Stone Sacrifice ✔️Chronicles of Grey BOOK ONE [COMPLETED]

Chapter Three

"Here he comes."

Jovian let out a breath as he looked at the lone rider coming down toward the gate where we stood waiting. He turned to me. "It isn't too late to turn back."

I found myself laughing. "I'll be fine, Jovi."

He sighed. "You have everything?"

"Yes."

He nodded again and he looked me over, his old and wrinkled face - which had been so for as long as I have known him - was creased even further in worry. This was a sight I rarely saw and I gave him a small smile and reached out to squeeze his hand.

He pursed his lips, unfazed by the act of comfort. "You remember what to do if you run into a bogger?"

"Play dead."

"A gripsaw?"

"Fire. Or the underbelly."

"Werm?"

"Run?"

He spluttered. "No! You aim-"

"-for the roof of the mouth between the rows of teeth and avoid the fangs. I know, Jovi, I'll be fine. You taught me well."

He didn't seem amused at my jest. "One on one, yes, but if you're outnumbered-"

"Then I have the Shadow at my back." I motioned to where the Shadow had stopped and was waiting impatiently either just out of ear shot or just within, I couldn't tell. I lowered my voice in case it was the latter as I turned back to Jovian. "I know what I'm doing."

He grimaced in the Shadows direction but then sighed and nodded. He squeezed my fingers. "Don't loose your temper and remember your patience." He patted my neck. "Remember."

I nodded seriously at that, knowing he was referring to the marks on my neck, his constant reminder to keep them covered. "Every moment." I promised.

He nodded back and stepped away. He let out a breath. "Then go."

I stepped away and climbed atop the horse, my body sitting comfortably on the large beast from years of practice. But there I froze a moment and looked back at the man that had been a constant companion. Never had I ever been without him at my side. Always have I had him constantly testing or protecting me or both. This would be my first journey toward regaining the power I would need to defeat King Marqis, and I felt my stomach clench at knowing Jovian would not be with me.

His eyes softened as if hearing my thought and he nodded once, encouraging me that I would be fine, just as I had only moments before been reminding him.

I am Meira Greyov. Nahdiera is my kingdom. I do not need a hand to hold.

I turned from him and turned to the Shadow. "Let's go." I said.

He raised an eyebrow and motioned, a bit sarcastically. "Lead the way."

I went out the gates and I did not allow myself to look back, no matter how much I wanted to.

***

"Where are you going? The Black Mountains are this way."

The Shadow raised an eyebrow. "We have several weeks of traveling ahead through bogs, wolf territory, Eastwood, and mudwaters, not to mention our destination is so dangerous that no city or town resides within twenty arms of it. Most of that time we will be sleeping on the ground." He pointed to the road and therefore, an inn. "Let's sleep in a bed while we can. Besides," he turned his horse, "I have business there."

I watched him head down the road without looking back and my anger flared again but I kept it from bursting out - what he'd said was true and though I was in a rush, it was reasonable to wish for a bed while we still had the choice.