Priest: Taking the Hood

A New Path

The remnants of what was already a small fire were about to smoulder out.  Dawn was about just beginning and some small birds were chirping. The group was already packed and headed out to the path but Raven was crossing over the path and not onto it as everyone else. 

"Where are you going," Max asked.

"We have a change of plans." She pulled her straps on her bags a bit tighter.

Griffen's look had a demand for answers.

Raven shook her head, "We have always dealt with this thing under its terms. This time around it is going to have to come to ours."

"Where are we going?" Griffen asked sternly. 

"Home... We are going to my families' land and training grounds. The boys need to be pushed to a higher level before we run across them again."

Max sighed, "Who is to say they won't follow us?" 

Raven had smirk roll across her face, "Than the bitch will have made a grave mistake. Taking me on where I know every inch of the ground. The training ground has more twists, turns, and traps that would only aid me against her and her mutt."

***

Griffen and Raven had taken the lead. Max had fallen back to try and hear if anyone was following. Aden was on guard and sticking close to Alexander. Everyone knew Alexander did not have the needed skills to know if someone was stalking them. 

"You are not going to give Aden's Priest exam go are you?" Griffen pried.

"No, not at all. I am for damn sure not going to let her get her craws on Alexander... When I am done with him he is going to be very formable."

"Have you taken to Jade's son?"

"Do you mean am I taking him under my wing? Yes, and not for Jade's sake. For any mother who is having her child stalked by something that had already brought many of our brothers and sisters to their last breath."

"I am a bit surprised with you."

"So will it if she makes the mistake of following me home."

Hours had passed as they made their way through the wild brush far off of any beaten path. Raven was not slowing up for a moment to check her direction. It as though she had a builtin compass and map. Crossing streams and even cutting through areas that seemed to not have seen humans in a long time. 

The sun was settling down as they heard a rustling through the branches and brush; everyone was on guard as a bund of fur launched out of the growth and took Raven to the ground.  Griffen was the first one on site to only have his legs taken out from under him. Raven spun around with the beast behind her pushing the hunters back.  

"Are you telling me you are afraid of a little wolfhound?"

Griffen shook his head, "I take it we are close."

"About  15 Kilometres away." She petted the dog that was behind her. "Looks like he picked up the sent."

Max drugged on and under his breath, "The wind has been good to us.

Raven responded, "Yeah, it was to our backs the whole time but don't think that means they cannot track us."

The night was setting as they found themselves outside of a small cabin. The boys peered around the property and it seemed as though no one had been there for a long time.

"No need for looking for a welcoming party. The folks live on the other side of the hills."


The cabin was just large enough to have a small bed and a table and place to cook and prepare food. No family could have ever stayed there.

****

Alexander's eyes opened just at the crack of dawn. His eyes were still coming into focus as he rolled over. He rubbed his eyes thinking he must still be dreaming when he heard footsteps running across wood from above. Still not enough light to make out what was running across the sky but he could make out one person chasing down another. When suddenly he heard laughter burst out. It was Aden and Raven. 

The sun peeked up just enough for him to make out wooden bridges running across the tree line. They had to be at least forty feet high going in all directions. Some trees had what could only be described as wooded balconies going around them that lead to a bridge, and some led to multiple bridges spreading in different directions, connecting the trees. 

Aden and Raven were having the time of there lives. Aden was on the hunt and Raven was the prey. Raven was the quickest of all of the Hunters. No one had ever caught her in such a game. The way she could run up an obstacle and spring off into another direction was unmatched. Every time Aden thought he had her, rather by the ankle or some other means, she was somewhere else and he was standing empty-handed. There was a couple of times he realized she was behind him and put a boot into his ass only to be gone as soon as he turned around. 

This was her obstacle course and no one knew it better than she, so in the dark no one stood a chance.  Well, at least not until she was done with Aden. He was going to be the next Priest come hell or high water if she had anything to say about it - and she was sure he was going to be the best Priest of all time.