Soulstrings

3. Juvenile Hunters

I hope Master Iden is satisfied. I don't want to think about what might happen if he isn't.

Iden was wheezing by the time he and Padge neared the stairs to Petina's Inn. "Are they still behind us?"

Padge whipped his head around, finding a lack of red eyed monsters following them. "Nope. We probably got out of their range a long time ago. Which leads me to my next question: can we stop running now?"

"And leave me to deal with a depressed Jerilyn? Uh, no thank you." Iden skidded to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. He craned his head upwards, aiming for the window of their room. He clicked open a lid and pulled out black marbles. He sprayed the Fragments onto the floor, creating a dark ring. Iden turned to Padge and gestured his head to the markings. "Get in there."

Padge's face was unamused.

Iden sighed in frustration. "I know you're annoyed because you can't make any Feiron Forms. But if we go through the first floor and pass the lobby, Jerilyn is going to see us. Now suck in your gut and get in the ring."

"When I get my Soulstring, I'll be making Feiron trampolines in your face," Padge grumbled as he stepped within the circle.

Iden rolled his eyes. "You're already annoying enough without it." He lurched his right fist upward, sending Padge flying up the face of the building. As the closest window appeared in front of him, Padge reached out, grabbed onto the ledge and pulled himself into the room.

"Look who's back." Vara grinned, not shifting from her position on the bed, nose still buried in a book. "You're lucky I didn't mistake you for a burglar."

"I'm deadlier than a burglar," Padge answered. There was another loud thwack behind Padge as Iden's right hand clung to the window sill.

"Uh, guys," he croaked. "A little help here."

"Useless left arm, huh?" Padge said as he held onto Iden's hand and dragged him in. As Iden stood up from the ledge, he nearly tripped on his cloak, but he quickly steadied himself. His eyes scanned the room. "Jerilyn not back yet?"

"Nope," Vara replied.

"Safe!" Padge cheered.

Iden didn't want to take any chances. He pulled out an orange Antinum cup and held it to his ear. His enhanced hearing immediately picked up on the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned to his friends. "Not for long. Hurry, everyone get in bed and pretend you're sleeping!"

Padge leapt onto a free bed and pulled the covers over his head, adding fake snores as he shifted himself a comfortable position. Iden was just on his way to his bed when Vara spoke up.

"You know, it's not very nice to leave Jerilyn out there while the rest of us goes to bed."

"I know," said Iden. "But she insisted on doing so. You know she's like that."

Vara frowned slightly. "But still. You shouldn't exactly let her."

The echoing of footsteps stopped at the door. That was enough to quiet Vara and send Iden into a panic. No time to unbuckle the cape. He dove into the bed and feigned sleep. 

Juvenile Hunters

 Cameron cracked his spine on the way up the stairs, feeling that satisfying pop. "Yep, there we go. Much better. Hey, thanks again for helping me out back there. I'll pay you back for the meal. If I don't in two years, it's your job to remind me. Oh, and that's a really sweet sword, by the way. Can I see it? Are you one of those weird people who name their weapons?"