostile or have any bad intentions, except the girlfriend who is giving me another glare. Still, I don't think it's normal to be friendly like this out of nowhere and there has to be some reason behind it, so I don't tell Woreus to back down. Not that it matters if he keeps being ready for an attack, because they don't seem worried a bit about a growling wolf in front of them. Woreus stops, but stays standing next to me, just in case. I thought he sensed no malice or something, but he shares through the bond that they are wolf shifters. Surprised by it, I instantly repeat it, out loud.

Girl with wings: That would be you three. Maybe you stink?

Dark-haired guy: Or they have fleas.

White-haired girl: Rowen has the best hygiene of you all combined together.

Girl with wings: We are warriors, what can we say.

For some reason they start to bicker and argue between themselves. I took it as an opportunity to disappear, but when I start walking away, taking gentle quiet steps, they still notice it and talk to me again, asking if I want to join them for a run. I fake a smile and politely decline, excusing myself by saying I am tired and plan on just walking for the rest of the track. They look at each other and when they all shrug shoulders at the hazel-haired guy, he directs his gaze on me and says they don't mind a stroll. I cursed in my head and at that moment the guy, who I guess is called Rowen, snorts, like he heard it. I raise my eyebrows at him, but he just repeats the question, so I think it was just a coincidence and stop thinking about it. Instead, I tried to come up with an another excuse for them to leave me alone.

Me: Actually, I don't have a good relationship with demons and am prohibited from interacting with them, so sadly, I can't join you. But thanks for the invite.

Rowen: Who is a demon though?

Me: That one, with the black wings?

Thinking it is obvious since Cohen has similar wings and is a demon, I make the assumption, but they all burst out laughing instead like I said the most hilarious thing ever. Some of them pretended to wipe away tears and kept laughing. This Rowen guy calmed down and tried to stop the rest. I rolled my eyes, scoffed and pivoted on the spot, then started walking away. Rowen apologizes and asks met o wait, which I don't want to do, but for some reason my body reacts to his request like it's an order and I stay.

Rowen: Erilyn is not a demon.

Me: But the black wings are similar to-

Erilyn: I know who you are talking about, but no, I am a Valkyrie.

All I manage as a reply is "ah". The knowledge I have about mythology is not so good, since I only learned stuff at human school thinking it's all just fantasy, but I have a general idea about Valkyries. Something about guiding warriors to afterlife or whatever. From the stuff I studied with Draco is well, useless, because I didn't pay much attention to other school, which I now regret.

Apologizing for mistaking her for a demon, I tell them about my lack of knowledge, but don't bother them with the reason for it and my pitiful past, since we are not really friends. After seeing they are actually nice, I finally gather the courage to tell them I want to be left alone to think about some things. They all start apologizing for not realizing it and said we can hang out some other time. Only Rowen and Erilyn give me a smile, the rest has serious expression, but they wish me a good day nevertheless.

I continue on the track while the Sgaard group takes a shortcut through the grass, emitting this aura of respect and power as they walk between training students. As I keep going, I talk to Woreus, but he doesn't reply. I check my sides and don't see him anywhere near me, then I find him standing on the spot, staring at the group.