Games [The Electro Cosmos Book 2]

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Mykai shuffled impatiently as Mila sat on her back. She hadn't been in her wolf form since defending Heidi against Griss a few days previous. Unlike the last time, she changed back randomly as she was training with Griss late that same night. They were sparring, teaching each other tactics their animal bodies could use against each other when suddenly Mila shifted back and fell face first into the dirt. Griss laughed about it, but threw clothes at her as she changed back herself.

Griss and Mouse were at each other's throats now, shoving each other into the dirt and arguing about who would be leading the group. The bear guild leader, Calynn sat atop a dark brown horse whose fur matched her hair. Her face was expressionless as she watched the two of them fight at her horse's feet, her reddened cheeks exposed to the cold air. Her hair was pulled back in one long braid draping down to her thigh. A bruise lifted more color to her face, splattered across her right temple. Though she was young, she sat stiffly on her horse, her eyes far away, showing the maturity of an adult. Tim and Kyle rode on smaller horses, ones they could handle being so young. Mila heard they were being taught how to ride better, considering they both fell off their horses after leaving the temple, and lost them.

"Will you guys please just stop arguing," Rae was agitated, also mounted and ready for the journey north. Her black horse and crow were still as a statue. "We are wasting time with your bickering. We could have been in the North by now."

Griss grumbled, mounting her grey stallion and approaching the front of the group. Her bear lumbered behind. Kobo joined her in the front while Azil and Leroy stayed nearby Mila. Heidi was in the center of the group with Cernunnos, her owls and the falcon perched on his antlers like Christmas ornaments. Roxy took the flank with Mouse, silently watching her sister mount the last horse, her brother tucked into her cloak with a blanket tied around them to keep him from sliding around. He was fast asleep in her lap, the black cloth covering everything but his face.

"Are we ready?" Mila asked. Everyone exchanged a silent but tense glance. Fenner approached, his owl grooming his wings as he rested on his shoulder.

"Be safe, all of you," he stated, grabbing Griss's arm as she grabbed his in a gesture of respect and understanding. "Don't cause a ruckus. People are more dangerous than you think."

"Don't worry," Lillianna reassured him. He turned to her, watching quizzically. "They know us quite well. They'll treat your kin with great hospitality."

"Thank you," he stated, giving her a grateful nod. "If you see him, give your father my gratitude." She gave him an equal nod. After bidding goodbye to the sisters, they rode off into the northeast woods towards the road to Arok. The group began at a canter, speed on their side, and time against them.

They cantered through the woods in a line, weaving through trees and brush. Agni flew above, flying ahead and veering back, swinging in circles to watch for any threats. Griss led them along, knowing the woods better than most. Her bear ran with Kobo on the outer rim of their line. Leroy and Azil took the left flank, fanning out to create that barrier. Roxy's fox and Lillianna's wolf ran with them, trudging behind.

"There is a town just across the border. We should head there first. Spend the night in an inn or something. It'll be another three days before we get to the base," Lillianna shouted up to Griss, who turned back with a nod. She pushed the group faster, expending unnecessary energy. They would gain time, but their horses would lose energy and they would need to stop more frequently. Mykai growled and bucked with irritation, a horse pushing her from behind. Mila was just as agitated, but they kept moving, pushing ahead towards Griss. As she caught up, Griss gave her a look.