The Believer

Chapter Ten: Green Hair

Thea and Wilky returned to the camp soon after and along with Casey, prepared to move on in their journey. At first it seemed there was going to be a debate about what to do with Helewis, but it was soon agreed (this meaning that Casey declared it would be so) that Helewis would accompany them as their prisoner until they got to Lorea where they could turn him in. This would keep Helewis from reporting back to Draegon or following them, and it would protect Helewis from Draegon's wrath, for there would be sackan to pay if he found out Helewis had failed.

Wilky, however, knew none of this. In her mind, he was simply a neutralized threat of some sort, relating to Thea and her well guarded secrets. Helewis seemed nice when he wasn't dangerous, and it was kind of funny to see him bickering with Casey, a fairly common spectacle.

The group travelled for a full day, a day in which Wilky had the opportunity to admire the flat plains of Kown which she chose not to take, because she was too tired and miserable to admire anything. They were about halfway across Kown but already, Wilky was exhausted from walking so far along with practicing magic.

When they stopped for the night under the cover of a small forest, Wilky voiced her desire to buy horses to make the journey less tiring.

"It would also be much faster," she added.

"I know a place we can stop," Casey put in. "I think it's a good idea, though I'm not sure we'll be able to afford four horses- Helewis wouldn't even be able to ride by himself, since he's still a prisoner."

Helewis growled. "I've said it before Caster, let me go and I'll side with you three. Dra- ah, my previous employer was much too mixed up in dark magic for my taste anyway. Shrik tends gets weird around dark magic, y'know the deal. I only did it because I needed the money, and he was willing to pay a pretty price."

"Language, Bronsky boy." Casey said, mockingly stern.

"Stop calling me that!" Helewis growled.

"Would you prefer Louey?"

"So you're saying we could get two horses, then?" Thea cut in. Wilky, who had been looking forward to more bickering from the two guys, was disappointed by this but happy with the progression of the conversation.

"Exactly," said Casey, turning away from Helewis. "Two horses instead of four. You two can ride, right?"

"Yes, of course," Thea said quickly.

"Sorta?" Wilky questioned. "I mean, I've ridden a horse before, but I'm not super good at it. It's been a while. I'm sure I'll figure it out! Thea can show me!" She looked over at Thea, who shrugged. "Just like you promised to teach me to fight with a sword..." she added, grinning. "Could we do that now?"

"It's getting dark," Thea commented.

"So better do it soon! Please?"

"You're asking a lot here," Thea grunted. "I was being generous to let you come along."

"Pleeeeeease? What if something attacks us and I don't know how to fight it?"

"You don't even have a sword. You have a staff and you're training to be a witch."

"True," Wilky agreed. "But I still want to know how to fight with a sword. What if my staff breaks or gets lost or something? I lose things a lot."

"Come on, Thea, you did promise," Casey pointed out. "Just real quick. Show her the basics."

Thea frowned in his direction, then climbed to her feet, looking to Wilky's hopeful face. "Let's move away from the camp a bit so we don't kill someone."