Bullet of Frost (An Iron Fey Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

  

It was only a matter of hours before Rowan and I would depart for Welkin. Back in my room, I packed all the supplies that I was going to need for the next five to six months. I grabbed a couple daggers from my wall and slipped one in each boot. The ones with the poisoned blades I left hiding under my mattress, so no one would find them and get any ideas.

Mina, my black and white guinea pig, squeaked softly in her cage. She had been a small gift from Sage on my last birthday, and I'd taken care of her well, making sure to keep her hidden from Rowan and his pesky Thornguards. I stepped over and unlatched the cage door, carefully lifting her out. I held her gently to my chest and patted her small head with my index finger.

"I'll be going away for a while, so you'll be in Sage's hands from now until I return." Mina squeaked and nibbled at my finger in response. I petted her for a while, but then she started to squirm. A few moments later she went completely still, her eyes wide. I quickly placed her back in her cage, knowing what happened after guinea pigs went completely still when someone was holding them. I gave her fresh water and then turned my attention back to packing, letting Mina do her business in peace.

After I was finished, I buckled my sword around my waist and headed out into the hall, saying a brief good bye to Mina. The halls were surprisingly lively at this hour. Phoukas roamed around in the shadows, searching for mischief. Redcaps played brutal card games by the walls, growling and baring their hideous teeth at one another.

I hurried toward the front door, keeping to the shadows and not drawing any attention to myself. No one bid me farewell as I left.

Outside, the skies were still dark, but dawn was on its way, ready to touch the tops of the snow capped mountains in the distance. It had begun to lightly snow, small flakes landing in my hair and on my clothes. I ignored them though; I was used to getting covered in the fluffy white substance.

Over by the forest, ten horses waited rather impatiently, snorting and pawing the ground. Two of the horses, Skull and Calx, were already saddled and bridled. The other horses bore thick black armor with small, deadly thorns jutting out of it. Their eyes glowed a dark crimson, quite dull compared to Skull's eyes, which were a bright blue.

I stepped over to Calx, apparently waking him from his brief nap. He flinched, his black eyes snapping open immediately and fixing on me. I strapped my supplies to his saddle and tightened his cinch. He groaned and turned his head to lip at the sleeve of my coat. I let him for a moment, but then firmly smacked his muzzle when I felt his hard teeth make contact with my elbow. Obediently he left me alone, focusing his gaze on another figure coming toward us.

"Well, little brother I didn't expect you to be up this early," Rowan mused, stepping up next to Skull. Qui, Rowan's little sidekick, trailed a respective three steps behind him. Her shoulder-length black hair seemed to grow darker in the faint early morning.

I glared at my brother as he calmly took his time strapping his things to Skull's saddle. He glanced over and noticed the dirty look I was giving him. "What? Was it something I said?"

I rolled my eyes. "Never mind." Turning away, I swung up onto Calx's back. Calx was only sixteen hands high, compared to Skull who stood at least seventeen hands, which was the exact equivalent to a mortal Thoroughbred. Rowan frowned at me and swung up on Skull, making the task look effortless, even though Skull's back was taller than Rowan himself.

"I've been to Welkin before so I know a good route that will get us there before dusk," he said smugly, acting so much like the pompous ass that he was.