The Adventure Continues

Hunter

In the morning, we got up at day break once more. We payed, and walked out to the stables. All of our horses were still sleeping. I could see my breath in the chill morning air.

Throughout the day, it didn't get much warmer. Winter was officially over everywhere else, but in this realm, I guess it never ends. I don't really mind the cold, but I could see Shadow shivering even when she was riding her horse.

It was about noon. I looked up at the grey sky. It looked like a storm was approaching. Not very quickly though.

The wind started to pick up. It sent chills down my spine. This must be very miserable for Shadow. She hates the cold.

I rode up next to her.''It seems there is a storm approaching. Should we stop and wait it out?''

She was shivering. She pulled down her face mask before she spoke. I could hear her voice trembling.''No. We should try to make it just a bit further to the capital. If we were caught in the storm, at least we wouldn't be too far from help.''

As we kept riding, it only got colder and colder. Shadow even set fire to the rim of her hood and cape. I bet she even put a small flame in her boots, too.

None of the others were affected by the cold as badly as she was. They were still trembling, but not as badly as her. I had chills, of course, but I wasn't trembling.

Just then, I heard the approaching hooves of another rider. They were approaching fast. They were catching up to us very quickly.

I was about to tell Shadow, but she already noticed. She bent down even further on Forest and increased her speed. She didn't even look behind her to look who it was. I had an idea of who it was.

The stranger from earlier. I just had a bad feeling about this. The sound of the hooves were a lot louder than a horses. It couldn't be a deer, and yes, people ride deer in this world.

Shadow slowly started to slow down. Her horse must be tired. Forest's legs were also shaking very badly. He must be cold. His legs were shivering as he ran.

Shadow noticed and sent a flame down his legs. It wrapped and swarmed around Forest. I was amazed by the fact that he wasn't burning.

''Where do you think you're going? I just wanted to stop and chat!'' I heard him yell out to us.

A smile appeared on Shadow's face.''Hunter, why you little...'' She turned around to face him. I did the same.

It was the stranger from earlier, but he was on top of an elk that towered over all of our horses. It must have been at least 17 feet.

He pulled down his hood. He had brown hair that was combed back. It also got darker as it got to the tips. He had that start of a scruffy beard. His left eye was deep purple, and the other was a bright green.

''It's been a while since I've seen all of your faces around here.''

''We were attending to some business that happened at the castle. I have a bone to pick with a few people.''

''And may I ask who that would be?''

''The problem is, none of us know.''

''Well, that's a shame.'' He turned his attention to all of us. His eyes met Jeffrey.''Well if it isn't Jeffrey! It's been a really long time since I've seen you at all!''

Jeffrey had a look of pure hate on his face. Hunter seemed to be enjoying it.

''Why are you even here Hunter?'' Jeffrey called up to him through gritted teeth.

''I live around here. I was just going back home to my cabin when I ran into you guys.''

''More like following us! We saw you at the inn! You probably followed us here!''

''Jeffrey! Back off!'' Shadow warned him.

''Or what?'' Jeffrey turned to Shadow, still angry.

''Just do as I say! I can kick you out of the castle anytime I want, you know!''

''Oh wow, Jeffrey! You actually managed to become a member of the palace! Congrats!'' Hunter said with the same smile on his face.

''The same goes for you too, Hunter! If you two do not stop fighting, I will do more than just kill both of you!''

''Ooh, someone's getting a bit feisty!'' Hunter said with a laugh. No one else was laughing. They all had terrified looks on their faces.

Shadow jumped off of her horse, and not a moment later, punched Hunter in the face. It almost knocked him off of his elk.

Shadow calmly flew back to Forest, and sat back down on the saddle. Blood was running down Hunter's face from under his right eye. He no longer had a smile on his face.

''I can see you can still pack quite a good punch, Shadow.''

''There's more where that came from.'' Her voice began to tremble form the cold. We could all see our breath in the air, and the sun was almost down.

''What do you all saw about spending the night at my place?'' Hunter soon had his smile back.

Jeffrey gave Hunter a death glare. He didn't want to see Hunter's face for another moment.

''Why? I don't think you have enough room for all of us.'' Shadow said in her calm voice.

''Of course I do! And it's not that far from here! Just around the corner!''

''We can just find a clearing near by.'' Jeffrey started to turn his horse back to the road, but Shadow stopped him.

''Alright. It beats having to sleep in a tent with a storm raging outside.'' 

''Follow me everyone!'' Hunter turned his elk to face the main road. Shadow let him get ahead of all of us. Jeffrey was not too pleased with Shadow's decision.

He led us down the road a bit more, took a right, and kept going. We would soon reach his cabin for the night.