Fɪɢʜᴛ Fᴏʀ Aʟʟ || Tʜᴇ Cʜᴏsᴇɴ Eɪɢʜᴛ Bᴏᴏᴋ Oɴᴇ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ғᴏᴜʀᴛᴇᴇɴ || sᴛᴀʀs

Lucia

It took us another full day of travel to reach the supposed location of the Copper Falcon.

"We'll set up camp here and get the talisman in the morning." Tyler halted his stallion. He dismounted, exhaustion throwing deep shadows onto his face.

I paused beside him, hopping off Elle in a fluid motion. I'd never been a great rider before, but now that I was riding pretty much all the time, I could tell I was improving. Not that the others' pitiful equestrian skills were anything to compare it to.

Elle nudged my arm, as if she'd heard my thoughts. I rolled my eyes and rubbed behind her ear. "It's not like they'll ever know."

She snorted in return, turning and meandering away to graze. I received a mouthful of hair when she swished her tail into my face. Spitting it out and glaring, I unloaded my bedroll and got it set up.

Hoya had managed to start a fire.

She seemed good at things like that, I thought to myself as Tyler started handing out dinner rations.

Hoya moved with a sort of graceful ease in the woods, reminding me rather of her lynx. Clearly she'd been out here for a long time.

I wanted to ask how long, but then her lynx caught my eye and held it. I blinked away quickly, suddenly overcome with embarrassment. I hated being embarrassed. And intimidated. Which, apparently, were two things that Hoya and her lynx were exceptionally good at.

"Copper for your thoughts?" Niko sat down heavily beside me. His hair was ruffled– well, more ruffled than usual, but he still wore a grin.

I raised a brow, chewing on an apple.

"Well?" Niko tugged a strip of jerky through his teeth. "You looked like you were thinking very hard. Spill!"

I shrugged, using my mouthful of apple as an excuse to think of something to say. "Oh, you know. I was just wondering about how we're gonna be getting the Copper Falcon tomorrow."

"Hm." Niko nodded. "Yeah, me too, actually. But Tyler seems to have a plan."

"I hope so." I tucked a hair behind my ear. "I'd rather not go in blind."

"I highly doubt that'll be the case." Niko reassured.

I let his words ease the actual worries that had risen without my notice, finishing off my apple. Slowly, the conversation and fire started to die down. The others started retiring to their bedrolls and I was quick to follow, eager to rest after an exhausting day.

But sleep didn't come easy, like it should have. I turned over for what felt like the million time already. The fire was completely out by now, the only light left being the crescent moon and a smattering of stars. I closed my eyes.

And opened them again almost immediately. Elle snuffled into my face, giving the impression that she was laughing at me.

I sat up and pet her nose. "You scared me!" I scolded quietly.

The mare huffed quietly, dismissing my words and blowing into my hair. I laboriously got to my feet, wondering why she'd woken me. I patted her side, brushing over her soft fur.

The silver moonlight glinted as she blinked at me. Her eyes seemed to ask, what are you waiting for? Get on me, and we can ride to the ends of Erdas.

I stroked her nose, feeling the velvety softness of it. I leaned my head against her flank, breathing in her amazing scent. I jolted from my trance, as she shifted away from me.

She lowered herself down to the ground, looking up at me. Well? Aren't you coming? Her expression said.

I half-smiled, quickly grabbing my abandoned blanket before curling up at her side, my head resting on her belly.

Sabien

Sleep had never been a friend of mine. And not now, when I was surrounded by strange people. Rolling over, I got to my feet. My chameleon, Eldya, was still curled in a ball on my blanket. She was sound asleep. I walked quietly into the clearing, skirting around Elle and Lucia, who were snuggled together on the ground. Stepping into the open, I looked up. Stars scattered the night sky, creating patterns that were unfamiliar to me. I felt a surge of homesickness at this realization, missing the familiar constellations.

"Sabien?" A gentle voice came from behind me, making me jump.

I turned, finding none other than Navia, her hair rumpled from sleep.

"Hey..." I mumbled, surprised to see her.

"What are you doing up?" She stifled a yawn.

"Couldn't sleep." I murmured vaguely, glancing back up at the stars.

She gazed upwards as well. "They're beautiful tonight."

I shrugged and sighed. "I miss my stars."

"Your stars?" She repeated, a teasing question in her tone.

I felt my cheeks grow hot. "I mean– the stars from home." The word stuck in my throat. That place was never home. I never wanted to go back if I could. And yet, I missed it. Crazy. Stupid, even.

Navia was quiet for a moment. "They're different, aren't they." She mused. "Still beautiful. But different."

I glanced at her.

She caught my eye from the corner of her own. "Don't you think?"

"Yeah. I guess you're right." I conceded. "What are they like up north?"

Navia didn't answer for a long moment. She fidgeted with the gold ring on her right hand and glanced down. "Different." She finally murmured.

"Different how?" I found myself asking.

She shrugged. "Familiar." Abruptly, Navia turned away and walked back to her bedroll. Cerco, her wolverine, raised his head as she approached. She whispered something to him and relaxed back into sleep.

I frowned. Had I said something wrong? I looked back up at the stars, a pang of homesickness setting in again. Shaking my head at myself, I headed back toward my bedroll as well. Eldya barely twitched as I curled up next to her, but her quiet heartbeat beside my ear was enough to soothe me for now. Finally, I slipped into a long-awaited sleep.

Meep. Hey guys, hope you liked this chapter. I certainly liked writing it. With some cute moments between Navia and Sabien. Also, please comment which pov you'd like me to do for the next chapter! Thanks!

edit: 15/05/21
*offers you this trashy rewrite*
enjoy my lovelies xx