Spirit Seeker

Chapter 2

People watched as I rode my horse through the streets. Most likely wondering why I had two horses. But I ignored all their comments and whispers.

Something shifted at the corner of my eye. Someone leaned over a boy holding a knife in his raised hand ready to strike the boy. The boy looked under my age, 16 maybe. With out thinking I quickly tied Boomerang to a small tree in my line of sight.

"I thought I told you to kill her?" The man was saying, 

" I-I'm s-sorry, I c-couldn't do i-it, she d-did nothing w-wrong." The boy bravely spoke up, everyone passed with out even looking at them. These people either didn't see him, which I really doubt, or they didn't care.

"Hey!"  I yelled entering the small ally-way. "What do you think your doing? Trying to convince the kid to kill someone when he doesn't want to?" The man glared at me.

"This is none of your business, he's just a street boy. Nobody cares about his life." He said turning his attention to the boy again. Suddenly I was in front of the boy, sword drawn in a defensive position. 

"Leave. The. Boy. Alone." I growled at the man, something in me snapped, and I felt stronger. My senses enhanced, I saw everything more clearly.

"Don't make me hit you girl, how old are you? 19?" he threatened. "Go back to your parents before you have bruises and knife wounds"

"18, and try me." I replied the thought of my parents death haunted me, but I finally accepted it.

He slashed at me with his poorly made knife. I blocked with my sword easily. " Go to the white horse over there tied to the black one, mount her and stay there. If anyone walks up to you leave then come back later." I told the boy. Hesitantly he got up and ran for his life towards Kaspara.

He mounted but stayed there as told. I quickly turned my sword and hit him in the chest with it but it was turned to he didn't get cut. 

"Huff" he gasped for air, then I ran towards Boomerang and quickly untying him then mounting. I lead him towards the city boundaries.

"You know how to ride a horse?" I asked and got a quite 'no' from him.

"Okay. Heels down then pull lightly where you want her to go. Stay on my left, she'll stay by me but make sure you still have complete control of her." I said quickly then handed him the reins. 

Kaspara followed me and Boomerang at an even pace as we fled from the man. Not knowing if he had a horse or not I looked back. And sure enough he was chasing us on a brown horse. 

I flicked the reins signalling to Boomerang to go faster which he happily obliged. Still keeping pace Kaspara refused to leave my side and quickened her pace too.

We started reaching the city boundaries and I saw the boy shiver. 

"You cold?" I asked and he nodded, " I will buy you something later, after we lose the lunatic." I said and he laughed. 

"Okay" That was the first time I heard him speak in a normal voice.

The buildings started fanning out until they stopped completely. Occasionally we past a farm house and barn. 

I looked behind us but couldn't see the man anymore. I slowed Boomerang down and Kaspara did the same never leaving me nor Boomerangs side. The horses weren't phased by the running but I gave Boomerang an apple. 

I gave another to the boy. 

"I'm not hungry though" the boy protested. I laughed lightly, 

"It's not for you," I said looking at the mare. 

"Oh" He said then handed Kaspara the apple in the palm of his hand. She sniffed it then took a bite, then another.

She then shoved him with her nose for more. 

"I don't got any more!" the boy laughed. Kaspara whined.

"She likes you," I said to the boy, 

"Well I like you too" The boy said. 

"Kaspara"I said, the boy looked at me with a confused look, "Her name is Kaspara." He nodded looking back at the mare and rubbing in between her eyes. "What's your name?" I asked the boy, "Or I'm just going to come up with a name for you." I added.

The boy froze, "I haven't been asked that question in a long time. But I am Zero. What's yours?" 

" My names Spaze, but call me Z" I said.

"But I like Spaze" 

" I don't"

"Okay" the Zero shrugged, then he shivered from the cold.

I searched through my belongings. Then pulled out a fleeced blanket and draped it over him.

"Thanks Z." He said. After a moment of silence he asked, "Why did you save me back there?" 

I stopped moving. "It reminded me of someone, and I didn't like how he thought it was okay to threaten a kid like that, like you." I inhaled a raged breath. The sun was just over the horizon, and the sky filled with pink, purple, red and orange. 

"Where did you come from, I've never seen you before." He asked.

" Have you ever heard of the Seasons?" I asked him. He shook his head.

"Well" I started, " A long long time ago the world wasn't as it is today. The Seasons where equally balanced and controlled by their respectful spirits. The Seasons were Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn or Fall. Each had a spirit telling when they could do what they were created to do." I inhaled deeply. Then continued.

"Winter's spirit was named Quilo. Spring's was Atwell. Summer's was Ray, and Autumn's was Leaf. The all lived in peace with the plants and animals around them, even other spirits. But when the Winter Queen came, she hated the other seasons and favored Winter most. So she took over the Spirit's roles and scared them and the other spirits into hiding. And they've never been seen since."

Zero cocked his head slightly, "What does that have to do with where you came form?"

"Because, I came from a resistance against the Queen. And I was sent to retrieve the spirits and return them to the land. I am the only person who can in the world."

"Why?" Zero asked.

I knew I was going to regret this but I rolled up my sleeves revealing my spiritual marks.