The Gifted

Chapter Nine: A Gift For A Gifted

After a bit of time, Flint deemed the horses rested and we could continue on our way. We talked as we went and I came to understand more of what happened at the inn.

Flint said that there had been rumors in some of the territories of fires breaking out at houses.  The families never make it out in time.

"No one questioned it?", I asked incredulously.

"Not at first. There were bodies found after but, then inconsistencies arose. For instance, a friend of the victims said a family of six lived in the household but only four bodies were found."

"Why wasn't this reported? I never heard a word of this at the castle."

"It was reported. The King is just too preoccupied with getting the North in line to care about his people getting sold into slavery.", he sounded disgusted. "This is the first time I've seen it first hand though."

My hands tightened on Apollo's reins. The King. His people were being slaughtered and enslaved and he didn't lift a finger to help them. Why was I not surprised?

Targeting an inn though was definitely a team effort. They were probably watching it for days, waiting for the perfect "goods" to stay the night. Wait...could he really..

"Flint, the man that was staring.."

Flint's mouth was set in a hard line, "was probably their scout. I've thought about it too. I was preoccupied with our own situation though and didn't make the connection. The blame goes to me."

It was then that Sir Devon spoke up from behind us, "All of us noticed the man but didn't suspect him. We're all to blame. You can't take responsibility for the world Flint."

"Eh, if he wants to toil over people he didn't know then let him."

My eyes narrowed in on Kane ahead of us. Of course he would say that. He obviously didn't have a too much for the gift of life but, then again, most Militants didn't. My thoughts flashed to Aiden and the scar on my mother's face.  His violent behavior.

"I can feel your eyes on me, Miss", he said it with venom which only made me glare at him even more. Thankfully, Enoch started a new conversation, one that distracted us from the turmoil we were enveloped in.

We traveled for a couple weeks and, once an appropriate distance from the castle, started to travel by day again. To say I was thrilled was an understatement. I like the night but, don't wish to live in it, especially when I know Trackers could be lurking in its darkness.  My heart quickened just thinking about them and their shadowed faces.  Now, the only remaining sign of my conflict with them was a slight yellow ring of a bruise around my neck.

I got to know everyone fairly well as we traveled. Sir Devon wasn't nearly as quiet around me anymore and Enoch was always a joy to talk to. Kane stayed silent most of the trip, probably knowing his presence wasn't appreciated, Gifted or not.  I learned Flint was practically always the confident person he is and if the relationship he had with Sir Devon and Enoch was anything to go off of, he was well liked and respected.  

It wasn't long before I noticed the terrain was slowly starting to change. I had never been this far north.  The trees were big and tall, showing their ancient age and the ground was starting to rise towards the mountains in the distance. Towns were more dispersed up here, so camping out had become our usual routine.  I didn't mind, but the drop in temperature was certainly becoming more noticeable and soon it would be uncomfortable.  

However, we were coming up on Stoneherst, the last decent sized town before we continued our journey even farther north to the base.  Here, we would stock up on supplies for the base and ourselves but, most importantly, we would be staying in the town's inn tonight.  The dropping warmth I could deal with, but the food was something else entirely.  I longed for the things that only came from someone with skilled hands in a kitchen.  Meals of bread, cheese, and game were fine, but stews, pastries, and seasoned meat were always better.