Undiscovered Origins

Undiscovered Origins - Chapter 17

Chapter 17:

            A couple more days on the road with stale bread and warm water made Jade uneasy. She did not like the cold meals and the weather wasn’t cold enough to keep their water skins chill yet. Her begged attempts for Drake to a warm meal had been in vain. He claimed a fire was what had attracted the attention of the ghouls… and that any fire would heed them a warning of location.

            She huffed at his stubborn answer. Her stomach twitched and tied itself in ropes from the ill flavor of her meals. She wished that they had come across a garden on their travels, but there was no such luck. They rested by a stream again and it had been quiet for the past few days to Jade’s relief. She dared not undress around Drake again, fearful of his prude eyes. Men had no respect as far as she was concerned. It was a wonder how any lady was able to settle for one.

            “How much longer is this journey?” Jade spoke softly.

            Drake’s head cocked to the side and his left eyebrow lifted impatiently. He looked back down to the water skin that was in his hands that he refilled in the stream. When it reached its full peak he raised it back up and securely attached it to his sash.

            “Do all women have such impatience, or is it merely you alone?” he asked.

            “Women are of action. We are patient as we need to be, yet I have no knowledge of this journey -- so I ask again… how much longer?” She said coldly and stared into his blazing almost emerald eyes.

            “Three more days ride and we will reach the sea. I only hope you aren’t this impatient on that journey as well, for it is much longer than the ride’s length of a journey by horse.” He huffed.

            She sighed at the thought. It was true that she was used to journeys with the circus, but it seemed this journey was the longest of her life. She knew the reason she fretted it so much was because she wanted answers. More answers than what Drake could give. Perhaps he knew more but chose not to divulge it. Whatever the case may be; she wanted to reach the so called safe haven and learn as much as she could about the various half breeds. Most importantly… why they were being hunted.

            Drake had made it unmistakably obvious that his whereabouts were to vanish when they arrived. His mission of rounding up more half breeds held his priority and her concern would be dealt with by the council and elders of the safe haven. It seemed his notations on the subject were to make her jealous or fret over not seeing him, but she wouldn’t give him as much satisfaction. She considered it would be easier without him around to learn more. Besides… there could be other half breeds… more attractive ones.

            She fished a glance back towards Drake’s muscled chest and abs. It sent shivers down her spine as he ogled over his defined lines of shoulders, chest, and abs. Perhaps not as attractive as him - but surely much more kind.

            Absentmindedly she stroked the mane of her horse, and she rubbed her appreciation against Jade’s cheek. She looked at her brown mare with large hazel eyes that stared deep into hers. Her mare was solid white along with its tail with patches by its shoulders and hooves. She was a beautiful horse, more so than any Jade had come across. Perhaps she was being judgmental towards others as she considered this horse to be her friend now. She shot a questioning look to Drake.

            “Does my horse have a name?” She asked.

            Drake shot her a puzzled look, “A name?”

            “Yes, what do you call her?” Jade snapped.

            His head jerked back at her remark and he looked to his mare gently petting it, “No they do not have names.”

            “Well I think we should name them.” She whispered petting her beautiful horse.

            “Be my guest.” Drake chuckled under his breath.

            “I shall call you Foxglove, as foxgloves protect unwarily animals from eating its beautiful flowers, making all those that prey upon them very ill. And you Foxglove.” She smiled petting her mane, “protect me from the ill gazes of shallow men.” She let her tongue roll on shallow loud enough for Drake to hear, and he eyed her before stumbling to pack his saddle.

            “What about yours?” She asked idly.

            “Uhem. I rather like Shadowmare. She’s always been able to hide me in the shadows when I needed her most.” Drake murmured.

            “And it seems the wyvern does have a soft spot.” Jade grinned.

            “What? No, I-”

            “Say no more, before you hurt your pride.” Jade smirked and turned away from him to secure her own sash.

            Her smile faded as she heard the wind rustle in the trees again. At first she only considered it the wind, but whispers filled her mind again. The trees spoke to her and it was fainter than before. There weren’t as many oak trees surrounding them this time. She blocked everything out of her mind including Drake’s constant rumbles about wyverns not having anything close to a soft spot to them.

            “They come. From the sky, winged beasts. Take care Jade, do not allow a surprise!”

            It was hard to give a face or a description to the voice. It seemed to have a leafy voice if that made any sense. The rattling of the leaves bounced together in certain ways creating a voice with a leafy exterior. She wondered if the voice came from one tree or several. It sounded like it came from several because it echoed.

            She looked up to the sky only noticing trees and clouds. The sun was setting past the horizon and out of her view. She could only tell from the oranges and pinks scattered through the sky. Her hand moved to her sash where she gripped her wooden scabbard. With her right hand she slid the wooden scimitar from its scabbard and held it into the sky.

            “What is it?” Drake whispered fingering his own blade and pulling it from his leather scabbard.

            “They come from the sky.” She whispered.

            He dared not ask how she knew. He already knew how she knew, and he had already questioned her a first time. A second was far from necessary.

            A shriek filled the air and five thin creatures of grey and silver with emasculate wings dropped from the sky. Their wingspan was six times the height of their bodies, and their bodies were one and a half the size of Jade’s. She shivered as she looked at their stone exterior and large teeth and gritty eyes.

            “Gargoyles.” Drake breathed after what seemed like the breath of a lifetime.