Lynn (Book One of the Lynn Saga)

Chapter Six

The journey to a new camp took two hours. In that time, we traveled a great deal of land. Centaurs can go up to fifty miles an hour, and the horse I rode on was trained to go around that speed.

When the trip was over, I got off of the horse and threw up in a nearby bush. Nicole shuddered and Calvin laughed, guessing that I probably had never ridden a magical horse before.

"They're like hornless Unicorns," explained Calvin, unpacking the tent. He began to set it up, the insides expanding into the triangular shape. Nicole started on her own tent, too. She set it between two trees, somewhat near Calvin's tent.

Ivan set down the daggers between the two tents, along with a few other weapons he got at a shop we stopped at in the middle of the trip. One iron sword, arrows, and a blade sharpener.

Red bellowed, "Hunters, come with me into the forest to get some game. Ivan and Nicole, I suggest you start to find some fruit in the woods."

Nicole and Ivan finished their business and set out together to the forest, quietly walking off towards the sun, which was now just beginning to fall above the horizon. I assumed, since it was late in October, that it was 6:00 or so.

However, Landon, Peyton, Calvin, and Red rode off in the other direction Nicole and Ivan went in. Calvin took his horse, though Nicole hadn't.

It was just Den and I, since Den was great with fires and I, well, was me.

The sun had just sunk below the endless horizon and the first stars were beginning to appear. Den had created a small fire, and he used tree leaves to fan it and make it grow for the food the others were hunting.

Nicole and Ivan had arrived half an hour ago and were standing around the fire. They were munching on apples and wild blueberries, talking about someone called Eagle.

I moved over next to Ivan and asked, "who's Eagle?"

Ivan looked confused, but in seconds said, "oh, the memory loss thing... Well," he continued, tilting his head back as he shoved some blueberries in his mouth, "Eagle is a warrior that died yesterday. I heard from the merchant at the shop." He stared deep into the flames, obviously a fan for Eagle.

Nicole continued, "he was a great fighter in this war going on in Rockwood, halfway around the world. Jesters are attacking the Centaurs living there."

Ivan shook his head and muttered something. Appearing to have heard, Nicole inhaled as if shocked, like Ivan had just called her something horrible.

"What?" I said, worried.

Nicole repeated what Ivan couldn't, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Ivan's parents are in Lionridge, which is the next town down from Rockwood."

Ivan's smile faded. "They were in Lionridge. I haven't heard from them since."

Before things could get awkward, I cleared my throat and announced, "ah, they're back!"

Nicole, Ivan, and Den all turned their heads to see the chattering group of Centaurs and Calvin, who still rode his horse and carried a bag full of what looks like rabbit.

"We got a lot tonight! We snuck up on this group of deer, but they got away. But Red managed to spear one of them! Then when we were heading back, we got some rabbits! Isn't this great game?"

I nodded as we pulled out the meat. I couldn't remember the last time I ate, and i was starved!

I just noticed that Giselle, Stella, and Midnight were among us. They stood awkwardly next to Landon, who was on the edge of the cluster of us.

"Giselle, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the cottage?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. Giselle's head was down, and for a second I thought she was injured.

But she looked up, tear streaked cheeks. She then uttered something that made my stomach drop.

"Daniel and his friends burned it. To the ground."

Stella then added quietly, "they're declaring war."