In the Absence of Light

Chapter 3: Whispers of Tension

Chapter 3: Whispers of Tension

I woke slowly. I was still getting used to this human body and its needs. I knew I needed to wake, and my body was naturally slowly waking up.

“Zedi, wakeup, quick.” I forced my mind into full awake feeling slightly dizzy, but I was up and on my feet.

“What’s up? I was working on getting up for my watch. I don’t feel any danger nearby….” And I didn’t. I didn’t since anything wrong outside that the camp.

“Layana’s gone and she took Gegarat and the wagon horses. No one else left with her.” I wrenched my senses inside the camp and sensed the wrong. Sarg it! I hadn’t thought that anyone in the camp would be a danger. I should have known… that bitch.

“I’ll wake Ollarin and Sandaas to take our watch. Go tack your horse. We’ll be riding fast.” I didn’t need to tack my horse. I would ride Zentas bareback with only a bridle to guide him with.

I ran over to Ollarin who lay next to an empty spot that had clearly been where his wife slept. “Olarin, wake up!” I commanded him with just a touch of my power to spark him into being fully awake.

He sat up quickly and just stared at me blankly, “Get up! Your taking my watch because your wife ran off with some of our horses.”

The red head blinked a couple times as he took in the information, and then he started getting up almost as one sleep walking. I glared at him, touched him again so I could send a little shock to him with my power. It worked perfectly.

He jumped and suddenly I saw reason enter his eyes. “Wha… why would she leave?”

“I don’t know man, but I’m going after her. Don’t worry I’ll won’t kill her since she is with child…” I turned and walked away not waiting for a reply. I still needed to wake Sandaas and Darin was almost ready to go.

Before I could even reach to touch Sandaas to wake him he was up with a knife out ready to fight. When he saw it was me he relaxed. Near him I could hear Zireana mumble in her sleep at the fact that the warm body near her was suddenly gone.

“Ollarin’s wife ran off with some of the horses. Ollarin and you are taking the watch while Darin and I chase her down.” He nodded to show he understood, sheathed his blade and stalked over to tend the fire.

I ran over to Zentas who spooked as he saw me coming. I slowed to a walk to show I meant no harm, and he calmed down and stopped fighting his hobbles. I slid his bridle on and quickly undid his hobbles. I grabbed his mane and pulled myself up as I swung my left foot up and over his back. 

He danced under me, but we didn’t have to wait long before Darin was ready. “Follow me.” That was all I needed to say. I focused my energy and sent a thread out to find her so I could follow it to her. There! I found her!

I released Zentas and we were off at a full gallop. I buried my face in his mane so the whipping main wouldn’t sting my face. I tangled my fingers in the main just in case he spooked and I did lose my balance. I guided him almost blindly in the gray of false dawn having only my energy to help me know the way. Behind me I could hear Darin’s horse breathing in and out heavily.

The trees raced to get behind us and their branches tried to grasp us and slow us, but we pushed through. Zentas’s mad gallop slowed as his breathing became heavier, but he kept going. I carefully steered him around holes waiting to catch a horse in midstride and break its legs. No, I had no plans to let Zentas break his legs; especially not when I was chasing a thief.

I sensed her up ahead and almost laughed at how slow she was traveling. She was a pregnant lady trying to steal a horse. What had gotten into her mind?